Ep. 110 Learning Basketball with Roger Galo @GaloMethod

Roger Galo is a NBA Shot-Making & Offensive Efficiency Specialist and author of the upcoming book The Pursuit of the Perfect Shot.

Today we learn about the science of shooting, how new methods of learning how to shoot could be on the frontier, what goes defining all the variables of shot making, what differentiates Steph’s shot from Klay’s form, what makes Jaren Jackson Jr. tough to guard, the mental aspect of shooting, what Lonzo Ball did to change his shot, how Desmond Bane’s Orlando Magic could address their shooting woes, why Maryland guard Darius Adams decided to alter his shooting mechanics, and preview Roger Galo’s new book, The Pursuit of the Perfect Shot.
Timeline:00:00 Introduction & Backgrounds to The Galo Method

03:00 The Science Behind Shot Making

08:00 Identifying Variables in Shooting Mechanics

11:00 Mindfulness in Practice

15:00 NC State Wearable Technology in Shooting Improvement
18:00 How Lonzo Ball Sped Up His Shot

25:00 Revolutionizing Shooting Techniques

34:00 Steph Vs. Klay vs. Jaren – Should Different Shot Types Require Different Shot Mechanics ? (Pull-Up, Movement, Catch-and-Shoot)

39:00 The Mental Aspect of Shooting

44:00 The Importance of Consistency in Shooting

50:00 The Corner Three: A Unique Shot

57:00 Desmond Bane & Orlando Magic Shooting

1:09:00 New Book: The Pursuit of the Perfect Shot

01:18:00 Darius Adams Developing Young Talent

Watch & Listen on YouTube, Spotify, Apple!

Ep. 109 Learning Basketball with Ben Pfeifer @bjpf_

Ben Pfeifer covers the NBA, NBA Draft, and Indiana Pacers for Sportscasting NBA and Swish Theory

Today we learn about Ben's draft grading film-based scouting process and detail the best guard class ever while drafting our Top-20 2026 NBA Draft Guards
Timestamps00:00 Introduction & Background

03:00 Ben Pfeifer's Draft Scouting Process

05:00 Defining Winning Plays in Basketball

08:00 Evaluating Defensive Impact in Draft Prospects

11:00 The Importance of Context in Scouting

15:00 Historic Saturday Night for 2026 NBA Draft Freshman

17:00 Spotlight on Tyler Tanner's Potential

23:00 The Challenge of Undersized Guards

26:00 Scouting Profiles and Data Visualization

28:00 The Guards-Only 2026 NBA Draft

29:00 Darryn Peterson

34:00 Kingston Flemings

47:00 Mikel Brown

50:00 Ebuka Okorie

53:00 LaBaron Philon

56:00 Bennett Stirtz

59:00 Meleek Thomas

01:10:00 Darius Acuff

01:27:00 Acaden Lewis
11-20
11 Christian Anderson
12 Brayden Burries
13 Tamin Lipsey
14 Tahaad Pettiford
15 Braden Smith
16 Jaylen Petty
17 Bruce Thornton
18 Rob Wright
19 Otega Oweh
20 Cayden Boozer

Ep. 108 of Learning Basketball with Philip Rossman-Reich @philiprr_OMD

Philip is a Senior writer at Orlando Magic Daily and host of Locked On Magic podcast and freelance reporter for the AP

Today we learn about the Orlando Magic's up-and-down season, explain the inconsistencies, and discuss how the rest of the season can go from here as the team gets healthy with a lot of home games in there future, Anthony Black's breakout season, Rookies Noah Penda's and Jase Richardson's immediate impact, Orlando's Trade Deadline Plans, the new coaching staff's impact, and Phil's journey growing Orlando Magic Daily

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction & Background

02:00 Expectations vs. Reality for the Magic

05:00 Philip's Journey Growing Orlando Magic Daily

08:00 Magic Split International Series 1-1 vs Memphis

10:00 Explaining Inconsistencies

14:00 Defensive Struggles and Injuries

17:00 The Impact of key players

20:00 Gameplan, Coaching strategies, Unlocking Paolo Banchero

23:00 Season Outlook – As Orlando injuries come to an end for now, with a lighter travel the rest of the way, how do the Magic take advantage to reach their goals?

35:00 Phil's Thoughts on Coach Mosley's impact this season, his new staff and team playstyle

46:30

Rookie Contributions from Noah Penda and Jase Richardson

50:04

Trade Deadline Plans and Trade Candidates

Ep. 107 of Learning Basketball with Es Baraheni @JustEsBaraheni

Es Baraheni covers the Toronto Raptors & NBA at NBA Daily, Raptors Republic, and Sportscasting NBA.

Today we learn about Ja Morant Trade Rumors, The Trae Young Trade Aftermath for Atlanta and Washington, and this Toronto Raptors Surprise Start: the defensive versatility of Scottie Barnes and immediate two-way impact of Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, Brandon Ingram's tough shotmaking, Darko's coaching style, Barrett's and Quickley's scoring

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction & Background

02:00 Trae Young Trade Aftermath for Hawks & Wizards

12:00 Ja Morant Trade Rumors & Toronto Fit

31:00 Toronto Raptors Surprise of NBA Season - What’s Working? Scottie Barnes & Collin Murray-Boyles

37:00 How Brandon Ingram’s tough shotmaking spaces defensive frontcourt

45:00 Are Scottie and CMB both Untouchable Franchise Cornerstones in Trade Talks?53:00 Breaking Down 2025-26 Toronto Raptors: Impact of Scorers Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett + Unsung Hero of The Season? Alijah Martin, Potential Draft/Trade Targets

Ep. 106 Learning Basketball with Josh Cohen @Josh_Cohen_NBA

Josh Cohen covers the Orlando Magic and NBA with OrlandoMagic.com and his YouTube channel

Today we learn about the state of the Orlando Magic halfway through the season, Paolo Banchero's clutch gamewinners and vital playmaking skills, Anthony Black's two-way development, Jamahl Mosley's motivational coaching tactics, and the strong rookie play of Jase Richardson and Noah Penda

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction & Background

02:00 Paolo Banchero's Clutch Shots, Playmaking Impact, and staying Confident through the noise of the NBA

18:00 Rookies Shine – Jase Richardson and Noah Penda

27:00 Coach Mosley's Motivational Coaching Tactics

35:00 Anthony Black's Development and Versatility + How do the Magic Rank Top-5 in Not Turning The Ball Over?

Ep. 105 Learning Basketball with Ku Khahil @KuKhahil

Ku Khahil covers the Detroit Pistons on his Substack newsletter and as host of the Locked On Detroit Pistons Podcast

Today we learn about the 1-seed Detroit Pistons, ask if Cade Cunningham can win MVP, and highlight the impact of Ausar Thompson's defense, Jalen Duren downhill playmaking, Jaden Ivey adjusting his role, Beef Stew's blocks, JB Bickerstaff's culture and the depth of this Pistons squad

Ep. 105 Learning Basketball with Aaron Proia is the owner of OWE Scouting, the host of the Hoops Thread Podcast, and a senior writer with Prep Hoops Maryland.
Today we learn about Aaron Proia’s basketball scouting philosophy, his process of scouting in person versus on film, NBA teams hunting intel, and an update on standout prospects on NBA Draft radars already in college and around the grassroots scene. Highlighting prospects like Jordan Smith Jr., Paul Osaruyi, Beckham Black, Jaxon Richardson, JoJo Philon, Baba Oladotun, Qayden Samuels, Meleek, Acuff, Bidunga

Ep. 103 Learning Basketball with Bennett Herbert! (@bendog28)

Bennett Herbert is a lawyer and San Antonio Spurs Fan who shares NBA Draft and NBA basketball analysis on Twitter.

Today we analyze and preview the Spurs-Thunder NBA Cup + Christmas Day marquee matchups and we learn more about Victor Wembanyama's shot deterrence, the Spurs guards (Fox Harper Castle Vassell) working together in complementary ways, the coaching stylistic similarities and differences between new Spurs Head Coach Mitch Johnson compared to Gregg Popovich, and we consider Wemby's award chances and the Spurs' title chances this season.

00:00 Introduction & Background

02:00 Scouting Process Watching Film & Evaluating NBA Draft Prospects

05:00 The Intersection of Stats and Film

09:00 The State of the San Antonio Spurs

12:00 Spurs-Thunder NBA Cup Matchup + Wembanyama’s on-court impact

15:00 San Antonio’s Three (four?) Guards are additive, not negative

18:00 Stephon Castle's Development and Ideal Offensive Role

21:00 The Spurs winning with and without Wemby playing small with Positionless Basketball

24:00 Defensive Goals of the Spurs

32:00 Comparing Head Coach Mitch Johnson’s styles to ‘el jefe’ Gregg Popovich39:00 Most Underrated Players in Spurs' Success?

42:00 Experimenting with Lineups: The Sneaky Killer Big Man Duo of Wemby and Kornet

45:00 Christmas Day Preview: Spurs vs. Thunder

48:00 Wemby’s Award Chances for DPOY and MVP

51:00 The Spurs are here early. Are they already Contenders or still playoff Pretenders?