NBA Campfire 

In the debut episode of NBA Campfire, Sonny Giuliano and Vinney Zambito discuss their re-watch of Game 7 of the 2000 Western Conference Finals, a win-or-go-home showdown between the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers.

Sonny and Vinney open the show with a discussion about the NBA on NBC, 'Roundball Rock' and their Sports Theme Mount Rushmore's before turning their attention to this iconic matchup between two Western Conference powerhouses that were vying to take possession of the torch in the post-MJ NBA.

How come the Blazers had so much success slowing down Shaquille O'Neal? Did Portland actually have the superior roster? Is the Kobe to Shaq alley-oop late in the 4th quarter the defining moment of LA's early-2000s three-peat? And are we underrating the career of Rasheed Wallace? After all, he was talking trash and getting buckets in Air Force 1's!

Grab your marshmallows and take a seat around the campfire. It's time to talk hoops!

In the second episode of NBA Campfire, Sonny Giuliano and Vinney Zambito discuss their re-watch of Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals, a back-and-forth battle between the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers that has been marred by officiating conspiracies.

Sonny and Vinney open the show with a discussion about the whether there's a difference between 'the better team' and 'the right team' winning a playoff series, and figure out if there was a difference between these two teams in 2002.

Throughout the episode, we discuss the exceptionally fun early 00's Kings, the under-appreciated career of Rick Adelman, whether Chris Webber's career is viewed fairly or unfairly, and yes, all of those foul calls that went against Sacramento in the 4th quarter.

Finally, Sonny and Vinney discuss the Shaq-Kobe Lakers dynasty and ponder how successful the duo could've been if both off-court and on-court issues hadn't derailed the team. Grab your marshmallows and take a seat around the campfire! We've got a good one for ya today!

In the third episode of NBA Campfire, Sonny Giuliano and Vinney Zambito break down their re-watch of Michael Jordan's final game with the Washington Wizards from April 2003, a surprisingly lifeless affair that felt bigger at the time than it does almost 23 years later.

Sonny and Vinney discuss MJ's two seasons with the Wizards and then shift the conversation to Allen Iverson -- the face of the new, post-MJ NBA that brought hip-hop, street ball and fearless authenticity to the National Basketball Association.

Then, to wrap things up, Sonny and Vinney take part in the NBA Mulligan Re-Draft, where the two co-hosts go back and forth selecting the draft picks that teams SHOULD'VE MADE since the year 2000.

It's Halloween, or rather, Balloween, so it's a perfect time to grab your marshmallows, take a seat around the NBA Campfire, and enjoy our version of a ghost story in Episode 3!

In the fourth episode of NBA Campfire, Sonny Giuliano and Vinney Zambito break down their re-watch of The Malice at the Palace, one of the darkest moments in the history of the league.

Vinney and Sonny start with a conversation about the state of the Eastern Conference at the time of the game, fresh off of the Detroit Pistons' unexpected championship run in the 2003-04 season.

Before diving into the game itself, Sonny and Vinney partake in an impromptu draft of all of the white power forwards who have played for the Pacers over the course of the 21st century, because clearly they have a type.

Finally, Sonny and Vinney break down the infamous Malice at the Palace brawl. They share personal anecdotes, analyze player potential, and discuss the most chaotic moments of the incident, while also contemplating the long-term effects on player careers and the sport as a whole. The discussion culminates in a thought-provoking exploration of how social media would have influenced the narrative surrounding the brawl.

In the fifth episode of NBA Campfire, Sonny Giuliano and Vinney Zambito break down their rewatch of Game 6 of the 2005 Western Conference Semifinals, a doozy between the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks.

Before getting to the game, Sonny and Vinney open with a conversation about Steve Nash's exit from Dallas in 2004 and the revolutionary 'Seven Seconds or Less' Suns teams that Nash, Mike D'Antoni, Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion spearheaded in the mid-00s.

Then, the discussion shifts toward the series leading up to Game 6, including a run of jaw-dropping performances by Steve Nash. We then take a look at Dallas' Big 3 at the time -- Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry and Josh Howard -- while diving into our game of the day.

