On this episode, Mike and Jason answer 6 NBA questions with yes, no or maybe.

1. What player who retired in the last 5 years would you want on your team? (hard to answer that with a yes, no, or maybe Jason!)
2. The Knicks or Cavs will make the NBA Finals.
3. Giannis will be a Buck in February.
4. The Thunder will win 74 games.
5. Shai will be the regular season MVP.
6. The Clippers will give a top 5 pick to the Clippers in the 2026 NBA Draft.

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Dr. Dish Basketball

A Perfect Gift To Your Team for the Holidays!

Score Big on Dr. Dish Basketball's End of Year Sale and give your team the gift of extra, more efficient reps this season! 🎁

👉 Learn More: Visit drdishbasketball.com today.

The Coaching Portfolio

Your first impression is everything when applying for a new coaching job. A professional coaching portfolio is the tool that highlights your coaching achievements and philosophies and, most of all, helps separate you and your abilities from the other applicants. Special Price of just $25 for all Hoop Heads Listeners.

Wealth4Coaches

Empowering athletic coaches with financial education, strategic planning, and practical tools to build lasting wealth—on and off the court.

If you listen to and love the Hoop Heads Podcast, please consider giving us a small tip that will help in our quest to become the #1 basketball coaching podcast. https://hoop-heads.captivate.fm/support

Twitter/X

Podcast - @hoopheadspod

Mike - @hdstarthoops

Jason - @jsunkle

Instagram

@hoopheadspod

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/hoopheadspod/

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDoVTtvpgwwOVL4QVswqMLQ

Jason Pruitt is the Women’s Basketball Associate Head Coach at Indiana State University joining Head Coach Marc Mitchell’s staff in June of 2024.

Pruitt previously served as the Women’s Basketball Head Coach at Elmhurst, where he helped the Bluejays to a nine-win improvement from the previous season while securing a spot in the CCIW Tournament for the first time since the 2018-19 season.

Pruitt’s experience also includes head coaching stops at La Verne, the University of Antelope Valley, and Bethesda University. He also spent time as the associate men’s basketball coach at Caltech and the associate head basketball coach at the NSU University School.

Prior to his time coaching, Pruitt spent a decade in the media industry in various positions at NBC, CBS, and ABC affiliates.

As a player, Pruitt began his college basketball career at Calhoun Community College, where he won the NJCAA Alabama State Championship and played in the NJCAA National Championship game. He finished his collegiate athletic career with a season at Mississippi Valley State before spending his last season at Kentucky State. Pruitt was recently inducted into the Colbert County Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2024 for his outstanding athletic accomplishments in the county.

On this episode Mike & Jason discuss the evolving landscape of college basketball, particularly the challenges inherent in building a competitive program amidst the increasing prevalence of player movement and the necessity for immediate results. As we delve into the intricacies of team dynamics and the necessity of adapting coaching strategies to the realities of contemporary recruiting, we examine the significance of maximizing the skill sets of players within the limited timeframe available. Our conversation also touches upon the importance of establishing a foundation of trust and rapport with players, which is essential for fostering a successful team environment. Ultimately, this episode seeks to illuminate the multifaceted nature of coaching in today’s rapidly changing collegiate athletic landscape.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @hoopheadspod for the latest updates on episodes, guests, and events from the Hoop Heads Pod.

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Hoop Heads Pod on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts and while you’re there please leave us a 5 star rating and review. Your ratings help your friends and coaching colleagues find the show. If you really love what you’re hearing recommend the Hoop Heads Pod to someone and get them to join you as a part of Hoop Heads Nation.

Take some notes as you listen to this episode with Jason Pruitt, Women’s Basketball Associate Head Coach at Indiana State University.

Website - https://gosycamores.com/sports/womens-basketball

Email - Jason.Pruitt@indstate.edu

Twitter/X - @Coachjkpruitt

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Dr. Dish Basketball

A Perfect Gift To Your Team for the Holidays!

Score Big on Dr. Dish Basketball's End of Year Sale and give your team the gift of extra, more efficient reps this season! 🎁

👉 Learn More: Visit

Mike Grosodonia is the Men’s Basketball Head Coach at St. John Fisher University. Now in his 9th season, the Cardinals have won the Empire 8 championship and appeared in the NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Tournament twice under his direction. Fisher has won at least 15 games and posted a winning record in all but one of Grosodonia’s eight seasons. He served as Fisher’s top assistant under Rob Kornaker during the 2016-17 season before becoming the program’s head coach.

Before entering the collegiate coaching ranks, Grosodonia transformed the Aquinas High School basketball program into a high school powerhouse. Aquinas captured a New York State title (Class AA) for the first time in school history in 2016, made four State Final Four trips and won six Section V titles under Grosodonia, who went 194-38 over 10 seasons in charge of the Little Irish. He earned All-Greater Rochester Coach of the Year honors twice and Class AA Coach of the Year honors once.

At Aquinas, Grosodonia coached Jalen Pickett, the 32nd overall pick by the Indiana Pacers in the 2023 NBA Draft.

