The Tank Commander Podcast

That's right, we're not ignoring the 2025 NBA Draft Class. This week, we have the legendary Chris Sharp back! He helps us break down the rookie performances from this year as we have a conversation framed against the Kia Rookie Ladder. Instead, we break down the Ladder vs the rookies we believe would have impact long term. Sure, tune in for us, but Chris is the real star of the show and helps give his own unique perspective. Recommendations:Chris - An electric smoker, for its efficient set-it-and-forget-it abilities to smoke meat Noah - The excellent, side-scrolling rogue-like video game series BlasphemousJeffrey - The deep, heartful post-apocalyptic graphic novel, Y: The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughan.

Stanford freshman guard Ebuka Okorie brings a lot to the table on BOTH sides of the ball. He is slight in stature at 6'2" but mitigates it with a 6'6" wingspan and underrated strength and hustle. He's got skill and efficiency abound as a very young freshman prospect, so dig into what we analyzed about him and his game. Recommendations: Noah - The very underrated Legend of Korra seriesJeffrey - Visiting the Stanford University campus00:00 Playoffs Talk19:11 Introducing Ebuka Okorie25:36 Defense35:04 Offense50:07 Comps59:26 RecommendationsFollow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

We get Corban Ford back on the show with us! This time, to follow up our most popular episode of all time, coming back once again to analyze now-sophomore Labaron Philon of Alabama. We had a lot of notes from last year for improvement and were pretty warm on him then, and now we see some huge leaps. Find out where exactly those leaps are, and what he may ultimately still need. Before we even get to Labaron though, we definitely chop it up regarding some topics on the WNBA, the ongoing NBA playoffs, and just some talk on modern hoops in general. We had a blast with this one, and we hope it shows!00:00 Welcome Back Corban!01:23 Indie Basketball Podcast Updates02:11 WNBA Talk06:37 NBA Playoffs10:43 OKC Whistle15:31 Modern Offense18:20 NBA Streaming Rant21:10 Adam Silver Anti-Tanking Crusade27:46 Labaron Philon Stats Overview29:39 Year Two Leap and Draft Stock32:24 Offense53:03 Defense01:03:16 Comps and Role Projection01:06:16 Recommendations Follow Corban!@corbanfordThe Indie Basketball PodcastAlso on@swishtheory@TheLeadSM@thecenterhub_bbhttps://the-center-hub.com/Follow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

Jeffrey and Noah both brought individual big boards, and the one we discuss is the consolidated one. We conclude the journey so far with 11-24.  Remember, this is ONLY for the players we've evaluated. We know there are other players who deserve to be well into the Top 24. Recommendations:Noah - The excellent roguelike deck-building game Slay the SpireJeffrey - The Audible-produced high quality trilogy The Sandman, adapted from the graphic novel by Neil GaimanFollow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

FINALLY the time has come for our 2026 Big Board! We've spent all season NOT comparing these players to one another and not knowing how our counterpart places these values. The time has finally come. Jeffrey and Noah both brought individual big boards, and the one we discuss is the consolidated one. We start with picks 1-10. Remember, this is ONLY for the players we've evaluated. We know there are other players who deserve to be well into the Top 24. Follow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

Allen Graves of Santa Clara was one of our hardest evals this season. He has phenomenally outlier advanced stats, notably his supreme stock rates and box plus-minus, all while coming off the bench as a big-forward. His tape tells a different story, but there is a LOT more nuance than even the Dailyn Swain episode demanded. We dig in deep to his game so definitely give this one a listen for one of the toughest evals we have had on a player with such clear strengths and weaknesses. 00:00 Final Four Reactions06:14 NBA Silly Season Talk08:37 Allen Graves Profile16:19 Offense32:08 Defense47:25 Player Comps52:17 RecommendationsRecommendations:Noah - The classic Cartoon Network show Adventure Time, using its perceived tropes to tell a much more adult-sensible storyJeffrey - The cult classic Pokémon Conquest, featured on the also-recommended Delta emulator for iOSFollow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

Dailyn Swain of Texas will come into the league with a very good wing/forward size and very good skills on both sides of the ball. Where his ceiling ultimately lies is in how he can bring the necessary glue skills into play, so that his advanced star-type skills can be put to use. We really dug into his game and examined it under a microscope to help shine light under this controversial prospect. 00:00 Catch Up09:56 Dailyn Swain Profile14:39 Defense25:57 Offense48:22 Comps and Wrap Up53:44 RecommendationsRecommendations:Follow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

Arizona's Brayden Burries is a freshman combo guard getting the engine going for one of the best teams in the country. His beginning and middle of the season did not see him rise to the same recognition as the other guards at the top of this class, but he's been heating up. Give the episode a listen to see how high he can go. 00:00 March Madness Check In06:50 Meet Brayden Burries12:08 Offense24:16 Defense31:54 Comps37:02 RecommendationsRecommendations:Noah - The hyperpop album "Hypochondriac" Jeffrey - The newest album by Bruno Mars, "The Romantic" Follow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