Finally, we close the pod with a discussion about the impact of the careers of both Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki, a pair of pioneers who paved the way for the internationally dominated game we see today. It's time to take a seat around the Campfire!

In the sixth episode of NBA Campfire, Sonny Giuliano and Vinney Zambito break down their rewatch of Kobe Bryant's 81 point game, which remains to this day the greatest scoring display in modern NBA history.

First, Sonny and Vinney discuss the departures of Shaquille O'Neal and Phil Jackson from the Lakers in 2004, and explore why Kobe was villainized for the break-up of a dynasty. After an uneventful 2004-05 season, Kobe was back with a vengeance to start the 2005-06 campaign, putting on a display of scoring that we hadn't seen since early MJ.

Then, they go over the 81-point game itself, breaking down bucket by bucket, marveling at the level of shot-making. Finally, the guys take part in a draft of the players currently in the NBA who, if all circumstances were right, could crack 81.

It's time to take a seat around the campfire and enjoy the conversation about one of the league's most memorable stories!

In the seventh episode of NBA Campfire, Sonny Giuliano and Vinney Zambito break down their rewatch of LeBron James' iconic performance in Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals, now known as 'The 48 Special.'

First, Sonny and Vinney go over the unprecedented media coverage of LeBron James as a high schooler and throughout the early years of his career when the Cleveland Cavaliers were struggling to break through.

Then, they go over the series leading up to Game 5 before diving into the game itself, breaking down one bucket after another as LeBron scored 29 of Cleveland's final 30 points of the game to lead the Cavs to a 2OT victory.

We've got a bunch of LeBron James games to come, but this is his NBA origin story. Take a seat around the campfire and enjoy the conversation!

In the eighth episode of NBA Campfire, Sonny Giuliano and Vinney Zambito return to the Summer of 2008 to go over the iconic Gold Medal Basketball Game between the United States and Spain.

This conversation delves into the evolution of Team USA basketball, focusing on the pivotal moments leading up to the 2008 Olympics. Sonny and Vinney reflect on the failures of the 2004 Olympic team, the leadership of Jerry Colangelo, and the strategic construction of the team's post-04 roster. They discuss the significance of this three summer run, culminating with the 2008 Olympics, as a turning point for American basketball, highlighting the camaraderie among players and the impact of international competition.

Next, Vinney and Sonny break down the iconic gold medal game against Spain, a back and forth affair that one of our co-hosts claims is his favorite sporting event of the 21st century. They discuss the impact of the team's success on individual players, Coach K's transformation, and the lasting legacy of LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.

The Red, White and Blue fireworks are in the sky, so now's the perfect time to take a seat around the NBA Campfire.

In the ninth episode of NBA Campfire, Sonny Giuliano and Vinney Zambito break down the 21st century revival of the Boston Celtics/Los Angeles Lakers rivalry, which reached its apex in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals.

First, Sonny and Vinney revisit the 2008 Finals, which set the stage for a 7-game battle two years later, as the Lakers were looking for a repeat and Kobe was chasing down his 5th championship.

Then, they dive into the game itself, an instant class rock fight that is not for those who love beautiful offense. But if you're looking for a gritty, grimy, down to the wire rugby match, we've got the game for you!

In the 10th episode of NBA Campfire, Sonny Giuliano and Vinney Zambito go month by month, breaking down the transformative 2010-11 NBA season.

Starting with The Decision in July 2010 and ending with the Dallas Mavericks' NBA Title win in June 2011, Sonny and Vin hit all of the major moments of the 2010-11 season, including: the FIBA World Cup, LeBron's return to Cleveland, the emergence of Blake Griffin, the Carmelo Anthony trade, the Grit and Grind Grizzlies and much more!

In the a very special Christmas episode of The NBA Campfire, Sonny Giuliano and Vinney Zambito break down one of the darkest moments of the century for the National Basketball Association... the 2011 Lockout.

