Hoops, There it is! Xavier Justin from The Hot Hand Theory Podcast - October 29th, 2026
EST Afternoons with Hernan Salas & Joaquin GageShow Notes
It's time for another edition of Hoops, There It Is! as the boys go around the NBA, joined by Xavier Justin from The Hot Hand Theory and Locked On Knicks podcasts. The conversation starts in New York, where the Knicks are beginning to find their rhythm after a difficult start, picking up back-to-back wins. Then, the focus shifts to Toronto and RJ Barrett's importance to the Raptors, along with the challenge of navigating the season without Kawhi Leonard at times. Plus, the 3-0 Portland Trail Blazers, Ernie Johnson's farewell, the biggest early-season surprises, the 76ers becoming Tyrese Maxey's team, and a look at the growing injury concerns surrounding some of the NBA's biggest stars!
More from EST Afternoons with Hernan Salas & Joaquin Gage
Salas and Gage kick off Hour 2 by discussing Colton Dach's emergence as a solid depth forward for the Oilers. Is he becoming the kind of player Trent Frederic was supposed to be, and what's Dach's ceiling? Plus, more empty seats at Rogers Place, fans making their voices heard by staying home, and goaltender Sergei Bobrovky's early-season struggles. Then, Hoops, There It Is makes its debut! Xavier Justin from the Hot Hand Theory Podcast joins the boys to go around the NBA, discussing the Knicks slowly finding their groove, Kawhi Leonard's injury in Toronto, the Portland Trail Blazers' impressive start, the Philadelphia 76ers, and Ernie Johnson announcing he'll step away after this season.
Salas and Gage kick off Hour 1 by breaking down the Oilers' mature, tidy win over the Calgary Flames! Tristan Jarry gets the shutout, the secondary scoring comes through, and for once, there isn't much to complain about in Oil Country. Then, the guys discuss reports that Dylan Larkin has had enough in Detroit and won't play another game for the Red Wings until he's traded. Plus, nine Edmonton Elks land on the All-CFL Team, and how did Sergio Castillo receive a first-place vote for Special Teams Player of the Year? The guys debate! And, of course, it's time for the Red Light District with Gager!
We kick off the hour with another installment of Made in Alberta! Garrett Hemstock, owner of Uncle Hemmy BBQ, joins the boys as they dig into some delicious sliders and sample his signature sauces and dry rubs. Then, Salas and Gage continue the preview of the first Battle of Alberta of the season as the Oilers get set to face the Flames. The boys also go around the NHL to discuss the latest headlines and take a look at the growing list of injuries across the NBA. Plus, the SILDI Parlay and Noticias!
Zach Hyman has been placed on injured reserve ahead of the season's first Battle of Alberta. Calgary has four straight wins and has been clicking on special teams all season long. Hernan Salas, former Oiler Joaquin Gage, and producer Zachary Kubusch look at both sides of the contest to get you set for puck drop! Hockey insider Frank Seravalli joins us to start the show: - Oilers top line magic: Can they keep this up? - An 8-2-2 start for Edmonton: Too good to last? - Battle of Alberta #1: Flames W4, Oilers 2L - Connor Hellebuyck gets first win as a Devil - Winnipeg Jets have lost six straight - Other storylines around the league. Edmonton Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo and Kicker Vincent Blanchard are uop for some big awards this season as they continue to prep for the West Final next weekend.
In Hour 2, Salas and Gage ask if the Oilers are starting to look like the Knoblauch Oilers from last season. Plus, a quick look ahead to the red-hot Calgary Flames as they roll into Edmonton tomorrow. And with Jay-Z set to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show, which rock band would you want to see take the stage? Then, Brenden Deeg from The Score NFL joins the show to break down the Cowboys' Monday Night Football win, whether the Browns are for real, where the Chargers go from here, Mendoza time in Vegas, and why the Seahawks' defence is looking elite.