The Pure Hoops Quick Hitters

Catch & Shoot 2.0 Quick Hitter: Time to Give Out NBA-related Gifts.

Happy Holidays to everyone. While we still navigate the unknown as it relates to Covid and the NBA, we at Catch & Shoot 2.0 still felt we should hand out some presents to NBA players, coaches, fans, etc. To help out, our hosts Aaron Berlin and Otto Strong called on some special friends to assist with the gift-giving. Among those receiving gifts included Klay Thompson, Joel Embiid, DeMar DeRozan, Anthony Davis, Zion Williamson, Stephen Curry, Ben Simmons and ...you! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Catch & Shoot 2.0 Quick Hitter: Serena Winters on the 76ers Conundrum in Moving Ben Simmons

It all seems clear that the 76ers will move Ben Simmons at some point to continue to build around Joel Embiid in its quest to win a championship, but what potential moves make sense for both Simmons and the team? Can they get top-dollar for Simmons? Is it more advantageous to trade him before this season's deadline or in the off-season? Questions to be answered, for sure, and Locked on Sixers podcast host Serena Winters attempts to do just that in a lively discussion with our Aaron Berlin and Otto Strong. Check it out!! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Catch & Shoot 2.0 Quick Hitter: The Athletic's Rob Peterson on the Evolving Game of Giannis Antetokounmpo

A recent article by The Athletic's Eric Nehm described how the game of two-time league MVP and NBA Champion Giannis Antetokounmpo has evolved. Rob Peterson, the Sr. NBA Editor for The Athletic, and a Wisconsin native, takes us even further in the Greek Freak's journey from going all out all the time to learning how to slow down and break down plays. In his discussion with our Otto Strong and Bruce Bernstein, he describes how Giannis is able to dominate the game by involving his teammates and without always having to score. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Greg Anthony of Turner Sports on the Kyrie Irving kerfuffle in Brooklyn

Greg Anthony of Turner Sports has a really thoughtful discussion with Mike Wise about the Kyrie Irving situation in Brooklyn. While many observers blame Kyrie (who has declined to be vaccinated against COVID) for abandoning his teammates, Greg cites several other factors in the situation that will definitely make you think twice about who is to blame for Kyrie's absence from the Nets. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Catch & Shoot 2.0 Quick Hitter: Will Perdue on how the Olympics Changed the Dynamic of Zach LaVine's Game

The Chicago Bulls are off to a surprising start to this NBA season, and Zach LaVine's game is a big reason why. Four-time NBA Champion Will Perdue, now the Bulls TV Studio Analyst for NBC Sports Chicago, explains how a conversation with Gregg Popovich while playing for Team USA at the Olympics changed parts of LaVine's game, becoming a more willing defender and sacrificing some of his scoring game for the betterment of the team. Perdue also tells our Aaron Berlin and Otto Strong how LaVine has deferred some of the leadership role on the team to DeMar DeRozan. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].