Episodes

  • NBA Expert Fran Fraschilla Reveals How International Basketball Is Taking Over!

    NBA Expert Fran Fraschilla Reveals How International Basketball Is Taking Over!
    Feb 28 2025
    This week, Fran Fraschilla, basketball expert, joins the hosts to discuss everything from Joe Mazzulla’s coaching evolution to the rise of Spain’s pick-and-roll dominance in the NBA. Fran shares his thoughts on how college basketball has changed with the rise of NIL and the Transfer Portal, and the impact of international talent on the NBA. He also offers insights on generational prospects and how scouting has evolved globally. The hosts also dive into recent matchups, starting with a Celtics vs Cavaliers preview. With the Cavs on an 8-game win streak, can they get revenge on Boston after their last loss? The hosts discuss how missing players like Darius Garland and Jaylen Brown might affect each team. Then, they break down the Mavericks at Lakers and Celtics at Pistons games. Luka Doncic made history with a triple-double against every NBA team—joining legends LeBron James and Russell Westbrook? And despite being without Brown, the Pistons stunned the Celtics—who saw that coming? Tune in for all the hoops talk, predictions, and expert analysis with Travis Thomas & Ountae Campbell on this week's Hold My Banner! Catch 'Hold My Banner every Wednesday and Friday on NESN's Youtube, Twitch, and wherever you listen to podcasts. GET NESN 360: https://nesn.com/download-the-nesn-app/ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/NESN Twitter: https://twitter.com/NESN Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NESN/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nesn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nesn Twitch: https://twitch.tv/nesn/ 00:00 Intro 01:04 Celtics vs Cavaliers Preview 06:07 Mavericks at Lakers / Celtics at Pistons Recap 11:44 Fran Fraschilla Interview - Joe Mazzulla, coaching evolution, International basketball, NIL, Transfer Portal, and Cooper Flagg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    53 mins
  • The Knicks Are In Trouble! Can They Really Compete With NBA’s Elite?

    The Knicks Are In Trouble! Can They Really Compete With NBA’s Elite?
    Feb 26 2025
    The New York Knicks are facing a serious challenge as they struggle to compete with the NBA's elite teams, posting a 0-7 record against the Cavs, Thunder, and Celtics. Despite having a solid roster, the Knicks have faltered in these key matchups, raising questions about their true contender status. Are they built to make a deep playoff run, or are they still a few pieces away from competing with the top dogs in the league? Travis Thomas & Ountae Campbell dive into what this means for the Knicks’ playoff hopes and whether they can stay healthy enough to make a real push when it matters most. Next up, the Celtics are on the second night of a back-to-back, heading to Detroit to face a red-hot Pistons squad riding a 7-game win streak. Will the Celtics overcome fatigue, or will the Pistons continue their unexpected surge? The conversation shifts to Cooper Flagg, a player the hosts believe could be the next big thing in basketball. Is he a generational talent? How does he compare to the last 10 No. 1 overall picks? What’s his ceiling, and what’s his floor? The guys discuss whether he could end up on an NBA juggernaut. Then, Luka Doncic faces off against his old team, the Mavs, for the first time this season! Will his new squad reign supreme? Travis and Ountae also discuss what bets they'd make and whether either team has impressed since their major trades. Finally, in the NBA League Pass Game of the Week, Ountae has his eye on Thunder vs. Nets tonight, while Travis is hyped for Warriors at Magic tomorrow. With both teams struggling for playoff positioning, these matchups are not to be missed. Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode of Hold My Banner, hosted by Travis Thomas & Ountae Campbell! Catch 'Hold My Banner every Wednesday and Friday on NESN's Youtube, Twitch, and wherever you listen to podcasts. GET NESN 360: https://nesn.com/download-the-nesn-app/ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/NESN Twitter: https://twitter.com/NESN Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NESN/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nesn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nesn Twitch: https://twitch.tv/nesn/ 00:00 Intro 01:50 Knicks: Contenders or Pretenders? 16:53 Celtics at Pistons Preview 25:59 Is Cooper Flagg A Generational Talent? 45:25 Luka Doncic vs The Mavericks 49:16 Must Watch NBA League Pass Games Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    54 mins
  • Is Cooper Flagg a Generational Talent? Heated Debate on Duke’s Rising Star! (Clip)

    Is Cooper Flagg a Generational Talent? Heated Debate on Duke’s Rising Star! (Clip)
    Feb 26 2025
    Is Cooper Flagg a generational talent? In this segment, Travis and Ountae dive into the exciting potential of Cooper Flagg, who is already turning heads at Duke. The hosts explore how Flagg stacks up against the last 10 number 1 overall picks, comparing his game to some of the best players in recent history. Could he be the best prospect we've seen in years, or is there someone better? Tune in as the hosts break it all down, only on Hold My Banner with Travis Thomas & Ountae Campbell! Catch 'Hold My Banner every Wednesday and Friday on NESN's Youtube, Twitch, and wherever you listen to podcasts. GET NESN 360: https://nesn.com/download-the-nesn-app/ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/NESN Twitter: https://twitter.com/NESN Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NESN/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nesn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nesn Twitch: https://twitch.tv/nesn/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    13 mins
  • Victor Wembanyama Out For The Season - Can The Spurs Land Cooper Flagg?

    Victor Wembanyama Out For The Season - Can The Spurs Land Cooper Flagg?
    Feb 21 2025
    Victor Wembanyama’s season-ending injury and what it means for the Spurs—should they tank or develop their young talent? And with the Spurs' draft position now in play, do they have a shot at landing the highly coveted Cooper Flagg? We also talk about the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors and Bobby Portis’ 25-game suspension, plus how the Bucks will cope. Next, we preview the Celtics vs Knicks matchup—will the Knicks get blown out again? And in Wicked or Kick It, we judge NBA outfits from Jaylen Brown, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaren Jackson Jr., and LaMelo Ball. The Lakers’ recent struggles are also in the spotlight—LeBron has missed crucial game-winners, Luka Doncic is off to a slow start, and a failed physical for Mark Williams could add to the drama. Are Lakers fans worried about these setbacks? Finally, Ountae and Travis share their NBA League Pass Games to Watch—don’t miss it! Tune in for all this and more with your hosts Travis Thomas and Ountae Campbell on Hold My Banner! Catch 'Hold My Banner every Wednesday and Friday on NESN's Youtube, Twitch, and wherever you listen to podcasts. GET NESN 360: https://nesn.com/download-the-nesn-app/ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/NESN Twitter: https://twitter.com/NESN Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NESN/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nesn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nesn Twitch: https://twitch.tv/nesn/ 00:00 Intro 01:28 Victor Wembanyama Out For The Year 16:27 Will Giannis Antetokounmpo Request A Trade This Offseason? 24:50 Celtics vs Knicks 33:27 Wicked Or Kick It - NBA Fashion 46:17 Are Lakers Fans Worried? 49:26 Must Watch NBA League Pass Games Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    54 mins
  • Time to DITCH NBA Conferences? How BIG Changes Could Reshape The League!

    Time to DITCH NBA Conferences? How BIG Changes Could Reshape The League!
    Feb 19 2025
    Time to remove conferences in the NBA? We challenge whether the NBA should ditch the conference system and have the top 16 teams based on record face off in the playoffs, regardless of conference. They break down how this could change the playoff structure, making matchups more competitive and less predictable. The guys also dive into the idea of a play-in tournament in Las Vegas for the 15-20 seeds, and Trav proposes the bold suggestion that the league might need fewer teams overall. Could these changes completely reshape the NBA playoffs? Don’t miss this intense discussion with Hold My Banner hosts Travis Thomas & Ountae Campbell as they break down the future of the NBA playoffs! Catch 'Hold My Banner every Wednesday and Friday on NESN's Youtube, Twitch, and wherever you listen to podcasts. GET NESN 360: https://nesn.com/download-the-nesn-app/ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/NESN Twitter: https://twitter.com/NESN Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NESN/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nesn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nesn Twitch: https://twitch.tv/nesn/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    13 mins
  • Why The NBA All-Star Game NEEDS To Come To BOSTON & Get A Complete Overhaul!

    Why The NBA All-Star Game NEEDS To Come To BOSTON & Get A Complete Overhaul!
    Feb 19 2025
    Could the NBA All-Star Game be coming to Boston? We dive deep into what it would take to bring the event to Beantown and how the All-Star Game itself needs a major overhaul. From Jayson Tatum’s amazing performance to the awkward 18-minute break during the game to celebrate the broadcast, the guys discuss what worked and what didn’t at this year’s All-Star Weekend. Travis loved the Friday and Saturday night festivities but wasn’t impressed by Sunday’s games. Is it time to fix the format and make the event more exciting? The conversation heats up as the hosts debate whether the NBA should get rid of conferences altogether and just have the top 16 teams face off in the playoffs. Trav even suggests cutting the number of teams in the league to improve competition. Plus, Ountae puts Travis to the test with a list of the highest-paid players who’ve never made an All-Star team—can he guess the top 5? The guys also talk about this season's biggest disappointments—are the Suns or 76ers more underwhelming? Is Paul George the biggest letdown, or is there someone else? And which team is the biggest surprise: the Rockets or Pistons? Ountae recommends watching Hornets at Lakers for some trade drama and LaMelo Ball magic, while Trav’s looking forward to Clippers at Bucks to see if the Bucks can beat a hot Clippers team at home. They wrap up with a preview of the upcoming Celtics vs 76ers game. Tune in to Hold My Banner with hosts Travis Thomas & Ountae Campbell for all the basketball talk, hot takes, and their vision for fixing the All-Star Game in Boston! Catch 'Hold My Banner every Wednesday and Friday on NESN's Youtube, Twitch, and wherever you listen to podcasts. GET NESN 360: https://nesn.com/download-the-nesn-app/ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/NESN Twitter: https://twitter.com/NESN Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NESN/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nesn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nesn Twitch: https://twitch.tv/nesn/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    54 mins
  • 2025 All-Star Game: MVP Picks & Can’t-Miss Moments!

