Nba A To Z With Sam Amick And Jeff Zillgitt

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard joins the NBA A to Z podcast to discuss his video and song called "Bigger Than Us" that is available on iTunes at www.itunes.com/damedolla. Lillard talks about his inspiration for writing the song and what went into the video. Not shy about expressing his thoughts on social issues, Lillard tells Sam Amick and Kevin Spain about his own experience with racial profiling and how he reacted. Amick talks to veteran NBA player Vince Carter about why he wants to honor Martin Luther King and his take on players and social issues.

Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov fired his coach, Lionel Hollins and reassigned his general manager, Billy King, after the team got off to a poor start. NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt discuss these moves with former Nets beat reporter Tim Bontemps, who covers the league for the Washington Post. They look at what's next for the Nets and how we got into this situation. Then Zillgitt, Amick and Kevin Spain break down the conference races, how the Cleveland Cavaliers have joined the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs in a level ahead of everyone else in the league. They also discuss how several teams are battling for final playoff spots in both conferences, including the improving New York Knicks. The guys give their airball and swish.

Alvin Gentry discusses what has gone right and wrong with the New Orleans Pelicans this season and his outlook for the second half with USA TODAY's Sam Amick. He talks about what kind of player he has in Anthony Davis. They also discuss Gentry’s old team, the Golden State Warriors and the injury to coach Steve Kerr and the job that Luke Walton has done. Amick, Jeff Zillgitt and Kevin Spain discuss the outstanding play of Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, aka DrayMagic, and how it compares to one of the NBA's all-time greats Magic Johnson. The guys talk about how, even though the Warriors have the league's best record that the San Antonio Spurs, led by darkhorse MVP candidate Kawhi Leonard, are right on their heels. They also discuss the Miami Heat and how close they are to being a great team. Amick and Zillgitt give their airball and swish.

What's up with Mark Jackson saying that Stephen Curry is hurting the NBA? The NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt discuss that with USA TODAY's Kevin Spain. The guys talk about the Warriors vs. Cavaliers on Christmas, and how it was a good, but ugly game. They talk about Blake Griffin's injury and what that will do to the Los Angeles Clippers. They talk about the Matt Barnes suspension, which everyone had forgotten about. Sam talks to Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic about the Phoenix Suns, who appear to be unravelling. Sam and Jeff give their airball or swish.

Kyrie Irving is back with Cleveland and the NBA A to Z guys discuss what that means. The guys also talk about the Rajon Rondo situation and why Rondo hasn't been more remorseful about what he said to referee Bill Kennedy. Jimmy Butler's comments about coach Fred Hoiberg was another topic on the agenda, and it's interesting the guys' take on that. USA TODAY Sports first MVP voting was released this week and the guys discuss how that went. They also give their airball and swish.

The Golden State Warriors long winning streak ends, but there is still plenty to talk about regarding this team. NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt discuss the streak and what's next for the Warriors with Kevin Spain of USA TODAY Sports. The guys also talk about the great game the Warriors had against Boston and what the Celtics can be moving forward. They also talk about the Oklahoma City Thunder, now the team with the longest streak in the league and how well they're playing. Sam and Jeff give their airball and swish.

USA TODAY Sports Sam Amick talks to Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut in a phone interview and they discuss the winning streak and what he's doing during off time on the road. Bogut talks about what the team has to put up with in other cities as fans try to get close to the team.

As the Philadelphia 76ers continue to flounder, the fans, the team and the league have decided a change is needed. Longtime NBA executive and current director of Team USA basketball Jerry Colangelo takes over as chairman of basketball operations and the A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt break it down with USA TODAY Sports' Kevin Spain. The guys also discuss LeBron James' new shoe deal with Nike and about how great, yet under the radar, the San Antonio Spurs have been. Sam and Jeff make their airball and swish pick and for some reason there's confusion on which one Sam was picking.

With the Golden State Warriors off to a record-breaking 20–0 start, NBA A to Z guy Sam Amick chats with San Francisco Chronicle beat writer Rusty Simmons about covering the team. Will they remain undefeated on this seven-long road trip, and might they break the 1971-72 Lakers' 33-game winning streak? What's more, is there a downside to this dominance that they'll pay the price for come playoff time? Simmons - who has covered the Warriors since 2009 - discusses their road from laughable to lauded, the amazing evolution of Stephen Curry as a player and a person, the Steve Kerr situation, Draymond Green's growth and much more. Simmons also tells the untold tale of the NBA Finals media charter plane that was grounded last June, in essence, because he (health problems be darned) refused to miss the chance to cover Golden State's title run.