For our second look this week, we go back to Michigan and look at Morez Johnson's heralded front court mate, the 7'3" center Aday Mara. He brings ELITE passing, and elite shotblocking to pretty much any team. What else does he bring? How can a team maximize his strengths? How does he overcome his weaknesses? 00:00 Profile08:02 Offense25:48 Defense29:56 Player Comps37:34 RecommendationsRecommendations:Noah - The classic 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle.Jeffrey - The 2009 Disney animated classic, The Princess and the FrogFollow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

Morez Johnson Jr is our first prospect from Michigan this week and immediately stands out one of the most versatile defensive players we have ever scouted, as well as one of the most efficient offensive players. He brings a lot of positives, but we do dig down into his game with nuance and tease out important conversations about his role and areas for improvement. 00:00 NCAA and NIL Talk08:37 Morez Johnson Jr Profile13:54 Offense26:47 Defense34:30 Player CompsFollow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

For our second feature this week, we have the versatile forward Thomas Haugh out of Florida. As an NCAA champion he adds a lot of winning qualities, but is also very much an entertaining show with his athleticism. He offers a lot more, so see what we have to say about him!00:00 Profile03:58 Offense21:21 Defense30:12 Player Comps34:12 RecommendationsRecommendations:Noah - Moderna Records, a label supporting contemporary classical electronica and similar genre artistsJeffrey - The superhero deconstruction shonen anime My Hero AcademiaFollow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

For our first analysis this week, we take a look at Washington's freshman skilled big Hannes Steinbach. He is a stellar rebounder with all of the traditional big man skills you could ask for, and a little bit more. It was a fun evaluation so tune in to get our in depth review of his game so far.00:00 Warmup12:51 Hannes Steinbach Profile20:44 Defense29:15 Offense34:46 ComparisonsFollow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

For the second part of our doubleheader, we go with a completely different type of forward in Arizona's Koa Peat, a toolsy player with a lot of the intagibles and dirty work skills you want, in a crafty, powerful, and versatile freshman ready to contribute at any level he plays in. 00:00 Koa Peat Profile06:03 Offense24:35 Defense33:49 Player Comparisons39:39 RecommendationsRecommendations:Noah - The classic video game series Gears of War, especially the new remakes and most especially playing with a friendJeffrey - None other than the legendary Bay Area underground hip hop supercrew the HieroglyphicsFollow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

This week, we go over some interesting forwards: Nate Ament of Tennessee and Koa Peat of Arizona.For the first episode, we go over Nate Ament's game, where his strengths can shine, and what he has to offer at the next level. While he might not be the next Kevin Durant (pretty much nobody is), he does have some clear skills and a path forward to shine in the NBA. Tune in for our signature nuance to find out!00:00 Warmup and Draft Discussion08:23 Profile and Offense26:05 Defense38:58 Player Comps and Wrap UpFollow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

For our second prospect this week, we look at the rising true lead guard Darius Acuff Jr out of Arkansas. He's also been red hot lately, and has some perceived warts but we break his game down and dig out some very good analytical discussion on his game. He has a very interesting skillset as a true modern lead guard, so find out why he could be worth drafting early in this stacked class. And he's a Calipari guard.00:00 Darius Acuff Jr Profile07:30 Offense19:13 Defense28:18 Player Comps31:52 RecommendationsRecommendations:Noah - A rare vocal album recommendation, "Stardust" by Danny BrownJeffrey - City Bakery, a breakfast/brunch/bakery in the lovely city of YokohamaFollow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

As the first part of a two-parter, we're checking out one of the hottest players rising to near the top of the second tier: Keaton Wagler of Illinois. This jumbo sharpshooter combo guard has been lighting it up this year, and we get to break down his game with a good level of nuance. It wasn't just glowing reviews, so tune in to see why.The theme of these next two episodes, to be followed by Darius Acuff Jr, is controversial red-hot guards. Hope you enjoy part one of our breakdowns this week!00:00 Warmup07:11 Keaton Wagler Profile11:46 Offense31:27 Defense40:07 Player ComparisonsFollow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

This week we look at skilled, athletic combo forward Yaxel Lendeborg, senior out of Michigan by way of UAB. He has the measurements and almost every skill a ballplayer needs. We had to get deep into nuance to break down his game, so enjoy the listen!Recommendations:Noah - The great co-op video game "Split Fiction"Jeffrey - ER meets 24 in the hit HBO show "The Pitt"Follow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

