Fresh off Sacramento clinching its first playoff spot since 2005-06, Kings head coach Mike Brown joins Haynes and Stein for a wide-ranging and candid convo that explains the approach he brought into this new job, some of the challenges involved in trying to change a culture, jobs he didn't get before landing Sacramento's, Xs-and-Os insights to explain some of the success De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis have achieved this season, how aware the Kings are of some West teams reportedly wanting to face them in the playoffs and some little-known history about what his playing career had in common with Dirk Nowitzki's. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest episode of #thisleague UNCUT, Marc Stein tells Chris Haynes that he thinks we already know the 10 teams that will occupy the top 10 spots in the final West standings ... because Stein contends that the Mavericks will not be able to rally from their two consecutive losses to Charlotte to even make the play-in round. From there the guys go deep on the Mavericks' nightmarish weekend, Luka Doncic discussing his frustrations, Dallas' struggles since trading for Kyrie Irving and how badly the Mavs miss the guy Chris just interviewed for Bleacher Report: Jalen Brunson. There's also much more on the West playoff race, LeBron James' earlier-than-expected comeback, Patrick Berkeley's impact on the Bulls and, thanks to Haynes' storytelling, more about Stein's motoring preferences than you ever expected to hear. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest episode of #thisleague UNCUT, after Chris Haynes' arrival for their latest recording was delayed slightly by a one-on-one chat he had to finish up with a Knicks star, Chris joined Marc Stein to discuss all the latest major injury news in the West surrounding Paul George, LeBron James and Zion Williamson and how injuries have affected the strange-looking West standings. They also naturally talked about the Dallas Mavericks' looming protest of their Wednesday night home loss to Golden State, delved into the tenuous climate for referees in today's NBA and closed, unexpectedly, with some moving remembrances of former Trail Blazers forward Jerome Kersey. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What can you expect from the latest episode of #thisleague UNCUT? Ifyou want injury updates on LeBron James and Anthony Davis that you can't get anywhere else ... and more rants about the uncharacteristic mediocrity that pervades the Western Conference ... and Chris Haynes' insistence that Mike Brown should be a UNANIMOUS Coach of the Year selection ... and Marc Stein's (let's call it untraditional) list of his all-time favorite hoops sneaks ... and another hard-to-fathom tale from Haynes about the time he almost had to cover a game on television with no shirt ... THIS is your podcast! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest edition of #thisleague UNCUT covers lots of ground, from our reaction to the NBA's Ja Morant sanctions to a breakdown of the very crowded All-NBA landscape for guards to our review of Damian Lillard's latest podcast comments to JJ Redick -- as well as what he said to this very podcast about a month ago. As a bonus, at Chris Haynes' behest, we also addressed some listener complaints after nearly two months of podding together. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest edition of #thisleague UNCUT, Marc Stein rants against the uncharacteristic mediocrity throughout the Western Conference that, essentially 70 games into season, has begun to set him off. Chris Haynes isn't quite as down on the West as Stein ... maybe because he just connected with Kings coach Mike Brown and star guard De'Aaron Fox for an inside look at Sacramento's Cinderella season. The guys go in-depth on Chris' recent Bleacher Report story on the West's No. 2 seed and the Kings' long-awaited playoff push and also talk more about various award races, share some behind-the-scenes stories about what's been happening in Sactown in recent seasons and somehow wind up with an unplanned but revealing look at elements of Chris' college career. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest edition of #thisleague UNCUT, Chris Haynes and Marc Stein get together to talk about Joel Embiid's postgame interview with Chris from Tuesday night on TNT, how Embiid seems almost resigned to losing the MVP race to Nikola Jokic again, how both Haynes and Stein believe the race is NOT over, how they both approach MVP voting philosophically ... plus an extended discussion about James Harden's first full season in Philadelphia and the looming threat of him going back to Houston. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After profuse apologies from Marc Stein for a travel schedule that delayed the dropping of this podcast by one day, Stein and his pod partner Chris Haynes finally do connect to discuss the Ja Morant situation in Memphis from numerous angles, share their takeaways from Sunday's Phoenix/Dallas showdown, wander unexpectedly into the secrets of sideline reporting and ultimately assess Stein's claim that Denver, Golden State and Phoenix are the only three teams that can win the West. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a very busy edition of #thisleague UNCUT, Chris Haynes and Marc Stein discuss Kevin Durant's impressive debut as a Sun, how Phoenix will cope with the continuity edge possessed by title contenders like Boston, Milwaukee and Denver, Stephen Curry's looming return from injury in Golden State, LOTS on Russell Westbrook's early days in Clipperland, LOTS more on what LeBron James' foot injury means for the Lakers' ongoing struggles to get into the playoffs, Chris' own epic struggles adjusting to snow after moving from Portland to Cleveland nearly a decade ago, Marc's incurable tennis addiction and eclectic shoe collection ... and a tribute, in closing, to legendary Pacers PR man David Benner. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 11 is best described is a freestylin' edition of #thisleague UNCUT. Chris Haynes and Marc Stein reflect on a slew of memorable games that have taken place since the NBA returned from the All-Star break ... but they do so in the midst of Damian Lillard's 71-point eruption against Houston. So brace yourself for some live play-by-play and excited reactions from Chris, amid talk about the Kings and Lakers and Mavericks, once it becomes apparent that Lillard will register a new career high in his first game played since appearing on the pod himself just last week. There is also some analysis of the Hawks' hiring of Quin Snyder and some behind-the-scenes storytime that Haynes steers Stein into and, in closing, an impromptu interview with Chauncey Billups when Chris decides to call the Blazers' coach on his drive home. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In episode 10, Chris Haynes and Marc Stein begin recapping NBA All-Star weekend. Chris was in Utah for All-Star weekend and shares stories about a $10,000 poker tournament and parties involving the games biggest stars. Later, they react to the Atlanta Hawks parting ways with Nate McMillan and then they discuss the role Hawks star PG Trae Young plays. Chris and Marc finish up examining the NBA buyout market and answering which player will be most impactful - will it be Westbrook with the Clippers, Love with the Heat or someone else that steps up? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NBA All-Star Damian Lillard joins Chris Haynes and Marc Stein on this episode of #thisleague UNCUT. Dame explains why he's not surprised by his exceptional level of play this season and then he shares his perspective on the Gary Payton II trade. He also takes us inside a conversation he had with Kevin Garnett about his future with Portland and then he talks about his experience going from a young player to a veteran. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3-time Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford joins Chris Haynes and Marc Stein on this episode of #thisleague UNCUT. He gives his expectations for judging the NBA’s Dunk Contest despite, admittedly, only dunking twice in his professional career! He also gives his analysis of the Suns after adding Kevin Durant as well as the Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving pairing in Dallas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In their latest pod session, Chris Haynes and Marc Stein go deep on the NBA's 2023 buyout market -- on both the players who have already found new homes (Reggie Jackson, Terrence Ross and Danny Green) and several of the more high-profile names (such as Russell Westbrook, John Wall, Patrick Beverley and Serge Ibaka) who are still looking for their next team. They also discuss the delayed four-team trade that will at last bring Gary Payton II back to Golden State and send James Wiseman to Detroit ... with some fresh insight from Chris on why the Blazers are expected to face an investigation from the league into their injury disclosure practices. All that and more in the latest edition of #thisleague UNCUT. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Haynes and Marc Stein recap one of the wildest trade deadlines in recent memory and where Kevin Durant’s Suns, his now former team in Brooklyn and the rest of the NBA goes from here after all the movement. As a bonus they also share a slew of unreported tidbits from their notebooks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

News happens fast and #thisleague UNCUT has you covered! Marc Stein handles this episode solo to give you an immediate reaction to the MASSIVE trade sending Kevin Durant to the Suns to team up with Chris Paul and Devin Booker. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#thisleague indeed! Chris Haynes and Marc Stein are here reacting to the blockbuster trade sending Kyrie Irving from the Nets to the Mavericks to team up with Luka Doncic. Chris dives in on the timeline, explaining how this trade came together and what other offers the Nets were considering. Marc shares the team the Nets did not want to have Kyrie end up with. Plus, the surprising All-Star that was offered to Brooklyn in a deal for Kyrie but was turned down. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the first week of the podcast so why not welcome our first guest and drop a bonus episode?! Malik Beasley of the Utah Jazz joins the show to tell you what it’s truly like to be an NBA player who could be on the move as the trade deadline approaches. He shares his experience with being previously traded, what he’s hearing about a possible trade right now and why the Jazz have been one of the surprise teams so far this season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#thisleague UNCUT featuring veteran NBA reporters Chris Haynes and Marc Stein provide their latest insight as the NBA trade deadline is now one week away. Chris adds to his reporting on Bones Hyland of the Denver Nuggets and why we can expect him to be moved in the coming days. Marc has his doubts about Raptors F OG Anunoby getting traded but does believe another Eastern Conference players will be on the move. Plus, Chris shares a fresh report about a new player to keep your eyes on as talks are heating up! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the first episode of #thisleague UNCUT featuring veteran NBA reporters Chris Haynes and Marc Stein giving you the latest on news from around the association. They discuss the Lakers acquiring Rui Hachimura and if we can expect LA to make another move to order to climb back into contention with LeBron James. Stein explains why the Raptors are hesitant to move Fred VanVleet and Chris shares a surprising name to keep an eye on as the deadline approaches! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.