Share

cover art for Who are the Best in the West? + Heat Check

The Athletic NBA Daily

Who are the Best in the West? + Heat Check

Saturday Slam and Jam

Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers recap the week that was in the NBA, have a Best Players in the West tournament challenge, discuss Alex's Pre-Leap Players and more.


In Part 2, Wes Goldberg of Locked On Heat joins to discuss the Heat's path to the Playoffs, rotations, Dwayne Wade, and more. Then the boys play a rousing edition of Andrew vs. The Beat


  • With Indeed, you only pay for quality applications that match your must-have job requirements; visit Indeed.com/NBASHOW22 to start hiring now!

More episodes

View all episodes

  • Are the Knicks broken? + Norman Powell is bowlegged

    33:25|
    Dave DuFour and Zena Keita are joined by Fred Katz of the Athletic to discuss his story on Norman Powell, his season, and Bam Adebayo’s commentary on Norm’s bowleggedness. Then, Fred is asked about the situation for the Knicks, if they would trade KAT, how safe is Mike Brown, and more.Take our listener survey! theathletic.com/survey26Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/eme2tPcUM2Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita and Fred KatzProducer: Andrew SchlechtVideo Producer: Alex Oliver
  • Can the Warriors be fixed? w Marcus Thompson | Morning Shoot Around

    52:36|
    Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, Es Baraheni and Marcus Thompson discuss the situation in Golden State and their place in the West.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita, Es Baraheni and Marcus ThompsonProducer: Andrew Schlecht
  • Rockets Spurs Thriller + Kuminga’s return

    28:44|
    Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to the Jimmy Butler injury news and Jonathan Kuminga’s opportunity, Keynote George’s 43-point game, and Jalen Green’s return. Then, Will Guillory joins the show to discuss the Rockets comeback win over the Spurs, their defense on Victor Wembanyama, and whether they will make a move at the trade deadline.Take our listener survey! theathletic.com/survey26Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/eme2tPcUM2Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni and Will GuilloryExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Producer: Alex Oliver
  • Changes for the Knicks?

    23:27|
    Dave DuFour and Zena Keita react to the Knicks embarrassing loss to the Mavericks and the All Star starter announcements. Then, Hunter Patterson joins the show to discuss the Pistons win over the Celtics, the big game vibes, and Detroit as the best team in the East.Take our listener survey! theathletic.com/survey26Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/eme2tPcUM2Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita and Hunter PattersonExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Producer: Alex Oliver
  • Ant vs. Wemby + NBA Stock Watch

    30:10|
    Dave DuFour, Zena Keita and Es Baraheni react to Ja Morant’s return for the Grizzlies in London, the epic battle between Anthony Edwards and Victor Wembanyama, and take a look at some recent trends with the Knicks, Cavs, Clippers, and Warriors.Take our listener survey! theathletic.com/survey26Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/eme2tPcUM2Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni and Zena KeitaExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Producer: Alex Oliver
  • Mid Season Slammies + Will the Bucks Finally Trade Giannis? | Slam N Jam


    01:26:18|
    Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers discuss the week of NBA basketball, and hand our their mid season awards, the Slammies, a different kind of awards show aimed at pointing out some of the fun and unusual things going on around the NBA. After a break Eric Nehm of the Athletic joins to discuss the Bucks and how their season has gone so poorly, if Doc Rivers could be on the hot seat, if Giannis would sign an extension and more. Then the gang play a fun edition of Andrew vs. the BeatJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/eme2tPcUM2Host: Andrew Schlecht and Alex SpeersWith: Eric NehmExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Producer: Monica Compton
  • Do the Rockets pass the eye test?

    25:49|
    Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to the Thunder dropping the Rockets, the lack of easy offense for Houston, and where the Bucks go after another blowout loss. Then, Joe Vardon joins the show from Berlin where Franz Wagner returned and delivered a Magic win and Anthony Black dunked on the world.Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/eme2tPcUM2Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni and Joe VardonExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Producer: Alex Oliver
  • Cavs dominate Sixers

    26:53|
    Dave DuFour and Zena discuss the Cavs dismantling of the 76ers, the Kings picking up their third straight win, and the Nuggets continued success without Nikola Jokić. Then, Tony Jones joins the gang to react to the Sixers lack of energy against Cleveland, Joel Embiid’s current level of play, and Tyrese Maxey’s All NBA chances.Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/eme2tPcUM2Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita and Tony JonesExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Producer: Alex Oliver
  • 5 Burning NBA Questions | Morning Shoot Around

    56:03|
    Dave DuFour, Zena Keita and Es Baraheni discuss 5 questions about the NBA Season:1. If the Playoffs started today, which of the top 6 seeds in either conference does nobody fear?2. Which superstar is under the most pressure in the 2nd half of the season?3. Which role player has had the biggest breakout this season (non-all star)4. Which young team are you picking to make it past round 1 of the Playoffs?5. Which team is in need of the biggest face lift at the trade deadline in order to make a push this season Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni, Zena KeitaProducer: Andrew Schlecht