Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective

Episode: NBA Cup Preview & Most Surprising Teams So Far
Release Date: October 31, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Brian Windhorst (“Wendy”) and ESPN insiders Tim Bontemps and Brian McMahon deliver a lively NBA roundtable as the new season tips off and the NBA Cup returns. The trio breakdown opening week surprises, dive into the hot new faces (and storylines) around the league, reevaluate bold team starts, and preview the Cup’s group play. The conversation is packed with stats, insider observations, and the usual banter and jabs fans know and love.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The NBA Cup Returns — Court Chaos & Group Play

• NBA Cup excitement: The new Cup season begins Friday, introducing flashy courts and renewed energy (“Love those courts, baby.” – Wendy, 04:44).
• Early Cup group previews: Bulls, Knicks, Hawks, Pacers, Celtics, Sixers, Pelicans, Clippers, Grizzlies, and more get Cup context.
  • Key Upcoming Fixtures: Friday’s Bulls vs. Knicks (in Chicago) is a potential early Cup decider.
    “Friday's game is in the Cup in Chicago. I know who I picked… the Bulls.” (Brian McMahon, 05:39)

2. Surprising Starts: Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers, and the East

• Bulls' Hot Start:

  • Bulls are 4–0, riding high with Josh Giddey posting near all-star numbers:
    • “Josh Giddey is averaging 19.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 7.8 assists, shooting 45% from the field and 43% on threes.” – McMahon, 06:39
  • Acknowledgement that some statistics likely aren’t sustainable (Vucevic, Dosunmu, Williams all shooting 50%+ from three).
  • Notable emergence: “Mattis Bozealis, the second year forward… has sort of become the focal point of what they're doing going forward.” – Bontemps, 08:08

• Rising Questions: Will the Bulls’ pace and shooting hold? How does Giddey’s contract shape the future?

  • “The question with Giddey is not can he put up numbers but can he drive winning? … He's playing at a potential all-star level.” – Wendy, 06:14
  • “If the Bulls get to the end of the season and Mattis Bozealis has taken a big step forward…their season is a success almost regardless of record.” – Bontemps, 09:06

• Kobe White’s Contract Situation:

  • Out with injury, unrestricted free agent next summer, possible valuable trade piece.
  • “If Kobe White does become a trade piece at that number, he's a guy that a lot of teams … can actually go get in a deal” – Bontemps, 11:01

3. Other Surprising Early Teams & Performers

• Sixers’ New Identity:

  • Rookies VG Edgecombe, Cooper Flagg, McCain, and Paul George (injury updates) fueling a fast, guard-centered team.
  • “To your point, McBan, it centers around these two guards and they're going to be playing fast and flying up and down.” – Bontemps, 23:23
  • Tyrese Maxey is especially hot: “How about Tyrese Maxey with 19 made three pointers in four games? … He's leading the league in scoring.” – McMahon, 25:06
  • “That might be the most fun to watch backcourt in the NBA.” – Wendy, 25:12

• Magic’s Disappointing Start:

  • Despite adding Desmond Bain, Magic are 1–4: “Desmond Bain, who they spent a lot of its assets on, is only shooting 27% on three.” – McMahon, 18:19
  • Defensive and offensive woes noted, with losses to teams missing key players.

4. Western Conference: Early Trends & Rookies on Display

• Lakers Find a New Star: Austin Reaves Ascends

  • Austin Reaves, thrust into the lead guard role after Luka and LeBron injuries, is putting up historic numbers:
    • “Reeves is the second player to average 40 points and 10 assists on 50-40-90 shooting over a three-game stretch since the three-point line was instituted.” – McMahon, 31:37
    • “Austin Reaves is the sixth guy in NBA history to average at least 30 points and 10 assists in the first five games…the others: Joker, MVP Russ, Harden, Tiny Archibald, and Oscar Robertson.” – Wendy, 32:01
  • Big contract offseason looms—debate on whether Lakers can build around Luca and Reaves at max salaries, if cap space this summer is enough.

• Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward Rises Fast

  • 11th overall rookie, Coward is shooting 65% from three and having an immediate impact; compared favorably to previous attempts at finding a wing (Ziaire Williams).
  • “When you watch him play, it's easy to see why he rocketed up draft boards—he looks like the prototypical, out of central casting big NBA wing.” – Bontemps, 41:00

• Pelicans Plummet

  • Back-to-back 30+ point losses (franchise first); Zion still not rebounding.
  • “They've lost consecutive games by 30+ for the first time in that franchise's history.” – Wendy, 45:23
  • Willie Green's job security under scrutiny.

• Nuggets' Smooth Start — Jokic in Control

  • Jokic leads the league in rebounds and assists, while lowering his scoring/usage.
  • “He's playing fewer minutes. He's taking six fewer shots…averaging nine fewer points. But how about this: leading the league so far in rebounds and assists.” – McMahon, 51:47
  • Nuggets emphasizing depth and efficiency rather than Jokic carrying the full load.

5. Injuries & Off-court Developments

• Trae Young’s Scare: Knee injury, but avoided major damage; Hawks will need defensive intensity with scoring challenge ahead. (15:56)
• OKC’s Nikola Topic: Undergoing treatment for testicular cancer; out indefinitely, but optimism for recovery (39:05).
• Lakers Ownership Change: Mark Walter and Todd Boehly buy controlling interest; Jeanie Buss remains team governor (36:10).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You can't spell Wendy without win.” – Wendy, 06:01
• “The question with Giddey is not can he put up numbers but can he drive winning? Small sample size…he is, you know, he's playing at a potential all star level.” – Wendy, 06:14
• “The shooting, like, if he can be in the mid to high 30s or anywhere higher on real volume, like that's going to be a real difference maker for him. And then it’s can he guard at all?” – Bontemps on Giddey, 09:54
• “Reeves is the second player to average 40 points and 10 assists on 50-40-90 shooting over a three-game stretch since the three-point line was instituted.” – McMahon, 31:37
• “If Austin Reeves is doing this, wait until he gets a supporting cast…wait until Luke and LeBron are back.” – Wendy, 32:37
• “They've lost consecutive games by 30+ for the first time in that franchise's history.” – Wendy on the Pelicans, 45:23
• “Jokic…leading the league so far in rebounds and assists.” – McMahon, 51:47

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:44] — NBA Cup courts and early group play
• [06:39] — Bulls early dominance & Giddey’s stats
• [09:06] — Discussion on Bulls’ sustainability/Bozealis emergence
• [11:01] — Kobe White’s contract future/trade value
• [18:19] — Magic’s struggles and Desmond Bain’s fit
• [23:23] — Sixers’ new backcourt & rookie impact
• [25:06] — Tyrese Maxey’s scorching start
• [28:09] — Austin Reaves: historical numbers, future questions
• [39:05] — Nikola Topic’s health news (OKC Thunder)
• [41:00] — Cedric Coward’s rookie rise on the Grizzlies
• [45:09] — Pelicans’ poor start & franchise history
• [51:47] — Nuggets’ early approach, Jokic’s leadership

Conclusion

This episode offers essential insights into early NBA storylines—surging (and slumping) teams, rookie revelations, contract drama, and strategic pivots—with the added spice of the NBA Cup’s group stage. The hosts keep the tone witty, frequently self-deprecating, and squarely focused on substance. Listeners come away better prepared for the new NBA season and more aware of the league’s emerging stars, unexpected twists, and looming dilemmas.