First, Sonny and Vin go over the details of the Lockout, from July all the way through November, when it looked like there was going to be a lost season.

Then the guys discuss the cultural importance of the 'Basketball Never Stops' movement, and explore how a summer without the NBA changed basketball forever before transitioning to the two and a half week period where the league was returning to action, focusing mostly on David Stern's full-blown heel turn, the Chris Paul trade that was (to the Clippers), and the one that wasn't (to the Lakers).

Finally, the guys break down the five Christmas Day games that kicked the lockout season off, reminiscing about a classic at MSG, a Heat beatdown of the Mavericks, and a gritty nail-biter between the Bulls and Lakers.

In the twelfth episode of NBA Campfire, Sonny Giuliano and Vinney Zambito break down one of the most important games in the long and storied career of LeBron James. His career was on trial going into Game 6 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals, and the King delivered a statement in the form of a 45 point masterpiece.

First, Sonny and Vinney revisit the beginning of the 2012 NBA Playoffs, going over Derrick Rose's ACL tear, Boston's unexpected run to another Eastern Conference Finals on the back of Rajon Rondo, and Miami's tricky test against the Indiana Pacers in Round 2.

Then, they get into the bitterness of the Heat/Celtics rivalry, and they go over one LeBron bucket after another before discussing what the game meant to his legacy.

Get those marshmallows ready, we got a fun story to tell around the NBA Campfire today.

In the thirteenth episode of NBA Campfire, Sonny Giuliano and Vinney Zambito take a seat around the campfire and revisit Stephen Curry's 54 point explosion at Madison Square Garden.

First, Sonny and Vinney discuss the doomed-from-the-beginning Stephen Curry/Monta Ellis pairing, and break down why it was necessary for the Warriors to trade Ellis, even beyond any reasons that had to do with Stephen Curry.

Then, the guys break down the game, a competitive regular season matchup at The World's Most Famous Arena between the best Knicks team in a decade and an emerging, youthful Warriors squad led by a young, budding superstar in Stephen Curry. Bucket by bucket, Sonny and Vinney break down how Steph got his 54 points.

Finally, Sonny and Vinney settle in for a Madison Square Garden Games Draft, selecting the most noteworthy basketball games of the century at MSG.

If you've got all you need for S'mores, now's the time to take a seat around the NBA Campfire.

In the fourteenth episode of NBA Campfire, Sonny Giuliano and Vinney Zambito take a seat around the campfire and rewatch an all-time classic from the 2013 NBA Finals.

First, Sonny and Vinney revisit the Miami Heat's 27-game winning streak down the back half of the 2012-13 season and ponder whether this was the best regular season stretch of LeBron James' career, as LeBron Culture and Heat Culture meshed in South Beach.

Then, after breaking down an unexpectedly open West Playoff race, they get into the first of two consecutive Finals matchups between the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs, with a particular focus on Game 6, which instantly went down as one of the best NBA Finals games ever.

As they recap the matchup, Sonny and Vinney hit on all the key points of the Game 6... Tim Duncan's big first half, San Antonio's strategy in defending LeBron James and Dwyane Wade's, Miami's 4th quarter run, the Heat's near collapse in the final two minutes, Gregg Popovich's decision to have Duncan on the bench late, and finally, Ray Allen's super clutch three pointer, set up by a big-time rebound and heady pass by Chris Bosh.

One of the greatest stories ever told is on deck for the NBA Campfire! Let's go!

In the fifteenth episode of NBA Campfire, Sonny Giuliano and Vinney Zambito explore how the San Antonio Spurs were able to overcome one of the most brutal defeats in NBA history in the 2013 NBA Finals to come back and win the Title the following summer.

In their rewatch of a Western Conference Finals heavyweight fight between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, Sonny and Vin break down the game and all of the big moments and key players... a young Kawhi Leonard coming into his own, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili turning back the clock, and an interesting power struggle between Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in OKC.

Finally, the guys close the episode with a Draft of the most crucial moments of the Spurs dynasty, hitting on topics such as the 2014 NBA Finals, Tim Duncan's Hall of Fame enshrinement, Robert Horry's clutch performance in 2005, and Gregg Popovich's record-setting career.