This week, we analyze one of the surprise risers, climbing all the way to the upper echelon second-tier of the draft in Kingston Flemings. To help us break his game down, we brought in a ringer, OnBallCreator from Center Hub to help us discuss his game, as well as how Kingston stacks up with the top prospects in such a loaded draft class. 00:00 Introduction and Catching Up with Jeremy12:35 Discussing Kingston Flemings48:38 Player Comparisons and Potential52:16 OnBallCreator Free Rein Discussion01:01:04 RecommendationsRecommendations:Jeremy - The hilarious faux-reality HBO show The Comeback starring Lisa KudrowNoah - The shorter, but excellent full series Full Metal Alchemist: BrotherhoodJeffrey - For those craving something similar to Baldur's Gate 3, Divinity: Original Sin 2Follow Jeremy on Twitter/X!@onballcreatorHis team:@thecenterhub_bbhttps://the-center-hub.com/Follow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

We're back and ready to get into the new year with these up and coming prospects! Our player this week is UConn's freshman shooting guard Braylon Mullins. He is a lights out shooter with some good bounce, and just the type of shooting prospect any team can use. What else does he provide? Give us a listen and find out. 00:00 Introduction and Catching Up03:40 Player Profile07:48 Defense17:59 Offense34:02 Player Comparisons37:53 RecommendationsRecommendations: Noah - An award-winning and always-reliable brewery called Art Monster in Myeong Dong, Seoul. Jeffrey - The new X-Men '97 series. Follow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

Patrick Ngongba II is a sophomore from Duke who does all the right things from a 6'11" big man: he can attack the rim, he can defend inside the perimeter....And he can pass from hub positions like a madman with fascinating creativity. And he's got more than flashes of shooting touch, and great fluidity to match. He's an intriguing big to watch for this draft season, and this class just keeps getting better. Recommendations: Noah - A 24/7 livestream called SaltyBets, run using the Mugen engine, pitting the most random 2d-fighter sprite characters against one another and having betting tournaments.Jeffrey - The Red Rising sci-fi series from Pierce Brown, particularly the full cast audio version on Audible. 00:00 Introduction and Player Overview05:04 Offense22:40 Defense31:39 Player Comparisons34:33 RecommendationsFollow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

You would think Baylor's Cameron Carr would be just a typical swingman, but other than lights-out three-point shooting, his skills and playstyle are very different than a standard, modern-day guard/wing. We break down his unique game and see how he can fit in to the NBA with his one-of-a-kind style of play. Recommendations:Noah - The pinnacle of Dubstep, and creator of awesome live mixes, Space Laces, particularly his mixtape series VaultageJeffrey - 1) The Youtube channel Incredible Coffee, doing live vinyl mix videos based out of a coffee shop in Tokyo 2) The NCAA Women's Volleyball Tournament, with maybe a shoutout for Nebraska Volleyball00:00 Introduction and Player Overview06:03 Defense14:50 Offense32:32 Player Comparisons35:55 RecommendationsFollow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

Spoilers again: this man is in the second tier of prized picks in 2026 draft, and potentially playing spoiler to the first tier of the Big 3.UNC's freshman forward Caleb Wilson is statistical darling, generating highly efficient scoring and free throw numbers, with freakish dunks, insane stocks, and surprisingly advanced playmaking. He has one obvious weakness in shooting, but we break down other areas where his game can improve, and analyze in-depth why his strengths are so strong. Recommendations:Noah - Available on Youtube, the entire series of River Monsters, a highly recommended show exploring different environments through the lens of fishing and interesting creatures.Jeffrey - The third season of the Physical 100 series, called Physical: Asia, pitting different Asian/Australian teams against one another in physical team challenges. 00:00 Introduction and Player Overview04:40 Offense29:58 Defense42:12 Player Comparisons46:20 RecommendationsFollow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

Spoilers: this man is in that second-tier of the 2026 draft prospects. Lead guard prospect from Louisville, Mikel Brown Jr can pretty much do it all. At least in the very early season, along with a stellar summer in the FIBA U19s, he has been looking like a special player that could challenge for that coveted #4 slot. We break down what he brings, and what else he needs to shore up on to even knock on that door of the Top 3. Recommendations:Noah - The 3 EPs that make up the "album" Escapism by Sam Gellaitry, melodic and uniquely soundscaped electronic musicJeffrey - The overweight, manga version of John Wick, in the form of "Sakamoto Days"00:00 Introduction07:01 Offense18:37 Defense24:22 Draft Class Comparison Tangent30:17 Player Comparisons and Analysis39:06 Recommendations and Wrap-UpFollow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

