How do you grow up in a town with just over a thousand people, and still get your name on the map? Look no further than DEAN WADE, who joins ANDRE IGUODALA and EVAN TURNER to walk through how he rose from a small town to become Mr. Basketball in Kansas and, eventually, land on an NBA roster. But it wasn’t a straight line up. Despite earning First Team All-Big 12 honors twice, Wade went undrafted before ultimately earning a spot on the Cleveland Cavaliers. He walks the guys through his introduction to the game, his experience at K-State, his earliest moments in the league, what he learned from Kevin Love, why no one can stop Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, and how race has played a role in his hoops journey. 

Plus, before sitting down with Dean, Andre and Evan talk about the nuances of taxes for athletes, try to pick their favorite Frank Ocean song, and debate Cam Newton’s assertion that the most talented high school players shouldn’t attend powerhouse colleges. 

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MIKAL BRIDGES grew up in Philadelphia watching ANDRE IGUODALA and EVAN TURNER hoop for his hometown Sixers. Now, he’s joining Point Forward’s co-hosts to walk them through how that local middle schooler became a rising star for the Brooklyn Nets. Mikal goes deep on his journey, including: Leading Villanova to two national championships; helping morph the Phoenix Suns into a contender; what he learned from Devin Booker and Chris Paul; his relationship with Deandre Ayton and their viral on-court verbal exchange earlier this season; and his new role as the face of the Brooklyn Nets. Additionally, Mikal opens up about both his aspirations (becoming an All-Star) and his challenges (draft night disappointment). This is a rare opportunity to really get to know a guy who is more inclined to just let his game do the talking. 

Plus, before sitting down with Mikal, Andre and Evan share their thoughts on the NBA Play-In, go deeper on the Second Son Theory, and recap how the Masters went for Andre (and for the golfers). 

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This week, Golden State Warriors guard DONTE DIVINCENZO joins POINT FORWARD co-hosts ANDRE IGUODALA and EVAN TURNER for a revelatory and wide-ranging convo. Donte talks about growing up playing soccer in Delaware, what it’s like to be a white NBA player and the dark place he went to following an injury early in his career. He also gets into why Steph Curry is “different,” how Steve Kerr gave him confidence, and guarding Damian Lillard. Plus, he dishes on how his life changed when he won Most Outstanding Player at the 2018 Final Four while leading Villanova to a championship, and what it was like playing with Brooklyn Nets wing Mikal Bridges and living with NY Knicks star Jalen Brunson in college. 

Before the guys welcome Donte on, though, they take some time to dig into one of the biggest NBA stories of the week: The new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Andre and Evan talk through some of the behind-the-scenes of how we got here, give their takes on the deal, and respond to some of the reactions it’s gotten so far. Plus, Evan explains why he isn’t afraid of alligators, and Andre delves into his excitement about this week’s Masters Tournament. 

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In a business-first conversation in New York City with Point Forward hosts ANDRE IGUODALA and EVAN TURNER, National Basketball Players Association Executive Director TAMIKA TREMAGLIO discusses the ongoing Collective Bargaining negotiations in real time. Before the conversation with Tremaglio, TURNER and long-time NBPA Vice President IGUODALA kick off the show with some quick and insightful takes on the negotiations and the women’s NCAA Tournament. But really, this captivating episode is about the players, their relationship with NBA Governors, and the woman who represents the players. Tremaglio shares deeply personal thoughts on her upbringing, the sacrifices she and her family have made as she climbed the professional ladder and why she doesn’t expect a work stoppage in the NBA anytime soon.

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In a humorous and insightful conversation in Los Angeles with Point Forward’s EVAN TURNER, Los Angeles Lakers rising star Austin Reaves details his shocking rise from tiny Newark, Arkansas, to the NBA’s highest-profile franchise. Before the conversation with Reaves, Point Forward co-hosts TURNER and ANDRE IGUODALA kick off the show by going deep on hip-hop’s 50th birthday. The duo, who are both from the midwest and in their 30s, discuss their childhood favorites, first lyrics they learned, sneak disses in rap, and more. Then Turner’s conversation with Reaves takes center stage, as the second-year Lakers guard breaks down how he got from the farm to starting on the Lakers, with help along the way from the likes of Lon Kruger, LeBron James and Rajon Rondo. 

