Over 30 League

Padraic and Sean open a Bill Russell six-pack of NBA midseason moves. We start with some reaction voicemails (0:00), visit Carol in HR (3:26), and sing a little Pet Shop Boys (4:39), before breaking down a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day (5:08). We get into the trade deadline at 11:35.

Padraic and Sean attempt to fix the Celtics the old-fashioned way: by going out and making a big move at the trade deadline. Take notes, Danny Ainge.

It's All-Star Weekend! In a pandemic! Padraic and Sean discuss the explosion of NBA Top Shot (1:33), how everything is rooted in Wu-Tang (11:24), cramming All-Star Weekend into one night (12:51), the tradition of bitching about bitching about All-Star snubs (16:35), and LeBron's big plan (24:37).

Sean interviews author Pete Croatto, whose book From Hang Time to Prime Time: Business, Entertainment and the Birth of the Modern-Day NBA chronicles the ascent of our favorite league from the turbulent 1970s, through the bright lights of the Bird/Magic/Jordan era to the edge of the 1990s. Featuring recollections from NBA legends and the unsung heroes behind the sport's explosion, Hang Time is an engaging read for any fan of the era or hoops head wanting to learn more about the history of the game. Pete's also a dad and a fellow member of the Over 30 League. We talk about writing a 300-plus page non-fiction book with a toddler in your midst (1:45), Pete gives me a pep talk on freelancing (4:35), talks about getting into Grantland (5:57) and realizing "there's a book here" (9:38). We discuss the iconic designs of Salem Sportswear (11:29), sharing basketball with our kids (14:24), the NBA on VHS and what hooked him on the game (15:45), primitive hoops video games (22:16), the rise of NBA All-Star Weekend (24:51), the people and dynamics behind the explosion of the sport (29:23), TV's role in growing the game (32:21), and the evolution of the on-court product (37:22). Thanks, Pete - it was fun! You can check out his book here.

Padraic and Sean each draft a starting five of League Pass teams to watch. After cleaning out some voicemails (0:00), we get a little karaoke (6:12), Cub Scout memories (8:22) and thoughts on mullets in pro wrestling (16:28) before THE NBA LEAGUE PASS DRAFT (18:34). Padraic also debuts The Potbelly List (34:13).

The dads of Over 30 League are back with their reaction to the NBA's latest blockbuster trade. What does the Nets-Rockets deal mean to James Harden, what does it mean to the league, and what does it mean to Kyrie Irving? Plus voicemails.

Sean's got a new baby. Padraic almost bought a house that had termites. It's been a minute. The dads catch up on some NBA news including COVID roster madness (10:05) and a potential return to Seattle (17:14).  We wrap up with a discussion of the league's homegrown dynamic duos (27:26) and who has a chance to be the next Steph & Klay.

With the NBA season right around the corner, Sean and Padraic start the week exchanging voicemails about the Giannis extension (0:30) and James Harden's weight gain (10:16) before finally linking up to discuss the snowstorm (12:23) and various other hoops topics including Jayson Tatum's growth spurt, the Kardashians in Boston, Kyrie being Kyrie, Gordon Hayward's fractured finger, and whether we might be overlooking the Mavs, the Wizards, or some team poised to do damage in 2021. 

We think we know the NBA, but what if we're wrong? What if our assumptions about team building, marketing players and the league, Finals matchups, MVP voting - are all about to change? Sean Sylver and Padraic O'Connor go into the cave...

As Padraic says, "follow the joy." Before the NBA stretch run ramps up after the All-Star Break, Sean Sylver and Padraic O'Connor talk about the teams to watch and the teams to cut from our League Pass rotations, and why.

Sean Sylver and Padraic O'Connor try to figure out which NBA contenders and also-rans benefited the most from the annual February hoops garage sale.

Two Boston Celtics fans process the impact of their team's longtime nemesis on the game they love. Kobe Bryant was the NBA's last great rival.

In the wake of the Kobe Bryant tragedy, we hit the pause button on this one. But we've been saving up a conversation about why the NBA is fun and interesting - not just whatever people tell you it is. We hope you like it.

Padraic and Sean reconvene after an extended holiday break and they've got some stuff to work out in 2020. Nothing is safe: the media, analytics, officiating, or TV ratings. After a good vent, the boys come out with a greater appreciation of the sport they love.

Sean and Padraic hand out Christmas gifts to Western Conference (9:42) and Eastern Conference (31:38) teams - when they're not breaking down the season finale of The Masked Singer, talking about wrestling or busting out the karaoke hits. This is jolly.

With the holidays right around the corner, Sean Sylver and Padraic O'Connor celebrate the December 15th opening of NBA trade season with a look at basketball's buyers, sellers and window shoppers. Who's holding strong, who's one move away and who's hitting the reset button?

Sean and Padraic hit the quarter pole of the NBA season with a look at league parity, pace of play, and a look back via the Hot Take Time Machine. Also, some Celtics talk and America's new favorite podcast segment, Hot Take/Take A Bus.

Sean Sylver and Padraic O'Connor welcome you to their NBA Thanksgiving table, and there's lots to discuss. Will the proposed schedule changes fix the current product? Does it need fixing? For dessert, it's Hot Take/Take A Bus.

Sean Sylver and Padraic O'Connor debut some new segments. First, The Hoops Detectives, where Padraic collects a ream of data to see if early-season performance correlates to postseason success. Later, the boys pass judgment on the early season favorites. Finally, just like Padraic's uncle, Sean tells a bunch of people on Twitter to "take a bus."

Sean Sylver and Padraic O'Connor love rasslin' almost as much as they love basketball. Or, is it the other way around? After Padraic gets Sean up to speed on The Masked Singer, the two turn in their homework assignments from the previous week (4:30), then spend the rest of the episode (20:25) relating today's NBA to pro wrestling.

Sean Sylver and Padraic O'Connor react to the early fortunes of NBA teams, dive into another week of Kyrie Irving rumors, and try to figure out the chemistry of the new Boston Celtics.

Sean Sylver and Padraic O'Connor tip off the NBA season with a look at three intriguing subplots: The NBA Reboot (13:29), The Clock is Ticking (29:37), and One Bad Day (37:50). Plus, comparing the NBA's dynamic duos to 80's and 90's WWE tag teams, and what all of it means to our hometown squad, the Boston Celtics.