Hoopdarshan

Joining hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok in Episode 89 of Hoopdarshan is the great Micah Adams, the NBA Global Managing Editor for DAZN. One of the most astute minds working in the game today, Adams discussed his on/off court experiences from the All Star Weekend in Chicago, the ELAM Ending, Stats vs. Eye-Test, Kobe, his Mumbai trip for the NBA India Games, the Rockets, 76ers, and more. 

Hoopdarshan pays its tributes to the late great black mamba, as they talk about reactions to receiving news of Kobe Bryant's passing before moving on to Episode 88 that was recorded days before the tragedy. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In the latest episode of the Indian basketball podcast Hoopdarshan, we welcome Norman Swaroop Isaac, India's own FIBA Technical Delegate and Commissioner who has officiated high-level international matches for decades, including the recent FIBA World Cup Final. Isaac speaks to co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok about working a big event like the World Cup, the evolution of international basketball officiating over the years, how to improve the status of Indian basketball, and his own playing days for Andhra Pradesh. 

Join Hoopdarshan in a double-sided bonanza episode, where we wave goodbye to the 2010s by discussing the best of the last ten years. In Part 1, we are joined by Indian basketball writer Gopalakrishnan R. (Ekalavyas) to create India's Men and Women's All-Decade teams. In Part 2, we welcome NBA India expert Akshay Manwani to debate our All-Decade starting fives. It's peak Hoopdarshan, straddling a foot in each of our favourite hooping worlds.     

NBA is back with perhaps the most wide-open season in years. And in this post-NBA India Games era, Hoopdarshan goes back to doing what we do best: predicting the unpredictable. With the help of NBA India's creative director Nakul Yadav, co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok talk about the favourites, the lamest, the Lakers, the Clippers, the changes, the MVPs and everything else in between. 

Welcome to the biggest Hoopdarshan yet, literally, figuratively, metaphorically. Episode 85 is dedicated to the historic NBA India Games in Mumbai. In this jam-packed release, we include interviews with Vivek Ranadive, Jason Williams, Rajesh Sethi, Vanja Cernivec, Diane Gotua, Detlef Schrempf, Domantas Sabonis, Akshay Manwani, and Ridhima Pathak. In addition, Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok discuss the experience of the games in Mumbai first-hand and offer their thoughts on the ongoing NBA-China-Morey controversy. 

On October 4-5, the basketball story in India will take a massive leap with the historic, first-ever NBA India Games: two preaseason matches between the Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings in Mumbai. Hoopdarshan is of course here to break it all down: Co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok welcome NBA India's Content Producer Yash Matange to talk about the lead-up to this event, the two participating teams, off-court events, all the India/Hindi connections, and much more. 

On the eve of the 2019 FIBA Asia Women's Cup in Bengaluru, India's star player Jeena Scaria joins us on Hoopdarshan. In an interview with co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok, Scaria tells us about India's strategy in the tougher Division A of the tournament, the top players to watch out for, and playing pro in Australia - an experience that changed her life both on and off the court.   

The top player in Indian Basketball - Amjyot Singh - joins Hoopdarshan in Episode 82 to discuss his suspension from India's national team, his experiences playing in the NBA G-League, taking part in the 3x3BL in Punjab this season, and rating Gurudwara langar food. In addition, co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok catch up on all the happenings from the Indian basketball universe.   

In Episode 81 of Hoopdarshan, actor, producer and NBA anchor Harman Singha joins on Hoopdarshan to discuss his latest brainchild: Mumbai's 3x3 Street Ball League. Singha discusses the conception of the league with celebrity co-hosts, his brother Rannvijay Singha's basketball skills, his background loving the NBA, and the best food to eat in Jalandhar. 

Hoopdarshan's 80th episode is going to be a long, emotional journey, highlighted with an interview with India's new national team coach, Veselin Matic of Serbia. Matic discusses his plans for Team India going forward, his adjustment in the country so far, and how he hopes to bring a change to Indian basketball. Furthermore, co-hosts Kaushik Lakhsman and Karan Madhok discuss the frantic NBA Free Agency as well as Marathi basketball movie 'Ajinkya'. 

Episode 79 of Hoopdarshan accomplishes two agendas: our reaction to the Toronto Raptors becoming the weirdest NBA champions in years... and the rise of 3x3 basketball in India. Co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok are joined by India's top-ranked FIBA 3x3 player Dhruv Barman who tells us about his unlikely journey into a basketball career and why India's 3x3 can make waves at the Olympics. 

With the NBA reaching its last stage of the season, we invited sports anchor for the NBA in India Manas Singh on Hoopdarshan. In a free-flowing interview, Singh discussed with co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok about the Warriors going for a three-peat, the effect (or non-effect) of Kevin Durant's presence in the Finals, Kawhi Leonard's redemption tour, Stephen Curry's legacy, and why he's potentially 90 minutes away from an inappropriate tattoo.   

The very first guest on Hoopdarshan, Scott Flemming, returns to India's premier basketball podcast in a new role. Flemming was arguably the most successful head coach of India's Men's basketball side, and now works as the Technical Director of the NBA Academy India in Greater Noida. In an in-depth interview with co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok, Flemming talked about the changing opportunities for India's top prospects, what India can do to turn around their recent slump, and the full inside story of the 'Turban-Ban' controversy from the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup.   

One of the most experienced players of Team India, Raspreet Sidhu joins the new episode of the Indian basketball podcast Hoopdarshan. In a wide-ranging conversation with co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok, Sidhu discussed her father's role in her basketball journey, being on court for iconic moments in Indian hoops history, and the struggle for opportunities for India's women players.

To preview the upcoming NBA playoffs, NBA analyst and commentator Akshay Manwani joins Hoopdarshan's co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and KaranMadhok to discuss the battle-royale in the East, the challengers to Golden State in the West, and the players, teams, and moments that have defined this NBA season so far. 

After a long absence, Hoopdarshan returns for Episode 74, with our attention focused towards the future. Hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok are joined by sports journalist Arka Bhattacharya of The Field to discuss building sustainable sports culture in India, lessons for a future Indian pro basketball league, and the current sports-media landscape.

With the season right around its midway point, Hoopdarshan returns with an All-NBA special episode. Joined by special guest Nikhila Makker of FirstPost, co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok talk about the Warriors' dominance, James Harden pros/cons, Pacers vs. Kings in India, and the quality (or lack thereof) of NBA beards.