Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim MacMahon and first time Hoop Collective guest Alan Hahn to preview the upcoming season for the Atlantic Division in the NBA. The guys tackle how the Knicks will defend their title, what reasonable expectations are for the 76ers, if the Celtics’ big bet will pay off, how much Kawhi can elevate the Raptors and more. Finally, we discuss the big opening night matchups.
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Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim MacMahon to preview the upcoming season for the Southeast Division in the NBA including if the Heat have enough to contend this season, why now is the time for the Magic to step up and what teams can take a leap after major offseason overhauls. Finally, producer Jackson joins for our annual win total draft for the upcoming NBA season.
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Brian Windhorst, Tim MacMahon and Vince Goodwill preview the Central Division, breaking down the biggest questions facing the Pistons, Cavaliers, Bulls, Pacers and Bucks heading into the 2026–27 NBA season. Is this a make-or-break year for Cleveland? Can Detroit take another step forward? Can Tyrese Haliburton lead an Indiana resurgence? Plus, Milwaukee’s uncertain future, Chicago’s intriguing young talent and where each team stacks up in the Eastern Conference.

Timecodes:

00:00 Welcome To The Hoop Collective

00:15 Our 2026-27 Central Division Preview

04:25 Lots of big questions for the Pistons

11:43 Make or break season for the Cavaliers

27:50 Can Haliburton bring back the Pacers?

35:30 Bucks post Giannis future looks murky

42:05 Young talent is intriguing with the bulls
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Brian Windhorst and Tim MacMahon are live from Rockets-Mavericks NBA House in Macao! Mavericks president Masai Ujiri joins the show to discuss Cooper Flagg’s limitless potential, Kyrie Irving’s importance to Dallas and the challenges of building a contender in the Western Conference. Plus, Ujiri reflects on what it takes to build a championship team and Kawhi Leonard’s return to Toronto. Next, ESPN’s Chao Meng also joins to explore the NBA’s popularity in China, the country’s sneaker culture and the excitement surrounding Yang Hansen. Then, NBA legend Carlos Boozer returns to share memories of playing for Jerry Sloan and assess the current state of the Utah Jazz. To close, the guys reflect on their Macao experience and wrap up the Hoop Collective’s World Tour 2026!

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Welcome to The Hoop Collective Live from NBA House in Macao

00:20 Assessing the NBA House & Macao experience

06:18 Mavs' President Masai Ujiri joins the show

7:20 Challenge building Mavs to Western contention

12:00 Is Cooper Flagg underrated already?

15:10 What does Kyrie mean to the team in Dallas?

16:20 What it takes building title contenders

19:35 Reaction to Kawhi Returning to Toronto

24:45 ESPN's Chao Meng joins the show

25:55 Explaining the NBA's popularity in China

30:25 What is the shoe culture like in China?

32:03 Yang Hansen's popularity as a Chinese player

34:00 NBA legend Carlos Boozer rejoins the show

34:10 What was it like playing for Jerry Sloan?

36:40 What is the current state of the Utah Jazz?

39:15 Thank you to everyone involved with the World Tour 2026!
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Brian Windhorst and Tim MacMahon are live from Rockets-Mavericks media day in Macao! Rockets general manager Rafael Stone joins them discussing Houston’s approach to roster construction, building on last season’s 52 wins and navigating a competitive Western Conference. Then, Jabari Smith Jr. joins to talk about the Rockets’ expectations and Fred VanVleet’s return, while Mavericks wing Naji Marshall talks about developing his floater, playing alongside Cooper Flagg and new head coach Dusty May’s influence.

Plus, NBA legends Shawn Marion and Carlos Boozer join the show. Marion reflects on the 2011 NBA Finals, being a pioneer in the evolution of positionless basketball, earlier contract extensions and playing with LeBron James in Cleveland. And, Boozer shares lessons for his son, Cameron Boozer and the comparisons in their game.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Welcome to The Hoop Collective live from Rockets-Mavericks media day in Macao

01:46 Rockets GM Rafael Stone joins the show

03:45 How the Rockets approach team building

09:20 Growing on the Rockets’ 52 wins last season

13:30 Expectations in a competitive Western Conference

14:48 Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. joins the show

15:56 Houston’s expectations with Fred VanVleet returning

18:18 Navigating the competition in the Western Conference

20:15 Mavericks wing Naji Marshall joins the show (fix?)

21:55 Developing Naji’s floater

25:15 Playing alongside Cooper Flagg

28:00 Dusty May’s influence

28:42 NBA legend Shawn Marion joins the show

31:53 Memories of the 2011 NBA Finals

35:05 The evolution of positionless basketball

39:48 Why are contract extensions happening earlier?

44:00 Playing with LeBron James in Cleveland

46:35 NBA legend Carlos Boozer joins the show

47:45 Lessons for Cameron Boozer

52:08 Thanks for watching!
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