48 Minutes Podcast By Bleav Michael Freer Ross Geiger Bruce Bernstein cover art

48 Minutes

48 Minutes

By: Bleav Michael Freer Ross Geiger Bruce Bernstein
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About this listen

 “48 Minutes” is a comprehensive podcast featuring discussion and analysis of the biggest NBA stories. Former NBA assistant coach Ross Geiger leads a trio of hoop junkies who offer insight, analysis, and perspective about the game and the culture surrounding it. Ross is joined by Emmy Award winning producer Bruce Bernstein, who spent more than 30 years covering the league at ESPN and research expert Michael Freer, whose information is used by many NBA announcers in their game coverage. Listeners to “48 Minutes” will arm themselves with the kind of hoop knowledge that will help them make intelligent wagers while becoming “Watercooler Legends.” Basketball
Episodes
  • Our Top 4 Teams in each conference post draft/after the start of free agency. Plus our biggest Winners/Losers this Summer!

    Our Top 4 Teams in each conference post draft/after the start of free agency. Plus our biggest Winners/Losers this Summer!
    Jul 3 2025

    0:00 Intro

    0:49 Ross is back & starts the show off by giving Bruce & World B a pop quiz!

    2:11 Our Top 4 Teams in the Eastern Conference post draft & after the start of free agency

    2:21 Cleveland Cavaliers

    5:05 New York Knicks

    7:50 Orlando Magic

    11:21 Bruce has the Detroit Pistons in his fourth & final spot

    12:18 World B likes the Indiana Pacers to round out his top 4

    14:09 Ross sides with Bruce with the Detroit Pistons

    15:32 Biggest winners and/or losers in the Eastern Conference

    15:42 Bruce has the Atlanta Hawks as a big winner this offseason

    16:31 Bruce’s big loser is the Indiana Pacers this summer

    17:26 World B also has the Atlanta Hawks as big winners this summer

    19:04 World B has the Milwaukee Bucks as his big loser of the offseason

    22:04 Ross provides a surprising Eastern Conference team for his big winner of the offseason

    23:34 Our Top 4 Teams in the Western Conference post draft & after the start of free agency

    23:49 The reigning 2025 NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder

    25:26 Houston Rockets

    29:10 Bruce has the Minnesota Timberwolves at #3 on his board

    29:45 World B has the Denver Nuggets as his third best team out West

    31:15 Ross doubles down on the Denver Nuggets

    32:54 Bruce touches on the Nuggets & their recent offseason moves

    33:46 World B has a hot take selecting the Los Angeles Lakers!

    35:04 Ross discusses why the Minnesota Timberwolves round out his Top 4 out West

    36:12 Biggest winners and/or losers in the Eastern Conference

    36:19 Bruce considers the Memphis Grizzlies big winners this summer

    37:13 The Portland Trail Blazers are Bruce’s big losers

    37:52 World B’s winner is the Dallas Mavericks

    38:55 The New Orleans Pelicans are tabbed the biggest loser by World B

    40:59 Ross’s big winner is the newest San Antonio Spur Luke Kornet!

    42:08 Bruce provides his final thoughts on what a difference a year makes for his Boston Celtics

    44:35 World B provides positive insights on the direction the Charlotte Hornets are going

    46:38 Ross gets his turn to provide some optimism on the Milwaukee Bucks next year
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    49 mins
  • 48 Minutes: OKC Wins Title, Durant Traded, Lakers Sold, Knicks Drama

