{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/68f8b13a237885ef40a1df42/698f6c48b0cb4fc2fd1ba515?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Your brain on ping pong, Ilia Malinin's dominance and saving the NBA All Star Game","description":"<p>Senior Writer for The Athletic, Rustin Dodd, and world-class coach Matt Hetherington stop by to explain why table tennis is the ultimate \"brain sport.\" From helping pro athletes sharpen their reaction times to potentially warding off dementia, we explore why you should trade your running shoes for a paddle.&nbsp;With icons like LeBron James, Steph Curry and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sidelined for the 2026 NBA All Star Game, Bulls writer Joel Lorenzi weighs in on whether a \"US vs. The World\" format or a 1v1 tournament save a weekend that’s lost its soul?&nbsp;Also, the \"Quad God,\" figure skater Ilia Malinin often has math-defying performances, but is his technical dominance making the sport \"ugly\"? We discuss the evolution of scoring, the legalization of the backflip, and more.</p><p><br></p><p>Hosts &amp; Guests</p><p>Zena Keita @itszenakeita</p><p>Robert Mays @robertmays</p><p>Jason Goff @Jason1Goff</p><p>Rustin Dodd @rustindodd</p><p>Matt Hetherington @mhtabletennis</p><p>Joel Lorenzi @JoelXLorenzi</p><p><br></p><p>Mix: Matt Shilts</p><p>Executive Producer: Maggie Burbank</p><p>Producer: Jen Bradley</p><p>A Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.</p>","author_name":"The Athletic"}