The Illuminati takes stock of the onslaught of Media Day content and try to ascertain just how much weight has been gained or lost this offseason. In order to fully understand the Ime Udoka scandal, you need to hear the story within the story from this week's Truth Teller, Ethan Sherwood Strauss of House of Strauss, who unpacks what the Worldwide Leader said in the wake of the news -- and more importantly, what they didn't say. Subscribe to Ethan's Substack: https://houseofstrauss.substack.com/ Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the news that Robert Sarver is selling the Phoenix Suns and Mercury, the Illuminarmy generals get back in the trenches and deliver a bonus episode for the soldiers out there. We have an exclusive Truth-Teller interview with former Suns employee David Bodzin, one of the whistleblowers in the Sarver scandal, who opens some eyes about his incident with Sarver, how it was handled by his bosses and what he thinks Sarver's decision to sell the team.  Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Illuminati are eager to see how the Dennis Schröder signing impacts Russell Westbrook and his role in Los Angeles. Meanwhile in the desert, the palace intrigue of the Phoenix Suns continues to unravel as the Robert Sarver fallout deepens. Who is Jahm Najafi and why are Colin Kaepernick and Larry Fitzgerald involved? Not satisfied, we consult with Truth Teller Domonique Foxworth of ESPN, who lends his experience as a former NFLPA and NBPA exec negotiating with owners and league executives in the room where it happens. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While the Illuminati can't help but acknowledge the EuroBasket legend that is Gianmarco Pozzecco, there are more pressing, important matters to discuss. First, we parse through the NBA's 40-page report on the investigation into Suns/Mercury governor Robert Sarver to discover why the punishment was so lenient, allowing him to maintain ownership of the team. Then we are joined by Truth Teller Matt Sullivan, who takes us behind the scenes of his Rolling Stone cover story on Stephen Curry and reveals which NBA legend's interview he cut from the final draft. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Donovan Mitchell saga has reached its next chapter, as he's headed out of Utah in a blockbuster trade with... the Cleveland Cavaliers?!? What does the inability to poach a superstar mean for Leon Rose and the CAA Knicks? And who's really negotiating these deals for various teams around the league? Sean Patrick Griffin returns to the Illuminati to dissect Untold: Operation Flagrant Foul, the Netflix documentary about Tim Donaghy. The author of Gaming The Game connects the dots on how the doc was made, declassifies some conversations he's had with a co-conspirator and reveals what crucial details were absent in our Truth Tellers segment. Stay vigilant, Illuminarmy soldiers; don't let yourself get second-hand #sacked. Buy Sean's Book Gaming the Game Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While the Illuminati continue to deliberate the new Tim Donaghy documentary on Netflix, some eyes need to be opened regarding RJ Barrett's surprising, poisonous extension with the New York Knicks. We break the code on what the reporting means for the Knicks brass and how it affects the purloining of Donovan Mitchell from the Jazz. Then we seek counsel from Jeff Stotts of InStreetClothes, the grim reaper only summoned when tragedy strikes, to discuss Chet Holmgren's unfortunate foot injury and learn the truth about the Lisfranc and the top pick's future. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Illuminarmy generals react to The Boardroom -- sorry -- KD news that dropped on Tuesday and what it means for Third Eye Kai's partnership with Brooklyn. Amin connects the dots for the listeners and explains why Udonis Haslem's signing foretold the groundbreaking renewal of vows. Speaking of groundbreaking, with the new Tim Donaghy doc coming out on Netflix, we spoke to Donaghy expert, Gaming The Game author and criminal justice professor Sean Patrick Griffin to separate the truth from the lies behind the betting scandal that rocked the NBA. Buy Sean's Book Gaming the Game Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we explain the NBA schedule being leaked before it was released and what the Christmas Day lineup really signifies. Shortly after our Tamper Tantrum episode, Bronaldinho James is dominating the airwaves again, dunking on the entire city of Paris. Tom Does Some More Research on his lack of college offers. On the two-year anniversary of the greatest scoring display in playoff history, we open some third eyes on the so-called Bubble Gangsters and whether we should take Bubble performances seriously. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even though one of the generals enters Health and Safety Protocols, Basketball Illuminati must soldier forth because the truth waits for no one. After picking through the scrap heap of NBA headlines at ESPN, Tom, Amin and Mayes have no choice but to phone a friend, Ethan Strauss of the House of Strauss, to see what he's been writing about lately. Subscribe to Ethan's Substack: https://houseofstrauss.substack.com/ Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While the mainstream media wonders about LeBron James' future with the Lakers, the Illuminarmy generals urge its soldiers to instead pay close attention to the stars aligning in Sin City. What do college coaches know about Bronny James that they won't tell us? Tom connects the dots and investigates what's really going on with the James'. Speaking of investigations, just as predicted by Basketball Illuminati, the NBA has opened up investigations into the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers on tampering charges before Amin ambushes The Agenda with an Inconvenient Truth about tampering. Finally, Tom Does His Own Research on the late, great Bill Russell's career before Amin urges you to look more closely at the famous picture of Russell with all his rings. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Illuminati soldier forth shorthanded as Tom enjoys a much deserved vacation, leaving Amin and Mayes to forage for scraps of NBA news in the summer wasteland. Is there any substance to the latest batch of Kevin Durant trade discussions? Then legendary Truth Teller J.A. Adande sets aside his professorial tweed jacket and dons the Basketball Illuminati robes once again, guiding us through the Joe Smith saga, the most severe punishment in NBA history, and just how Sterny former commissioner David Stern could get. Adande's LA Times Article from October 2000 Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the rest of the media tries to sneak in a vacation, the Illuminati are working tirelessly, clarifying why the offer sheet extended to Deandre Ayton by the Indiana Pacers was matched by the Phoenix Suns. When a strange statement was cryptically released by Russell Westbrook's former agent, the new segment Code Breakers was born to decipher its true meaning. Finally Truth Teller Travonne Edwards from The Athletic takes us inside the Drew League, explains why everyone thought Kyrie Irving would be there with LeBron, that Kevin Durant is not gonna let his summer get messed up, and the social currency that comes with suiting up for the Lakers. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom and Amin take the Illuminati show on the road, all the way out to the desert of Las Vegas, where they were able to track down Truth Teller Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports. The specter of the Slim Reaper continues to haunt the league, as Kevin Durant's future is inextricably bound to his partner in dysfunction Third Eye Kai's. Tom also managed to find time to Do His Own Research on the effectiveness of a five year max extension to retain a superstar on your team, and Vinnie shares his favorite NBA conspiracy. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin Durant's trade demand sent shockwaves throughout the league, and the Winds of Change emanating from this colossal event traveled all the way across the country, leading to major questions. What's going on in Utah? How is Ben Simmons continuing to complicate things off the court for the Nets? What future deals were brokered at Michael Rubin's palatial party last weekend? And just who exactly was Jeanie Buss talking about that can't hold a candle to KB? Basketball Illuminati Investigates. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Third Eye Kai continues to manipulate his media pawns in the offseason chess game, but he's not the only point guard with an agenda; John Wall's defied the CBA by hopping aboard the Clipper's ship. After taking a victory lap at news of the Charlotte Hornets' family reunion, the Illuminati are joined by Truth Teller Yaron Weitzman of Fox Sports, who shares details from his exclusive interview with NBA powerbroker Michael Rubin now that he has been liberated from his 'impractical' ownership stake in the Philadelphia 76ers. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we bid farewell to Parade 4 Klay and his championship hat, it?s time to welcome in the NBA?s misdirection season. Third-Eye Kai Irving is sending out cryptic tweets to kick off Draft week and the Illuminarmy generals decrypt it for the masses. Who's really pulling the Strings in Brooklyn? Then B/R?s newsbreaker Jake Fischer joins us for Truth Tellers and expands our minds with trade rumors and the truth behind league spin-cycling. And lastly, Tom Did His Own Research about draft intel they don?t want you to know about, which quickly turns into Amin?s Inconvenient Truth. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the Warriors push the Celtics to the brink of elimination, Steph Curry pushes the media to the brink of denying him his deserved Finals MVP. While the mainstream are distracted by these petty squabbles, the Illuminati turn back the clock to a simpler time. The year was 2014. Tom and Amin were a couple of naive, two eyed journalists covering the Heat/Spurs championship rematch, until a broken air conditioner changed everything. With the help of objective observers Izzy Gutierrez and Dan McCarney, we unveil our list of suspects in this conspiratorial whodunit. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we do every week on this show, it's time to run it back, Pat Riley style. First we pull back the curtain on the conversation everyone's talking about -- Draymond Green avoiding ejection in Game 2 while putting pressure on the officials as well as the Celtics, declassifying some data on the referees involved that will pry open your third eye. Then this week's Truth Teller is fearless NBA beat writer Andy Larsen from the Salt Lake Tribune, who CAAndidly connects the dots on Donovan Mitchell's unsettlement with Quin Snyder stunning, completely unexpected resignation.  Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the NBA Finals on the horizon, the Illuminati turn back the clock all the way to their first two episodes when a three pointer disappears due to the law of conservation of points. Darvin Ham is the new coach of the Lake Show, what does this mean for our favorite soap opera Doc & Daryl? With the Celtics and Warriors harvesting the bounty of their locally sourced, home grown talent, is the Super Team an endangered species? Was Max Strus' foot out of bounds? And who reviews the reviewer? We're just asking questions... Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the Doc Hollywood rumors continue to swirl, we ask our Illuminarmy not to fall for the agenda-driven narratives about Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, while Amin shares an Inconvenient Truth about fraudulent injury reports. Finally, we investigate the NBA?s latest press release bragging about its referee technology with the help of Truth Telling officiating experts Shelley Russi and Don Vaden of Thirdside Coaching. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our exclusive Draft Lottery coverage continues this week with truth teller Howard Beck from Sports Illustrated, but not before choosing sides in the power struggle in Philly and examining the beefy backstory of Patrick Beverley and Chris Paul. After we pry open his third eye, Howard shares his favorite NBA conspiracy theory, taking us on a joyride to Los Angeles circa 2011. We also reminisce on our favorite draft lottery "winners" from years past with the help of Illuminarmy heroes Bomani Jones, John Skipper and Ethan Sherwood Strauss. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the NBA Draft Lottery upon us, the Illuminarmy generals talk to award-winning journalist Patrick Hruby about the 1985 Draft Lottery conspiracy theory, his fascinating hunt for truth and why his commissioned report got spiked at ESPN in 2012. Hruby, this week's Truthteller, reveals for the first time how his magazine feature ironically became a talking point for former commissioner David Stern during the 2012 NBA Finals. Plus, Amin reacts to the Winning Time season finale before we unveil the game within the game within the Boston-Milwaukee series. Lastly, Tom Did His Own Research about the tidal wave of offensive fouls. Read Patrick's article The Truth Is Out There Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the Los Angeles Lakers coaching search comes full circle, the Zen Master just doesn't hold a candle to the Shadow GM. On this week's episode, we bring in famed NBA bettor and former Mavericks executive Haralabos "Bob" Voulgaris to reveal searing truths about the league. Voulgaris takes us behind the curtain in Dallas and shares his lessons from the room where it happens and the reasons why he retired from gambling. We'll also review Draymond Green's flagrant reputation and share surprising data about Scott Foster, the referee the Association told you not to worry about. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get your brooms out, it's time to sweep this messy Nets season into the dust bin, but not before we decrypt one last message from Kyrie Irving. Misinformation spreads on the internet like wildfire, so consider us your source for verification and authentication as we sift through the headlines. Finally, the unexpected axing of James Borrego by the Charlotte brass calls our attention to the hiring methodology and practices of one Michael Jeffrey Jordan. What will the next Hornets coach need to have on their resumé? Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NBA Playoffs have arrived and the deceptions out there are stronger than ever. Make sure to keep your third eye open as Stephen Curry returns to the Warriors and Kyrie Irving flips off an entire fanbase. To get the record straight on rampant strange block/charge calls, we bring in former NBA referee Don Vaden. Amin shares an Inconvenient Truth about technical difficulties and we defend against a misinformation campaign about NBA awards with some truth about the media voting process. Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The regular season is over, but the Lakers are still attempting to control the narrative. Basketball Illuminati won't let it happen. On this week's episode, we'll unveil what's really going on in this Raptors-Sixers matchup -- the Medical Series between Doc and Nurse that promises to get bloody. Speaking of medicals, Tom Did His Own Research on NBA star absences and Amin proposes "a great solution" for commissioner Adam Silver. We bring in Truth-teller and injury guru Jeff Stotts of the In Street Clothes podcast to share intel about the biggest injuries in the NBA and when those players might be back. Last but not least, Amin shares a most Inconvenient Truth about Magic Johnson. Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the last week of the NBA season, where teams jostle for playoff positioning and MVP candidates make one last furious push to the finish line. Although the Lakers have been officially eliminated from the Playoffs, LeBron James still has something to play for. We are joined by Wosny Lambre of The Ringer to discuss his burgeoning status as a newsbreaker and render a diagnosis on the state of the process and its various moving parts. Finally, Kyrie knows something we are all too afraid to acknowledge. Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An NBA player attacks one of our own, and we won?t hold our tongue. Fellow truth-tellers Kate Fagan and Jessica Smetana of the Off The Looking Glass podcast join us to expose a massive basketball injustice that plagues March Madness. And lastly, our eyes are opened to some graphic content and we keep digging to reveal which teams secretly coddle their stars, leading us to serve Kevin Durant with his newest nickname: The Scape-GOAT. Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

LeBron James dunked his way out of an invitation to Kevin Love's wedding, and he's having "the time of his life". Just like Kevin Love's pride, a lot of your favorite NBA players are hurt right now. Tom and Amin decrypt the coded language of NBA front office executives and reveal when we can expect to see stars such as Ben Simmons, Kawhi Leonard, and Jamal Murray back on the court. Then Tom parses the data on Russell Westbrook's shot attempts in an effort to free his mind from restrictions of conformity, and finally we monitor the level of spice in the beef stew simmering between the Warriors and a certain referee. Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Basketball Illuminati worldwide exclusive: the man behind Ballsack Sports joins the program. How did the Joker of sports media infiltrate ESPN and expose the industry?s blindness to reality? What?s the endgame? Mr. Ballsack explains the phenomenon behind his crusade for truth. Plus, KAT?s 60 and the Lakers play-in, Tom Did His Own Research about star trios and Amin has had enough of Draymond?s latest campaign. Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Basketball Illuminarmy has enlisted new soldier in the fight to uncover the truth, and he comes equipped with a keyboard and microphone. Ethan Strauss joins the show to discuss CAA v Klutch and just how far the agency tendrils extend into the seats of Power in the NBA. Tom and Amin also address Russell Westbrook's frustrations and LeBron taking The Shop's talents to Youtube. Subscribe to Ethan's Substack: https://houseofstrauss.substack.com/ Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don?t be fooled, Illuminarmy: The MVP has already been awarded. Then, Amin connects the dots on the scheme to accelerate Zion?s exodus to the Big Apple. Finally, Tom does his own research on the hidden hand of the NBA and which teams receive the best refs. We will not be silenced. Send tips to [email protected] and be sure to keep your third eye open. Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After NBA Commissioner Adam Silver attempts to shut reporters out, Tom Haberstroh and Amin Elhassan urge the Basketball Illuminarmy to stay vigilant and keep their eyes open. We connect the dots and find that the prophecy is coming true: LeBron James is going back to Cleveland with Bronaldinho. Then Amin delivers his Inconvenient Truth about yet another referee cover-up and introduces the Law of Conservation of Points. And finally, Tom Does His Own Research, and everything comes full circle in Episode 2. We will not be silenced. Send tips to [email protected] and be sure to keep your third eye open. Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the premiere episode of Basketball Illuminati, longtime NBA insiders Amin Elhassan and Tom Haberstroh connect the dots on the Harden-Simmons trade and plot where it goes next. For the first time, Tom publicly releases details about BuddyGate, a mysterious disappearance that happened before our very eyes. Finally, Tom does his own research and uncovers information about Amin?s old acquaintance. Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tired of agenda-driven basketball talk that only offers glimpses of the truth? Wish there was a place you could get the full picture? Basketball Illuminati offers you salvation. Go behind the scenes with insider analysis previously restricted from the general public. Fearless NBA Insiders Amin Elhassan and Tom Haberstroh peel back the curtain on the ?why? things happen in the NBA. Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices