It's a Hard Knicks Life

The Athletic’s Knicks beat writer James Edwards III joins us to assess the season so far—and discuss why some of our biggest concerns feel awfully familiar. We break down the questions at backup center, our confidence in the guards, and what might come next for Leon Rose. Is he looking to stay at the helm, or could a new chapter be on his mind?
Plus, Blanderson delivers a heartfelt apology to his family for choosing podcast time over family time. We also tackle listener voicemails and take our customary trip Around the NBA with Blanderson Hooper.

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Champions Night brought the rings, the emotions—and some rusty basketball. We break down the Knicks’ season opener against the Sixers, from the ring ceremony to a sloppy performance by both teams. Despite the struggles, there were encouraging signs in the Knicks’ offensive process and plenty to discuss about Andre Drummond and Jose Alvarado. What does the opener tell us about where New York and Philadelphia go from here?

Plus, Barry debuts a new apology segment with a mea culpa to Tyler Kolek for last week’s comments, we dive into listener voicemails, and Blanderson Hooper takes us Around the NBA.

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Barry and Blandy contextualize the meaning of Knicks preseason basketball and what the season ahead may look like for the Orange and Blue. Other talking points include: Julius Randle moody? Na’ah!, Tyler Kolek is large, the flop police, the final roster spot, accepting that the Duece might be set loose, and Philly and the season opener. To round things out, Blandy discusses his trip to New York Comic Con and his encounters with the very attractive Rosario Dawson and a very unattractive Slave Princess Leia.

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After Barry calls out Jonathan for two of his mis-steps last season, the boys all settle in and talk Knicks preseason, the looming KAT extension, and James Dolan. Barry then runs Blandy and Jon through a new game called Fill My Hole. Plus Blanderson is back with a new "Around the NBA" and Barry’s son gets detention.

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It’s still a hard Knicks life. The jersey is as heavy as ever, there are eligible extensions that need to get done, Brunson didn’t work out this summer, and there’ll be a target on their backs all season long. Barry and Blanderson return for HKL’s 10th season, guiding you through the ‘26-‘27 season as the New York Knicks look to repeat as NBA champions. Hear some clips from media day, both in NY and around the league, the boys thoughts on the season ahead, their takes on the rest of the East, and Blanderson’s close call with death.

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Barry and Blandy decide to hop on for a random mid-summer episode. Blandy gives a Summer League update as well as one on the Knicks current roster situation. They talk anbout LeBron & the Sixers. Also, don’t miss segments like: Blandy “The Hunter” and Blandy’s mom is bat sh*t!

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Hard Knicks Life Best of: Season 3, Episode 42, 7/7/20

On today’s show: why the delay in the Knicks Coaching search, should the team dictate the entire Coaching Staff, Frank to play in French Summer League, the news with J. Edgar Hooper, and your voicemails!

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Hard Knicks Life Best of: Season 7, Episode 9, 1/5/24

It’s an EMERGENCY Hard Knicks Life Podcast as the boys FINALLY talk about the BIGGEST Knicks trade since the Snake as we acquire OG Anunoby for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley - listen NOW for our takes, your takes and a special behind the scenes voicemail with the LEGEND Ralph.

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Hard Knicks Life Best of: Season 2, Episode 46, 6/5/19

On today's show, Craig and Barry talk about the latest in the Durant and Kyrie rumors and welcome to the show the world renowned psychic and tarot card reader Angela Lucy, for a look into the Knicks fortunes.

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Hard Knicks Life Best of: Season 5, Episode 31, 7/1/22

Craig, Barry and Blandy react to the first day of free agency and signings of Jalen Brunson (4y/104M) and Isaiah Hartenstein, discuss next possible moves by Leon and the front office and celebrate the demise of the Brooklyn Nets after the Kevin Durant trade request news.

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Hard Knicks Life Best of: Season 3, Episode 5, 9/5/19

On today’s show, Craig and Barry are "joined in studio” by an unnamed player and his lovely girlfriend aka “Bongos,” and discuss Frank’s recent play for Team France, Batum calling Ntilikina “The Future,” ranking the Knicks current point guards, a positive tweet from Stefan Bondy, the Nets flawed culture, and your questions and voicemails!

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Friend of the show, James Edwards III, who has covered the Knicks for The Athletic for the past two seasons stops by to hang with Barry and Blandy. They talk potential Knicks moves, the Knicks mindset, Mitchell Robinson, Jeremy Sochan, even Iggy Brazdeikis! This one's short and sweet (just like Blandy). No news, no VM's. Let's go!
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The Knicks came into this season with one goal in mind - to win the NBA Championship. What felt like the Knicks against the world at times culminated in one of the most dominant postseason runs of all time. Jalen Brunson climbed another rung of the ladder to legendary Knick status, grabbing his first ring and Finals MVP. The whole crew hopped on the mic to celebrate this incredible moment.

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The tip from OG… The tip of KAT’s—wait for it—finger…the tip of the iceberg. The Knicks have had lots of glory this postseason run but have not yet achieved their one and only goal of winning the NBA Finals. Barry and Blandy take you through Game 4 and react to voicemails!

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As the Knicks and Spurs move from San Antonio to New York, Barry and Blandy get on the mics to process where they are at mentally and emotionally. They cover Games 1 and 2, who’s been cooking and who hasn’t, and take a bunch of amazing voicemails! Barry also delivers a homework assignment for the listeners.

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Barry and Blandy get to discuss the Finals matchup for the first time, knowing the Knicks will be going up against the San Antonio Spurs. They share their Finals predictions and reasoning behind them. They talk high ticket prices, play more fake celebrity voicemails, and a mini edition of "Around the NBA with Blanderson Hooper."

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A little celebration for a huge accomplishment by the New York Knicks. 'It's A Hard Knicks Life' no more--at least not for the next week. Barry and Blandy share the series win with the fans as they listen to the celebratory calls come in. They reflect on the Knicks' historically dominant post season run and what it means in the context of Knicks history. Blandy shares a heartfelt message with the listeners.

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Jalen Brunson and the Knicks exorcised (yeah, that’s right, exorcised) some demons by winning Game One of the ECF with a comeback that paralleled the defeat they suffered last year in the same situation (G1 ECF). Barry and Blandy discuss Brunson’s heroics, Mike Brown’s adjustments, and give their series predictions for the rest of the way. The callers were over the moon with some new voicemails and Blanderson delivers his weekly "Around The NBA."

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Seven wins a row surely feels like heaven and the guys try to put it in perspective. They give flowers to a bunch of guys— including Deuce, KAT, Clarkson, and Shamet. Former HKL host Craig joins Barry and Blandy for the second half of the show. Voicemails, "Around the NBA with Blanderson Hooper," the girl from Philly @rossitakes, and the guys talk about if they will weep if/when NY wins the championship.

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Barry and Blanderson chop it up between Games 1 & 2 against the Sixers. They cover all the Philly excuses, highlighting the difference in character between the two squads. Karl Anthony Towns' transformation continues to warm Barry's heart. Blandy is not necessarily saying that he is encouraging physical harm to Philly's big fella, but he is not saying that he doesn't like it either (wink wink, Mikal). They try to unpack how much the convincing win was the Knicks' otherworldly play or the "emotional" and "physical" fatigue (whiners) of Philadelphia; therefore being or not being sustainable. Some carryover voicemails from after Game 6 and a bunch celebrating Game 1's victory. And last but not least: "Around the NBA with Blanderson Hooper." Go Knicks!

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