We are recording LIVE from Noah's house! Thanks to a timely business/fun trip to Jeffrey's old haunts, the two Tank Commanders are recording a live episode together!We discuss some overreactions to what has been some unexpected development from the rookies and sophomores, so tune in for all of our first impressions and hot takes. Recommendations: Noah - The electronic album "Holonomy" by Vorso, widely eclectic electronic album full of melodies for enthusiasts and noobs alike to enjoyJeffrey - Just the entire Okinawa prefecture. Live there if you can, but visit for a long time, at least once in your lifetime. Follow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

Karim Lopez has a tremendous range of outcomes, and this eval was really tough! Especially hot on the heels of the Bennett Stirtz episode. We break down a lot of his strengths and weaknesses, and still finish with wanting to see more from his season. 00:00 Introduction and Statistical Breakdown06:20 Defensive Analysis17:20 Offensive Analysis30:49 Player Comparisons33:58 Recommendations and Wrap-UpRecommendations: Noah - Another stellar sequel, "Hades 2" an addicting and super-polished indie roguelikeJeffrey - From the makers of Dungeons and Daddies, "Sons and Sensibility" a courtship TTRPG set in the Jane Austen timeframeFollow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

After a month long life-related break, we are officially back! And just like we're coming back, so too is Bennett Stirtz, coming back for his senior year and joining Iowa, after a stellar season from Drake. He's an incredible shooter and great passer. What's holding him back from the top? Is it just his age? Find out here!00:00 Welcome Back!01:20 Player Profile06:43 Offense25:08 Defense30:44 Comparisons39:43 RecommendationsRecommendations:Noah - Stellar sequel to the equally stellar prequel, "Ghost of Yotei"Jeffrey - Re-watching the Dragon Ball series, starting from the original and progressing to SuperFollow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

This week we look at Arizona State-turned-Kentucky all-purpose big man Jayden Quaintance, who brings a lot of athleticism, versatility, and skill to the draft's true-big roster of players. He has a lot going for him, with sky high potential as one of the youngest players in next year's draft, even if next year will be his second year of playing college hoops. Don't miss this one!00:00 Intro07:19 Offense23:56 Defense30:44 Comps42:00 RecommendationsRecommendations:Noah - The folk-ish electronic album "Worlds" by Porter Robinson, currently housed in Noah's Top 3 Albums of All TimeJeffrey - 1) "The Man from Earth" film series, mainly the first one 2) The Laver Cup, Team Europe v Team World team matchupFollow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

After discussing the top 3 prizes in next year's draft, we realized we needed some extra insight. We called in none other than friend of the show, the one and only Ben Pfeifer, to come out and chop it up with us about AJ Dybantsa, Cam Boozer, and Darryn Peterson. He brought fresh perspectives from us and helped us put the Big 3 into context with each other, and with historical draft hauls. This was a lot of fun, and it brings so much insight into the huge prizes of next year's draft. Happy Tanking!Recommendations:Ben - 1) The latest season of the Australian-edition Survivor 2) Music! JID's new album "God Does Like Ugly"Noah - The latest collaboration album between Danny Brown and JPEGMAFIA called "Scaring the Hoes"Jeffrey - "The Legend of the Galactic Heroes" epic space opera, both in light novel and anime formFollow Ben Pfeifer on Social Media!Read: Sportscasting/Basketball InsidersYoutube: https://youtube.com/@benpfeifer8192?si=k1cbThy0SM_KRk0zBlueSky: @bjpf.bsky.socialX: @bjpf_Follow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

We round out our 2026 Top 3 previews with the last, but not least, of Darryn Peterson. He is a gear shifting lead guard with incredibly mature offense and lot of defensive upside, who is currently in the lead this season and being mocked at #1 in a lot of draft sites. Let's dig into his game and see where he is worth this hype, and where he can still grow. 00:00 Introduction and Overview of Darryn Peterson07:15 Offense24:03 Defense40:18 Roles46:18 Comparisons and Player Comps53:28 RecommendationsRecommendations:Noah - Minor League Baseball games at any level, particularly the Omaha StormchasersJeffrey - The ENTIRE Mission: Impossible movie series, namely Final Reckoning but most especially the best of the series, Mission: Impossible III.Follow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

In our second prospect preview of this 2026 cycle, we take a look at the top-3 and almost-always #2-ranked prospect Cam Boozer, a power forward heading to Duke. We talk about his very skilled offensive game, and then get into more nuanced discussion about his defense and his fit. This was a pretty deep dive for this time of the year, and ends up being a very thorough look at Cam and his future developmental paths. 00:00 Cam Boozer Consensus02:11 Stats and Measurements04:52 Offense25:37 Defense31:12 Role and Things to Look For40:43 Comparisons45:24 Recommendations, including War of the Worlds ReviewRecommendations:Noah - The genre-bending electronic album "Unspoken" by LUOJeffrey - The British detective show and character study "Endeavour" on Prime VideoFollow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

