The latest edition of #thisleague UNCUT was being recorded Sunday night by Turner Sports' Chris Haynes and me while Portland's Damian Lillard was in the midst of a assembling a 71-point masterpiece against the hapless Houston Rockets.

Those circumstances led to the sort of podcast we've never recorded before.

Chris and I naturally discussed the amazing slew of games leaguewide coming out of the All-Star break. We talked about Mike Brown's Coach of the Year chances with the Kings and the Lakers' big comeback from 27 points down Sunday afternoon in Dallas. And we certainly marveled at what ranks for many as the game of the season: Sacramento's 176-175 victory Friday night over the LA Clippers in double overtime.

We also talked about Atlanta's hiring of Quin Snyder as its new coach, as well as Phoenix's ongoing desire to make another upgrade to its backcourt before the playoffs, but we ultimately couldn't help but get swept up in Dame Fever as Lillard kept piling up the points against the Rockets.

So brace yourself for some live play-by-play and excited reactions from Chris as it became apparent that Lillard was poised to register a new career high in Dame's first game played since appearing on the pod himself just last week. Then we closed with an impromptu interview conducted with Chauncey Billups when Chris decided to call the Blazers' coach on his drive home after the Portland win.

The following flurry of tweets will give you a taste of the show and make it easy for you to find the podcast if you want to give it a listen:

Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynes

On this #thisleague UNCUT w/ @TheSteinLine, got into Hawks’ hiring Quin Snyder, Lakers, Mavs, Kings, Suns & impromptu call to see if Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups picks up after @Dame_Lillard’s 71-pt night. Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thi… Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3CFwc0…

FOX Sports Radio @FoxSportsRadio

On a NEW episode of #thisleague UNCUT, Blazers coach Chauncey Billups tells @ChrisBHaynes and @TheSteinLine about the conversations he had with @Dame_Lillard late in the fourth quarter of 71-point game Sunday night. FULL POD:

podcasts.apple.com‎#thisleague UNCUT: EPISODE 11 -- Surprises galore on a wild show to start the new week! on Apple Podcasts‎Show #thisleague UNCUT, Ep EPISODE 11 -- Surprises galore on a wild show to start the new week! - Feb 27, 2023

Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
A pod, really, with everything. Standings perspective, live reaction to Dame, coaches/buyouts intel, storytime and, to wrap it, @ChrisBHaynes calling Chauncey Billups on his drive home after Portland's coach watched his star score 71 points. To listen:
podcasts.apple.com‎#thisleague UNCUT: EPISODE 11 -- Surprises galore on a wild show to start the new week! on Apple Podcasts‎Show #thisleague UNCUT, Ep EPISODE 11 -- Surprises galore on a wild show to start the new week! - Feb 27, 2023
3:08 PM ∙ Feb 27, 2023

Marc Stein

An NBA discussion about ... everything