# NBA IS BACK...SO IS THE CAP | Ep. 18

An episode of [Give Me the Ball](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/6785322005), 28 Oct 2026, 53 min.

Audio: https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/1e573466fd19d7d67ede850ca09574a3eeef71cf1daa57d5c6a74a0dcbc18d63/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI0MGYyZmVjYi0zN2ZhLTQ4MTUtOTg5OC04OWI0NGZjYjNiYTkiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjY2MxMDA5MS1lY2U1LTQ5OGMtYjZmYS02YTVjZDE0MDY5NjYiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YTNiMTkzZjQ0ODM3MzdjNzVlZWQwMDAiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNmFlMjA3MzY4OWQwZjkwMjUxYTgwZGZiL2RqLWdyZWVucy1zdHVkaW8tcnl1c2EtMjAyNi0xMC0yOF9fMTQtMzEtMTgubXAzIn0=.mp3

Give Me the Ball | Episode 18: "NBA IS BACK...SO IS THE CAP" The NBA season is officially underway, and DJ and Yo are already trying to recover from their questionable opening-week predictions. After getting humbled by their first picks, the guys run it back and predict more NBA matchups, including some early-season games that have already caught their attention. From the Miami Heat struggling to live up to Yo’s preseason expectations to the Lakers, Timberwolves, and Thunder trying to establish themselves, the guys discuss what they’ve seen so far and which teams deserve the hype. It’s still early in the season, but that won’t stop DJ and Yo from making bold predictions—and holding each other accountable when they get them wrong. The conversation then turns to injuries, team expectations, and one question that could bring a familiar face back to Oklahoma City: should the Thunder consider bringing back Russell Westbrook? With key players dealing with injuries, DJ and Yo debate whether Westbrook could still help his former team or whether a reunion would be a bad idea. They also discuss Westbrook’s legacy, his connection to OKC, and whether the organization has treated him with the respect he deserves. Would returning to the Thunder make sense for Russ, or should he leave that chapter of his career in the past? From there, DJ and Yo get into one of the NBA’s biggest debates: the MVP race and the way the game is being played. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is putting up big numbers, but DJ questions how enjoyable his style of play is to watch, especially when it comes to drawing fouls. Nikola Jokić’s all-around dominance enters the conversation, too, with the guys debating whether his production deserves more MVP recognition. Is SGA’s ability to get to the free-throw line just smart basketball, or has foul-baiting become too big a part of the NBA? And if Jokić keeps putting up historic numbers, how can he be left out of the MVP conversation? Finally, the guys break down the ongoing conversation surrounding Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. After Boston’s championship success and the attention surrounding the two stars, DJ and Yo debate who deserves more credit, whether Tatum knew about the situation surrounding Brown, and how much each player contributed to the Celtics’ achievements. Does Tatum’s overall body of work make him Boston’s most valuable player, or did Brown prove he can carry the team when it matters most? The guys bring their own basketball experience to the debate and explain why the situation has fans reading into every comment and reaction. From NBA predictions and Russell Westbrook rumors to the MVP race, foul-baiting, and Celtics drama, Episode 18 is packed with strong opinions, basketball debates, and a few takes that might not age well. DJ and Yo aren’t always going to agree—but they’re always going to give you a reason to join the conversation. Lace up. Let’s get into it. 🏀 📲 Follow & Subscribe: 📸 Instagram → @givemetheball.podcast 🎵 TikTok → @givemetheball.podcast ▶️ YouTube → @GiveMetheBall.Podcast

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