Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective — Episode Summary

Episode Title: A Proper Ending For Warriors? Wemby Grew? & Flagg Playing PG
Release Date: October 15, 2025
Host: Brian Windhorst ("Wendy")
Guests: Anthony Slater ("Slater"), Vincent ‘Vinnie’ Goodwill

Brief Overview

This episode explores the state and future of key NBA franchises and storylines—most notably the Golden State Warriors’ attempts at a “proper” and graceful conclusion to their dynasty, the simmering possibilities with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future, the evolution of NBA positional play (highlighting Cooper Flagg’s debut as a point guard), and the sheer size transformation led by Victor Wembanyama and the Texas teams. The hosts blend rich NBA reporting with classic stories, adding historic texture to current events.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Warriors’ Dynasty: Are They Headed for a Graceful End?

Steve Kerr’s Contract Situation

• Steve Kerr will coach this season with his contract expiring at year’s end, making him technically a “lame duck” (11:03).
• Slater on Kerr’s Public Stance:
  “He is not, he will not leave the warriors for another NBA job...It’s going to either be they get to the end of the season and maybe it’s like step away from the game...he still thinks he’ll very likely be the coach of the warriors beyond the season, but it just has to go right and it has to feel right after the season.” (12:00)
• Warriors seem committed to not letting this “ending” be messy, learning from past dynasties’ awkward finales (14:07).

Is This the “Last Dance” for the Warriors?

• Compared to the Bulls, Spurs, Lakers, and others, NBA dynasties rarely go quietly:
  • “Nothing ends gracefully in the NBA...the Bulls didn’t end gracefully. Like Jordan is still bitter as hell. Like Magic caught HIV. Bird’s back went out...” —Vinnie (15:50)
  • Steve Kerr and Steph Curry seem determined to script a more respectful, harmonious conclusion (15:19).

Klay Thompson’s Departure

• Recognizes that Klay's exit was already fraught, but there’s intention for grace and honoring legacies for Curry, Kerr, and Draymond (17:02, 18:15).

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Future: Knicks, Warriors, or Elsewhere?

Shams’ Report and the Ripple Effect

• Recent buzz about Giannis’ openness to the Knicks led to wider speculation (21:38).
• Teams (incl. Warriors) quietly “registering interest” in what happens next. The Bucks are firm for now, but everyone is aware things could shift by the 25-game mark (21:38–22:45).

Could the Warriors Be a Destination?

• Warriors improved their asset positioning by resolving Kaminga’s contract early and making him trade-eligible (23:38).
• However, their trade assets aren’t the league’s best, and unless Giannis specifically wants to go to Golden State, their chances are limited (24:03).
• Slater:
  “If the Giannis thing were to materialize, if he would direct himself there, I think that's an important part of this.” (25:41)
• Consensus: Giannis will have control if/when the time comes to demand out. Several teams have better packages, and Eastern Conference may make more sense for him (27:36–35:24).

3. The League Is Getting Big—Really Big

Wembanyama and Height Creep

• Victor Wembanyama now officially listed at 7'5", though Windhorst (Wendy) suggests he’s already taller and may soon be a legit 7'7".
  “I think we got a guy in this league who might be 7'7'', is what I'm telling you.” (56:35)
• Boban Marjanović, 7'4", admits to looking up to Wemby (56:25).

Texas Teams & The Size Revolution (59:05)

• Discussion of absurdly large lineups being possible:
  • Rockets: Steven Adams (C), Sengun (PF), Jabari Smith Jr. (SF), Thompson (PG).
  • Mavericks: Lively (C), AD (PF), PJ Washington (SF), Klay (SG), Cooper Flagg (PG).
• Not just a trend, but a paradigm shift:
  “Now big can equal versatile. And even San Antonio, if they played three small guards, that means you got three guys that can give Vic the ball. That's the advantage there in theory.” —Vinnie (60:38)

4. Rising Youth and Positional Fluidity

Cooper Flagg as Point Guard (35:57)

• Mavericks debut Cooper Flagg as de facto PG; compared to rookie LeBron in “ball skills,” potentially more advanced in playmaking at 18.
  • “He's much better with the ball than LeBron was as a rookie.” —Perk via Wendy (36:41)
  • Flagg gets a year of college, enters as an 18-year-old, but is physically mature enough to defend at NBA level (44:13).
• Big guard/forward experiment is reminiscent of Giannis under Kidd in Milwaukee — may mean short-term struggles but long-term gain (46:14).

Comparison with LeBron & Kyrie Dynamics

• LeBron’s best teammate in terms of on-court fit was Kyrie, due to the ability to play with and without the ball, relevant as Flagg teams up with Kyrie (41:23–42:37).

5. Old School Stories & NBA Culture

Historic Anecdotes

• Wendy, Vinnie, and Slater blend coverage with stories from Cavs-Pistons clashes, rookie LeBron hazing (39:43), Paul Silas’ locker room outbursts, and the infamous 2004 Pacers-Pistons brawl aftermath (47:30–55:52, 64:27).
• Missoula’s press conference awkwardness showcases how media-player-coach relations have changed (53:35).
• The personality and abrasiveness of earlier NBA figures (Silas, Artest, etc.) contrasted with today’s more scripted environment (55:07).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Kerr’s Contract:
  “The fact that he said I'm not even going to seek one and we're just going to wait and see until next summer, that raised the eyebrow a little bit.” —Slater (11:16)
• On Graceful Endings:
  “Nothing ends gracefully in the NBA...The closest thing, I think, to a graceful ending was probably Tim Duncan walking off in Oklahoma City when they lost in 2016.” —Vinnie (15:50)
• On Giannis’ Leverage:
  “As soon as the season starts, Giannis is in control.” —Vinnie (26:13)
• On NBA Bigness:
  “Small used to equal versatile, now big can equal versatile.” —Vinnie (60:38)
• On Cooper Flagg’s Skills:
  “He's much better with the ball than LeBron was as a rookie.” —Kendrick Perkins via Wendy (36:41)
• On Old School NBA:
  “That was Steve Kerr saying, I don't want to talk about Draymond Green. Can you imagine Steve just getting peppered by the media? I don't want to talk about him.” —Vinnie, on media relations (52:05)
• On Characters in the Modern NBA:
  “We don't have characters anymore. The coaches are cookie cutter. They wear the same...zip.” —Vinnie (52:37)

Notable Timestamps

• 00:34–03:54 — Banter and team introductions, nickname origins
• 04:19–18:15 — Warriors’ transition, Kerr’s contract, dynasty finishes
• 21:38–27:36 — Giannis destination speculation, Warriors’ trade maneuvering
• 35:57–44:13 — Cooper Flagg at point guard, Mavs offensive philosophy
• 56:25–61:57 — Wemby, size revolution, giant lineups in the Western Conference
• 47:30–56:16 — Old NBA stories: LeBron, Cavs, Pistons, Silas, and others
• 53:35–54:54 — Missoula's awkward press conference moment
• 64:27–65:38 — Final old-school NBA stories; Ron Artest/Pacers-Pistons brawl aftermath

Closing Thoughts & Takeaways

This episode blends rich insider reporting with historical context to illuminate the shifting NBA landscape—organizational transitions in Golden State, the long-game stakes with Giannis, the positional and size revolution in Texas, and the rise of wild-card young stars. The tone is conversational but steeped in deep NBA knowledge, with frequent detours into memorable league lore.

For listeners new and returning, it’s an episode that reflects both the state-of-play and the long memory of NBA culture—offering insight, analysis, and plenty of stories that showcase why the league is as much about personalities and eras as it is about stats and standings.