Basketball Illuminati: Recent Episodes
Tom Haberstroh & Amin Elhassan
Tired of agenda-driven basketball talk that only offers glimpses of the truth? Wish there was a place you could get the full picture? Basketball Illuminati offers you salvation. Go behind the scenes with exclusive analysis previously restricted from the general public. Fearless NBA Insiders Amin Elhassan and Tom Haberstroh peel back the curtain on why things happen in the NBA.
The day after Novak Djokovic celebrated his 24th title and honored Kobe Bryant with a Mamba Forever shirt, Aaron Rodgers tore his achilles wearing the number 8. What is going on in NY? The league's competition committee is incorporating a new fine system to govern star player rest, however there are a plethora of exceptions, which we are calling the NBA Acceptable Rest Protocol. Team USA came up short of the bronze medal against Canada, so Tom Did His Own Research and put together 4 teams worth of players that could compete with Anthony Edwards and company. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Paul George has thrown his proverbial hat in the ring, so the Illuminati compares his Chucky Barkley impression to Kenan Thompson and Aries Spears. Sprinter Noah Lyles incites the wrath of the NBA comments section, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is the Kobe of Jordan, and Rudy Gobert takes accountability for France being eliminated from the FIBA World Cup. Tom Does His Own Research on last year's Ref Score, which teams were assigned the most experienced referees and predicts which team jump up for in the upcoming season. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A former NBA social media employee took to Facebook to air his grievances and promote his new consulting business after asking how to log out of the official NBA account. The James Harden saga continues with a healthy hundred thousand dollar fine from the association, but DA Amin Elhassan takes the case to defend him in Illuminati Court. Finally, do the NY Knicks have a serious grievance with a former employee bringing alleged proprietary information to the Toronto Raptors and breaking the code, or are they just being dicks about it? Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kyrie Irving is back in a big way, driving content on all segments of this show, and revealing his sworn fealty to a lord by wearing a certain number. Amin reports back from his experience at the Hall of Fame induction this past weekend, and tries to share credit with Curt Gowdy Media Award winner Marc Spears. James Harden broke the code on his dissatisfaction with the 76ers by calling Daryl Morey a liar, so we decode what Daryl was lying about and where this situation is headed. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tom has started a new Substack, The Finder, and we want you to find out why. Kevin Garnett is wondering where the all the mid level bread is located, so we head to the Illuminati bakery to prove that there's a lot more out there than you might think. Paolo Banchero is suiting for Team USA in this FIBA World Cup, and Amin unveils the truth of why he left Italy's national team behind in a quite inconvenient fashion. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Anthony Edwards is changing his jersey number, causing us to dip back into our numerology bag of tricks to interpret the significance. Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson are out while Doc Rivers and Doris Burke are in as ESPN shakes up their NBA Finals commentator team. Admiral of the IllumiNavy and Economics Professor Scott Kaplan joins the show to discuss his paper discussing 'The Distributional Impact of Maximum- and Minimum-Level Contracts on Player Compensation' Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the doldrums of the summer, we turn back the clock in an interview with the legendary heckler Robin Ficker, although he objects to that term. Way back on January 25th, in our 'Stan Spittin' episode, we discussed the legacy of the Washington Bullets fan who stood toe to toe with Michael Jordan from his seat behind the visitor's bench. Now the 80 year old Maryland resident joins us on the podcast to share his therapeutic methods, the one player that was immune to his efforts and how David Stern targeted him personally. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LeBron James has changed his number from 6 to 23 out of respect for Bill Russell in the midst of un-retiring out of respect for Michael Jordan. Joel 'Troel' Embiid had some curious comments at the Uninterrupted Film Festival, is he possibly in an empire state of mind? Victor Wembenyama is deflating his height from 7'5" to 7'3", and he's not the only athlete to do so. You won't want to Skip this segment. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ballsack Sports has evolved to another level, tricking players into believing their own fake stats. Tom contextualizes Victor Wembenyama's Summer League performance by doing his own research on other star debuts. Jeff Teague has become a storytelling podcaster and Gilbert Arenas put Zion Williamson on the spot about his weight. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Free Agency is underway, complete with a splash of Trade Demands to keep things interesting. Read these reports with a cautious third eye, Illumination, in order to parse the true machinations at play. Does your favorite news breaker have a rewards program depending on how many miles their sources accrue? We break down all the loyalty tiers. A new Amateur NBA Analyst also threw his hat into the ring. Is it a ghost of free agency past, or a new bloke from across the pond? Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Victor Wembenyama has a direct line to the Universe thanks to a wide open third eye. Brandon Miller is a Hornet after some buzz moved the betting lines, and Fat Joe really wants us to know he likes Dick from Kansas. Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports returns as Truth Teller to give us the inside track on the upcoming free agent frenzy, teams afraid of the second apron and Dame scenarios. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Last Friday's news dump going into the weekend included a 25 game suspension for Ja Morant and the finalized sale of the Charlotte Hornets. The Bartelstein family celebrated Father's Day in a very public way this year as Bradley Beal was traded to Phoenix, while a shadow GM is taking the Suns in a different direction. Brandon Payne of Accelerate Basketball returns to the program to give us the scoop on Scoot Henderson's training and workout with Steph Curry before this year's draft. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ja and Zion, the crown jewels of the 2019 draft, have been attracting attention off the court for all the wrong reasons. Is that draft cursed? What about 2nd overall picks? Denver has climbed to the mountaintop due to Nikola Jokic's workmanlike effort, as the Heat sink back to sea level and a summer of Damian Lillard rumors. Tom did his own research on Wake Forest journeyman and folk hero Ish Smith, using this Nuggets championship as an opportunity to leave no stone unturned. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kyrie Irving is hitting the recruiting trail, trying to lure LeBron to join him and Luka in Dallas, but if you've had your third eye open for a while, you already knew that. Amin continues to search for the mythical Jokic brothers and the Illumination Loves the adjustments the Heat have made so far in this series. Finally, take a trip to Research Town, where Tom digs into Erik Spoelstra's comments about Nikola Jokic, hoping to train your eyes to see Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Citizens of the Illumination! You've probably noticed all the bread crumbs scattered across the NBA. Open your third eye and follow them as we uncover the truth behind the Lakers-Pacers walk-off ... or should we say, standoff. What's happening in mid-January? As LeBron James battles through injuries, we bring on three-time Truth Teller and injury expert Jeff Stotts of InStreetClothes.com to reveal the top-secret data behind all the injuries in the NBA. Finally, Tom Did His Own Research on the explosion of palming across the NBA and a stunning culprit is identified. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Conservation of Points has struck again, this time in the same game as Luka Doncic had his three points taken away and given to his Slovenian counterpart Vlatko Cancar. Meanwhile in Philadelphia, Giannis found out that free throws aren't free when he is intimidated postgame by the vicious duo of Montrezl Harrell and a ladder. Finally, the Illuminati have noticed an increase in traveling violations since the beginning of the season, and after some research, believe they have found the inciting incident. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Illumination's borders knows no bounds -- and live from an undisclosed location, it's the Basketball Illuminati podcast. After the Illumination accepts another high-profile citizen, we untangle the numerology of the NBA's unprecedented scoring spree. 59, 51, 47 from 30, what does it all mean? To help decipher Stephen Curry's scoring rampage, we welcome his long-time trainer Brandon Payne of Accelerate Basketball to the Truth Teller series, who takes us behind the curtain on a hell-ish Trae Young workout this past summer and reveals which players Curry studies to achieve basketball nirvana. