Evaluating the Dame Trade, Previewing the NBA Western Conference, & Chatting with Coach Marko Zarkovic — HPP S3-E08

With the NBA preseason just days away, Cam Riehl and Rich Harris evaluate the three-team trade that sent Damian Lillard to the Bucks and preview all 15 teams in the Western Conference.  Also, Marko Zarkovic, the head coach at Telekom Baskets Bonn Regional League Team in Germany and a Serbian native, joins the show.  Coach Zarkovic gives us his thoughts on what’s wrong with Team USA, German basketball, Serbian basketball, the 2023 FIBA World Cup, and the upcoming basketball tourney in the 2024 Olympics.  As always, the episode is separated into chapters so you can easily skip to the sections that you most want to hear. 

CHAPTERS:

1.  NBA Notebook & Mailbag (2:21)

• Evaluating the 3-team trade that sent Damian Lillard to the Bucks.
• What’s Buddy Hield’s trade value, and where is he headed?
• Kai Jones’ future with the Hornets is uncertain.

2.  Marko Zarkovic Interview (42:37)

3.  Northwest Division Preview (1:17:55)

• Denver Nuggets
• Minnesota Timberwolves
• Oklahoma City Thunder
• Utah Jazz
• Portland Trail Blazers

4.  Pacific Division Preview (1:50:37)

• Sacramento Kings
• Phoenix Suns
• Los Angeles Clippers
• Golden State Warriors
• Los Angeles Lakers

5.  Southwest Division Preview (2:23:06)

• Memphis Grizzlies
• New Orleans Pelicans
• Dallas Mavericks
• Houston Rockets
• San Antonio Spurs