Welcome to Season Two!We kick the season off with the player with possibly the highest potential in the Top 3 conversation for the 2026 NBA Draft: BYU commit AJ Dybantsa. He has a lot of talent and tools, with a refined skillset only made more impressive by his age and size. He has a few warts too on both sides of the ball, so we give our best early takes on AJ and his prospects to go #1 in next year's draft. 01:45 Physical Attributes03:24 Offense28:58 Defense38:53 Future Outlook45:05 Podcast Dynamics and Personal Biases47:38 Season Goals and Guest Appearances54:44 RecommendationsRecommendations:Noah - So bad it's good, very obviously COVID-produced and Amazon-funded project, "War of the Worlds" movie starring Ice Cube.Jeffrey - Part Presidential murder mystery, part **redacted for spoilers** Hulu mini-series "Paradise" starring Sterling K. Brown and James Marsden. Follow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

We get everyone's favorite guest back with us to wrap up the final episode of our first season: THE Chris Sharp is back to provide us his hot takes on the incoming rookies and returners for this year's NBA Summer League. Chris brings a clear-eyed NBA-centric look into players we may have grown too fond of, and brings forth guys he's higher on than we are. It's a very interesting discussion, and you might see some really hot takes all throughout. Recorded over glasses of beer, wine, and whiskey, this was both a fun and well-rounded analytic podcast. Players we discuss: Nikola Topic, Daron Holmes, Collin Murray-Boyles, Kon Knueppel, Liam McNeeley, KJ Simpson, Jase Richardson, Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud, Egor Demin, Danny Wolf, Carter Bryant, Tyrese Proctor, Joan Beringer, Asa Newell, and Yuki Kawamura.01:26:46 RecommendationsRecommendations:Chris - Stretching and mobility exercises before any serious workout. Seriously, this is highly recommended and really helps.Noah - His first ever hip hop album recommendation, "Let God Sort Em Out" by the duo Clipse AKA Pusha T and Malice.Jeffrey - Real world meets the Forgotten Realms D&D real play podcast created by Freddie Wong and friends called "Dungeons and Daddies"Follow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

This week we go over seven standouts from all Summer Leagues and evaluate their games. Most were way too good, but others stood out and still had some things to work on. Not all reviews are glowing, but these players stood out for what they showed in their games and how they'll be able to shine on NBA rotations in the coming season. 01:13 Noah's Draft Combine Results05:07 Cooper Flagg08:31 Ron Holland12:18 Reed Sheppard16:46 Ace Bailey21:28 Derik Queen25:12 Yang Hansen30:04 Kyle Filipowski34:57 RecommendationsRecommendations: Two video games this week!Noah - Hades, dungeon crawling rogue-like/lite that is tons of fun for its replayability in short bursts and incredibly addicting gameplayJeffrey - American Truck Simulator, painstakingly recreates real-world highways all across America, to include Jeffrey's home region in the San Francisco Bay Area.Follow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

The thrilling sequel to our pod with Erik Ong AKA Rotomancer. We go through the rest of the first round and finalize the last picks of both drafts, going in-depth on each player's real-life and fantasy potentials. Don't miss it!Recommendations:Erik - "Somebody Feed Phil" globetrotting culinary tourism show on NetflixNoah - The mostly free and very helpful nutrition tracking app called CronometerJeffrey - 1) The College Basketball Experience in Kansas City, MO. Recreate your own NBA Draft Combine and test your hoop skills in this awesome museum. 2) The greatest match of all time, the 2008 Wimbledon Final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Follow Erik!@RotomancerFollow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

This conversation was so good we had to break it in two. In these next two episodes, we discuss rookie values using TWO REAL dynasty rookie drafts! You'll get a lot of insight on fantasy and dynasty from Erik, and get the Tank Commanders' takes on rookie values. You'll get a whole lot more in-depth than what we advertise, so tune in!Recommendations next episode!Follow Erik!@RotomancerFollow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

We review the 2025 draft! We break down each pick across both rounds, per team. We love certain rookies (see our big board episodes), and draft fit was a HUGE factor in our reviews, along with our ideation of draft value. The conversation gets interesting when we start talking about New Orleans, Brooklyn, and Toronto...01:27:50 RecommendationsRecommendations: Noah - The electronic/club/house-rooted but wider-appealing full album "Footpaths" by Former HeroJeffrey - Two restaurants in the Central Coast California: Mexican barbecue house Floriano's in Lompoc, and foodie friendly Full of Life Flatbread in Los AlamosFollow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