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kyrie Irving has been assigned a six part checklist before he can return to the Nets, a new initiative we at Basketball Illuminati have labeled The D.U.N.C.E. System: Demonstrate Understanding of Nuanced Complex Endorsements. We summon Truth Teller Ethan Sherwood Strauss to elucidate how the player empowerment era has led us to this point. Subscribe to Ethan's Substack: https://houseofstrauss.substack.com/ Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry, and for Basketball Illuminati, six days was too long for the Kyrie Irving debacle to maintain it's grasp on the news cycle. Breaking news sends shockwaves across the Illumination as Steve Nash is out, Ime Udoka is in, and the Brooklyn Nets have put out a fire with... more fire? Also, Myles Turner is asked about whether or not he should be traded for and there's more to the Josh Primo situation than the mainstream media is telling you. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Be cautious, Illumination. These early season records are not what they seem. Except for the Lakers, they're going to continue to have issues unless they find a creative way out of the Russell Westbrook Category. Truth Teller Babak Somekh joins the program to discuss the paper he co-wrote with Paolo Falco and Mauro Caselli titled 'Inside the NBA Bubble: How Black Players Performed Better without Fans'. Finally, Amin shares his first Inconvenient Truth from the new season, concerning Adam Silver's flirtation with relegation and how to properly incentivize tanking teams. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Basketball Illuminati generals react to the NBA's Opening Night festivities and Russell Westbrook's recent comments. On the Agenda, we explore the implications of the Golden State Warriors' recent extensions as it pertains to the futures of their bank account and a particular mercurial linchpin, as well as informing the Illumination why Jordan Poole's contract was reported to be $140 million instead of the more accurate $123 million. Finally, we are joined by Knicks beat writer and SNY reporter Ian Begley to discuss the latest report of the New York Knicks banning dozens of lawyers and season-ticket holders from attending MSG events, providing insight into the perpetually mediocre and petty New York franchise. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Illuminarmy generals have been dispatched to get to the bottom of PunchGate and LeakGate in Golden State. To the naked third eye, could this actually help the Warriors in the long run? It's time to revisit some of the most notorious intra-squad scuffles in recent NBA history. Then we are joined by Truth Teller, dad hat ambassador and senior alien correspondent Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports to declassify the secrets of Victor Wembanyama and the code of tanking. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It's time to wake up, Illumination. Preseason action is here, and Return SZN is in full bloom, with Ben Simmons, Kawhi Leonard, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. back on the court. Next on the docket, an investigation into the latest Lakers drama involving LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, as we offer an explanation as to why LeBron's response was so brief. Finally, Tom Does His Own Research on the annual NBA GM survey that precedes the season. What's really going on with those ballots? We use 11 percent of our brains to reveal what's really behind these offseason content machines. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Illuminati takes stock of the onslaught of Media Day content and try to ascertain just how much weight has been gained or lost this offseason. In order to fully understand the Ime Udoka scandal, you need to hear the story within the story from this week's Truth Teller, Ethan Sherwood Strauss of House of Strauss, who unpacks what the Worldwide Leader said in the wake of the news -- and more importantly, what they didn't say. Subscribe to Ethan's Substack: https://houseofstrauss.substack.com/ Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With the news that Robert Sarver is selling the Phoenix Suns and Mercury, the Illuminarmy generals get back in the trenches and deliver a bonus episode for the soldiers out there. We have an exclusive Truth-Teller interview with former Suns employee David Bodzin, one of the whistleblowers in the Sarver scandal, who opens some eyes about his incident with Sarver, how it was handled by his bosses and what he thinks Sarver's decision to sell the team. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Illuminati are eager to see how the Dennis Schröder signing impacts Russell Westbrook and his role in Los Angeles. Meanwhile in the desert, the palace intrigue of the Phoenix Suns continues to unravel as the Robert Sarver fallout deepens. Who is Jahm Najafi and why are Colin Kaepernick and Larry Fitzgerald involved? Not satisfied, we consult with Truth Teller Domonique Foxworth of ESPN, who lends his experience as a former NFLPA and NBPA exec negotiating with owners and league executives in the room where it happens. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
