Nba A To Z With Sam Amick And Jeff Zillgitt

The first USA TODAY NBA mock draft is out and the man who put it together, Derek Bodner, joins Kevin Spain to discuss. They talk about possible top pick Ben Simmons from LSU and how his game fits into the NBA. They break down other players in the Top 10 -- guys who can make an immediate impact and possible surprises. Then they discuss guys at the lower end of the draft and their opportunity to be a good longterm player.

There are few NBA players who evoke reaction from the public than Dwight Howard. The Houston Rockets big man sat down with USA TODAY NBA reporter Sam Amick to discuss the season, the Rockets' style of play and his future. They also talk about why he changed agents and how Howard thinks the Rockets have what it takes to win a championship

Miami Heat forward Luol Deng joins the NBA A to Z podcast to discuss the chances of his team knocking off the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference with USA TODAY reporters Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt. They talk about how the Heat's style of play has changed with the injury to big man Chris Bosh and the way they can play with various lineups. They also discuss Deng's impending free agency and what he likes about the Heat and if he's open to playing somewhere else next season.

Jared Dudley of the Washington Wizards joins NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt to talk about the evolution of the game and how his position of stretch four has changed. They also discuss free agency and Dudley’s opinion that the mid-level salaries need to be adjusted. Amick talks to LeBron James about former players criticizing Stephen Curry’s game, as well as some of the other current players and Dudley also weighs in. Being a foodie, Dudley talks about some of the great food cities in the NBA.

Kevin Durant talks to NBA A to Z guy Sam Amick to discuss the Oklahoma City Thunder’s recent struggles, not only on the floor but off. And, of course, Durant discusses his forthcoming free agency that will be the top story when July rolls around. As Durant made clear, the unprecedented nature of the league’s salary cap situation this summer means the possibilities are seemingly endless. Amick, Jeff Zillgitt and Kevin Spain break down the continuing dominance of the Golden State Warriors. They talk about how a little internal bickering, which seems to come from the outspoken Draymond Green, might be a good thing. They also break down the declining play of the Cleveland Cavaliers. They also chat about some of the teams battling for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference (what's happening with the Chicago Bulls?).

Since there's not much discussion of Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, the NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt talk about his season with USA TODAY's Kevin Spain. The guys also discuss the race in the Eastern Conference and if the Toronto Raptors can catch the Cleveland Cavaliers and what teams will make the playoffs. They explore the candidacy of Portland's Terry Stotts as coach of the year.

Los Angeles Lakers president Jeanie Buss joins NBA A to Z to discuss Kobe Bryant's future with NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt. She also talks about her stance on ads on jerseys and what it's like in the owners meetings. They talk about being a woman in a man's world of ownership. She says her and coach Byron Scott don't talk.

Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves rookie center, joins NBA A to Z guy Sam Amick for a quick conversation after practice. Towns is the leading candidate for NBA rookie of the year, an award he says that he's not necessarily chasing, but that he realizes that if he succeeds, so does the team.

NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt break down the trades made at NBA trade deadline. There's more to the story of Jeff Green being shipped out of Memphis. What to make of Lance Stephenson with the Grizzlies. How did the Wizards make out in their move. And, Dwight Howard is still in Houston.

NBA A to Z guy Sam Amick talks to Jordan Kilganon, who is a professional dunker from Canada. Kilganon was the guy who came out of the stands in jeans at the NBA All-Star Game and performed a no-look dunk that sent everyone - including the NBA players - into a frenzy. He talks about how he got started, his inspiration for his dunks and how he should be coaching the participants of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Sam also chats quickly with DeMar DeRozan, the Toronto Raptors guard who will be a free agent this summer.

Now that the NBA All-Star weekend is over, NBA A to Z guy Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the best of the festivities -- which seemed to be all about Kobe Bryant and the great Slam Dunk contest -- with USA TODAY's Kevin Spain. They then look ahead to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers as they prepare for the second half sprint. We hear from Gregg Popovich on how great of a defender Kawhi Leonard has become. The guys look ahead to the Spurs, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers second half chances. Because of concern from their Toronto uber driver, stand-up comedian Tim Rabnett, the guys also project the finish for the Raptors. Jeff teases one move that could be made at the trade deadline.

Just like the regular season, the NBA All-Star weekend is a farewell tour for Kobe Bryant. The 20-year Lakers veteran has been praised by everyone in Toronto and flanked by hordes of media members from all over the world. NBA A to Z guy Sam Amick talks to Orange County Times reporter Bill Oram, who is there to cover Bryant, about what it has been like. USA TODAY's Kevin Spain catches up with Indy Car driver James Hinchcliffe, the mayor of Hinchtown, who is a Toronto native and loving the fact that the All Star game is in his city. He discusses his basketball fandom, the accident that almost took his life and the fact that he has his own beer.

In an All-Star edition of the NBA A to Z podcast, Sam Amick discusses with Kevin Spain Al Horford's future in Atlanta and talks to Horford after Eastern Conference practice. Amick then talks to Chris Bosh, who was a late scratch from Sunday's game, in the group setting after practice.

New York Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis has a good relationship with new coach Kurt Rambis and has adjusted well to the changes, NBA A to Z guy Sam Amick reports from Toronto. Sam also talks to Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green about his first trip to All-Star weekend and his newly found fashion sense.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver joins the NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt to discuss how players are now moving to markets for opportunity and how there is starting to be more parity. They talk about the growth of basketball globally and some rule changes, including the hack-a-player. He talks about the Blake Griffin incident. They also chat about his two years on the job and his outlook for the future.

NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt discuss the practice of intentionally fouling players who are poor free throw shooters and NBA commissioner Adam Silver saying a rule is going to be changed. Later in the show, Sam Amick has a phone conversation with ESPN analyst and former coach Jeff Van Gundy, who is an outspoken critic of the rule.

With the Cleveland Cavaliers being the best team in the Eastern Conference, why didn't they get more than one player on the All-Star team? USA TODAY's Jeff Zillgitt breaks down why Kevin Love didn't make the roster with Kevin Spain. The guys also discuss the case for Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, and break down the guys who did make it. Jeff discusses the difference in the Cavaliers since Tyronn Lue has taken over for David Blatt as coach.

NBA analyst Jalen Rose joins NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt to talk about his book "Got to Give the People What They Want" and what inspired him to take on the project. The guys discuss Rose's career in media, a lot of which he writes about in the book. Zillgitt, who is a Michigan native, and Rose talk about some of the all-time great high school players from the state of Michigan during their time growing up. They also talk about an incident with Rose, while at the University of Michigan, that happened at Michigan State, Zillgitt's alma mater. They hit on the league and some possible moves that could be made by trade deadline.

Philadelphia 76ers coach Brett Brown, who endured the ultimate culture shock after leaving the San Antonio Spurs to take on a monumental challenge of leading the Sixers, calls in to chat with the NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt to discuss the pain of losing and the joy of (recent) improvement. From his take on embattled rookie Jahlil Okafor to the timeline for this Sixers rebuild to his relationship with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich to reflections about his upbringing as a Davy Crockett of sorts in his hometown of Portland, Maine, Brown is honest, entertaining and insightful all the way through.

Does the Cleveland Cavaliers blowout loss to the Golden State Warriors mean they're in trouble come playoff time? Does it mean the Warriors are unstoppable? The NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt break it down with USA TODAY Sports' Kevin Spain. Zillgitt covered the game and talks about what was going on at the arena. The guys explore the topic of the pregame trash talk, and did it have an effect? They also discuss the big game looming with the Warriors against the San Antonio Spurs and discuss how Kevin Durant says the media hates the Oklahoma City Thunder. Jeff and Sam give their airball or swish.