The Athletic NBA Daily (Jan 29, 2026)

Episode Theme: Is this LeBron’s Final Season?
Hosts: Dave DuFour, Zena Keita
Guest: Dan Woike (The Athletic NBA reporter)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on two main topics:

1. Big recent games – Notably Spurs vs. Rockets and Knicks vs. Raptors, discussing standout performances and team trajectories.
2. LeBron James’ Future – With guest Dan Woike, the show takes a deep dive into LeBron’s emotional night in Cleveland, the increasing speculation around his retirement, and how both personal and franchise dynamics are shaping his NBA finale.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Spurs Defeat Rockets: A Statement Win in the West

Hosts: Dave DuFour, Zena Keita
Segment: [01:26] – [06:40]

• Spurs’ Comeback: The Spurs rally from a slow start, ultimately beating the Rockets 111–99.
  • "The Spurs were able to recuperate the second half...thank God for Victor Wenyama. Ended up with 28 and 16 for the night, 13 and 9 in that fourth quarter."
    — Zena Keita [03:09]
• Rockets’ Collapse and Weaknesses:
  • Lack of three-point shooting and offensive rhythm exposed, especially once the Spurs sagged off Amen Thompson and dared him to shoot.
  • Absence of Steven Adams (season-ending ankle surgery) hurt the Rockets on the offensive glass.
  • "They weren’t owning the offensive glass, so they weren’t getting those second chance points. It was a rough night for the Rockets."
    — Dave DuFour [02:34]
• Spurs’ Team Effort & Victor Wembanyama:
  Zena and Dave laud Wembanyama’s consistent dominance after returning from a knee injury, and the connecting play of Devin Vassell and the supporting cast.
• Defensive Grit:
  Special mention to Stephon Castle’s disruptive defense on Kevin Durant.
  • “I’m shocked that Steph Castle is able to guard a guy of Kevin Durant’s size so effectively.”
    — Dave DuFour [05:32]
• Knicks-Raptors Game Teaser:
  The segment closes with news of a big Knicks win over the Raptors.

2. Knicks Beat Raptors: Toronto’s “Math Problem”

Correspondent: S (on-site report); Discussion with Dave DuFour & Zena Keita
Segment: [06:40] – [13:23]

• Game Summary: Raptors lead early but get “smoked” by the Knicks 100–92, falling apart in the second half.
• Raptors’ Weaknesses:
  • “The Raptors have a math problem. They’re near the bottom of the league when it comes to three-point attempts, near the bottom when it comes to three-point percentage.”
    — Zena Keita [07:44]
  • Fewer shot attempts and inability to capitalize on turnovers/transition offense.
  • Poor offensive ball movement and lack of diverse shot creation exposed in the second half.
• Physicality and Rebounding:
  Toronto is usually physical and controls the boards, but without Mitchell Robinson, the Knicks out-rebounded them; a major red flag.
• Coaching & Mindset:
  Raptors coach Darko Rajaković “likes to take pressure off the guys” and claims not to look at the standings until the All-Star break. Hosts express skepticism.
  • “He also said…he hopes that the big acquisition at the trade deadline is Jakob Poeltl. I’m sure he’s hoping it’s Giannis…”
    — Dave DuFour [09:02]
• Transition Struggles:
  Despite leading the league in transition frequency, Toronto ranks low in efficiency—pointing to overall offensive execution issues.
• Playoff Prognosis:
  Young roster, needs a point guard and a true center; current performance exceeding expectations, but a clear gap remains against elite teams.

3. LeBron’s Emotional Return to Cleveland & the Retirement Question

Guests: Dan Woike with Dave DuFour, Zena Keita
Segment: [15:25] – [33:15]

