The AM Basketball Breakdown

The AM Basketball Breakdown

by Adam Miller

Episode 29 - 2026 NBA Season Quarter 2 Check-in

Adam and his friend Chris Thomas are joined for their Quarter 2 NBA recap, diving headfirst into the biggest storylines around the league. We kick things off by talking about the shifting landscape of NBA media, with Prime, Inside the NBA, and Peacock offering more open, player-driven conversations. Are we finally moving past the traditional ESPN-style debate format? Does the league benefit from having more voices and less centralized control over the narrative, and will ESPN feel pressure to modernize to keep up? From there, we check in on two teams heading in very different directions. First up, the Cavaliers, a preseason favorite for a deep playoff run that suddenly feels shaky. What is actually holding this team back, and is it time to consider moving pieces? Or can this group still right the ship? Then we turn to the Celtics. What has been the most surprising part of their success this season, and how much does Jayson Tatum’s return change the ceiling of this team? Are they legitimate title contenders, and if they make the Finals, who can they realistically beat? We also break down OKC’s place in the title picture, whether they are truly a lock to get out of the West, and if the Spurs could be their biggest long-term foil. Next, we dive into one of the most fascinating rookie classes in years, from potential superstars like Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe, and Kon Knueppel, to rising stars and elite role players. How rare is it for Flagg to be this advanced defensively as a rookie? Is Knueppel being undervalued because he does not look like a star? And ten years from now, what will the legacy of this draft class actually be? We also look ahead to the upcoming NBA Draft with names like AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cam Boozer, and discuss what it would mean for teams like the Pacers or Hawks if they landed the number one pick. Are we living in a true parity era, or are we just waiting for one team to separate and build the next dynasty, and is that even possible anymore under the current CBA? We close with a big-picture debate about who will be the next true American hoops star over the next decade. We break it down across four categories, on-court success, likability, marketability, and personality, and Chris picks the one player he believes has the best chance to check all four boxes. A wide-ranging episode that blends media, team-building, rookies, and the future face of the NBA.

Episode 28 - 2026 NBA Season Quarter 1 Check-in

In this episode of The AM Basketball Breakdown, Adam recaps the biggest storylines from the first quarter of the 2026 NBA season. We look at OKC’s dominant title defense, Detroit’s rise to the top of the Eastern Conference, and the fallout from Nico Harrison’s surprising decision to trade Luka Dončić. We break down early standouts from the highly regarded 2025 rookie class — including Cooper Flagg, Kon Kneuppel, VJ Edgecombe, Cedric Coward, and Derik Queen — and check in on the Celtics, Nuggets, and Rockets as they reshape their rotations and supporting casts. Off the court, we explore the NBA gambling probe, Ja Morant’s latest controversy, and what Michael Jordan’s recent NBC interviews reveal about excellence and today’s league. A great deal has already unfolded this season, and there is much more to come. Tune in for a full first-quarter snapshot before we revisit everything at midseason.

Episode 27 - 2026 NBA Season Preview

In this episode, Adam is joined by his friend Kevin Randall (dacaptain37) to preview the upcoming NBA season. They discuss the transition of Inside the NBA to ESPN, Oklahoma City’s title defense, which teams have a realistic chance to challenge them, and predictions for MVP and the 2026 NBA champion.

Episode 26 - 2025-2026 NBA League Pass Teams

Basketball season is almost here! With the schedule just released, Adam Miller breaks down the NBA League Pass teams he will be keeping an eye on this year. For this episode, Adam sets some rules: no teams on more than 20 percent of national television games. From there, he selects two from each conference that are worth tuning in for this season. Along the way, he shares why each team made the list, what he will be watching for, and the storylines that make them interesting League Pass teams.

Episode 25 - What the 2025 NBA Finals Taught Us

This years Finals taught us a lot — not just about who won, but how teams are being built. And maybe more importantly, it reminded us why people care in the first place. For folks here in Indiana, this Pacers run was not just about the scoreboard. It brought people back. Text threads lit up. Old fans tuned back in. And across Indiana, you could feel basketball come alive again. In this episode of the AM Basketball Breakdown, I walk through what this Finals really meant — what it taught us about the Thunder, the Pacers, and the direction of the league.

Episode 24 - 2025 NBA Draft

The 2025 NBA Draft is here, and with the Mavericks and Spurs jumping up the board, all eyes are on Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper at the top. Ric Hall joins the show to break down who could rise, who might fall short, and which prospects outside the lottery could end up being steals. From shot-making wings like Kon Kneuppel to late bloomers like Cedric Coward, and even second-round sleepers like Maxime Reynaud and Rasheer Fleming, this episode covers it all. Plus, Ric and Adam share the one player they’re rooting hardest for, the take they’re standing by, and the storyline from this class that could shape the NBA five years from now.

Episode 23 - 2nd Annual Father's Day Episode

Adam Miller is joined by his good friend Jaden Shroyer for the 2nd Annual Father’s Day Episode. From the lessons Jaden learned growing up to the values he is now passing on to his own sons, this episode explores fatherhood, life lessons, and a healthy dose of basketball. Whether you are spending time with your dad or reflecting on the role of father figures, this conversation offers something meaningful and relatable. If you have not already, take a moment to wish your dad a Happy Father’s Day. He probably deserves it.

Episode 22 - 2024 Year in Review

On this episode, I share a couple of lessons I learned this year doing a podcast for the first time along with what topics I enjoyed discussing and did not enjoy discussing. I also look forward to next year and what I am hoping to accomplish with this podcast in 2025.

Episode 21 - 2025 NBA Season Quarter 1 Check-In

At the quarter mark of the season, I am sharing the 10 topics that have stood out to me so far this NBA season. The MVP Race Houston Rockets Memphis Grizzlies Oklahoma City Joel Embiid Flagg Watch Cleveland Cavaliers Boston Celtics Are the Warriors for Real? Denver struggling with expectations and Jokic doing everything

Episode 20 - Indiana Basketball and Victor Oladipo

On this episode, Adam shares his love and memories of Indiana Basketball and shares about a new collecting journey for his basketball card collection.

2 of 4