Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine break down the NBA MVP debate between Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander by diving deep into the advanced stats. With Wemby’s league-best +16.5 on/off swing and SGA’s dominance across nearly every all-in-one metric, the MVP race may be closer than the odds indicate.

Tom & Dan also discuss why the NBA’s 65-game rule might be overdue for reconsideration and react to the possible NBA expansion into Las Vegas and Seattle.

(1:12) Wemby’s MVP case
(22:22) SGA’s MVP case
(40:43) NBPA calls for awards rule changes
(1:02:50) NBA votes to explore expansion

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We have an action-packed episode of The Big Number coming your way!

Dan Devine and Tom Haberstroh break down Luka Doncic’s dominance this stretch. They discuss the recipe for success for the Lakers and Marcus Smart’s contributions this year. Where do the Lakers actually stand in the West? Is this the peak version of Luka?

Next, they share how the Lakers’ defense is improving in the stretch. But is this a real top-10 defense, or is the sample size too small? Plus, the duo analyzes the impact of LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves on the court together and how their roles are evolving. What version of LeBron will we see in the postseason?

Later, Tom and Dan discuss the NBA holding a vote to explore adding expansion teams, exclusively in Las Vegas and Seattle. What does the potential return of the Seattle Supersonics mean for the NBA? What are the ripple effects of expansion?

All that and more on this episode of The Big Number!

(1:10) The Big Number - Luka's Hot Streak
(22:26) The Little Number 1 - Luka from 3
(26:34) The Little Number 2 - Lakers Defensive Efficiency
(32:35) The Little Number 3 - Lakers Big 3 +/-
(43:11) NBA Expansion

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On this episode of The Big Number, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine marvel at Bam Adebayo's big night as he passed Kobe Bryant for 2nd most points in a game in NBA History with 83.

To round out the show, Tom and Dan take a look into the Lakers' success with Austin Reaves and Luca Doncic on the floor without LeBron James.

All this and more on this week's episode of The Big Number!

1:10 Big number: 83 - Bam Adebayo’s points vs. Washington
27:10 Little numbers: 6 - players in play-by-play era w/30 pt quarters
31:05 Little numbers 26: number of personal fouls Adebayo drew
36:25 Little numbers: 22 - number of Adebayo 3pt attempts
40:10 Most unlikely sports record ever?
42:24 Lakers 10-2 without LeBron

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On today’s Big Number, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine break down the NBA’s hottest team: the Charlotte Hornets. What’s the secret behind their sudden rise to dominance?

Then, the pair discuss the nuances of the Achilles injury return on the back of rumblings that Jayson Tatum may return this season. Is it a good idea, or should Tatum take it easy?

That and more on today’s TBN!

(01:04) The Big Number: Kon Knueppel's historic year from 3
(19:20) Little Number 1: Ball and Miller effectiveness
(26:45) Little Number 2: When Diabate starts the Hornets win
(31:00) Little Number 3: LaMelo has found his role
(39:39) Should Jayson Tatum return?

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On today's episode of The Big Number, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine take a deep look into the MVP favorites. Are SGA and Jaylen Brown hurt by having a great team that performs just as well with them on the floor as they do off?

From there Tom and Dan react to Luka Dončić's interesting choice to pass up a good look at a game-winning shot, potentially costing the Lakers the game vs. the Magic. All that and more on this week's Big Number!

(1:50) The Big Number: OKC without SGA
(18:48) Cade Cunningham points created
(24:57) Jaylen Brown on/off
(32:43) Can Spurs finish #1 in West?
(41:59) Luka & LeBron botch final possession in Lakers loss

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Tom Haberstroh is joined by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst to dig into the NBA’s $500,000 fine for the Utah Jazz and debate whether fines can truly deter teams from benching their stars. Windhorst breaks down four of the league’s core values to explain why proposals to “fix” tanking rarely last.

The duo also look ahead to the second half of the season as the Spurs continue to close in on the Thunder in the Western Conference and Jayson Tatum’s return to the Celtics in the East begins to feel inevitable. Don’t miss Windhorst’s behind-the-scenes stories about his time covering the Miami Heat with Tom and where LeBron might have landed if the draft didn’t exist.

(1:32) The Big Number: Jazz fined $500k
(4:23) How can NBA fix tanking?
(20:57) Would LeBron have gone to Cleveland without the draft?
(27:44) Is the Jazz fine unfair?
(36:08) Are Thunder vulnerable to Spurs in West?
(54:46) Should Tatum return for Celtics this season?

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We have an action-packed episode of The Big Number for you!

First, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine discuss the controversial way the Utah Jazz are utilizing Jaren Jackson Jr.

Next, the duo dives into the league-wide tanking concerns and why it is a significant issue in light of the NBA gambling indictments. What solutions can the league establish?

Later, Dan and Tom discuss the small numbers, including James Harden's role in the Cavaliers’ success and why Donovan Mitchell is thriving with Harden. Also, they break down how many teams will have salary cap space this summer, the number of trades the Bulls have made and whether the Bulls are a hopeless organization.

Plus, they discuss the suspensions following the Detroit Pistons-Charlotte Hornets fight earlier this week. What are the implications of the suspensions for the race in the East? Can the Pistons maintain their top spot?

All that and more on The Big Number!

The Big Number: 00:00:28
The Little Numbers: 00:26:19
Pistons and Hornets Suspensions: 00:41:46

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It’s trade deadline mania for the Big Number!

Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine recap the out-of-nowhere James Harden-Darius Garland swap between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Cleveland Cavaliers and discuss the implications for both teams, as well as an impatient Donovan Mitchell.

First, Tom live reacts to the biggest trade deadline shock yet: Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards? What were the motivations behind this trade? Winners and losers? Is this all that Luka Doncic was ultimately worth?

Later, the pair make the rounds for the rest of the big headlines before deadline day: Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz, and the de facto love letter Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered to the city of Milwaukee via local media.

Plus, why are the Jazz making a win-now move with all the incentives in the world to tank? Is Giannis Antetokounmpo really going to be moved? Will James Harden have a shot at a championship with his fourth team in six years? All that and more, today!

00:00 Welcome 00:05 Anthony Davis traded
11:44 Big number: 179.7 - James Harden career win shares
34:42 Little number: 112.4 - Cavs' offensive rating without Donovan Mitchell
41:20 Little number: 161- minutes the Cavs’ “core four” players have played
45:13 Little number: 53,817,156 — amount Donovan Mitchell is owed on the player option he holds for the 2027-28 season
55:21 Giannis watch
1:03:27 Jaren Jackson Jr. traded to Jazz

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