Podcast
Basketball Illuminati
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.
- Basketball chart
- #143
- Episodes
- 245
- Releases
- Weekly
- Typical length
- 1 hr 8 min
- On air since
- 2022
- Latest episode
- 6 days ago
Episodes
245 episodes, newest first
-
48 min
The Camden Championship
Show notes
Tom Haberstroh and producer Anthony Mayes are staggered by the proliferation of star player injuries in the first week of the season.
How exactly did Leon Rose and World Wide Wes turn their connections into a Knicks championship? Can they keep this delicate tightrope act together to run it back?
Yaron Weitzman joins the Illuminati to discuss his New York Magazine story on the unlikely friendships behind New York’s rise, from a Camden shoe store to the franchise-changing bet on Jalen Brunson.
The difficult decisions to fire Tom Thibodeau and trade Donte DiVincenzo tested the Knicks’ family-business approach, while Karl-Anthony Towns’ stalled extension talks and James Dolan's looming specter haunt the beginning of the season.
Basketball Illuminati is now part of the Count The Dings Network.
Join the Count The Dings Patreon to support the show, get ad free episodes and exclusive content at https://www.patreon.com/countthedings
ILLUMINATI MERCH HAS RETURNED - Check it out here: https://bit.ly/CTDMERCH
Follow Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify
Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com
Twitter: @bballilluminati
Instagram: @basketballilluminati
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1 hr 15 min
Eternal Flame
Show notes
Dr. Tom "The Scientist" Haberstroh, Pulitzer Prize Winner Amin Elhassan... and producer Anthony Mayes celebrate Tom's new job as sideline reporter for NBC Sports Philadelphia, Kyrie Irving's veteran wisdom and Kyle Kuzma's new podcast.
Jeff Stotts from In Street Clothes joins the show to discuss Ben Simmons’ season-ending injury, the questions surrounding Achilles recovery for Damian Lillard, Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum, and why workload spikes may matter more than the shoes players wear.
Plus, Kyrie Irving’s comeback, the Knicks’ repeat challenge, Victor Wembanyama’s durability, Steph Curry’s pool workouts and the challenges of managing blood clots in professional athletes.
Basketball Illuminati is now part of the Count The Dings Network.
Join the Count The Dings Patreon to support the show, get ad free episodes and exclusive content at https://www.patreon.com/countthedings
ILLUMINATI MERCH HAS RETURNED - Check it out here: https://bit.ly/CTDMERCH
Follow Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify
Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com
Twitter: @bballilluminati
Instagram: @basketballilluminati
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
-
45 min
Midseason Form
Show notes
Dr. Tom "The Scientist" Haberstroh, Pulitzer Prize Winner Amin Elhassan... and producer Anthony Mayes are in the best podcasting shape of their lives, just in time for the season to begin.
Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic takes us inside the vibe shift in Minnesota upon LaMelo Ball's arrival. Can he and Anthony Edwards turn positive energy into a championship?
We break down their early chemistry, how LaMelo’s playmaking changes Ant’s role, and why the Timberwolves’ front-office future remains an open question.
Plus, Karl-Anthony Towns’ extension drama in New York, Micah Nori’s challenging situation in Portland and what went wrong with Rob Dillingham.
Basketball Illuminati is now part of the Count The Dings Network.
Join the Count The Dings Patreon to support the show, get ad free episodes and exclusive content at https://www.patreon.com/countthedings
ILLUMINATI MERCH HAS RETURNED - Check it out here: https://bit.ly/CTDMERCH
Follow Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify
Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com
Twitter: @bballilluminati
Instagram: @basketballilluminati
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1 hr 8 min
Fantastic Four
Show notes
Dr. Tom "The Scientist" Haberstroh, Pulitzer Prize Winner Amin Elhassan... and producer Anthony Mayes think it's high time to normalize commuting by helicopter.
Nate Duncan of the Dunc'd On podcast has been campaigning for the NBA to do something about offensive players pushing off since 2019, and he has finally been vindicated. We Focus on the Four Fs (Feeling, Firming, Force & Full Extension) and what other Factors could affect rule enforcement going Forward (Falling? Follicle length?). Then we put Nate's legal skills to the test as he examines Jeanie Buss' chances to retain governorship and whether this really was The Summer of Adam after all.
Basketball Illuminati is now part of the Count The Dings Network.
Join the Count The Dings Patreon to support the show, get ad free episodes and exclusive content at https://www.patreon.com/countthedings
ILLUMINATI MERCH HAS RETURNED - Check it out here: https://bit.ly/CTDMERCH
Follow Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify
Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com
Twitter: @bballilluminati
Instagram: @basketballilluminati
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
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59 min
Valuing Imperfection
Show notes
Tom and Mayes sit down with Brandon Payne of Accelerate Basketball, who reveals the advanced training principles behind Stephen Curry’s sustained excellence, from protecting Curry’s body with recovery-focused and underwater work to building faster decision-making through cognitive overload drills.
Brandon also explains why Steph is an “AI learner,” the value of imperfect reps, how Jalen Brunson wins with patience and why youth athletes should consider sports like soccer and water polo.
Plus what he has learned working with Trae Young, Tyler Herro, Davion Mitchell and Julian Champagnie this summer.
Basketball Illuminati is now part of the Count The Dings Network.
Join the Count The Dings Patreon to support the show, get ad free episodes and exclusive content at https://www.patreon.com/countthedings
ILLUMINATI MERCH HAS RETURNED - Check it out here: https://bit.ly/CTDMERCH
Follow Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify
Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com
Twitter: @bballilluminati
Instagram: @basketballilluminati
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1 hr 9 min
Soulless Transaction Robots
Show notes
Dr. Tom "The Scientist" Haberstroh, Pulitzer Prize Winner Amin Elhassan... and producer Anthony Mayes revisit the Doc Rivers Decision Tree™.
Keith Smith of Spotrac breaks down the ongoing negotiations between Jalen Duren and Detroit Pistons that could drag on until training camp.
We also discuss the Thompson twins and Keyonte George extensions, how Restricted Free Agency is changing, the Second Apron and Spotrac's Trade Machine.
Basketball Illuminati is now part of the Count The Dings Network.
Join the Count The Dings Patreon to support the show, get ad free episodes and exclusive content at https://www.patreon.com/countthedings
ILLUMINATI MERCH HAS RETURNED - Check it out here: https://bit.ly/CTDMERCH
Follow Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify
Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com
Twitter: @bballilluminati
Instagram: @basketballilluminati
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
-
1 hr 17 min
Distractions
Show notes
Dr. Tom "The Scientist" Haberstroh, Pulitzer Prize Winner Amin Elhassan... and producer Anthony Mayes are taking accountability... for the distractions and distress this podcast will cause.
Bruce Arthur of the Toronto Star shares how the Raptors legendary sports scientist Alex McKechnie was crucial in approving the original Kawhi trade and the sliding doors of Leonard's departure that altered NBA Championship history.
Bruce expects Kawhi to complement a ferocious Raptors defense capable of holding up in a reloaded Eastern Conference, but believes they could still make a move to improve along the margins.
Basketball Illuminati is now part of the Count The Dings Network.
Join the Count The Dings Patreon to support the show, get ad free episodes and exclusive content at https://www.patreon.com/countthedings
ILLUMINATI MERCH HAS RETURNED - Check it out here: https://bit.ly/CTDMERCH
Follow Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify
Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com
Twitter: @bballilluminati
Instagram: @basketballilluminati
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1 hr 25 min
Scarce Human Experiences
Show notes
Dr. Tom "The Scientist" Haberstroh, Pulitzer Prize Winner Amin Elhassan... and producer Anthony Mayes wonder who will follow in the footsteps of Russell Westbrook and Ben Simmons.