    2025 All-Star Game: MVP Picks & Can’t-Miss Moments!
    Feb 14 2025
    NBA's All-Star weekend is here! We predict who will take home the All-Star Game MVP and discuss which events are must-see. Will the 3-Point Contest, Skills Challenge, or Dunk Contest steal the spotlight? Plus, the Rising Stars game brings its own drama—who should fans keep an eye on? We also discuss the standout performances we expect from 2025 All-Stars like LeBron James, Victor Wembanyama, Anthony Edwards, and Stephen Curry, and whether Jayson Tatum's MVP push can keep the Celtics on top. We dive into the Celtics' 116-103 win over the Spurs, including our first impressions of Torrey Craig in green and the key takeaways that could shape Boston’s playoff journey. Then, it’s time for Wicked Or Kick It, where we judge the NBA’s freshest fits. Does Torrey Craig, Alperen Sengun, or Brandon Ingram’s style get the stamp of approval, or are they getting kicked to the curb? Special guest Mitch Lawrence from Sirius XM NBA Radio joins the show for an in-depth discussion on the chaotic trade deadline, the Mavericks’ Luka Doncic trade, and whether the Western Conference stands a chance against the Celtics in a playoff series. Mitch also weighs in on the Celtics' quest for Banner #19 and compares this team to past NBA dynasties—are they the next Warriors? And don’t miss the latest NBA news, including Markelle Fultz’s signing with the Kings. Tune in for all the hot takes, insights, and a little style critique, only on Hold My Banner with Travis Thomas and Ountae Campbell! Catch 'Hold My Banner every Wednesday and Friday on NESN's Youtube, Twitch, and wherever you listen to podcasts. GET NESN 360: https://nesn.com/download-the-nesn-app/ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/NESN Twitter: https://twitter.com/NESN Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NESN/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nesn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nesn Twitch: https://twitch.tv/nesn/ 00:00 Intro 00:55 NBA All Star Weekend Preview 13:14 Celtics vs Spurs Recap 20:37 Wicked Or Kick It - NBA Fashion 29:33 Mitch Lawrence Interview - NBA Trade Deadline & Celtics Playoff Outlook 48:28 Markelle Fultz Signs With The Kings Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    53 mins
  • Top 5 MUST-HAVE Players For The Patriots This Offseason!

    Top 5 MUST-HAVE Players For The Patriots This Offseason!
    Feb 13 2025
    What are the most pressing offseason decisions for the New England Patriots? With free agency, trades, and the draft on the horizon, the guys break down their top 5 targets to help elevate the team. Who makes the list? Travis and George have different takes on the future of the Patriots, from explosive wide receivers like Travis Hunter and Tee Higgins, to disruptive defenders like Myles Garrett and Josh Sweat. Tune in to hear their rankings and predictions! Then, they tackle what's trending across the sports world, including Kevin Durant making history by surpassing 30,000 points, the new NBA app that lets you watch live games projected as a tabletop, and the drama surrounding Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont being booed at a home game. Next, Travis and George shift gears to the Boston Red Sox, reacting to the latest comments from Chief Baseball Officer, Craig Breslow. Are the Red Sox serious playoff contenders in the AL East, or is a rebuild still on the horizon? Hear their thoughts on the team’s roster and whether you should bet on the Sox making the playoffs. Plus, the guys rank the AL East as it stands today. Lastly, with Aaron Rodgers' future uncertain, Travis and George discuss his top landing spots for 2025, including surprise teams like the Steelers, Colts, and even the Rams. Will the future Hall of Famer end up with a contender or take a wild detour? Tune in for all this and more in another high-energy episode. Whether you’re a die-hard Boston sports fan or just love sports talk with a local twist, Boston Has Entered The Chat with Travis Thomas & George Balekji is your weekly fix. Catch NESN’s daily sports podcast 'Boston Has Entered The Chat' every Monday through Friday on NESN's Youtube, Twitch, Facebook, and wherever you listen to podcasts. Got a Question or Comment for the show? Tweet at us using #NESNChat or email us at thechat@nesn.com GET NESN 360: https://nesn.com/download-the-nesn-app/ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/NESN Twitter: https://twitter.com/NESN Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NESN/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nesn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nesn Twitch: https://twitch.tv/nesn/ 00:00 Intro 01:43 Patriots Offseason Targets 17:12 Kevin Durant Surpasses 30k Points 21:18 New NBA app on Vision Pro 24:37 Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont Booed At The Mavs Game 29:34 Are The Red Sox Playoff Bound? 43:20 Aaron Rodgers Top Landing Spots Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    54 mins