It has been a wild, whiplash-inducing stretch for professional basketball in Minnesota, and we are breaking it all down in this jam-packed episode.

First, host Steve Hartman welcomes Derek Long (aka "Croonch" on social media) to process a stunning wave of Minnesota Timberwolves offseason moves. They unpack the emotional fallout of the blockbuster trade sending fan-favorite Naz Reid to Charlotte in exchange for All-Star guard LaMelo Ball.

From the "business side" vs. the "emotional side" of losing a homegrown legend, to analyzing how LaMelo's elite pick-and-roll play will mesh with Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert, they leave no stone unturned. Plus, they dive into the Julius Randle trade, the re-signing of Ayo Dosunmu, NBA draft night featuring second-round pick Isaiah Evans, and assistant coach Micah Nori landing the head coaching job in Portland.

Then, the conversation shifts to the sizzling-hot Minnesota Lynx, who are currently sitting atop the WNBA standings. The Star Tribune’s Cassidy Hettesheimer joins the show to discuss the immediate, generational impact of rookie point guard Olivia Miles, the #2 overall pick in the draft. Cassidy gives us the latest timeline updates on Napheesa Collier's return from injury, evaluates the elite defensive schemes of Cheryl Reeve using Nia Coffey and Natasha Howard, and explores the legendary player-evaluation and organizational culture built by head coach and GM Reeve.

• Host: Steve Hartman
• Guests: Derek Long (@Croonch) & Cassidy Hettesheimer (The Star Tribune)
• Check out more: Read Cassidy's work at StarTribune.com/sports and follow Derek's writing on Substack.

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Fresh off an incredible 25-4 debut season that brought packed stands back to the St. Paul community, St. Paul Central Head Coach Cam Jones joins the podcast.

As the reigning St. Paul City Conference Coach of the Year, Jones pulls back the curtain on what made last season's team so special and what he learned to help prepare this year's team with summer workouts starting.

We trace his relentless journey from volunteer AAU circles to the collegiate ranks at Bethel University, and how those foundational experiences shaped his high-level, detail-oriented approach at Central.

Inside the Episode:

• The Power of Trust: How long-term player relationships and having a "floor general" like Eli Moseman fueled a championship run.
• The College Blueprint: The lessons Jones learned coaching at Bethel and how those defined his coaching staff roles at the high school level.
• Offseason Reality Checks: Navigating year two with a young roster, moving past a historic 11-senior class, and why "comparison is the thief of joy" when measuring program success.
• Brutal Recruiting Truths: What college coaches are actually looking for on the circuit, and the body language habits that will get a player crossed off a recruiting list instantly.
• Lightning Round: The toughest road environments in the St. Paul City Conference (shoutout to Johnson and Highland), a surprising take on the LA vs. Twin Cities food scene, and the ultimate non-negotiable of his program: "dying to yourself" for the team.

Host Steve Hartman also kicks off the show with a look at the latest headlines: the newly confirmed Gophers/St. Thomas home-and-home series, the Lynx’s dominant run and star rookie Olivia Miles, and the Knicks finally snapping their 53-year title drought.

Connect with the Show & Guest:

• Follow the Pod on Socials: @SplashCityPodcast on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook
• Website: SplashCityBasketball.com
• Read Steve’s Latest Blog: Check out the Gophers vs. St. Thomas breakdown at HittingTheHardwood.com
• Follow Coach Cam Jones: @coach_camjones

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Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube.

Follow Splash City Basketball Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky.

What is it actually like to be a die-hard fan when your team is on the precipice of ending a championship drought? On this episode of the Splash City Basketball Podcast, host Steve Hartman shifts the focus to the bleachers and the concourses, bringing on New York native and ultimate Knicks fan Nick Jezerian to deliver the definitive fan perspective on the 2026 NBA Finals.

Nick opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of traveling down to San Antonio with his teenage son, confronting past sports trauma from road arenas, deciding whether to boldly wear his Knicks gear, and discovering that an incredible third of the crowd was packed with fellow New York faithful. From fans singing in the hallways to high-fiving in the Uber lines, Nick describes the surreal feeling of watching a high-stakes away game turn completely into a home environment.

The guys also contrast that hostile road victory with the legendary, localized DNA of Madison Square Garden. Nick looks back at the legendary playoff comebacks he’s witnessed at the Mecca —where not a single soul leaves their seat early —and describes the pure basketball culture of a city that lives and breathes the sport.

Finally, they pivot to the fan relationship with Karl-Anthony Towns, tracing how a city built on grit and attitude transformed a complicated regular season connection into full-blown love for a potential Finals MVP frontrunner.

It’s an episode dedicated to the traveling fan, arena camaraderie, and the beautiful, raucous reality of New York basketball peaking at the perfect time!

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Follow Splash City Basketball Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky.