In this episode of Start the Damn Game, Andrew and Sam discuss everything you need to know as the NBA enters the second half of the season. Are the Cavaliers a legitimate contender in the East? Can anyone break away from the group in the West besides the Thunder? We also discuss the MVP, Rookie of the Year, and Most Improved Player races, as well as our early predictions for who will win the title.

Time Breakdown

2:00-7:30 (Cleveland Cavaliers)

7:30-21:40 (The Eastern Conference as a whole)

21:40-22:50 (Who WILL win the East?)

22:50-25:30 (OKC Thunder)

25:30-33:45 (The "Wild West")

33:45-36:00 (Who is the MVP?)

36:00-40:00 (Who is the Rookie of the Year?)

40:00-43:00 (Who is the Most Improved Player?)

43:00-end (WHO WILL WIN THE FINALS?)

In this episode of Start the Damn Game, Andrew Eastwick and Sam Heuser discuss NBA All-Star Weekend, analyzing what works, what doesn't, and how the league could get better. From Adam Silver's vision for the game, to the rise of international players, we discuss whether the All-Star Game is still relevant and what changes might make it worth seeing again. Plus, what does this weekend indicate for the NBA's future?

Sam Heuser and Andrew Eastwick dig deep into the 2025 NBA Trade Deadline, examining all major moves, rumors, and shocks from around the league. Who made the biggest changes? Which teams raised their chances of winning the championship? And which franchises totally botched their deadline strategy? This and more on Start the Damn Game Episode 3!
#NBA #NBATradeDeadline #NBATrades #BasketballPodcast #NBAAnalysis #TradeRumors #NBANews

2:00-11:10 (Kings)

11:10-15:40 (Philly and Dallas)

15:40-16:25 (Philly)

16:25-25:00 (Jimmy Butler)

25:00-32:00 (Kyle Kuzma)

32:00-37:00 (Wizards, Smart and more)

37:00-38:20 (Jaden Springer)

38:20-45:10 (De'Andre Hunter)

45:10-48:40 (Bogdan for Mann)

48:40-53:50 (Brandon Ingram)

53:50-54:05 (LiAngelo Ball)

54:05-1:02:18 (Mark Williams)

1:02:18-1:06:00 (Cody Martin)

1:06:00-1:09:40 (Marjon for KPJ)

1:09:40-1:12:12 (James Wiseman)

1:12:12-1:18:00 (ALL STAR GAMES, and MORE)

In this episode Andrew Eastwick and Sam Heuser cover the trade that was unthinkable.. Luka Doncic to the Lakers and Anthony Davis to the Mavericks (alongside with JHS to the Jazz). We discuss the Mavericks future, the Lakers future and what they can both achieve this year. Ending with a fun game of who is more untouchable than Luka Doncic!

In the first episode of "Start the Damn Game", Andrew Eastwick and Sam Heuser cover the finish to the Rockets versus Grizzlies game (1/30/25), players and analytics backing up why the all-star game should and should not have certain players, the Keon Ellis and De'Aaron Fox controversy, the potential NBA decrease in minutes per game, SGA not being a free throw merchant, how the NBA can implement their own version of the NCAA's "March Madness", ideas to improve the In-Season Tournament, and some of the top 5 prospects coming into this years NBA Draft!

Stay tuned for a special guest next week!