On this episode Mike & Mike discuss the contrast between high school and college basketball environments, emphasizing that the heightened skill level of players at the collegiate level fosters a more intense and enjoyable practice atmosphere. He reflects on his coaching journey, from his formative experiences in high school to his current role, underscoring the importance of commitment and relationship-building in developing successful programs. Furthermore, Grosodonia shares insights into his practice design, highlighting the significance of skill development and competitive drills in preparing his team for the rigors of collegiate competition. Through this discussion, we not only hit on the intricacies of coaching at the collegiate level but also the impact of fostering strong relationships with players as a cornerstone of effective coaching.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @hoopheadspod for the latest updates on episodes, guests, and events from the Hoop Heads Pod.

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Hoop Heads Pod on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts and while you’re there please leave us a 5 star rating and review. Your ratings help your friends and coaching colleagues find the show. If you really love what you’re hearing recommend the Hoop Heads Pod to someone and get them to join you as a part of Hoop Heads Nation.

Have a notebook by your side as you listen to this episode with Mike Grosodonia, Men’s Basketball Head Coach at St. John Fisher University.

Website - https://sjfathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball

Email - mgrosodonia@sjf.edu

Twitter/X - @mtgter

Visit our Sponsors!

Dr. Dish Basketball

A Perfect Gift To Your Team for the Holidays!

Score Big on Dr. Dish Basketball's End of Year Sale and give your team the gift of extra, more efficient reps this season! 🎁

👉 Learn More: Visit

On this episode, Mike and Jason discuss the Giannis social media deletion and potential trade destinations if he leaves the Bucks. Next they talk about the dysfunctional Clippers franchise and the awkward split with Chris Paul. They end the episode by lamenting the arc of Zion's career and reacting to LeBron joking around with Suns bench in a game the Lakers were losing by 20.

Visit our Sponsors!

Dr. Dish Basketball

A Perfect Gift To Your Team for the Holidays!

Score Big on Dr. Dish Basketball's End of Year Sale and give your team the gift of extra, more efficient reps this season! 🎁

👉 Learn More: Visit drdishbasketball.com today.

The Coaching Portfolio

Your first impression is everything when applying for a new coaching job. A professional coaching portfolio is the tool that highlights your coaching achievements and philosophies and, most of all, helps separate you and your abilities from the other applicants. Special Price of just $25 for all Hoop Heads Listeners.

Wealth4Coaches

Empowering athletic coaches with financial education, strategic planning, and practical tools to build lasting wealth—on and off the court.

If you listen to and love the Hoop Heads Podcast, please consider giving us a small tip that will help in our quest to become the #1 basketball coaching podcast. https://hoop-heads.captivate.fm/support

Twitter/X

Podcast - @hoopheadspod

Mike - @hdstarthoops

Jason - @jsunkle

Instagram

@hoopheadspod

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/hoopheadspod/

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDoVTtvpgwwOVL4QVswqMLQ

Raphael Esparza is a Global Oddsmaker and Professional Sports Handicapper at Doc’s Sports. He has over 14 years of experience as a sportsbook manager at four of the biggest, most well-known sportsbooks on the Vegas Strip. Esparza has more than 18 years of sports handicapping experience and has spent the last seven years with Doc's Sports as The Vegas Sports Informer. Raphael's success stems from his power ratings and thousands of trends personally tracked over many years. He is generally considered to be the best NBA handicapper in the country thanks to a remarkable seven consecutive winning seasons.

On this episode Mike and Raphael delve into the intricacies of sports betting, particularly within the dynamic landscape of the NBA and college basketball. Esparza addresses the impact of player performance, injuries, and statistical trends on setting betting odds, while also addressing the implications of increased betting accessibility through mobile platforms. We explore the challenges faced by college basketball teams and coaches in an era marked by rapid roster changes due to the transfer portal, and how these shifts affect the continuity and cohesion essential for success. Through Esparza's extensive experience, we gain valuable perspectives on the evolving nature of sports betting and its intersection with the NBA and college basketball.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @hoopheadspod for the latest updates on episodes, guests, and events from the Hoop Heads Pod.

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Hoop Heads Pod on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts and while you’re there please leave us a 5 star rating and review. Your ratings help your friends and coaching colleagues find the show. If you really love what you’re hearing recommend the Hoop Heads Pod to someone and get them to join you as a part of Hoop Heads Nation.

Step behind the Sportsbook curtain as you listen to this episode with Raphael Esparza, Global Oddsmaker and Professional Sports Handicapper at Doc’s Sports.

Website - https://www.docsports.com/

Email - raphael085@hotmail.com

Twitter/X - @VSIdocsports

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Dr. Dish Basketball

The Dr. Dish Training Management System (TMS) is built for coaches who want structure, accountability, and smarter player development.

Here’s what you can do with TMS:

✅ Advanced Stats Tracking

✅ Assign Custom Workouts

✅ Team Insights

✅ Multi-Drill Workouts

✅ On-Demand Library

All in one platform. All from your computer.

👉 Learn More: Visit drdishbasketball.com today.

The Coaching Portfolio

Your first impression is everything when applying for a new coaching...

The 22nd edition of “The Triple Double” with Rob Brost, Bolingbrook (IL) High School Boys’ Basketball Head Coach. Rob, Mike, & Jason hit on three basketball topics in each episode of “The Triple Double”.

1. Rob's favorite part of game day other than the game
2. Something new Rob has added to his program this season
3. Guarding ball screens

Visit our Sponsors!

Dr. Dish Basketball

The Dr. Dish Training Management System (TMS) is built for coaches who want structure, accountability, and smarter player development.

Here’s what you can do with TMS:

✅ Advanced Stats Tracking

✅ Assign Custom Workouts

✅ Team Insights

✅ Multi-Drill Workouts

✅ On-Demand Library

All in one platform. All from your computer.

👉 Learn More: Visit drdishbasketball.com today.

The Coaching Portfolio

Your first impression is everything when applying for a new coaching job. A professional coaching portfolio is the tool that highlights your coaching achievements and philosophies and, most of all, helps separate you and your abilities from the other applicants. Special Price of just $25 for all Hoop Heads Listeners.

Wealth4Coaches

Empowering athletic coaches with financial education, strategic planning, and practical tools to build lasting wealth—on and off the court.

If you listen to and love the Hoop Heads Podcast, please consider giving us a small tip that will help in our quest to become the #1 basketball coaching podcast. https://hoop-heads.captivate.fm/support

Twitter/X

Podcast - @hoopheadspod

Mike - @hdstarthoops

Jason - @jsunkle

Instagram

@hoopheadspod

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/hoopheadspod/

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDoVTtvpgwwOVL4QVswqMLQ

On this episode, Mike and Jason each share 3 things they're thankful for when it comes to the NBA in 2025.

Visit our Sponsors!

Dr. Dish Basketball

The Dr. Dish Training Management System (TMS) is built for coaches who want structure, accountability, and smarter player development.

Here’s what you can do with TMS:

✅ Advanced Stats Tracking

✅ Assign Custom Workouts

✅ Team Insights

✅ Multi-Drill Workouts

✅ On-Demand Library

All in one platform. All from your computer.

👉 Learn More: Visit drdishbasketball.com today.

The Coaching Portfolio

Your first impression is everything when applying for a new coaching job. A professional coaching portfolio is the tool that highlights your coaching achievements and philosophies and, most of all, helps separate you and your abilities from the other applicants. Special Price of just $25 for all Hoop Heads Listeners.

Wealth4Coaches

Empowering athletic coaches with financial education, strategic planning, and practical tools to build lasting wealth—on and off the court.

If you listen to and love the Hoop Heads Podcast, please consider giving us a small tip that will help in our quest to become the #1 basketball coaching podcast. https://hoop-heads.captivate.fm/support

Twitter/X

Podcast - @hoopheadspod

Mike - @hdstarthoops

Jason - @jsunkle

Instagram

@hoopheadspod

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/hoopheadspod/

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDoVTtvpgwwOVL4QVswqMLQ

Paul Knepper is the author of the new book, Moses Malone: The Life of a Basketball Prophet which tells the story of Moses Malone, the first modern-day player to jump from high school basketball to the pros, paving a path for future star players like Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and LeBron James to follow.

Paul’s first book was The Knicks of the Nineties: Ewing, Oakley, Starks, and the Brawlers That Almost Won It All. He covered the New York Knicks as a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. Prior to that, he wrote for the defunct website Love of Sports.

On this episode Mike & Paul explore Moses Malone's significant yet often overlooked impact on the landscape of professional basketball, particularly as the first modern player to transition directly from high school to the NBA. Knepper shares the challenges and triumphs faced by Malone throughout his illustrious career. We delve into the intense recruitment process that surrounded Malone, illustrating how coaches resorted to various illicit tactics to secure his commitment. Moreover, the discussion encompasses Malone's transformative presence on the Philadelphia 76ers during their 1983 championship season, highlighting his pivotal role in their success. Through personal anecdotes and historical context, this episode aims to shed light on Malone's legacy, affirming his rightful place among basketball's greatest figures, a narrative that has been largely forgotten by contemporary NBA fans.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @hoopheadspod for the latest updates on episodes, guests, and events from the Hoop Heads Pod.

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Hoop Heads Pod on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts and while you’re there please leave us a 5 star rating and review. Your ratings help your friends and coaching colleagues find the show. If you really love what you’re hearing recommend the Hoop Heads Pod to someone and get them to join you as a part of Hoop Heads Nation.

Listen and learn on this episode with Paul Knepper, author of the new book, Moses Malone: The Life of a Basketball Prophet.

Website - https://pauljknepper.com/

Email - paulknepper@gmail.com

Twitter/X - @paulieknep

Visit our Sponsors!

Dr. Dish Basketball

The Dr. Dish Training Management System (TMS) is built for coaches who want structure, accountability, and smarter player development.

Here’s what you can do with TMS:

✅ Advanced Stats Tracking

✅ Assign Custom Workouts

✅ Team Insights

✅ Multi-Drill Workouts

✅ On-Demand Library

All in one platform. All from your computer.

👉 Learn More: Visit