Grab your marshmallows and yell 'Go Spurs Go!' It's time to take a seat around the Campfire.

In the sixteenth episode of NBA Campfire, Sonny Giuliano and Vinney Zambito break down the final night of the 2015-16 regular season, a monumental night in the Association that saw the Golden State Warriors go for 73, and Kobe Bryant go for 60.

First, Sonny and Vinney break down the Warriors pursuit of the single-season wins record, Stephen Curry's brilliant MVP season, and what made the Dubs so damn good -- besides, you know, ridiculous talent.

Then, the guys go bucket by bucket, revisiting Kobe Bryant's iconic final game in the NBA before touching on why this is Kobe's defining performance and exploring whether we will ever see a performance like this one again.

Whether you were watching 'Kobe's Farewell' or 'Chasing History' in the moment, this episode of NBA Campfire is one worth settling in for.

Game 7. The two greatest words in sports, and on June 19th, 2016, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors played in the most watched Game 7 in NBA history. On this week's episode of The NBA Campfire, Sonny Giuliano and Vinney Zambito break down one of the best and most memorable games of the last 25 years.

The guys break down all of the historical stakes heading into the game, and then quarter by quarter, they hit all of the big moments... Draymond's three-point barrage, Kyrie's third quarter brilliance, LeBron's defensive masterclass, and the sequence that tied it all together: The Block, The Shot, and The Stop.

Do you have your graham crackers and marshmallows ready? Hope so, because this episode of Campfire is one you won't wanna miss.

In the eighteenth episode of NBA Campfire, Sonny Giuliano and Vinney Zambito revisit the night that the mighty Golden State Warriors nearly saw their bid for a back-to-back go down in flames... if only the Houston Rockets didn't miss 27 three-point attempts in a row.

First, Sonny and Vin set the scene, taking a look at the summer's of 2016 and 2017, which brought Kevin Durant to the Bay, and Chris Paul to H-Town.

Then they discuss what made the Rockets such a unique and challenging foil for a Warriors team that dominated everyone else in the postseason in 2017 and 2018.

Next the guys get to the game, breaking down Houston's early success, Golden State's invincibility and the Rockets struggles from downtown.

Rockets fans may want to avoid this one -- though Sonny stands by his midseason 2018 prediction that the Rockets would win the NBA Title -- but everybody else is in for a good one in the latest episode of NBA Campfire!

In the nineteenth episode of NBA Campfire, Sonny Giuliano and Vinney Zambito revisit the night that Kawhi Leonard knocked down one of the most memorable shots in NBA Playoff history, sending the Toronto Raptors to the Eastern Conference Finals.

First, Sonny and Vin revisit how both the Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors geared up for the 2018-19 NBA season, recognizing that their championship window was wide open. They talk through The Process and ponder whether Sam Hinkie's plan was a success, and then go over initial thoughts of the Kawhi Leonard trade.

Then the guys get to the game, breaking down a gritty Game 7 between a pair of teams that would arguably be the best in the Eastern Conference this season.

Finally, the guys break down every single NBA Playoff game winner since 2000 and decide which one of these shots holds the title of 'Greatest Playoff Game Winner of the 21st Century'

2020. The year the world changed. And the year that Michael Jordan once again became the most famous athlete in the world. On the twentieth episode of The NBA Campfire, Sonny Giuliano and Vinney Zambito go back to March 2020 and discuss what the beginning stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic was like, and then revisit the award winning docuseries, The Last Dance.

Throughout the episode, Sonny and Vin hit on all the big talking points from The Last Dance and its place in the culture while the world stood still. They explore why MJ's legacy as the Greatest Athlete of All-Time is secure, and hit on topics such as Dennis Rodman's nWo run, Scottie Pippen's gripes with his portrayal, the quarters game with John Michael Wozniak, and the technical aspects of The Last Dance that made it so great.

Time to take a seat around the Campfire and enjoy another episode. And if you don't, well, then it becomes personal for us.