LeBron’s Vulnerability and Lingering Uncertainty

• Tribute Video’s Impact:
  Cleveland’s elaborate tribute to LeBron before the game leaves him teary-eyed on the bench—“I’ve never seen LeBron sitting there in tears during a basketball game.”
  — Dave DuFour [15:36]
• Retirement Overtones:
  The moment felt potentially final:
  • “More so than ever, this really felt like: is this the last time he’ll ever play in Cleveland?”
    — Dan Woike [17:22]
  • “He spoke for 15 minutes post-game. Six minutes and you’re convinced he’s done. Six more, and you think he’ll be back. That is crazy.”
    — Dan Woike [21:59]
• Notable Quote:
  Asked about the end of his career and what defines ‘perfect’:
  • “What defines perfect? I don’t think that’s for every individual…whatever brings you the most happiness is what probably defines perfect for you individually…It’s not defined off wins and losses…It’s defined as what makes you happy in your last season.”
    — LeBron James via Dan Woike [25:45]
• Family and Legacy:
  LeBron’s remarks on his mother and son (Bronny), emotional touchstones during the night, and the possible poignancy of his final Cleveland appearance coinciding with sharing the court with his son.
  • “That’s an exclamation point on his longevity.”
    — Dave DuFour [22:30]
  • “Bronny being one of the most well-liked people inside the Lakers locker room and being a normal, good kid that people are genuinely rooting for…is a tremendous legacy as a parent.”
    — Dan Woike [23:52]
• LeBron’s Motivation:
  • “Why are you still playing?”
    “Because I want to squeeze every ounce of juice out of this orange.”
    — LeBron James via Dan Woike [21:30]
• No Clear Signal:
  Hosts and Woike conclude that there’s no clear direction on LeBron’s plans—he is reflective, driven by many factors (winning, performance, family, legacy), and deliberately keeping options open.

Lakers’ Internal Dynamics & Trade Deadline Outlook

• Organizational Kerfuffle:
  • Recent rumors about Buss family–LeBron friction have been “moved past,” says Woike [25:32].
• Bronny’s Future:
  LeBron’s happiness, not just family or personal accolades, will define his final act. The synergy or independence of father and son’s career arcs remains unresolved.
• Lakers at Deadline:
  • “They need to get better on the glass, need more athleticism, shooting would be great, and they want to do those things with limited assets and not a willingness to take on more money—it’s gonna be hard.”
    — Dan Woike [29:29]
  • “I’m not anticipating anything big.”
    — Dan Woike [30:06]
• Rebuilding Beyond LeBron:
  • “They’re building around Luka, not around LeBron.”
    — Dan Woike [32:29]
  • Explains lack of appetite for long-term contracts, with eyes on financial flexibility post-LeBron.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On Rockets’ Offensive Shortcomings:
  “They weren’t owning the offensive glass…without Steven Adams, and they started out so well.”
  — Dave DuFour [02:34]

• On Raptors’ Three-Point Struggles:
  “The Raptors have a math problem. They’re near the bottom of the league when it comes to three-point attempts, near the bottom when it comes to three-point percentage.”
  — Zena Keita [07:44]

• On LeBron’s Emotional State:
  “I’ve never seen LeBron sitting there in tears during a basketball game. This is next level subterfuge and tactics by the Cleveland Cavaliers.”
  — Dave DuFour [15:36]

• On LeBron’s Retirement Mood:
  “Six minutes of his postgame and you’re convinced he’s done. The other six, you’re convinced he’ll be back...”
  — Dan Woike [21:59]

• On What’s ‘Perfect’ for LeBron:
  “I don’t think whatever brings you the most happiness is what probably defines perfect for you individually…it’s defined as what makes you happy in your last season.”
  — LeBron James via Dan Woike [25:45]

Key Memorable Moments

• Victor Wembanyama’s commanding performance: 28 points, 16 rebounds—even while recovering from injury—reaches new consistency [03:09].
• Tribute video leaves LeBron in tears in Cleveland, the symbolic “bookend” of his career [16:02].
• LeBron reflecting on his mother and son both witnessing his NBA journey—poignancy to his legacy [18:02; 22:30].
• Postgame press conference ambiguity, with LeBron offering no clear hint at retirement decisions [21:59].
• Lakers’ trade rumors and long-term strategy—quiet deadline expected, future structured around Luka, not LeBron [29:29–32:29].

Episode Flow at a Glance (Timestamps)

• 01:26 — Spurs vs. Rockets breakdown; Spurs' resilience, Rockets’ offensive woes
• 06:40 — Knicks vs. Raptors: math problem and lack of offensive variety
• 13:23 — Raptors’ outlook and needs
• 15:25 — LeBron’s Cleveland return: tribute video, emotion, and uncertainty about retirement
• 25:45 — LeBron’s definition of “perfect” ending (retirement reflections)
• 29:28 — Lakers’ trade deadline thinking and building for the future

Tone and Style

The episode maintains a conversational, insightful, and slightly cheeky tone, with the hosts blending analysis, on-the-ground reporting, and humor.

Example:

• “You’re the only person to think of Encino Man in 30 years.” — Dave DuFour [24:31]

Final Thought

The episode uses two big recent games as a launchpad for broader discussions about roster building, team identity, and, most importantly, the emotional and practical factors likely to shape LeBron James’ final chapter—whenever it comes. If you missed it, you’ll be caught up on both the box scores and the behind-the-scenes mood in NBA land.