On this episode of Finding The Seams, Ric Bucher and NBA champion Brendan Haywood cover everything from failed 72-hour fasts to the most important debates shaping today’s NBA.

Brendan explains why his first-ever fast ended after 36 hours, why retired big men fight to keep weight off, and why seven-footers have the gnarliest feet in professional sports. Then the conversation turns serious with the impact of Nikola Jokić’s injury, how it could reshape the Western Conference, and why teams like the San Antonio Spurs may suddenly become nightmare playoff matchups.

The duo break down why Victor Wembanyama is already changing offensive behavior across the league, debate the controversial 65-game minimum for NBA awards, and argue why “availability is part of ability.”

Brendan also shares unforgettable stories from playing alongside Michael Jordan, including what MJ put his body through at age 40 just to give fans “the Michael Jordan experience.” The episode closes with a heated discussion on whether LeBron James deserves an automatic All-Star spot—and wild behind-the-scenes stories about David Stern that prove the NBA used to operate very differently.

• 0:00 – Welcome to Finding The Seams
• 1:40 – Brendan’s 36-hour fast (and why he folded)
• 4:30 – Why NBA big men have destroyed feet
• 6:00 – Nikola Jokic injury & West playoff chaos
• 9:15 – Why Wembanyama already warps defenses
• 12:40 – The 65-game rule explained
• 17:30 – Michael Jordan’s “play no matter what” mentality
• 20:15 – Should LeBron be an automatic All-Star?
• 25:20 – David Stern’s ruthless commissioner stories
• 36:00 – Rookie class standouts & surprises
• 43:00 – Fast talk, family hierarchy & closing laughs

#FindingTheSeams #NBATalk #NBAPodcast #MichaelJordan #LeBronJames #VictorWembanyama #NikolaJokic #NBAAllStar #65GameRule #UnitedWeCast

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It’s a post-holiday edition of Finding The Seams with Ric Bucher and NBA champ Brendan Haywood, and it starts with Brendan attempting a 72-hour fast (yes, really) before the conversation turns into a full-on NBA culture and contenders breakdown.

The guys dive into why the San Antonio Spurs are 3-0 vs the Oklahoma City Thunder, what that says about Victor Wembanyama vs Chet Holmgren, and why OKC may have accidentally given the Spurs something dangerous: confidence. Then the focus shifts to the Los Angeles Lakers, where JJ Redick’s blunt “we don’t care enough” message meets a harsh NBA truth: the ultimate “or what?” moment—because you can’t just bench LeBron James or Luka Doncic.

From there, Ric and Brendan connect the dots on the Warriors’ culture cracks, Draymond Green vs Steve Kerr, and why the organization—not just the coach—has to set the tone. They close with the Cleveland Cavaliers’ puzzling regression, debating Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley—and who you’d actually build around.

00:00 – Show intro: college-to-pro jump, roster battles

00:43 – Post-holiday check-in: Brendan attempts a 72-hour fast

02:06 – Best holiday gifts + sneaker talk + “Varnel Hill” swagger jokes

05:29 – Spurs vs OKC: why San Antonio is a real problem for the Thunder

08:26 – Spurs’ advantage: multiple ball-handlers + Wemby mismatch

09:21 – Wemby vs Chet: “battery in Chet’s back” + intensity discussion

11:39 – Brendan’s LeBron story: hard foul, forearm shiver, respect

14:48 – Lakers: JJ Redick’s frustration after blowout loss

17:19 – Houston’s athleticism exposes Lakers’ limits

17:50 – The NBA coaching reality: the ultimate “Or what?” moment

20:00 – Why that “or what” can damage coaching authority long-term

21:45 – Lakers roster construction + defense problem without elite rim protection

24:01 – LeBron’s discomfort in a Luka-led reality

26:53 – Lakers & Warriors parallels: aging cores, defensive strain

28:18 – Warriors: Kerr/Dray tension and discipline vs culture

30:45 – Pop coaching Tim Duncan: how great orgs set the standard

33:36 – Why front offices must back the coach (Miami model)

35:09 – Warriors’ “last gasp” argument + payroll/roster trap

37:58 – Cavaliers: what’s gone wrong, young guys not progressing

42:15 – Cavs “value ranking”: Mobley vs Mitchell vs Garland debate

46:44 – Outro: will Brendan survive the fast? (stay tuned)

#FindingTheSeams #RicBucher #BrendanHaywood #NBA #Lakers #LeBronJames #LukaDoncic #JJRedick #Spurs #Wembanyama #Thunder #ChetHolmgren #Warriors #DraymondGreen #SteveKerr #Cavaliers #DonovanMitchell #DariusGarland #EvanMobley #NBAPodcast

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The very hydrated Brendan Haywood returns with Ric Bucher for another wild episode of Finding The Seams—starting with a new invention request: a hydration button (because Brendan’s mic is picking up everything). From there, it’s a hoops-to-life rollercoaster: Brendan gets rerouted to Champaign, Illinois and is forced to fly coach for the first time in forever—and he reacts like a 7-footer trapped in a sardine can.

Then the guys break down the NBA Cup Final: why the New York Knicks flipped the game late, what it says about their title contender status in a shaky East, and what Victor Wembanyama still needs late in games (mid-post “meat and potatoes,” not tween-tween step-backs).

They also dive into the growing OKC vs Spurs tension and why that matchup could turn into a long-term rivalry—plus a spicy conversation about generational talent (Wemby vs SGA) and what championship bigs usually need: elite guard play.

Finally, the Lakers soap opera returns: LeBron vs Luka dynamics, the “who takes the technical FT?” moment, Luka gifting teammates e-bikes, and Brendan’s brutally funny take on LeBron as the cheapest billionaire (with a twist: sponsorship gifting). And yes—there’s also the legendary story of Brendan selling jersey numbers for real money.

#FindingTheSeams #RicBucher #BrendanHaywood #NBA #NBACup #NewYorkKnicks #SanAntonioSpurs #VictorWembanyama #Wemby #ShaiGilgeousAlexander #SGA #OKCThunder #Lakers #LeBronJames #LukaDoncic #NBAAnalysis #BasketballPodcast #NBAStories #SportsPodcast

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