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This Week’s Hoop Heads Podcast Episodes
CHRIS BOUCHER – AUTHOR OF THE NEW BOOK, HARRY “BUCKY” LEW – A BIOGRAPHY OF BASKETBALL’S FIRST BLACK PROFESSIONAL – EPISODE 1211
Chris Boucher is the author of the new book, “Harry “Bucky” Lew: A Biography of Basketball’s First Black Professional” The book tells the story of how Harry “Bucky” Lew leapt over pro basketball’s color wall in 1902 and continued to integrate every single role in the game over the next 25 years. He was the first Black player, coach, manager, referee, and franchise owner in otherwise white leagues. His accomplishments were well documented in the newspapers of his day, but he has largely been forgotten, despite his assist to the Dodgers in finding a home for their first Black players in the United States and the full integration of all major league sports that soon followed.
“THEORETICAL” JAMES HARDEN STARTS STRONG, THE NEW BAD BOYS, ALL-STAR PREDICTIONS, & FIXING THE TANK – EPISODE 1212
On this episode, Mike and Jason discuss James Harden’s first two games a Cleveland Cavalier which included wins over the Kings and Nuggets. Next, they dive into the Pistons-Hornets Brawl in Charlotte and wonder how long Beef Stew will be suspended. After that, Mike and Jason make predictions for All-Star Saturday night and share their thoughts on this year’s All-Star Game format. Finally, they talk tank-a-thon and what the NBA might be able to do stop teams from losing on purpose.
JORDAN STASYSZYN & ALEXA BARBUSH – UNLEASHED POTENTIAL – EPISODE 1213
Jordan Stasyszyn & Alexa Barbush run Unleashed Potential, a skill development program based in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. On this episode, Jordan, & Alexa discuss their unique approach to basketball training, which emphasizes adaptability and personalized instruction tailored to each athlete’s needs. Jordan and Alexa detail their backgrounds in basketball, highlighting their extensive experience and commitment to fostering skill development at all levels.
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This Week’s Coaching Articles
In this article the author, JP Nerbun, recounts how candid feedback from a parent and an athletic director forced him to confront the reality that his own behavior was undermining the team culture he claimed to value. Rather than blaming players or external factors, he realized that meaningful culture change begins with self-reflection and personal growth as a leader. Over years of learning, mentoring, and asking hard questions about his impact, he emphasizes that improving team culture starts with the leader looking in the mirror.
This article explains that competitive coaches should focus on tracking a core set of statistics that reveal how a game is being won, starting with four “top-level” stats: field goal attempts, effective field goal percentage, free throw attempts, and free throw percentage, because outperforming an opponent in these areas generally means winning. It then breaks down five additional key stats like turnovers, rebounding percentages, fouls, and paint attempts that directly influence those primary numbers and help diagnose what’s helping or hurting a team during a game. By comparing these stats to the opponent’s, coaches can objectively assess performance and decide what aspects of play to emphasize in practice and strategy.
In this article, former Duke men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski explains that successful teams are built on shared ownership, where every member feels emotionally invested in common goals. He stresses the importance of tailoring leadership to individuals, channeling strong egos toward team success, listening thoughtfully to concerns, and demonstrating genuine emotion to build trust and connection. These principles, drawn from his decades of coaching experience, are presented as broadly applicable to any team or organizational context.
This Week’s NBA Articles
This article argues that many NBA teams are essentially tanking, playing poorly late in the season to improve their 2026 draft lottery odds as franchises jockey for position in a draft with highly coveted prospects. It highlights how the flattened lottery odds have not fully deterred strategic losing, leading to controversial rebuilds and ethical questions about competitive integrity. As teams fall out of playoff contention, the article suggests the spectacle of intentional losing has become a defining and troubling storyline of the NBA season.
This article explains how the Mavericks spiraled after trading franchise star Luka Dončić to the Lakers and acquiring Anthony Davis, whose tenure in Dallas was derailed by injuries and limited availability. In response, Dallas traded Davis to the Washington Wizards at the deadline to shed salary and retool the roster around No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, who arrived after the team improbably won the draft lottery despite low odds. The Mavericks now face pressure to build a new competitive timeline around Flagg while navigating cap flexibility and ongoing uncertainty about health and supporting personnel.
This article breaks down two standout statistical measurements for each of the 27 players selected to the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, giving fans insight into what makes these stars elite this season. It highlights how different players excel in areas like scoring efficiency, clutch-time performance, usage rate, and defensive impact to show why they’ve earned All-Star honors. The piece also notes the change in the All-Star Game format this year featuring two U.S. teams and one international team competing in a round-robin showcase.
This Week’s College Basketball Articles
This article highlights four under-the-radar college basketball teams that could make unexpected deep runs in the NCAA Tournament, emphasizing that the sport’s unpredictability often allows lesser-talked-about squads to break through as March approaches. It notes that while perennial favorites get most of the attention, teams with strong experience, efficient offense, or unique strengths deserve consideration as potential regional winners. The article encourages fans to look beyond the traditional power programs when filling out brackets, as these dark horse contenders could surprise in tournament play.
The University of Alabama will finish the 2025-26 season without forward Charles Bediako after a judge denied his motion for a preliminary injunction to overturn NCAA eligibility rules, ending his brief five-game run with the Crimson Tide. Coach Nate Oats expressed disappointment in the ruling but said the team will support Bediako and focus on moving forward with the players available. Bediako, who returned to Alabama after playing in the NBA G League, averaged 10.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in his brief stint before the court’s decision.
This article explores the long, intense rivalry between Duke and North Carolina, tracing how decades of competitive games and coaching legends like Mike Krzyzewski and Dean Smith helped define one of college basketball’s most storied matchups. It highlights key moments and personalities, from early conflicts involving players like Art Heyman to the modern era where the rivalry remains central to both programs’ identities. The article also reflects on how media exposure and constant national attention have amplified the passion and cultural significance of the rivalry over time.
This Week’s YouTube Coaching Videos
This video breaks down how a simple ball screen adjustment transforms offenses. The Film Room analyzes Coach McCollum's innovative "flip screen" tactic, demonstrating its impact on defensive positioning and creating scoring opportunities. This deep dive explores multiple game examples showcasing how this technique creates mismatches and opens up the court.
This video breaks down how to run a fun basketball practice in 2026, using the constraints-led approach. This video features college prep players practicing decision-making and adaptability through varied drills. You’ll see unique drills focusing on repetition without being static, plus partner and team-based activities.
This video breaks down five defensive checkpoints you can adjust this week to instantly improve your defense.
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