The Woj Pod

Author Mike Sielski joins The Woj Pod to discuss his remarkable new book on the origin story of Kobe Bryant: "The Rise: Kobe Bryant and the Pursuit of Immortality."

The Denver Nuggets' Jeff Green joins The Woj Pod on the 10th anniversary of life changing heart surgery, how it changed him, the Sonics, KD-Russ-Harden OKC Thunder, KG's Celtics, playing with the genius of Nikola Jokic, why he wants to play into his 40's and much, much more. 

Woj discusses the NBA Christmas Day slate and how Covid will impact those games --- and lineups for the rest of the season. Then, author Dan Grunfeld joins to discuss his moving new book, "By The Grace of the Game: The Holocaust, a Basketball Legacy and an Unprecedented American Dream." Grunfeld's book is a family memoir built around his father, Ernie, and his grandparents, who escaped the Holocaust to come to America. 

Golden State Warriors President/GM Bob Myers joins The Woj Pod on cusp of Steph Curry's record-breaking night to reflect on the game's greatest shooter, his complete joy and absence of jealousy and the imminent return of Klay Thompson. 

ESPN's front-office insider Bobby Marks joins The Woj Pod to discuss the fallout of the Bulls-Heat free agency probe, the dawning of NBA trade season, the looming collective bargaining talks and much, much more. 

ESPN's Michael Wilbon joins The Woj Pod to discuss the Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls revivals, Bradley Beal and DC, what star players want, and remembering deadline column writing. Plus: Cassidy Hubbarth on the Lakers-Celtics game Friday in Boston. 

Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach Dave Joerger joins The Woj Pod to discuss his recent cancer diagnosis, his plan to leave the team during treatments, his good prognosis for recovery and his plea for people to pursue early detection and treatment on cancer. 

ESPN Senior Writer Baxter Holmes joins The Woj Pod to discuss the reporting in his blockbuster story centered on Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver's behavior and the organization's culture throughout his 17 years of leadership. 

Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins joins the Woj Pod to discuss his franchise's rise into an Eastern power, the push for his $125M extension, growing up as a military brat, and much, much more. 

Milwaukee Bucks GM Jon Horst on the franchise's first championship in 50 years, the burden and responsibility of supporting Giannis' generational talent, how the MVP dictates Bucks' culture and the GM's new extension; Malika Andrews on Kyrie Irving and the Nets, Ben Simmons and the Sixers and hosting ESPN's new daily show, the NBA Today. 

Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups joins The Woj Pod to discuss selling Damian Lillard on his program, choosing coaching over management, what Ty Lue taught him with Clippers, much more. 

Indiana Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon joins The Woj Pod to discuss the arrival of Rick Carlisle as coach, witnessing Bucks' championship run, Giannis, the WaterBowl Fantasy Football League benefitting his clean water initiative in Africa, much more.  

Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum on his election as the NBPA's President to replace Chris Paul, the future of Super Teams in the NBA, looming challenges facing league and union, Damian Lillard, Blazers' team success in his tenure, and much more. 

Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams joins The Woj Pod: Getting over the NBA Finals loss to the Bucks, the ways he pushed himself to evolve and change as a head coach, Gregg Popovich, John Thompson and much more in an illuminating visit with the @NBA_Coaches coach of the year. 

ESPN's Zach Lowe joins The Woj Pod to discuss the top of Thursday's star studded draft, the biggest names who could be on the move, and a loaded point guard market.

Charlotte Hornets center Cody Zeller on his part in the wild 2013 NBA Draft that included Giannis, his looming free agency, how to embrace your role in the league, much more. Plus, ESPN Draft Analyst Mike Schmitz on the latest ahead of Thursday night's draft. 

He was a Greek teen of Nigerian descent, hawking trinkets on the streets of Athens. And when he started playing basketball, few people knew what to make of Giannis Antetokounmpo. The only thing the scouts could see was that he was all arms and legs. The only thing Giannis could envision was an opportunity for his family.

After a showcase in a coastal Italian town, the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks had seen enough. And yet, it was the Hawks' courtship that secured a promise for the franchise to believe they had an inside track on drafting Giannis. And when Giannis touched down in Atlanta prior to the draft, the organization became even more obsessed with making this Greek teen a Hawk.

From Atlanta to New York, Giannis' new American journey delivered him to the NBA draft. First, he needed to understand how it all worked. He needed a suit. He needed a Greek flag. And he needed a team. No one knew who would be selected no. 1. As the picks started to come off the board, Giannis Antetokounmpo finally wondered whether this grand plan would all come together.

Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley joins The Woj Pod to discuss the challenge of the franchise's rebuild, what Luka Doncic taught him, the journey of African-American assistants in the NBA, his MMA training, and much more.