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Catch & Shoot

Hosts: Otto Strong & Aaron Berlin

Catch and Shoot is Pure Hoops Media's mid-week show featuring Otto Strong, the Sports Editor of the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram and the former NBA Editor for ESPN The Magazine.  His partner is Aaron Berlin, a veteran of the Orlando Magic Radio Network.  Otto and Aaron tackle the hottest issues and comment on the biggest stories. And they will also chat with interesting characters from every level of basketball.

A Garden Party Once Again: MSG & ESPN’s Alan Hahn on Knicks Sudden Revival

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Of all the surprising stories during this NBA season, perhaps the most unexpected is the return to relevance of the New York Knickerbockers. MSG Network and ESPN Radio's Alan Hahn joined our Aaron Berlin and Otto Strong to tell us how the Knicks, after years of mediocrity (or worse), are not only playing their best basketball in years, but might also be well set up for years to … [Read more...] about A Garden Party Once Again: MSG & ESPN’s Alan Hahn on Knicks Sudden Revival

Clip & Save: The Athletic’s Law Murray on the Clippers Outlook for the Playoffs

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Last season ended in disappointment for L.A.'s other team, the Clippers, but can this year's version live up to lofty expectations? The Athletic's Law Murray, who covers the Clippers beat, gives us an update on where the team stands as we enter the final 2 weeks of the regular season. He tells our Aaron Berlin & Otto Strong that while the team had a rough time last week (losing … [Read more...] about Clip & Save: The Athletic’s Law Murray on the Clippers Outlook for the Playoffs

NBC Sports Boston’s Amina Smith Dishes on Celtics Inconsistencies + East’s “Other” Contenders

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After going to the Eastern Conference Finals last season for the 3rd time in 4 years, the Celtics have struggled to find any consistency in play this year. Amina Smith of NBC Sports Boston joins our Otto Strong and Bruce Bernstein (filling in for Aaron Berlin this week) and tells us that while health issues have certainly been to blame for some of the poor play,, a lack of … [Read more...] about NBC Sports Boston’s Amina Smith Dishes on Celtics Inconsistencies + East’s “Other” Contenders

Condensed Season Impact on NBA and League MVP Discussion

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Our guys Aaron Berlin & Otto Strong talk about the mounting injuries suffered by stars and key players around the league and how the truncated season, which followed a shortened off-season, has had an impact. Fred VanVleet expressed his frustrations in saying, by the league rushing back to play, "it's pretty much all about business this year on every level." One team having … [Read more...] about Condensed Season Impact on NBA and League MVP Discussion

The Athletic’s Anthony Slater on Steph Curry’s Brilliance, Impact of James Wiseman Injury for Warriors

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Aaron Berlin & Otto Strong get us back in the NBA groove by chatting up what's been going on in the league while the NCAA Men's & Women's Tournament took our hoops-related attention away. The fellas look into how the short turnaround between this season and last may be causing the rash of Injuries around the league, affecting many teams' chances in their run for the title. … [Read more...] about The Athletic’s Anthony Slater on Steph Curry’s Brilliance, Impact of James Wiseman Injury for Warriors

Final Four Recap, Coaching Moves in College Hoops with Chris Spatola

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Baylor dominates the National Championship game and Chris Spatola gives us his Darwinian Theory on why that happened (it involves turtles!). The ESPN College Hoops Analyst and SiriusXM ACC Radio Host joins Aaron Berlin and Otto Strong to give us his full breakdown of the Final Four, including that great game between UCLA and Gonzaga in the National Semifinal. In terms of … [Read more...] about Final Four Recap, Coaching Moves in College Hoops with Chris Spatola

Final Four Preview & Ethan Skolnick on Miami Heat

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Aaron Berlin & Otto Strong give their reactions to the teams that made it to the final weekend of the NCAA Tournament and the amazing coaching jobs turned in by Mick Cronin, Scott Drew, Mark Few and Kelvin Sampson to get their teams there. But ....will anybody beat Gonzaga? Moving to the NBA, Ethan Skolnick of Five Reasons Sports Network joins the show and tells us how Pat … [Read more...] about Final Four Preview & Ethan Skolnick on Miami Heat

Howie Schwab on March Madness: Reflections & Previews

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Nobody knows college basketball like Howie Schwab. The co-host of the "Talkin' College Hoops" podcast joins Otto Strong & Aaron Berlin to reflect on all of the upsets from the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament. Howie shares his reasons why teams like Loyola of Chicago, Oral Roberts, and Oregon State were able to take down teams that were supposedly much better. Howie, Otto, … [Read more...] about Howie Schwab on March Madness: Reflections & Previews

ESPN’s Front Office Insider Bobby Marks previews Trade Deadline activity

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ESPN's Front Office Insider Bobby Marks joins Otto Strong & Aaron Berlin to size up some of the anticipated personnel moves around the league as the trade deadline approaches. Will the Lakers or Nets acquire a big man? Is Cleveland asking too much in a trade for Andre Drummond? Will the Orlando Magic be sellers? Does Danny Ainge have a plan to use his $28.5 million trade … [Read more...] about ESPN’s Front Office Insider Bobby Marks previews Trade Deadline activity