Thibs’ Firing, Hali v SGA NBA Finals, Plus “Big Shot Rob” and the History of Clutch

Thib's Firing and Hali v. SGA

Get ready for an unfiltered and energetic breakdown of the NBA playoffs as we, Mike Palmer and Tarlin Ray from Running It Back, dive headfirst into the latest on the hardwood!

We kick things off by dissecting the Knicks’ recent playoff run, asking the tough questions about what went wrong and what’s next for Mike’s beloved and Tarlin’s bandwagon team. Tarlin connects Coach Thibs’ firing to a fascinating historical trend—it seems winning Coach of the Year can be a bit of a curse. Meanwhile, Mike remains optimistic that this shake-up opens up exciting new possibilities for the Knicks in the trade and free agent markets.

Then, we shift gears to marvel at the Indiana Pacers’ surprising success. We’re talking about Tyrese Haliburton’s incredible clutch shooting and Rick Carlisle’s brilliant coaching. While we might not label Haliburton a “superstar,” you’ll hear why Mike concedes he is an elite point guard who consistently delivers in the clutch. Tarlin even drops some compelling stats, drawing comparisons between Haliburton and Chris Paul.

Of course, we can’t ignore the Oklahoma City Thunder (OKC). We delve into their suffocating defensive intensity, and I’m even bold enough to make a finals prediction you won’t want to miss! We’re exploring the evolving landscape of basketball, celebrating deep teams that bring high intensity for all 48 minutes, rather than relying on just one “alpha” superstar. And Tarlin makes a powerful point: it’s about the quality of basketball, not just who’s the “face of the NBA.”

So, join us for all this and more—we promise a fun, insightful, and passionately debated journey through the world of NBA.

Knicks Pacers Rivalry | Reggie v Patrick, Hali v Brunson and More | Running It Back

Knicks Pacers Rivalry

Tarlin and Mike are back to chop it up about the Knicks Pacers rivalry through the years heading into the big series starting this week. Tarlin asks in on the Knicks bandwagon. Mike extols Brunson’s leadership, doesn’t fear Haliburton, the Pacers, Pat McAfee, or even Hans Perez, the firefighter who wore a Haliburton jersey to the midtown New York celebration outside MSG on Friday night. Mike and Gilbert Arenas are saying Knicks in 5. Tarlin is on Knicks in 6–It sounds good, doesn’t it?

Where do you stand? Which half of Knicks Nation do you belong to? Or are you riding or dying with the House of Haliburton? Listen in and learn. Subscribe wherever you get your pods. Video episodes up on Youtube and Spotify.

Allen Iverson’s “Practice?!?!” Turns 23 | Plus Pop Promoted to El Jefe, House of Haliburton and More

Allen Iverson

In this engaging episode, Running It Back takes you on a journey from the iconic to the immediate. We start by commemorating the anniversary of Allen Iverson’s “Practice” press conference – a moment that gave us one of the most quotable moments in NBA history. Then, we shift gears to the present, analyzing the ongoing NBA playoffs, the buzz around Tyrese Haliburton, and the contrasting leadership styles of coaches Larry Brown and Gregg Popovich. It’s a study in contrasts – from a legendary player’s raw emotion to the strategic minds shaping the game today.

House of Giannis vs House of Haliburton | NBA Family Beef Edition

House of Giannis vs House of Haliburton

Get ready for a high-energy episode of Running It Back! Mike and Tarlin deliver instant analysis of the latest NBA drama: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tyrese Haliburton. We dissect the controversial end-of-game moments, the heated aftermath, and the unexpected involvement of family members. Is Halliburton soft or clutch? Is Giannis a philosopher or just tired of the drama? We’re also talking overrated players and the rise of the crazed sports parent. It’s a jam-packed episode with all the hot takes you crave!

Tarlin challenges Mike’s assessment of Halliburton, offering a compelling defense of the young star while Mike doubles down on his “soft” critique. We explore the complexities of Halliburton’s game, his interactions with other players (including Dame Lillard!), and the surprising revelation that he was voted one of the league’s most overrated players.  

Beyond the player face-off, we delve into the escalating trend of overzealous parents in youth and professional sports. The guys discuss the John Halliburton incident, comparing it to other examples of parental interference and debating the impact on the players and the game itself. It’s a conversation that goes beyond the headlines to examine the changing culture of sports.