Pro Basketball Today with Coach Young

Pro Basketball Today with Coach Young

Hosted by Coach James Young, this weekly review of the NBA will keep you updated on everything on and off the court. By combining in-depth basketball analysis, betting strategies, and engaging discussions on sports and pop culture, this podcast will inform, entertain, and inspire you.

  1. 2D AGO

    Sabonis & Hunter Out For Season + Rockets Struggling Lately

    Episode 18 of Pro Basketball Today with Coach James Young covers major injury news across the NBA and the implications for several teams. The show leads with Sacramento, where Domantas Sabonis is out for the season with a torn meniscus and De’Andre Hunter will have season-ending eye surgery, prompting discussion about Sacramento’s short- and long-term outlook and the possibility of a full rebuild. In the East, Franz Wagner is out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain for Orlando, shifting more offensive burden to Paolo Banchero and potentially Jalen Suggs while raising concerns about seeding. Dylan Brooks suffers a broken left hand and will miss 4–6 weeks, impacting Phoenix on both ends and increasing the need for Devin Booker and others to step up. Utah’s Jusuf Nurkic is out for the season following a surgical procedure, setting up broader organizational decisions for the Jazz. In “Future Focus,” the episode examines the Houston Rockets’ struggles (34–21, losing four of seven) after acquiring Kevin Durant, including late-game issues highlighted by a loss to the Knicks after leading by 16–18 in the fourth quarter, and questions about cohesion, leadership, and expectations under Ime Udoka. The segment then looks at tanking and roster direction for Utah and Washington, including Washington’s top-eight protected 2026 first-round pick owed to New York, and mentions roster pieces like Trae Young, Anthony Davis, and young core players while comparing each team’s long-term outlook. The Pistons are discussed as potentially the best team in the East based on recent performances, alongside concerns about their overly physical “tough guy” approach and skepticism about JB Bickerstaff’s playoff adjustments despite the Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren duo. In the “Final Four,” Steph Curry’s knee injury keeps him out another 10 days and makes him ineligible for end-of-season awards, creating a difficult situation for a Warriors team already without Jimmy Butler and after trading Jonathan Kuminga. Kyrie Irving is confirmed to miss the entire 2026–27 season while recovering from an ACL tear, framing Dallas’ long-term planning and a future return alongside Cooper Flagg and Derek Lively. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is out for the year after surgery on his right pinky finger, with comments on his fit and Memphis’ direction. Jaden Ivey is diagnosed with left knee soreness and will be reevaluated in two weeks. The episode closes with a WNBA labor update: the league tells the players’ association a deal must be agreed upon by March 10 to avoid impacting the 2026 season, while noting players like Breanna Stewart going overseas amid uncertainty.

    24 min
  2. FEB 17

    All-Star Weekend Recap, Jazz & Pacers Tanking Fines, Can Sixers Make A Run?

    In episode 17 of Pro Basketball Today, Coach James Young recaps All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, including the Knicks winning the team skills challenge (Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Alan Houston), Keshad Johnson winning the dunk contest, Damian Lillard winning the 3-point contest while injured, and the USA vs. World All-Star format that brought improved effort and defense, with Anthony Edwards named MVP. The show covers NBA fines for roster management ($500K to Utah, $100K to Indiana) amid concerns about tanking, notes a report that Utah’s Jaren Jackson Jr. may miss the rest of the season for left knee surgery, and discusses Sacramento’s situation with a key 20-PPG scorer undergoing season-ending right hand surgery while the roster wasn’t broken up at the deadline. Chris Paul’s retirement after 21 seasons is highlighted.. In “Future Focus,” Coach targets two teams in the NBA that could make a run in the second half of the season or fall short of a playoff/play-in spot. The “Final Four” includes Jeremy Sochan signing with the Knicks and a look at New York’s depth, Alex Sarr’s right hamstring strain for Washington and the team’s longer-term outlook, criticism of Cam Thomas’ situation and defense, and LeBron James missing his 18th game and losing award eligibility. The episode closes with a Buzzer Beater as Commissioner Adam Silver provides comments on NBA expansion, projecting two teams with Seattle and Las Vegas as leading candidates and potential conference realignment.

    24 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Hosted by Coach James Young, this weekly review of the NBA will keep you updated on everything on and off the court. By combining in-depth basketball analysis, betting strategies, and engaging discussions on sports and pop culture, this podcast will inform, entertain, and inspire you.