The Athletic NBA Daily – Episode Summary

Date: January 22, 2026
Hosts: Dave DuFour, Fred Katz, Zena Keita
Main Theme:
A lively NBA deep-dive focused on the Miami Heat’s Norman Powell—his unusual biomechanics and underappreciated breakout season—followed by a frank examination of the struggling New York Knicks, their recent collapse, and wild trade rumors involving Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Norman Powell: Miami’s Under-the-Radar Star (01:44–20:22)

- Powell’s Bowlegged Biomechanics, Adaptability & Breakout (04:36–12:57):

• Fred Katz shares insights from his recent feature on Norman Powell, highlighting Powell’s unusual bowlegged legs and what makes his game unique.
  • Fred Katz: “His legs are weird. I never knew. Did you guys know that about his legs?” (04:36)
• Xena & Dave chime in about regional pronunciations (‘bowlegged’ vs. ‘bow-legged’), joking about the terminology and how common bowleggedness is in athletes (05:05–05:21).
• Powell’s game has evolved drastically:
  • In L.A., he became an off-ball threat via movement and screens.
  • In Miami, with fewer screens and more isolation, Powell’s efficiency has reached historic levels.
  • Fred Katz: “The Heat are scoring 127.2 points per 100 possessions on passes, shots, turnovers and fouls out of Norm Powell isolations… the most efficient isolation season ever since this stat started being tracked.” (08:26)
• Katz praises Powell’s intelligence and ability to reinvent his style in his 30s, fitting the spirit of the Most Improved Player award (MIP), lamenting the 65-game eligibility rule for awards.
  • “A guy in his 30s completely changing the way that he played... that's kind of the embodiment of MIP.” (08:00)
• They discuss Powell’s footwork—his massive step-back move and ability to borrow and refine elements from players like Dame Lillard and Jrue Holiday (14:21–15:28).
• Anecdotes about how pronounced Powell’s bowleggedness is, and how even Heat teammates joke about it.
  • “To be clear, there’s bowlegged and then there’s Norm Powell.” (12:55)
  • Katz recounts Bam Adebayo’s quip: “His legs look like parentheses.” (17:16)

Memorable Moment: Bam Adebayo’s Quote

• Bam’s analogy one-ups Fred’s article lead:
  • Fred Katz: “In my lead, I referenced [Powell’s] legs as shaped like question marks. Bam said, ‘No, they’re like parentheses.’” (19:35)
  • Hilarity ensues over players ragging on each other, with Katz bemoaning being so thoroughly outdone by a punchy player quote.

2. The Knicks: “Are They Broken?” (22:52–36:16)

- The Knicks' Collapse & Scapegoats (22:52–27:19):

• After a promising start, the Knicks have slumped, now 29th in defensive efficiency since mid-December, and the offense has cratered.
  • Fred Katz: “They've lost nine times since December 16th… [and are] 29th in defensive efficiency. That’s not a small number.” (23:07)
• Katz dives into the roster’s underperformance, coaching discord (Cat & Mike Brown failing to connect), and frustration with effort and accountability.
  • “The Cat-Mike Brown thing has gotten worse as the season’s gone on, and that’s just a bad spot to be in.” (25:29)
• The hosts joke about defense, energy, and random role players (Najee Marshall) who inexplicably torch the Knicks every meeting.
  • Dave DuFour as example: “Chris Middleton kills the Celtics.” (24:51)

- Roster Issues Versus System/Personality (27:19–30:17):

• Xena notes the post-Thibodeau shift to Mike Brown’s “anyone can cook” rotations, leading to wild combinations but a lack of foundation.
  • Analogy: A “Ratatouille-esque” approach, but not always producing a dish.
• The Knicks lack a strong point-of-attack defender, wing depth, or reliable inside presence.
• Katz offers a pointed thesis:
  • “I think this is a personality thing. Ultimately, like…I don’t really care. [The roster flaws] were all true a month and a half ago… Sometimes it sounds so cliched…but just do it. Just play better.” (28:38, 30:17)
• The missing ingredient: consistent effort and collective pride, not just tactical or roster issues.

- Speculation: The Future & Giannis Dreams (31:19–36:16):

• The team's lack of competitiveness inspires wild speculation:
  • Coaching change? Star trades? Could Giannis really end up in New York?
  • Dave: “We’re at the point where people are speculating they might move on from Mike Brown, they may trade Cat… Is it Giannis? Is that going to happen?” (31:19)
• Katz crushes midseason fantasy, explaining in depth why the Knicks don’t have the assets for a real Giannis trade this year or likely even in summer.
  • “How many first round picks can the Knicks trade for Giannis right now?” (32:39)
  • Katz: “The Bucks are going to do Carl Anthony Towns and no guaranteed first round picks for Giannis? … That’s not happening.” (34:27)
  • Cites Giannis’ own statements (from Sam Amick) that forcing his way out isn’t his style (35:40).
• Conclusion: The Knicks, even amid crisis, aren’t in a real position for an all-in superstar trade—unless fate intervenes or a star like Giannis demands it.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Norman Powell’s uniqueness:
  • Fred Katz (04:36): “His legs are weird. I never knew. Did you guys know that about his legs?”
  • Bam Adebayo (as quoted by Fred, 17:16): “His legs look like parentheses.”
  • Fred Katz (08:00): “A guy in his 30s completely changing the way that he played… that’s kind of the embodiment of MIP.”
• On the Knicks’ malaise:
  • Fred Katz (23:07): “They are 29th in defensive efficiency. 29th. That’s not a small number.”
  • Zena Keita (27:19): “Is this a personnel thing you gotta fix—AKA the trade deadline, or is this a system thing—AKA Mike Brown lock in, find your rotation?”
  • Fred Katz (30:17): “You just gotta not play like crap.”
• On Knicks/giannis trade rumors:
  • Fred Katz (32:39): "How many first round picks can the Knicks trade for Giannis right now?"
  • Fred Katz (34:27): "That’s not happening if you put Giannis anywhere near... those two other teams will blow that offer away."
  • Fred Katz (35:46): “Even on his worst days, we haven't seen any sign that Giannis has said, I am going to completely and utterly screw the Milwaukee Bucks here.”

Important Timestamps

• [01:44] - Show starts, Fred’s “NBA Professor” bit
• [04:36–12:57] - Norman Powell’s legs, adaptability, and MIP argument
• [14:21–20:22] - Deep-dive into Powell’s skills, biomechanics, and “parentheses” quote from Bam
• [22:52–27:19] - Knicks’ collapse, accountability, and energy issues
• [27:19–30:17] - System vs. roster vs. personality debate
• [31:19–36:16] - Speculation about Knicks’ future, Giannis trade impossibility, and reality check

Overall Tone and Takeaways

• Language and Tone:
  Clever, fast-paced, and light-hearted throughout, with biting humor (“NBA Professor,” “boat-legged,” “Ratatouille” coaching), ample chemistry, and a willingness to roast teams, players, and themselves.
• For Listeners:
  Even without hearing the episode, you’ll come away with unique facts about Norman Powell, a sense of what’s truly wrong with the Knicks, and why big splashy rumors usually aren’t grounded in NBA reality.

Recommended Further Reading:

• Fred Katz’s article on Norman Powell (featured in the episode)