Ep. 109 Learning Basketball with Ben Pfeifer @bjpf_

Ben Pfeifer covers the NBA, NBA Draft, and Indiana Pacers for Sportscasting NBA and Swish Theory

Today we learn about Ben's draft grading film-based scouting process and detail the best guard class ever while drafting our Top-20 2026 NBA Draft Guards
Timestamps00:00 Introduction & Background

03:00 Ben Pfeifer's Draft Scouting Process

05:00 Defining Winning Plays in Basketball

08:00 Evaluating Defensive Impact in Draft Prospects

11:00 The Importance of Context in Scouting

15:00 Historic Saturday Night for 2026 NBA Draft Freshman

17:00 Spotlight on Tyler Tanner's Potential

23:00 The Challenge of Undersized Guards

26:00 Scouting Profiles and Data Visualization

28:00 The Guards-Only 2026 NBA Draft

29:00 Darryn Peterson

34:00 Kingston Flemings

47:00 Mikel Brown

50:00 Ebuka Okorie

53:00 LaBaron Philon

56:00 Bennett Stirtz

59:00 Meleek Thomas

01:10:00 Darius Acuff

01:27:00 Acaden Lewis
11-20
11 Christian Anderson
12 Brayden Burries
13 Tamin Lipsey
14 Tahaad Pettiford
15 Braden Smith
16 Jaylen Petty
17 Bruce Thornton
18 Rob Wright19 Ja’Kobi Gillespie20 Cayden Boozer

Ep. 108 of Learning Basketball with Philip Rossman-Reich @philiprr_OMD

Philip is a Senior writer at Orlando Magic Daily and host of Locked On Magic podcast and freelance reporter for the AP

Today we learn about the Orlando Magic's up-and-down season, explain the inconsistencies, and discuss how the rest of the season can go from here as the team gets healthy with a lot of home games in there future, Anthony Black's breakout season, Rookies Noah Penda's and Jase Richardson's immediate impact, Orlando's Trade Deadline Plans, the new coaching staff's impact, and Phil's journey growing Orlando Magic Daily

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction & Background

02:00 Expectations vs. Reality for the Magic

05:00 Philip's Journey Growing Orlando Magic Daily

08:00 Magic Split International Series 1-1 vs Memphis

10:00 Explaining Inconsistencies

14:00 Defensive Struggles and Injuries

17:00 The Impact of key players

20:00 Gameplan, Coaching strategies, Unlocking Paolo Banchero

23:00 Season Outlook – As Orlando injuries come to an end for now, with a lighter travel the rest of the way, how do the Magic take advantage to reach their goals?

35:00 Phil's Thoughts on Coach Mosley's impact this season, his new staff and team playstyle

46:30

Rookie Contributions from Noah Penda and Jase Richardson

50:04

Trade Deadline Plans and Trade Candidates

Ep. 107 of Learning Basketball with Es Baraheni @JustEsBaraheni

Es Baraheni covers the Toronto Raptors & NBA at NBA Daily, Raptors Republic, and Sportscasting NBA.

Today we learn about Ja Morant Trade Rumors, The Trae Young Trade Aftermath for Atlanta and Washington, and this Toronto Raptors Surprise Start: the defensive versatility of Scottie Barnes and immediate two-way impact of Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, Brandon Ingram's tough shotmaking, Darko's coaching style, Barrett's and Quickley's scoring

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction & Background

02:00 Trae Young Trade Aftermath for Hawks & Wizards

12:00 Ja Morant Trade Rumors & Toronto Fit

31:00 Toronto Raptors Surprise of NBA Season - What’s Working? Scottie Barnes & Collin Murray-Boyles

37:00 How Brandon Ingram’s tough shotmaking spaces defensive frontcourt

45:00 Are Scottie and CMB both Untouchable Franchise Cornerstones in Trade Talks?53:00 Breaking Down 2025-26 Toronto Raptors: Impact of Scorers Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett + Unsung Hero of The Season? Alijah Martin, Potential Draft/Trade Targets