Kobe Bryant made official what we've known for a while that this will be his final season in the NBA. The A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt discuss what Bryant means to the game and how this year's poor play shouldn't affect his legacy. The guys also talk about Philadelphia 76ers rookie Jahlil Okafor, who has been in the news lately for the wrong reasons and answer the question, "Should the team be worried longterm about their young star?" Amick has a sit down interview with Oklahoma City Thunder coach Billy Donovan, who talks about why, after all this time, he decided to go to the NBA. The guys give their airball and swish.

The Golden State Warriors keep piling up wins and the NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt weigh in with Kevin Spain on how good they are and how impressive Luke Walton has been as interim coach. They also look at how good Kristaps Porzingis looks for the New York Knicks so far and how Ryan Anderson has gotten hot for the New Orleans Pelicans. Everyone is doing the Dirk now - Dirk Nowitzki's influence on the tall shooter. The ageless wonders of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are leading the Miami Heat to good things so far. The guys give their airball and swish. Oh, and there's an interlude about going to a Grateful Dead concert (after all, we're talking about a Walton).

USA TODAY Sports NBA reporter Sam Amick joins Kevin Spain to discuss why the Houston Rockets fired coach Kevin McHale 11 games into the season. The team was in the Western Conference finals last season, gave McHale a contract extension, and will have to eat a large sum of money. Amick spoke to Rockets general manager Daryl Morey about the move and speculates on what might happen moving forward.

Los Angeles Clippers guard J.J. Redick joins USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick by phone to talk about the team and the rivalry with the Golden State Warriors. They also discuss Redick's appreciation for good sports writing and his new tattoo.

The drama in Sacramento is only one of several teams who might have coaches on the hot seat. USA TODAY's Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt break that down with NBA Editor Kevin Spain. Are George Karl, Byron Scott and Lionel Hollins in trouble? Who else might have a seat getting warm? The guys also talk about being at the Kevin Durant returns to Washington game and the DeAndre Jordan game. They give their airball and swish.

As the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Washington Wizards, it sparks the beginning of the Kevin Durant free agency period that will go through next summer. NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt break it down with Kevin Spain from USA TODAY Sports. They discuss the Golden State Warriors tremendous start and how the week showcased DeAndre Jordan's first trip to Dallas since the free agent fiasco and LaMarcus Aldridge's return to Portland. Jeff and Sam break down what DLeague expansion will mean and address the question, could Kawhi Leonard be an MVP candidate? Both guys cheat on their airball and swish picks.

The NBA season is just getting started and yet, we know everything that's going to happen -- or, the early season overreactions. Stephen Curry will breeze to MVP, the Rockets and James Harden aren't good, the Pistons and Andre Drummond are great. Oh, and Kobe Bryant says he has sucked. NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt, who is out and about, tell you what's right and not with Kevin Spain from USA TODAY Sports. Zillgitt catches up with Chris Bosh after a recent practice and the guys give their swish or airballs. Zillgitt, the resident NBA foodie, tells you where he's been eating.

USA TODAY Sports Sam Amick and Kevin Spain discuss the death of Flip Saunders and how that will affect the Minnesota Timberwolves this season. Amick sits down with TNT's Craig Sager, who is coming back for the second time after being treated for cancer. The guys talk about Amick's coverage of the Golden State Warriors staff playing a basketball game at San Quentin prison.

USA TODAY's Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt discuss the unfortunate Thabo Sefolosha and John Henson situations and how NBA players can face real racism. They talk about some interesting preseason performances and look ahead to the start of the season. They hit on the topic of Jim Buss and the Los Angeles Lakers, coming off a story Amick did for USA TODAY. They talk about where Zillgitt will be eating during opening week.

Josh Lloyd from RedRockBasketball.com joins USA TODAY Sports' Kevin Spain to cut through the noise and give you advice on who you should take in your fantasy basketball draft. They discuss who's underrated, overrated, rookies, guys on new teams and who should be your top pick at each position.

NBA reporter Sam Amick talks with USA TODAY Sports Martin Rogers, who is in Las Vegas covering the sad saga of Lamar Odom, who is fighting for his life after passing out in a Nevada brothel recently.