The Athletic NBA Daily: Podcast Summary Episode: Pacers Rising + Lottery Madness | Slam N Jam Release Date: May 17, 2025 Hosts: Mike Vorkunoff, Caitlin Cooper, Alex Spears

Introduction

In this episode of Saturday Slam n’ Jam on The Athletic NBA Daily, hosts Mike Vorkunoff and Caitlin Cooper delve into the whirlwind of recent NBA events, focusing primarily on the Indiana Pacers' resurgence and the dramatic NBA Lottery. The conversation weaves through behind-the-scenes experiences, analytical insights, and engaging trivia, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of current basketball narratives.

NBA Lottery Madness

Mike Vorkunoff provides an insider's perspective on the recent NBA Lottery, describing it as "one of the most dramatic and bizarre draft lotteries in NBA history" (03:40). Having attended the live drawing, Mike recounts the palpable "utter disbelief" and "chaotic potential outcome" when the Dallas Mavericks clinched the top pick. He observes, "the most unpredictable way the lottery could have gone" (03:40), highlighting the unexpected nature of the results despite Dallas not having the longest odds.

Mike addresses the surge of conspiracy theories surrounding the lottery outcome, reflecting on his 2019 investigation into the possibility of it being rigged. He states, "it's more of like an exercise in how the human brain works" (07:21), emphasizing the difficulty people have in accepting improbable yet genuine outcomes. The discussion touches on the NBA's transparency measures, such as the visible draft machine and media presence during the drawing, aimed at maintaining fairness and dispelling rumors of manipulation.

Key Insights:

• The environment inside the lottery room fosters candid interactions due to restrictions on communication and device usage (06:29).
• Mike notes a shift in reactions within the NBA community, contrasting his 2019 experience with the current subdued responses to lottery outcomes (09:13).

Quotation:

"If we're unable to understand things that we did not expect or that we can't clearly explain, we start kind of creating conspiracy theories." — Mike Vorkunoff (07:21)

Lottery Reform and Flattening Odds

The hosts discuss the implications of the Mavericks' lottery win on potential reforms. Mike explores the NBA's considerations around flattening lottery odds to reduce the likelihood of teams like Dallas winning the top pick, thereby preventing perceptions of undue advantage or potential tanking. He explains, "the Pacers winning is probably tied to the Luca trade and the Mavericks securing the pick through a precise combination of events" (10:29), indicating the interconnectedness of trades and lottery outcomes.

Mike also touches on the broader challenge of balancing competitive fairness while ensuring that the lottery supports teams in acquiring top talent without encouraging negative strategies like intentional losing.

Indiana Pacers' Mid-Season Resurgence

Caitlin Cooper takes the spotlight to analyze the Indiana Pacers' impressive second-half performance. She identifies the pivotal moment around mid-December when the team went 70% in games, bolstered by strategic adjustments and key player health improvements (26:59). Caitlin credits the lifting of Andrew Nembhard's minute restrictions and the return of Aaron Nesmith as critical factors enhancing the Pacers' defense and overall gameplay.

Key Points:

• Defense Enhancements: Nembhard's increased presence set a defensive tone, while Nesmith's return strengthened the Pacers' perimeter defense.
• Offensive Improvements: Tyrese Halliburton's reduced turnovers and improved ball movement contributed to a more efficient offense.
• Player Roles: Caitlin highlights the effective roles of Pascal Siakam and Miles Turner in the team's success.

Quotation:

"The Pacers were playing four on four pick and roll possessions a lot, with Tyrese being more like, negative space in art. He likes to stand out on the perimeter and give his teammates space." — Caitlin Cooper (28:15)

Defensive Strategies Against the Cavaliers

Caitlin discusses the Pacers' defensive tactics in the playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, focusing on handling perceived weak links like Tyrese Halliburton. She explains how the Pacers adapted by switching defenses and insulating Halliburton through strategic plays (28:39). This involved allowing Halliburton more opportunities to contribute without being overly subjected to defensive pressure.

Key Insights:

• Tyrese's improved defensive metrics, such as deflections and blocks, played a significant role in balancing the team's defensive efforts.
• The Pacers utilized a "four on four" strategy effectively, leveraging Nembhard and Turner's pick-and-roll prowess to create offensive opportunities and defensive stability.

Quotation:

"When you forget about those guys, they're capable of making you pay as well." — Caitlin Cooper (32:28)

Home Court Advantage in Playoffs

Mike Vorkunoff shifts the conversation to the changing dynamics of home court advantage in the NBA playoffs. He notes a declining trend over the past decade, correlating it with the rise of three-point shooting and increased game variance (13:45). Mike theorizes that the proliferation of three-point attempts allows teams to overcome home court disadvantages by compensating for other inefficiencies.

Key Points:

• Historical data shows a decrease in home teams' winning percentages, aligning with changes in playstyles.
• The increased reliance on three-pointers introduces higher variance, reducing the predictability of outcomes based solely on home court.

Quotation:

"If teams shoot even one road team shoot even one more three in a game, then the home team, like they win the majority of the time in the playoffs this year." — Mike Vorkunoff (13:54)

Business Side: Blazers' Sale and NBA Expansion

Mike delves into the ongoing sale of the Portland Trail Blazers, discussing its timing amidst potential NBA expansion talks. He speculates on the possible sale price, comparing it to other franchise sales like the Celtics at $6 billion and the Suns at $4 billion (16:56). Mike also contemplates the logistical challenges of multiple team sales and the impact on expansion plans.

Key Insights:

• The inclusion of the Modus Center, owned by the city, adds complexity to the Blazers' sale negotiations.
• The impending refurbishment of the Motor Center and future WNBA commitments present additional considerations for potential buyers.

Quotation:

"The interplay of those two things is kind of fascinating." — Mike Vorkunoff (20:00)

NBA Championship Draft Trivia

The episode concludes with an engaging trivia segment where Mike and Caitlin compete to predict the NBA champion. Through a series of Pacers-themed questions, Caitlin emerges victorious with seven points to Mike's four, showcasing her deep knowledge of the team and its history.

Highlights:

• Questions ranged from historical playoff performances to individual player achievements.
• Caitlin's accurate responses emphasized her expertise and familiarity with the Pacers' legacy.

Notable Moments:

Host 1: "I don't know what the value is of the first overall pick. Do I get anything for picking last?" (22:11)
Caitlin Cooper: "I should have thought of that. I didn't think about it until you phrased it like that." (41:09)

Closing Remarks

Caitlin Cooper promotes her platform, Basketball She Wrote, encouraging listeners to subscribe for more in-depth analysis and vodcast content. The hosts wrap up the episode by inviting fans to leave reviews and stay tuned for future discussions.

Conclusion This episode of Saturday Slam n’ Jam offers a multifaceted exploration of key NBA topics, blending insider experiences with analytical discussions. From the unpredictability of the NBA Lottery to the strategic evolution of the Indiana Pacers, Mike Vorkunoff and Caitlin Cooper provide listeners with valuable insights and engaging content that enriches their understanding of professional basketball.