Truth Teller Joe Pompliano of Huddle Up has had a busy August writing about all the wild ownership stories in the NBA.
We explore the business relationship between Mark Walter and Magic Johnson, Steve Ballmer's options going forward and whether or not sports franchise valuations are in a bubble.
Plus Stan Kroenke's recent Angels acquisition, LIV golf, the greed of the US Open and so much more.
Basketball Illuminati is now part of the Count The Dings Network.
Join the Count The Dings Patreon to support the show, get ad free episodes and exclusive content at https://www.patreon.com/countthedings
ILLUMINATI MERCH HAS RETURNED - Check it out here: https://bit.ly/CTDMERCH
Follow Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify
Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com
Twitter: @bballilluminati
Instagram: @basketballilluminati
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1 hr 24 min
Third Eye Open LLC
Show notes
Dr. Tom "The Scientist" Haberstroh, Pulitzer Prize Winner Amin Elhassan... and producer Anthony Mayes have found their own Pepe Silvia: Guggenheim Partners.
We take you back to the first domino that led to Peyton Watson's sign and trade to Cleveland and induct James Harden into the $500 Mil club.
Truth Teller Henry Abbott of TrueHoop and author of Ballisticis fed up with the NBA PR machine and urges you not to take the NBA at their word.
The league’s response to the Terry Rozier and Tim Donaghy scandals gives us insight into their current PR playbook. Are NBA investigations designed to find the truth or protect the league’s brand?
Plus the rise of private equity, ultra-wealthy ownership groups and teams as tradable assets is reshaping the future of the sport.
Basketball Illuminati is now part of the Count The Dings Network.
Join the Count The Dings Patreon to support the show, get ad free episodes and exclusive content at https://www.patreon.com/countthedings
ILLUMINATI MERCH HAS RETURNED - Check it out here: https://bit.ly/CTDMERCH
Follow Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify
Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com
Twitter: @bballilluminati
Instagram: @basketballilluminati
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
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42 min
Emergency Pod - Minnesota Timberwolves Sold
Show notes
Tom, Amin, Wos and Mayes react to the second NBA team sale of August, at an absurd price increase, to a buyer leveraging their OpenAI investments.
Who is Marc Stad? Another venture capitalist looking for a stable place to park his highly volatile riches? Or is there some other connection to NBA ownership at play here?
All that and more on the future of the Timberwolves.
Basketball Illuminati is now part of the Count The Dings Network.
Join the Count The Dings Patreon to support the show, get ad free episodes and exclusive content at https://www.patreon.com/countthedings
ILLUMINATI MERCH HAS RETURNED - Check it out here: https://bit.ly/CTDMERCH
Follow Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify
Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com
Twitter: @bballilluminati
Instagram: @basketballilluminati
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1 hr 32 min
The Summer Of Adam
Show notes
Dr. Tom "The Scientist" Haberstroh, Pulitzer Prize Winner Amin Elhassan... and producer Anthony Mayes are more than close, they're vacation close.
Ethan Strauss of House of Strauss is here to discuss the various ownership stories simmering across the NBA: Mark Walter's financial troubles, Bob Iger & Adam Silver's relationship, why the NBA would choose to expand to Vegas and the fallout from Monday's ESPN report about the Ballmer investigation.
Basketball Illuminati is now part of the Count The Dings Network.
Join the Count The Dings Patreon to support the show, get ad free episodes and exclusive content at https://www.patreon.com/countthedings
ILLUMINATI MERCH HAS RETURNED - Check it out here: https://bit.ly/CTDMERCH
Follow Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify
Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com
Twitter: @bballilluminati
Instagram: @basketballilluminati
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
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36 min
The Chosen Successor
Show notes
Dr. Tom "The Scientist" Haberstroh, Pulitzer Prize Winner Amin Elhassan... and producer Anthony Mayes can't decide which Prestige HBO TV show best describes what's going on with the Lakers right now.