On the 21st episode of The NBA Campfire, Sonny Giuliano and Vinney Zambito return to the NBA Bubble to discuss the league's decision to resume the 2019-20 season after a four month long COVID layoff. In particular, Sonny and Vin revisit a classic Game 4 showdown between Jamal Murray's Denver Nuggets and Donovan Mitchell's Utah Jazz.

First, Sonny and Vin dive into the many reasons why the NBA Bubble was an overwhelming success, from the quality of play to the league's willingness to be at the forefront of social justice reform.

Then, they take a look at a high-scoring, wildly entertaining Jazz/Nuggets series which peaked in Game 4, when Mitchell and Murray became the first pair of opponents in NBA history to score 50 points in the same Playoff game.

No masks needed anymore. All you need to bring around the NBA Campfire are marshmallows, graham crackers and some chocolate.

On the 22nd episode of The NBA Campfire, Sonny Giuliano and Vinney Zambito take the time machine back five years to revisit a classic Game 7 between the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets.

First, Sonny and Vin explore how these two teams came to be, with a focus on the Nets' acquisitions of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and James Harden.

Then, they take a look at the first overtime Game 7 since 2006, highlighted by vintage performances from both Kevin Durant and the soon-to-be NBA Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Finally, the guys wrap the show by going over some of the most noteworthy NBA What If's of the 21st Century, including "What if Kevin Durant wore a sneaker one size smaller?"

Come for another excellent hoops conversation and stay for the S'Mores. We've got a good one in store around the NBA Campfire today!

In the 23rd episode of NBA Campfire, Sonny Giuliano and Vinney Zambito return to the Summer Olympics and rewatch a 2024 Gold Medal matchup between the United States and host nation France.

This conversation starts with a Victor Wembanyama deep dive, as Sonny and Vinney ponder what exactly the ceiling is for the young French superstar.

Next, Vinney and Sonny break down the iconic gold medal game, discussing the LeBron-Steph-KD trio's place in history, the contributions of young stars like Devin Booker, Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum, the inspired play of Guerschon Yabusele, and of course, Wemby. So much Wemby.

Finally, the guys sit around the campfire and partake in an International Players Draft, putting together their own 15-man rosters made up entirely of players who weren't born in the United States.

We brought the fire conversation. Now it's up to you to bring the marshmallows!

In the 24th episode of NBA Campfire, Sonny Giuliano and Vinney Zambito go back to February 2025 to revisit the Luka Doncic trade, and then they take a trip down memory lane, going over the biggest trades made each year dating back to 2000.

First, Sonny and Vin deep dive the perplexing and polarizing deal that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in return for Anthony Davis, revealing their text messages to each other upon finding out about the deal.

Then they discuss the blowback for then-Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, and they ponder why in the world the Mavs actually made this trade.

Then, the Campfire crew goes year by year breaking down the biggest trades across the National Basketball Association, from Kawhi Leonard to Toronto, KG and Paul Pierce to Brooklyn, Chris Paul to Los Angeles, Allen Iverson to Denver and many more.

It's the penultimate episode of Season 1 of NBA Campfire. Time to take a seat around the fire!

In the 25th and final episode of Season 1 of NBA Campfire, Sonny Giuliano and Vinney Zambito take the time machine back one year to revisit Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, a highly-anticipated matchup between the heavily favored Oklahoma City Thunder, and the frisky underdogs representing the Eastern Conference, the Indiana Pacers.

To start, Sonny and Vin go over how each of the NBA Finals contenders were built, starting with pivotal trades including Paul George that sent both franchises on their championship contender trajectory.

Then they get into Game 7, touching on Tyrese Haliburton's hot start and his subsequent achilles tear, which became the defining image of the 2025 postseason.

From there, Sonny and Vin discuss what makes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander so great, why the Thunder are a nightmare to deal with, and of course, McConnell Mayhem.

To finish the season off, Sonny and Vin share some of the lessons they've learned through this journey of 25 years in the National Basketball Association.