Pro Basketball Talk on NBC Sports podcast

Talking Magic Johnson with author of new biography Roland Lazenby

Magic Johnson is synonymous with the five-time champion Showtime Lakers — the fast-break master with the no-look pass whose infectious smile belies one of the most competitive players ever to lace them up.In his incredibly well-researched new biography on Earvin "Magic" Johnson, author Roland Lazenby dives into the complex personality of of Magic, the guy who never forgot his roots and always seemed grounded, but also continues to compete with Michael Jordan on the financial front. Kurt Helin of NBC Sports and Lazenby discuss how Magic and Larry Bird — along with David Stern — turned the NBA into a prime-time, must watch show (setting the stage for Michael Jordan). They also delve into Magic's HIV announcement and how that was received domestically and internationally, his family and the influence of his mother and father on the man Magic would be, and how Magic the businessman made his billion dollars by focusing on building for underserved black communities in Los Angeles. It's a full discussion of one of the NBA's greats with details not often discussed about the Magic man.

Western Conference preview with Mark Medina

The Western Conference is stacked — 12 teams enter the season thinking they can make the playoffs. That will lead to some very disappointed fans (and front offices/coaches on the hot seat) come April, and veteran NBA journalist Mark Medina joins NBC Sports Kurt Helin to break it all down.The Denver Nuggets are the team to beat and believe they can start where they left off in championship form, despite the loss of Bruce Brown, because they have Nikola Jokic. Chasing them are the Phoenix Suns, a top-heavy roster but one that's a threat if they can find enough depth and defense by the time the playoffs start. The Lakers and Warriors are threats, but both have aging cores — if the Lakers' LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and the Warriors' Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, can get to the playoffs healthy, they are threats.What about Memphis, without Ja Morant for the first 25 games of the season? Do we trust the Clippers? Does Minnesota figure it out this season with two bigs and the emergence of Anthony Edwards? The Thunder are set to make a leap. Do we trust Zion Williamson to stay healthy and make the Pelicans a threat?We break all that down and more.

NBA season preview with betting edge

Every NBA season comes with questions and opportunities, but this season more than most: What's going to happen with James Harden and the 76ers? Could the Cavaliers be better than the Sixers? Would that make Evan Mobley Defensive Player of the Year or maybe J.B. Bickerstaff for Coach of the Year?Those outcomes could make a savvy bettor money, so today we break down the coming NBA season with Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) of NBC Sports Bet the Edge. We talk about under/overs we like and how to really take advantage of that if you're really confident a team will comfortably beat the number (as I am with the Raptors). We also talk about how to approach the awards market, as well as the East champion or division champion markets in a way that brings real value. Drew knows his hoops so this is more than a betting conversation but also a good basketball one. 

World Cup semifinals, Central division preview and Erykah Badu

This year's version of Team USA, even without America's biggest names (or maybe because of that), has shown more chemistry than we have seen from the men's senior national team in a long time. However, will that be enough against a very good German team in the FIBA World Cup semifinals, and against Canada or Serbia in the Finals (if the Americans advance)? Corey Robinson and Kurt Helin of NBC Sports discuss what they have seen with Team USA, what has worked, and what players have looked good at the World Cup.Then in Corey's Jukebox, Corey explains how Erykah Badu ties into Team USA.For Kurt's Korner, the pair breaks down the Central division. How much pressure are the Milwaukee Bucks under after Giannis Antetokounmpo's offseason comments? Can the Cleveland Cavaliers push the Bucks? Kurt thinks everyone is sleeping on the Pacers. Then what should be the Bulls next move? What should be expected of this season's Pistons?

Harden saga, Diana Taurasi, Northwest Division preview

In the middle of what is usually the quiet period of the NBA calendar — when the focus should be on the basketball Hall of Fame and the WNBA — James Harden and the 76ers have kept the drama going. The 76ers ended trade talks (for now) for Harden and say they want to bring him to camp, Harden called 76ers President Daryl Morey a "liar" and said he would never play in an organization Morey is part of.Is there a good outcome for anyone in this scenario? Corey Robinson and Kurt Helin of NBC Sports discuss that and how both sides have few good options.Then the conversation shifts to Diana Taurasi, who became the first woman to break the 10,000-point barrier in the WNBA. They discuss her place in the league, and if she should be in Paris next summer as part of Team USA at the Olympics. From there the conversation takes a sharp shift to discussing how Radiohead ties into the Australian NBL in Corey's Jukebox.Finally, the duo discusses and previews the Northwest Division. Denver is a contender with Nikola Jokić, but how much will they miss Bruce Brown and Jeff Green? Are we sleeping on the Oklahoma City Thunder? What exactly are the Minnesota Timberwolves and are they Anthony Edwards' team now? Where is Utah in its development, and where does John Collins fit in? Then there is Portland, with the Damian Lillard trade looming and a shift to the Scoot Henderson era.