Truth Teller Yaron Weitzman, author of A Hollywood Ending, helps us understand the machinations unfurling before our eyes with the premiere NBA franchise. The three pronged ownership story (Buss Family, Mark Walter, Iger/Kushner) has a million different interesting details. What does it all mean?
Basketball Illuminati is now part of the Count The Dings Network.
Join the Count The Dings Patreon to support the show, get ad free episodes and exclusive content at https://www.patreon.com/countthedings
ILLUMINATI MERCH HAS RETURNED - Check it out here: https://bit.ly/CTDMERCH
Follow Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify
Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com
Twitter: @bballilluminati
Instagram: @basketballilluminati
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
-
1 hr 13 min
Achilles Last Stand
Show notes
Dr. Tom "The Scientist" Haberstroh, Pulitzer Prize Winner Amin Elhassan... and producer Anthony Mayes wonder if the latest development in the Terry Rozier investigation should end the case.
We unpack KD's superteam comments comparing LeBron's new 76ers with his death lineup Warriors, and reveal our picks for First Team All Wedding.
Truth Teller Dr. Nirav Pandya from UCSF unpacks the findings from his study on short-term workload patterns before Achilles tendon ruptures in the NBA, a response to the rebuttal statement from the NBA and what more information he wishes he had to understand the injury better.
Basketball Illuminati is now part of the Count The Dings Network.
Join the Count The Dings Patreon to support the show, get ad free episodes and exclusive content at https://www.patreon.com/countthedings
ILLUMINATI MERCH HAS RETURNED - Check it out here: https://bit.ly/CTDMERCH
Follow Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify
Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com
Twitter: @bballilluminati
Instagram: @basketballilluminati
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1 hr 12 min
Reformed Optionalitists
Show notes
Dr. Tom "The Scientist" Haberstroh, Pulitzer Prize Winner Amin Elhassan... and producer Anthony Mayes reveal the unlikely source of the first "optionality" in sports.
Sam Presti continues to play 4-D Chess with other GMs, and the conspiracy goes deeper than you could ever imagine.
Truth Teller Spike Eskin of The Rights to Ricky Sanchez and WIP is the proud new owner of a mercenary super team. LeBron James has done the impossible and signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, bringing with him a whole lot of attention, expectations and possibly his son Bronaldinho.
Basketball Illuminati is now part of the Count The Dings Network.
Join the Count The Dings Patreon to support the show, get ad free episodes and exclusive content at https://www.patreon.com/countthedings
ILLUMINATI MERCH HAS RETURNED - Check it out here: https://bit.ly/CTDMERCH
Follow Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify
Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com
Twitter: @bballilluminati
Instagram: @basketballilluminati
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
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52 min
Do You Believe... The Wizards Extend Anthony Davis?
Show notes
Zach Harper, Mo Dakhil & Wosny Lambre are threatening to move this podcast unless listeners pay for a new studio.
This week's docket, Do You Believe:
• Restricted Free Agency Needs To Be Amended?
• The Wizards Extend Anthony Davis?
• Caleb Wilson Leads The Chicago Bulls To The Playoffs?Basketball Illuminati is now part of the Count The Dings Network.
Join the Count The Dings Patreon to support the show, get ad free episodes and exclusive content at https://www.patreon.com/countthedings
ILLUMINATI MERCH HAS RETURNED - Check it out here: https://bit.ly/CTDMERCH
Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify
Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com
Twitter: @bballilluminati
Instagram: @basketballilluminati
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1 hr 15 min
Financial Decisions
Show notes
Dr. Tom "The Scientist" Haberstroh, Pulitzer Prize Winner Amin Elhassan... and producer Anthony Mayes are not going to be rushed.
Truth Teller Henry Abbott of TrueHoop and author of Ballistic is here to wonder if paying a player over 30 the Super Max is viable in team building, explain why Mark Cuban is the de facto advocate for ownership and divine what happiness truly means to LeBron on day 22 of his free agency.
Basketball Illuminati is now part of the Count The Dings Network.
Join the Count The Dings Patreon to support the show, get ad free episodes and exclusive content at https://www.patreon.com/countthedings
ILLUMINATI MERCH HAS RETURNED - Check it out here: https://bit.ly/CTDMERCH
Follow Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify
Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com
Twitter: @bballilluminati
Instagram: @basketballilluminati
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
-
49 min
Do You Believe... In Optionality?
Show notes
Zach Harper, Mo Dakhil & Wosny Lambre are hoping for their own Gary Trent Jr. style contracts after career worst years.
This week's docket, Do You Believe:
• In Optionality?
• Victor Wembanyama Should Have Taken A Discount?
• LeBron Makes Any Team A Title Favorite?Basketball Illuminati is now part of the Count The Dings Network.
Join the Count The Dings Patreon to support the show, get ad free episodes and exclusive content at https://www.patreon.com/countthedings
ILLUMINATI MERCH HAS RETURNED - Check it out here: https://bit.ly/CTDMERCH
Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify
Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com
Twitter: @bballilluminati
Instagram: @basketballilluminati
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
-
1 hr 21 min
The Cuck Chair
Show notes
Dr. Tom "The Scientist" Haberstroh, Pulitzer Prize Winner Amin Elhassan... and producer Anthony Mayes wonder if a strike lands in the head area, does it leave a mark?
Will LeBron announce his next team at Fanatics Fest this week? Or wait til after the world cup? Or will he continue to keep the whole world right where he wants them: in the cuck chair.
Bruce Arthur of the Toronto Star makes his triumphant return to discuss The Neverending Story of Kawhi Leonard, the trade back to the Raptors that was put on hold, how much the salary cap landscape has shifted in only a year and a bunch of references to Sidney Crosby cuz, yknow, Canada.
Basketball Illuminati is now part of the Count The Dings Network.
Join the Count The Dings Patreon to support the show, get ad free episodes and exclusive content at https://www.patreon.com/countthedings
ILLUMINATI MERCH HAS RETURNED - Check it out here: https://bit.ly/CTDMERCH
Follow Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify
Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com
Twitter: @bballilluminati
Instagram: @basketballilluminati
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
-
51 min
Do You Believe... The Jaylen Brown Trade Can Be Justified?
Show notes
Zach Harper, Mo Dakhil & Wosny Lambre are willing to take the minimum if it means they can podcast for a contender.
This week's docket, Do You Believe:
• The Jaylen Brown Trade Can Be Justified?
• The Lakers Improved Their Roster?
• This Is The Craziest Offseason You Can Remember?Basketball Illuminati is now part of the Count The Dings Network.
Join the Count The Dings Patreon to support the show, get ad free episodes and exclusive content at https://www.patreon.com/countthedings
ILLUMINATI MERCH HAS RETURNED - Check it out here: https://bit.ly/CTDMERCH
Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify
Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com
Twitter: @bballilluminati
Instagram: @basketballilluminati
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
-
1 hr 39 min
The Decision 2
Show notes
Dr. Tom "The Scientist" Haberstroh, Pulitzer Prize Winner Amin Elhassan... and producer Anthony Mayes want to make sure you didn't miss the Malik Beasley update in the deluge of Free Agency news.
LeBron James has announced his decision... To not be a Laker anymore. Where will he take his 42 year old talents next?
Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN joins the show as the Kawhi Leonard era for the LA Clippers comes to a close. How will this era of Clippers basketball be remembered, and what hope does the new youth movement inspire? Ohm also recalls his interview opportunities with the ever elusive Kawhi, who is now Toronto bound for the second time in his career.
Basketball Illuminati is now part of the Count The Dings Network.
Join the Count The Dings Patreon to support the show, get ad free episodes and exclusive content at https://www.patreon.com/countthedings
ILLUMINATI MERCH HAS RETURNED - Check it out here: https://bit.ly/CTDMERCH
Follow Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify
Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com
Twitter: @bballilluminati
Instagram: @basketballilluminati
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
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