    48 Minutes: OKC Wins Title, Durant Traded, Lakers Sold, Knicks Drama
    Jun 24 2025
    0:00 ... Show open ... Bruce Bernstein introduces co-host Michael "World B" Freer and our special guest Dave Wohl, the former player, coach, and general manager. 0:56 ... Dave reflects on the just concluded NBA Finals series between the OKC Thunder and Indiana Pacers. Dave felt that these two teams may meet again in the Finals at some point. 2:06 ... World B points out that OKC may not even have shown the best version of what they can still become as a team. Dave praises OKC GM Sam Presti for the way he built the Thunder into a championship squad. 4:36 ... Bruce points out that NBA players voted Tyrese Haliburton the "most overrated" player in the league and silly they look now. Dave explains how Haliburton's growth whas been so much fun to watch. 5:59 ... World B asks about whether the league has to address the length of the season given the number of high profile injuries. Dave explains why that may not be feasible but suggests a lengthy break midway through the season so players can mentally and physically recharge. 8:40 ... Bruce points out the uniform numbers of the three players who suffered the achilles were all "0." Dave points out how achilles injuries can be so random. 9:53 ... Shai Gilgeous Alexander was originally drafted by the Clippers and traded to OKC in Sam Presti's greatest move. Dave goes through some of Presti's moves while also defending the trade with LA due to the wishes of owner Steve Ballmer. 12:45 ... Bruce transitions to the Kevin Durant trade where he went from the Suns to the Rockets and asks Dave if this closes the gap between the Rockets and the Thunder. Dave likes the deal for Houston but thinks they may miss Dillon Brooks and his defense. 14:59 ... Did the Rockets simply give up on Jalen Green? Dave feels Durant gets them closer to a title more quickly than Green ever could. 17:17 ... How does this deal affect the future of the Phoenix Suns franchise given their bad salary situation? 19:10 ... The New York Knicks' pursuit of the coaches from five other teams has affected their relationships with a lot of teams. How much damage was done? The Knicks didn't have a plan and now whomever they sign will be their 6th or 7th choice. 21:50 ... In spite of the Knicks mis-steps, they're still a premier eastern conference team, so is it better for the NBA to have a lot of teams that COULD win as opposed to fewer elite teams like OKC that could be a future dynasty? 24:06 ... Bruce asks Dave about Tom Thibodeau's decision to bring Josh Hart off the bench and whether the fact that Hart suggested the change might have caused Knicks management to question Thibs' leadership. 27:25 ... The Lakers will be sold for $10 billion and as a former member of the Lakers organization, Dave has some thoughts on how the "Mom and Pop" nature of the team might change under a more corporate ownership. Jeanie Buss will still represent the team as their "Governor," but her input on basketball decisions might be affected. 29:54 ... How will the price tag for the Lakers affect the entry fees for the next NBA expansion teams, which are expected to be Seattle and Las Vegas? 32:08 ... Dave sounds off on what expansion teams are like to work for since he worked for the Miami Heat when they were an expansion team. He feels that expansion teams start with a clean slate and can build their own unique culture. Dave hired Erik Spoelstra as video coordinator and explains why Spo' appealed to him as a young potential hire. 34:27 ... The NBA Draft is on Wednesday night and we discuss five "bottom feeder" teams and what their goals should be in the draft. Danny Ainge and the Utah Jazz are first. 35:51 ... The Washington Wizards are next ... members of their management all worked in OKC and Dave feels they'll follow Sam Presti's model. 37:08 ... Washington is a major market while Oklahoma City is not. Does that affect the Wizards' ability to use the OKC model, which requires patience. 39:04 ... The Charlotte Hornets are picking at #4 ... and have missed the playoffs the last 9 years ... they have some talent on the roster so they'll probably draft for a position. 40:32 ... New Orleans picks at #7 but Zion Williamson's lack of reliability really hurts this franchise and also negatively affects his trade value. 42:20 ... Philadelphia is a "bottom feeder" in name only as they were devastated by injuries last season. Can they use the #3 pick wisely and get healthy in time for next season? Will they have to use the trade market more than the draft in order to improve? 44:02 ... Philly's Joel Embiid was one of several Olympians who were injured this season but Dave feels that their injuries were not the result of their Olympic obligations. Dave explains how players who work hard all summer can wear their bodies out even though they're not playing in games. 46:41 ... Bruce asks everyone for their overall thoughts on the season that just concluded. Dave felt it was a "season of change." 47...
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    51 mins
  • 48 Minutes: Thunder take game 5 vs Pacers & Other NBA News

    48 Minutes: Thunder take game 5 vs Pacers & Other NBA News
    Jun 17 2025

    0:00 .... Hello and Welcome ... Ross introduces the panel ...

    0:33 ... Episode #161 is dedicated to Pat Spencer of the Golden State Warriors

    1:23 ... The crew discusses their respective Father's Day celebrations

    2:33 ... Pacers/Thunder game 5 discussion ...

    3:10 ... Bruce felt the seeds of OKC's game 5 victory were planted on Friday night when they came back late in the game to defeat the Pacers on the road. And OKC's defense dominated game 5 from the jump.

    4:49 ... World B felt that Indiana played a sloppy game on Monday and that was their undoing as the turnovers were a huge difference in the game.

    6:56 ... Ross cited Tyrese Haliburton's leg injury and the guys discussed whether Indiana can come back if he is not at full strength.

    8:52 ... World B feels like TJ McConnell might be able to rise to the occasion in game 6 if Haliburton struggles.

    10:21 ... Bruce feels Andrew Nembhard needs to have a big game in game 6 for Indiana.

    12:19 ... Bruce asks Ross if game 5 will be known as "The Jalen Williams game?" Ross agrees and also cites Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for a great effort.

    14:27 ... Bruce cites Williams for his work on defense and how he is a real disruptor on defense and everyone agrees that he has answered all the questions about whether he is a premier "Number Two" in the league.

    15:15 ... Ross tees up everyone for their game 6 predictions ... all three of the guys like Indiana to force a game 7.

    17:05 ... The Memphis Grizzlies have traded Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic and the guys discuss how he fits into the Magic lineup with his great three point shooting and all around game. While Orlando gave up a lot to acquire Bane, the situation in the eastern conference might be very favorable for the Magic with Bane.

    22:44 ... Cole Anthony goes from Orlando to Memphis and World B feels he got a raw deal with the Magic. Bruce feels Anthony's chippy style will play well in Memphis. Kentavious Caldwell Pope hopes to rejuvenate his career with the Grizzlies.

    25:52 ... Memphis gets four unprotected first round draft picks plus a pick swap, so Ross feels Memphis will do fine with this deal. The guys then discuss whether the Grizz might be looking to deal more players, but Jaren Jackson Junior, Ja Morant, and Jaylen Wells all seem to be franchise cornerstones.

    30:36 ... Kevin Durant has told the Suns which three teams he'd like to be traded to: Miami, Houston, or San Antonio. Bruce would love to see KD end up in San Antonio with Victor Wembanyama. World B doesn't feel like KD is chasing a ring since he seems uninterested in going to Minnesota. Bruce cited Marc Stein's report that Miami might offer players other than Bam Adebayo or Tyler Herro and doesn't feel like Phoenix would consider Andrew Wiggins or Duncan Robinson. Ross feels like if Phoenix wants to rebuild, Devin Booker would bring a King's ransom in return.

    38:41 ... The Knicks are having problems finding their next coach because they keep trying to hire coaches that are currently employed by other teams and have looked clueless in their pursuit. World B calls it an embarrassment. Bruce compares Knicks management to the Keystone Cops. Bruce thinks NY should hire Mark Jackson, who played for the Knicks and coached the Warriors as they were about to become a dynasty under Steve Kerr.

    45:30... Ross wraps it up and says good bye and see you next week.

    TRT 45:47
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    46 mins
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