Special note: We have made it to ONE YEAR of podcasting!! Thank you to everyone who supports us!! We have finally made it to the last episode before the REAL NBA draft! This time, we do our first and final FULL first round mock draft, featuring some of our favorite guests straight out of the Center Hub: 3-time guest Jeremy AKA On Ball Creator, and the guest of our most popular episode Corban Ford!We have an awesome and surprising mock draft that starts at the #3 slot to the 76ers all the way to the Clippers at #30. Come for the draft insight, stick around for the banter, and deep dive for some great recommendations and Tidjane Salaun talk. PLUS, thanks to Corban's keen eye, we reacted LIVE to the Celtics trading Jrue Holiday for Anfernee Simons + Picks from the Blazers!This was huge fun, so we hope you enjoy it!00:00 Introducing Jeremy and Corban02:40 Mock Draft Overview03:20 Draft Order RNG Determination03:36 Consensus Picks 1 & 2 Discussion07:02 Starting the Mock Draft at 301:22:49 Draft Surprises and Honorable Mentions01:26:30 Draft Night Expectations and Wild Predictions01:27:27 Setting Over/Under Predictions for This Year01:28:38 Inside Look at NBA Draft Rooms01:29:21 The Tidjane Salaun Discussion01:33:02 Final Thoughts and Draft Anticipation01:33:26 Recommendations and Closing Remarks01:50:08 Reacting to late breaking Celtics/Blazers TradeRecommendations:Jeremy - Classic and hilarious 1968 movie "The Party" starring Peter SellersCorban - The highly addicting and very apt hidden gem browser-based game "Basketball GM," spanning players and transactions with real data from 1947 to today. https://basketball-gm.com/Noah - So bad it's good, the entire filmography of director, actor, writer, producer, Neil Breen, particularly the film "Double Down"Jeffrey - The classic HBO crime and procedural series revolving around the Baltimore drug scene "The Wire"Follow our friends!Jeremy AKA On Ball Creator@onballcreatorCorban Ford@corbanfordTheir team:@thecenterhub_bbhttps://the-center-hub.com/Follow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

At long last, Noah and I do our FINAL **public** big board of the 2025 draft class! We got through the first round, in batches of five and talk about the prospects that we like/don't like, where we're higher/lower than consensus, and where we differed from each other.If you only listen to one catch-up episode on these prospects, this is the one to listen to!00:00 Introduction and Overview01:40 Top 1-30 Big Board01:15:46 Recommendations (recommend you stick around for the music conversation)Recommendations: Noah - The experimental dubstep/electronica musical album "Led by Ancient Light" that also pairs with a 5000-page sci-fi novel of the same name.Jeffrey - The 2005 Australian Open Men's Semi-Final match between Roger Federer and Marat Safin. Truly one of the best matches of all time. Follow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

With Cooper Flagg followed by Dylan Harper being universally mocked as the consensus top-two picks, we wanted to see how good this 2025 pairing was in context with the best 1-2 pairings since 2015. As a pair, are they better than Wemby/Brandon Miller? Better than KAT and D-lo? Find out as we rack and stack the classes!Recommendations:Noah - The addicting and infinitely-replayable Baldur's Gate 3Jeffrey - "Best Served Cold" a vengeance tale continuing Joe Abercrombie's grimdark fantasy worldFollow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

These may very well be our last prospects of this draft cycle! These gentlemen take us to 31 prospects total this season, with all but one of them, Labaron Philon, sticking around in the draft.This time around, we take it back to the United States and look at the late-rising NCAA prospects: Arizona's Carter Bryant, Washington State's Cedric Coward, Florida's Walter Clayton Jr, and Arkansas' Adou Thiero. This was more thorough than we intended, but we hope it helps you round out your scouting for this year's draft!00:00 Introduction01:42 Carter Bryant22:26 Cedric Coward39:57 Walter Clayton Jr.56:29 Adou Thiero01:13:37 RecommendationsRecommendations:Noah - Underappreciated, and sometimes misclassified hyper-pop susperstar UnderscoresJeffrey - The best craft beer in Central Coast California: Figueroa Mountain Brewing CompanyFollow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

We made it to episode 50!!This week we try and do a little bit of a speed-run catch-up scouting session for everyone. This time, we round out our scouting with four rising French prospects: Maxime Raynaud, a skilled forward/big out of Stanford; Noa Essengue, a rangy athletic wing; Noah Penda, a crafty passing wing; and Joan Beringer, an uber athletic defensive big. We provide the essential breakdowns for each player and help you catch up on your scouting for this year's draft. Use this knowledge of deeper cuts to outdraft your friends, enemies, and frenemies!00:00 Introduction01:52 Maxime Raynaud17:31 Noa Essengue34:32 Noah Penda51:52 Joan Beringer01:02:46 RecommendationsRecommendations:Noah - Underappreciated, overlooked Soundcloud-exclusive dubstep artist Modal NodesJeffrey - The addicting and stress-inducing spy show Patriot, on Prime VideoFollow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

In the second part of our recording, we conduct our first mock draft of this season, with the real lottery order and with team needs in mind. It gets a little chaotic, but that's the fun of this exercise!00:00 Introduction and Setup00:54 Deciding the Draft Order02:22 1. Mavericks07:06 2. Spurs08:20 3. 76ers10:23 4. Hornets13:16 5. Jazz15:23 6. Wizards18:01 7. Pelicans20:33 8. Nets23:27 9. Raptors25:46 10. Rockets27:47 11. Trailblazers30:47 12. Bulls32:47 13. Hawks35:18 14. Spurs39:54 Mock Draft Recap41:08 RecommendationsRecommendationsNoah: 1) Re-iterating Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 now that he's beaten the game. 2) Swiss Army Man, a surreal Daniel Radcliffe and Paul Dano movie from 2016, with the former as a very useful corpse.Jeffrey:1) Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, both the 2013 Broadway version and the 1998 made-for-tv classic starring Brandy and Whitney Houston. 2) The book "The Inner Game of Tennis" by W. Timothy Gallwey. Follow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

This week was a special week, with both of our teams being eliminated in the playoffs, plus the Draft Lottery and Combine. We react to everything in this first episode for the week, and do a quick analysis on Nique Clifford. In Part 2, we do our lottery Mock Draft!00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview01:45 Noah's Celtics Cope Pod11:58 Jeffrey's GSW Cope Pod--17:26 Draft Combine Quick Reactions--25:50 Nique Clifford Intro 28:25 Nique Clifford's Offensive Skills37:14 Nique Clifford's Defensive Skills41:31 Comparisons and Big BoardFollow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

We bring back Jeremy AKA On Ball Creator back to our show to help us talk about Israel/Ratiopharm Ulm point guard Ben Saraf, as well as break down some draft sleepers. Jeremy is always a fun and insightful guest, so don't miss this one! Ben Saraf required help in analyzing his strengths and weaknesses because his game has some good nuance. 00:00 Introducing Ben Saraf and our guest On Ball Creator01:16 Player Stats and Analysis06:51 Comparisons and Draft Potential28:05 Analyzing Player Roles and Comparisons32:05 Defensive Potential and Versatility34:54 Future Projections47:03 RecommendationsRecommendations:Jeremy - Underground hip hop artists: Louis Logic, Brother Ali, and Masta AceNoah - The full album, "The Fox and the Bird" by Ok Goodnight.Jeffrey - Kathmandu Momo Station, Nepalese food with two locations in Omaha, NE. Follow On Ball Creator on Twitter/X!@onballcreatorHis team:@thecenterhub_bbhttps://the-center-hub.com/Follow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

We are finally back to normal for a little bit: scouting a single 2025 prospect, and not having a guest!This week, we look at the Georgetown big Thomas Sorber. Even though his season ended short with surgery, he still had a lot of very intriguing qualities as pretty much the one true semi-traditional big. We'll call him a Traditional-Plus big. His tape and his stats jump out of the page, so make sure to catch this episode to find out why!00:00 Introduction and Player Overview04:16 Offensive Analysis18:11 Defensive Analysis24:38 Comparisons and Scaling Game34:28 RecommendationsRecommendations:We both recommend video games this week!Noah - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, one of the most-hyped and probably most-deserved RPG releases in a while.Jeffrey - The original Final Fantasy Tactics. Follow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

We have our first ever repeat guest! We bring back high-powered consultant, friend of the pod, and father of the cohost, THE Chris Sharp. This time, he's here to help us change gears by looking at the 2024 class of rookies and evaluate the final Kia Rookie Ladder. We determine our own First and Second Teams, then we ask the deeper question of: who will the best out of all of these five years from now? There are players who may not have performed well this year that still have sky high potential. As a result, we name our own "All Five Years From Now" First and Second Teams.And as a content warning, this episode is filled with some of the hottest takes we've had, and you never know who's going to catch strays. Recommendations:Chris - "The Fall of Civilization" Podcast focused on rise and falls of dynasties and peoples, and a huge add for people also interested in "Hardcore History."Noah - The full album "Always in a Hurry" by Medasin. Expect a percussion heavy jazz fusion that works for pretty much all moods. Jeffrey - Another book, "Conclave" by Robert Harris. Have not finished the movie yet, but the book is thrilling and keeps you guessing the whole time while still being a very earnest book.00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:56 Introducing Chris Sharp01:42 Discussion on the 2024 Draft Class & Kia Rookie Ladder53:57 All-Five-Years-From-Now Teams01:24:24 RecommendationsFollow Chris!He has no social media, but please listen to every episode he's in. We will pretty much always allude to him. Follow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

After deep diving into 20 prospects so far, we now get the chance to rack and stack them. This is not necessarily a true Top 20, but instead us reviewing our 20 players we've reviewed so far, and ranking them against one another. It's a pretty tough job, so we got the legendary founder of the No Ceilings Hoop Collective Tyler Rucker to help us out!Here's the players in the order we reviewed them:Cooper FlaggDylan HarperVJ EdgecombeAce BaileyNolan TraoreCollin Murray-BoylesLiam McNeelyDerik QueenEgor DeminJeremiah FearsKasparas JakucionisKhaman MaluachAsa NewellTre JohnsonRasheer FlemingJase RichardsonWill RileyDanny WolfLabaron PhilonKon Knueppel00:00 Introducting the Tyler Rucker Top 2001:20 Evaluating the 20 Prospects We've Deep Dived This Year52:23 Halftime Break and Speed Run01:16:01 Looking ahead to the 2026 Draft Class01:19:34 RecommendationsRecommendations: Tyler - The classic film "Heat" by Michael Mann, starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, and the late Val Kilmer. "The Franchise" a book on the Detroit Pistons, by Cameron Stauth.Noah - The book "Thinking Basketball" by Ben Taylor. Yes, there's the Youtube channel and the Podcast, but this is specifically the book, which is a very thought provoking analytics read.Jeffrey - "The Fifties," "The Best and Brightest," "Playing for Keeps," and pretty much anything by David Halberstam. Follow Tyler! @[email protected] us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

Our 20th prospect reviewed this year is none other than Kon Knueppel. He is one of the top two best shooters in the class, a very good passer, and someone who uses his stout build really well. His game was more well rounded than we expected, so tune in to see what levels his game could reach at the NBA. 00:00 Introduction and Overview of Kon Knueppel07:21 Defensive Skills19:57 Offensive Skills37:56 Player Comparisons and Projections50:45 Recommendations and Wrap-UpRecommendations: Noah - Aleph, the electronic musician whom Noah deems as someone who makes music that is the "minimal, maximized." Noah also strongly recommends listening to music albums in their entirety. https://open.spotify.com/artist/1RMRHx755BiZW6w69Q3ma4?si=aoP71SFUTlKfTlO6HQDthQJeffrey - Red Rocks Open Space in southwest CO Springs, fantastic trails and scenery to provide fun for all ages and skill levels. Jeffrey also inadvertently recommended Bryson Tiller's "Trapsoul" album in its entirety.Follow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

Today we hit our 19th prospect Labaron Philon, and this time we get to do it with a special guest! Corban Ford joins us and breaks down the game of the crafty, gets-anywhere-he-wants two-way guard from Alabama, and we get to have a blast doing so. Corban also drops his hot takes, to include whether or not we may have chosen the wrong guard prospect to scout with him. Philon is super shifty and nifty with excellent defensive hustle. This episode goes deeper on him with a sweet speedrun of other topics with Corban. 00:00 Introductions01:47 Statistical Breakdown03:01 Offensive Skills29:03 Defensive Skills34:11 Comparisons37:39 Draft Stock Predictions for Phylon40:49 NBA Draft Hot Takes and RecommendationsFollow Corban!@corbanfordAlso on@thecenterhub_bbhttps://the-center-hub.com/Recommendations:Corban - "The Passengers" by John Marrs (@johnmarrs1). A heady sci-fi thriller with some interesting philosophical dilemmas. Noah - Black Squirrel Tattoo in Council Bluffs, Iowa in the Omaha Metro. Highly recommended for their fine work most notably on Noah's sleeve.Jeffrey - "Stronger" by Ryan Hass (@ryanl_hass). Probably one of the most balanced and measured takes on what positive competition with China looks like, from one of the finest modern China analysts in Brookings and former State Department's own Ryan Hass. Follow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR

This week, we get into some extended conversation on the one-of-a-kind game of Danny Wolf, a true 7-footer with a 7'6" wingspan with the handles and passing of a guard. He has phenomenal playmaking and is more effective on defense than we expected. Why is he not going Top 5 in mocks and big boards? We examine reasons why this is right or wrong here. 00:00 Introduction and Stats05:16 Offensive Strengths and Weaknesses29:56 Defensive Strengths and Weaknesses41:23 Player Comparisons52:55 RecommendationsRecommendations:Noah - Balatro @BalatroGame, super addicting rogue-like poker game with five-card draw rules. And did we mention it was super addicting? Maybe more addicting than real poker. Jeffrey - Ivywild School @IvywildSchool in CO Springs. Former elementary school older than a century, converted into an awesome community marketplace and home to Bristol Brewing Company @BristolBrewing. Follow us on Twitter/X!Jeffrey: @Podlaoan, and @podlaoan.bsky.socialNoah: @BBallTankNoahOld Man Squad Podcast Network: @OldManSquad**Join us in Discord! https://discord.gg/8Ss9PCYRuR