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In a fascinating conversation with the podcast’s first-ever guest from the world of art, Point Forward co-hosts ANDRE IGUODALA and EVAN TURNER welcome LOUIS DE GUZMAN to the show. After a perfectly March topics session that hits on the men’s and women’s NCAA Tournaments with some financial (hi, SVB) and film talk mixed in, the hosts welcome De Guzman, a Chicagoland native who has done collabs with global brands including BAPE, Nickelodeon and New Balance. In a conversation that’s both educational and inspiring, the thoughtful-and-talented De Guzman shares gems on The Chi, how art should be valued and where he finds his inspiration.

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In a fresh interview recorded just hours before the 2023 NBA All-Star Game tipped off in Salt Lake City, UT, Point Forward co-hosts ANDRE IGUODALA and EVAN TURNER welcome Utah Jazz forward LAURI MARKKANEN to the show. After a super timely topics conversation in which the co-hosts talk through the current business of the NBA as it relates to the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns sales, Regional Sports Network drama and the load management debate, we hear from the first Scandinavian All-Star in NBA history. “The Finnisher,” a 7-footer who can score from all over the floor, talks about growing up a hooper in a hockey-mad country, reflects with fellow Arizona Wildcat Andre about his time in Tucson and how his confidence has grown through being the best player on his teams—Finland and the Jazz.

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In another fascinating episode recorded mostly at NBA All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City, Point Forward co-hosts ANDRE IGUODALA and EVAN TURNER welcome UFC Light Heavyweight champion JAMAHAL HILL to the show. After a lively weekly topics discussion that touches on the incredible streaks Dame Lillard and Caitlin Clark are on, the state of the LIV and PGA golf Tours and Michael B. Jordan’s recent red carpet beef, it’s time to hear from the first pro fighter in Point Forward guest history. And, needless to say, Jamahal brings the goods, dropping gems about how long he’s been knocking folks out (spoiler: longer than you can imagine!), why ultimate fighting was a better career path than basketball, boxing or football for him and what he wants to accomplish in life when his reign “of terror” is over. 

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Point Forward co-hosts ANDRE IGUODALA and EVAN TURNER went crazy at NBA All-Star in Salt Lake City. Over the course of three days, they recorded six interviews for the podcast. First and foremost among them is today’s guest, Oakland legend, Portland Trail Blazers' star and legit rapper, DAMIAN LILLARD. Dame and Turner, his former teammate and good friend, had a very special, 40+ minute conversation that took place, thanks to Mitchell & Ness, in front of a packed live audience in Lids at City Creek Center. The two went deep on what it means to come from humble roots, expectations, loyalty, the ranking of current NBA point guards and what an NBA Championship would look like for Lillard. So, come for Andre Iguodala’s intro discussion of All-Star break and stay for the realest interview Dame D.O.L.L.A. has ever been a part of. 

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In episode 16 of the Point Forward podcast, the last show before a brief NBA All-Star Break bye week, co-hosts and best friends ANDRE IGUODALA and EVAN TURNER are back in Boston to talk with their friend, three-time Super Bowl Champion with the Patriots, JAMES WHITE. But before breaking bread with James, the hosts go deep on the wildest NBA trade deadline in League history. And this isn’t idle talk from “insiders” who don’t actually know what’s going on; this is real talk from longtime NBA players who have lived it. Listen and learn. Then, after touching on the Grammys and Tom Brady’s retirement, the hosts talk to one of TB12’s most accomplished teammates. James White was named to the Patriots’ All-Decade team for the 2010s after an eight-year career that saw him win three Super Bowls, most prominently number LI when he scored 20 points himself during the Pats’ historic comeback over the Falcons. The hosts relive all of this with their humble guest, plus add in some thoughtful conversation around race and business in a perfectly timed episode for Super Bowl Weekend. 

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