While the Illuminati can't help but acknowledge the EuroBasket legend that is Gianmarco Pozzecco, there are more pressing, important matters to discuss. First, we parse through the NBA's 40-page report on the investigation into Suns/Mercury governor Robert Sarver to discover why the punishment was so lenient, allowing him to maintain ownership of the team. Then we are joined by Truth Teller Matt Sullivan, who takes us behind the scenes of his Rolling Stone cover story on Stephen Curry and reveals which NBA legend's interview he cut from the final draft. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Donovan Mitchell saga has reached its next chapter, as he's headed out of Utah in a blockbuster trade with... the Cleveland Cavaliers?!? What does the inability to poach a superstar mean for Leon Rose and the CAA Knicks? And who's really negotiating these deals for various teams around the league? Sean Patrick Griffin returns to the Illuminati to dissect Untold: Operation Flagrant Foul, the Netflix documentary about Tim Donaghy. The author of Gaming The Game connects the dots on how the doc was made, declassifies some conversations he's had with a co-conspirator and reveals what crucial details were absent in our Truth Tellers segment. Stay vigilant, Illuminarmy soldiers; don't let yourself get second-hand #sacked. Buy Sean's Book Gaming the Game Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
While the Illuminati continue to deliberate the new Tim Donaghy documentary on Netflix, some eyes need to be opened regarding RJ Barrett's surprising, poisonous extension with the New York Knicks. We break the code on what the reporting means for the Knicks brass and how it affects the purloining of Donovan Mitchell from the Jazz. Then we seek counsel from Jeff Stotts of InStreetClothes, the grim reaper only summoned when tragedy strikes, to discuss Chet Holmgren's unfortunate foot injury and learn the truth about the Lisfranc and the top pick's future. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Illuminarmy generals react to The Boardroom -- sorry -- KD news that dropped on Tuesday and what it means for Third Eye Kai's partnership with Brooklyn. Amin connects the dots for the listeners and explains why Udonis Haslem's signing foretold the groundbreaking renewal of vows. Speaking of groundbreaking, with the new Tim Donaghy doc coming out on Netflix, we spoke to Donaghy expert, Gaming The Game author and criminal justice professor Sean Patrick Griffin to separate the truth from the lies behind the betting scandal that rocked the NBA. Buy Sean's Book Gaming the Game Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, we explain the NBA schedule being leaked before it was released and what the Christmas Day lineup really signifies. Shortly after our Tamper Tantrum episode, Bronaldinho James is dominating the airwaves again, dunking on the entire city of Paris. Tom Does Some More Research on his lack of college offers. On the two-year anniversary of the greatest scoring display in playoff history, we open some third eyes on the so-called Bubble Gangsters and whether we should take Bubble performances seriously. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Even though one of the generals enters Health and Safety Protocols, Basketball Illuminati must soldier forth because the truth waits for no one. After picking through the scrap heap of NBA headlines at ESPN, Tom, Amin and Mayes have no choice but to phone a friend, Ethan Strauss of the House of Strauss, to see what he's been writing about lately. Subscribe to Ethan's Substack: https://houseofstrauss.substack.com/ Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
While the mainstream media wonders about LeBron James' future with the Lakers, the Illuminarmy generals urge its soldiers to instead pay close attention to the stars aligning in Sin City. What do college coaches know about Bronny James that they won't tell us? Tom connects the dots and investigates what's really going on with the James'. Speaking of investigations, just as predicted by Basketball Illuminati, the NBA has opened up investigations into the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers on tampering charges before Amin ambushes The Agenda with an Inconvenient Truth about tampering. Finally, Tom Does His Own Research on the late, great Bill Russell's career before Amin urges you to look more closely at the famous picture of Russell with all his rings. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Illuminati soldier forth shorthanded as Tom enjoys a much deserved vacation, leaving Amin and Mayes to forage for scraps of NBA news in the summer wasteland. Is there any substance to the latest batch of Kevin Durant trade discussions? Then legendary Truth Teller J.A. Adande sets aside his professorial tweed jacket and dons the Basketball Illuminati robes once again, guiding us through the Joe Smith saga, the most severe punishment in NBA history, and just how Sterny former commissioner David Stern could get. Adande's LA Times Article from October 2000 Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As the rest of the media tries to sneak in a vacation, the Illuminati are working tirelessly, clarifying why the offer sheet extended to Deandre Ayton by the Indiana Pacers was matched by the Phoenix Suns. When a strange statement was cryptically released by Russell Westbrook's former agent, the new segment Code Breakers was born to decipher its true meaning. Finally Truth Teller Travonne Edwards from The Athletic takes us inside the Drew League, explains why everyone thought Kyrie Irving would be there with LeBron, that Kevin Durant is not gonna let his summer get messed up, and the social currency that comes with suiting up for the Lakers. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tom and Amin take the Illuminati show on the road, all the way out to the desert of Las Vegas, where they were able to track down Truth Teller Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports. The specter of the Slim Reaper continues to haunt the league, as Kevin Durant's future is inextricably bound to his partner in dysfunction Third Eye Kai's. Tom also managed to find time to Do His Own Research on the effectiveness of a five year max extension to retain a superstar on your team, and Vinnie shares his favorite NBA conspiracy. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kevin Durant's trade demand sent shockwaves throughout the league, and the Winds of Change emanating from this colossal event traveled all the way across the country, leading to major questions. What's going on in Utah? How is Ben Simmons continuing to complicate things off the court for the Nets? What future deals were brokered at Michael Rubin's palatial party last weekend? And just who exactly was Jeanie Buss talking about that can't hold a candle to KB? Basketball Illuminati Investigates. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Third Eye Kai continues to manipulate his media pawns in the offseason chess game, but he's not the only point guard with an agenda; John Wall's defied the CBA by hopping aboard the Clipper's ship. After taking a victory lap at news of the Charlotte Hornets' family reunion, the Illuminati are joined by Truth Teller Yaron Weitzman of Fox Sports, who shares details from his exclusive interview with NBA powerbroker Michael Rubin now that he has been liberated from his 'impractical' ownership stake in the Philadelphia 76ers. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As we bid farewell to Parade 4 Klay and his championship hat, it’s time to welcome in the NBA’s misdirection season. Third-Eye Kai Irving is sending out cryptic tweets to kick off Draft week and the Illuminarmy generals decrypt it for the masses. Who's really pulling the Strings in Brooklyn? Then B/R’s newsbreaker Jake Fischer joins us for Truth Tellers and expands our minds with trade rumors and the truth behind league spin-cycling. And lastly, Tom Did His Own Research about draft intel they don’t want you to know about, which quickly turns into Amin’s Inconvenient Truth. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As the Warriors push the Celtics to the brink of elimination, Steph Curry pushes the media to the brink of denying him his deserved Finals MVP. While the mainstream are distracted by these petty squabbles, the Illuminati turn back the clock to a simpler time. The year was 2014. Tom and Amin were a couple of naive, two eyed journalists covering the Heat/Spurs championship rematch, until a broken air conditioner changed everything. With the help of objective observers Izzy Gutierrez and Dan McCarney, we unveil our list of suspects in this conspiratorial whodunit. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As we do every week on this show, it's time to run it back, Pat Riley style. First we pull back the curtain on the conversation everyone's talking about -- Draymond Green avoiding ejection in Game 2 while putting pressure on the officials as well as the Celtics, declassifying some data on the referees involved that will pry open your third eye. Then this week's Truth Teller is fearless NBA beat writer Andy Larsen from the Salt Lake Tribune, who CAAndidly connects the dots on Donovan Mitchell's unsettlement with Quin Snyder stunning, completely unexpected resignation. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With the NBA Finals on the horizon, the Illuminati turn back the clock all the way to their first two episodes when a three pointer disappears due to the law of conservation of points. Darvin Ham is the new coach of the Lake Show, what does this mean for our favorite soap opera Doc & Daryl? With the Celtics and Warriors harvesting the bounty of their locally sourced, home grown talent, is the Super Team an endangered species? Was Max Strus' foot out of bounds? And who reviews the reviewer? We're just asking questions... Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As the Doc Hollywood rumors continue to swirl, we ask our Illuminarmy not to fall for the agenda-driven narratives about Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, while Amin shares an Inconvenient Truth about fraudulent injury reports. Finally, we investigate the NBA’s latest press release bragging about its referee technology with the help of Truth Telling officiating experts Shelley Russi and Don Vaden of Thirdside Coaching. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Our exclusive Draft Lottery coverage continues this week with truth teller Howard Beck from Sports Illustrated, but not before choosing sides in the power struggle in Philly and examining the beefy backstory of Patrick Beverley and Chris Paul. After we pry open his third eye, Howard shares his favorite NBA conspiracy theory, taking us on a joyride to Los Angeles circa 2011. We also reminisce on our favorite draft lottery "winners" from years past with the help of Illuminarmy heroes Bomani Jones, John Skipper and Ethan Sherwood Strauss. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With the NBA Draft Lottery upon us, the Illuminarmy generals talk to award-winning journalist Patrick Hruby about the 1985 Draft Lottery conspiracy theory, his fascinating hunt for truth and why his commissioned report got spiked at ESPN in 2012. Hruby, this week's Truthteller, reveals for the first time how his magazine feature ironically became a talking point for former commissioner David Stern during the 2012 NBA Finals. Plus, Amin reacts to the Winning Time season finale before we unveil the game within the game within the Boston-Milwaukee series. Lastly, Tom Did His Own Research about the tidal wave of offensive fouls. Read Patrick's article The Truth Is Out There Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As the Los Angeles Lakers coaching search comes full circle, the Zen Master just doesn't hold a candle to the Shadow GM. On this week's episode, we bring in famed NBA bettor and former Mavericks executive Haralabos "Bob" Voulgaris to reveal searing truths about the league. Voulgaris takes us behind the curtain in Dallas and shares his lessons from the room where it happens and the reasons why he retired from gambling. We'll also review Draymond Green's flagrant reputation and share surprising data about Scott Foster, the referee the Association told you not to worry about. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get your brooms out, it's time to sweep this messy Nets season into the dust bin, but not before we decrypt one last message from Kyrie Irving. Misinformation spreads on the internet like wildfire, so consider us your source for verification and authentication as we sift through the headlines. Finally, the unexpected axing of James Borrego by the Charlotte brass calls our attention to the hiring methodology and practices of one Michael Jeffrey Jordan. What will the next Hornets coach need to have on their resumé? Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The NBA Playoffs have arrived and the deceptions out there are stronger than ever. Make sure to keep your third eye open as Stephen Curry returns to the Warriors and Kyrie Irving flips off an entire fanbase. To get the record straight on rampant strange block/charge calls, we bring in former NBA referee Don Vaden. Amin shares an Inconvenient Truth about technical difficulties and we defend against a misinformation campaign about NBA awards with some truth about the media voting process. Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The regular season is over, but the Lakers are still attempting to control the narrative. Basketball Illuminati won't let it happen. On this week's episode, we'll unveil what's really going on in this Raptors-Sixers matchup -- the Medical Series between Doc and Nurse that promises to get bloody. Speaking of medicals, Tom Did His Own Research on NBA star absences and Amin proposes "a great solution" for commissioner Adam Silver. We bring in Truth-teller and injury guru Jeff Stotts of the In Street Clothes podcast to share intel about the biggest injuries in the NBA and when those players might be back. Last but not least, Amin shares a most Inconvenient Truth about Magic Johnson. Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to the last week of the NBA season, where teams jostle for playoff positioning and MVP candidates make one last furious push to the finish line. Although the Lakers have been officially eliminated from the Playoffs, LeBron James still has something to play for. We are joined by Wosny Lambre of The Ringer to discuss his burgeoning status as a newsbreaker and render a diagnosis on the state of the process and its various moving parts. Finally, Kyrie knows something we are all too afraid to acknowledge. Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
An NBA player attacks one of our own, and we won’t hold our tongue. Fellow truth-tellers Kate Fagan and Jessica Smetana of the Off The Looking Glass podcast join us to expose a massive basketball injustice that plagues March Madness. And lastly, our eyes are opened to some graphic content and we keep digging to reveal which teams secretly coddle their stars, leading us to serve Kevin Durant with his newest nickname: The Scape-GOAT. Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LeBron James dunked his way out of an invitation to Kevin Love's wedding, and he's having "the time of his life". Just like Kevin Love's pride, a lot of your favorite NBA players are hurt right now. Tom and Amin decrypt the coded language of NBA front office executives and reveal when we can expect to see stars such as Ben Simmons, Kawhi Leonard, and Jamal Murray back on the court. Then Tom parses the data on Russell Westbrook's shot attempts in an effort to free his mind from restrictions of conformity, and finally we monitor the level of spice in the beef stew simmering between the Warriors and a certain referee. Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A Basketball Illuminati worldwide exclusive: the man behind Ballsack Sports joins the program. How did the Joker of sports media infiltrate ESPN and expose the industry’s blindness to reality? What’s the endgame? Mr. Ballsack explains the phenomenon behind his crusade for truth. Plus, KAT’s 60 and the Lakers play-in, Tom Did His Own Research about star trios and Amin has had enough of Draymond’s latest campaign. Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Basketball Illuminarmy has enlisted new soldier in the fight to uncover the truth, and he comes equipped with a keyboard and microphone. Ethan Strauss joins the show to discuss CAA v Klutch and just how far the agency tendrils extend into the seats of Power in the NBA. Tom and Amin also address Russell Westbrook's frustrations and LeBron taking The Shop's talents to Youtube. Subscribe to Ethan's Substack: https://houseofstrauss.substack.com/ Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Don’t be fooled, Illuminarmy: The MVP has already been awarded. Then, Amin connects the dots on the scheme to accelerate Zion’s exodus to the Big Apple. Finally, Tom does his own research on the hidden hand of the NBA and which teams receive the best refs. We will not be silenced. Send tips to basketballilluminati@gmail.com and be sure to keep your third eye open. Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After NBA Commissioner Adam Silver attempts to shut reporters out, Tom Haberstroh and Amin Elhassan urge the Basketball Illuminarmy to stay vigilant and keep their eyes open. We connect the dots and find that the prophecy is coming true: LeBron James is going back to Cleveland with Bronaldinho. Then Amin delivers his Inconvenient Truth about yet another referee cover-up and introduces the Law of Conservation of Points. And finally, Tom Does His Own Research, and everything comes full circle in Episode 2. We will not be silenced. Send tips to basketballilluminati@gmail.com and be sure to keep your third eye open. Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the premiere episode of Basketball Illuminati, longtime NBA insiders Amin Elhassan and Tom Haberstroh connect the dots on the Harden-Simmons trade and plot where it goes next. For the first time, Tom publicly releases details about BuddyGate, a mysterious disappearance that happened before our very eyes. Finally, Tom does his own research and uncovers information about Amin’s old acquaintance. Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tired of agenda-driven basketball talk that only offers glimpses of the truth? Wish there was a place you could get the full picture? Basketball Illuminati offers you salvation. Go behind the scenes with insider analysis previously restricted from the general public. Fearless NBA Insiders Amin Elhassan and Tom Haberstroh peel back the curtain on the “why” things happen in the NBA. Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices