The Daily Thunder Podcast

Episodet

• Offseason Roundtable 28.06.2026 1h 54min

  Ryan, Brandon, and Cray discuss the Thunder wheeling and dealing that has happened so far, and all the business yet to come.The Isaiah Hartenstein dealUpdated impressions of OKC's draft picksWiggins and Joe memoriesCason Wallace's extension talksThe Dort questionTaxes, aprons, and the cap crunch - what really matters?And much more on all things Thunder offseason.
• Mara & Stirtz: WHAT DOES IT MEAN? 24.06.2026 1h 17min

  Ryan and Cray take a deep breath...then let out all their frustrations.OKC's underwhelming return from the mega-hyped 2026 first round of the draftBrandon jumps in between radio duties to give us a splash of sunshine on Aday Mara's value at #12 and Bennett Stirtz's ability at #16Stuck at 12? Why the rumored Mavs trade seems farfetched in retrospectNot overreacting to what this means for OKC's other roster and cap decisionsBut WHAT DOES THIS MEAN for OKC's other roster and cap decisions?Cray's mispronunciations of several drafteesReading the Presti leaves moving into free agencyThe posture of Thunder ownership compared to other contending franchisesAnd much more. Listen and let it out with us.
• Thunder Take-Off 10.06.2026 1h 58min

  Ryan and Cray are joined by first time guest Wes Hill to air out their reactions and predictions for the Playoffs, the Presti presser, and plans for the Thunder future.Ranking offseason priorities:How will Cason Wallace’s long-term spot determinethe Thunder’s priorities for Isaiah Hartenstein and Lu Dort?Can OKC work with Dort and iHart to find therole, salary, and/or Eastern Conference destination they want?Why paying everyone (and the tax) is the bestshort- and long-term asset play.The draft and the youths: Should OKC target older *cough* Yaxel *cough* plug-and-play talent at #12 or #17?The juicy opportunities to move up in the firstround.Who will be on the 15-man roster between Nikola Topic,Jared McCain, Thomas Sorber, Pick #12, and Pick #17 (and Isaiah Joe, AaronWiggins, and Kenrich Williams)?The Dialogue & The Machine:    Was Presti trying to work the refs, absorb some of the Shai hate, or do PR for a superstar?The tension between national and local mediaThe impossible task of tuning out the dumbest,loudest diss-course online
• Blind Ranking Game 7 Overreactions 03.06.2026 53min

  Well, the Thunder suffered a heartbreaking defeat in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, and it didn't take long for the hot takes and overreactions to start flooding the internet. On this week's pod, host John Napier gets Daily Thunder beat writer Brandon Rahbar to blindly rank some of the worst overreactions. In addition, the pair break down Game 7, Brandon grades OKC's season, and predictions for The Finals are made.
• game 6 ugh 29.05.2026 54min

  We're joined by Austin from All Things Thunder to recap another disappointing road Game 6 for Shai and OKC.Shai's poor shooting and muted impactJDub's returnSpurs outmuscling the ThunderThe third quarter from hellChet Rorschach testWho will start Game 7?And all the rest from the Western Conference Finals.
• Thunder Takes Control of the Western Conference Finals 27.05.2026 55min

  In this episode, Daily Thunder beat writer Brandon Rahbar and host John Napier break down what went wrong in the Thunder’s Game 4 blowout loss, how OKC responded with a huge Game 5 win to retake control of the series, and the growing impact of Jared McCain and the Thunder role players. They also preview a pivotal Game 6 in San Antonio and make a few predictions that definitely won’t come back to haunt them.
• The McCain Game 23.05.2026 1h 41min

  Special guest Ezra joins Ryan and Cray to exult in everything about the Thunder's huge win against the Spurs to go up 2-1 in the Western Conference Finals.
• A brutal, thrilling Western Conference Finals 22.05.2026 43min

  Brandon and Cray break down OKC’s Game 2 win, JDub injury anxiety, and the playoff coping mechanisms needed when the free throw take wars get stupid.Ranking the biggest series factors so far: coaching adjustments, player performance, and injuriesWhat Jalen Williams' injury means for his playoffs and for the Thunder futureGames 3 & 4 picksAnd all the rest before the Western Conference Finals pick back up in San Antonio.
• Game 1 Meltdown 19.05.2026 1h 27min

  We recap the thrilling, heartbreaking classic that was Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. The rotation, the pitiful shotmaking from Shai and company, the wasted Caruso performance, the uncomfortable Wemby/Chet reality, and much more from the Thunder's first loss of the playoffs.
• Thunder Advance to the WCF: How Sweep It Is 12.05.2026 33min

  Host John Napier and Brandon Rahbar recap the Thunder’s second straight playoff sweep and all the good vibes that came with it. The pair discuss Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s brilliant Game 4 performance, Chet Holmgren’s strong play, Ajay Mitchell’s statement showing, and much more as Oklahoma City advances to the Western Conference Finals.
• Thunder-Lakers: Game 1 Hot Takes 06.05.2026 51min

  Game 1 is in the books, and the Thunder made a pretty clear opening statement.Host John Napier is joined by Daily Thunder beat writer Brandon Rahbar and EIC Cray Allred to break down OKC’s win over the Los Angeles Lakers. They get into the real takeaway from a sloppy-but-comfortable Thunder performance, Chet Holmgren’s impact, whether LA actually has a path in this series, and, of course, free throws.They also hit Wolves-Spurs and check in on the Eastern Conference matchups to round things out.
• First Round Takeaways and Second Round Thoughts 29.04.2026 45min

  The Oklahoma City Thunder capped a sweep of the overmatched Phoenix Suns, and on this week's podcast, host John Napier and Daily Thunder beat writer Brandon Rahbar give their takeaways on the first round, offer an early preview of a potential second round matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers, and dig into Scott Van Pelt's comments on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
• Game 2 Dub 😕 23.04.2026 36min

  The Thunder got the dub, but another hamstring injury got JDub. We break down the team and player performances from a C+ win that put OKC up 2-0, and brace for an extended postseason stretch without Jalen Williams.
• The Playoff Preview Pod 18.04.2026 53min

  The playoffs are here, and host John Napier, Daily Thunder beat writer Brandon Rahbar, and Daily Thunder contributor Ryan Woods chop it up to get you ready for the first round. On this week's show, the crew dive into:Who is more important to a repeat, JDub or Chet?Who wins in a 7-game series, this year's team or last year's team?Previewing Thunder-SunsOther first round matchups we're watchingAnd much more!
• Season Intermission: The Play-In, Playoff Memories, and the Masters 14.04.2026 1h 24min

  Cray and Ryan brace for the good, bad, and ugly of playoff basketball soon to return for Thunder fans.Which Thunder players are still getting better?How this OKC teams compares with former magical playoff squads.Who do we want to see win the 8th seed and face OKC in Round 1? Who does Shai want to see?Plus a discussion on Ryan's other favorite sport. How does golfing under pressure and observing rules violations as fans compare to pro basketball?
• That was quick: Recapping a historic OKC season 10.04.2026 33min

  The pod boys put a bow on another historic season for the Oklahoma City Thunder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, before running through the possible playoff matchups and lottery picks that are yet to be determined for OKC. Plus, an update on Brandon's free agency pitch to the league's most aggressive tanker.
• Free Throws? We're Talking About Free Throws?! 02.04.2026 47min

  It's the narrative that won't die--OKC and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander benefiting from the whistle. On this week's episode, host John Napier and Daily Thunder beat writer Brandon Rahbar throw water on this tired trope, analyze the SGA vs Wemby MVP race, discuss whether it's actually okay if the Thunder get the #2 seed, and break down the proposed anti-tanking proposals.
• Shai & OKC vs. Everyone 27.03.2026 42min

  After reviewing OKC's recent play, the challenging final stretch of the season, and who could challenge the Thunder in the playoffs, Brandon and Cray celebrate Shai while trying not to gripe about those who refuse to appreciate his greatness.
• Thunder Wizards recap 22.03.2026 44min

  Ryan and Cray break down a rambunctious game in Washington.
• Alex Caruso Breaks the Rulebook and Jared McCain Breaks 76ers Fans 19.03.2026 46min

  On this week's episode of pod, host John Napier and Daily Thunder beat writer Brandon Rahbar dish on SGA's excellence and the Thunder's 10-game win streak, as well as:Why do people love to hate SGA and OKC?Did the refs get the call right when Alex Caruso used his shoe?Is Jared McCain a playoff rotation player?Is Chet Holmgren playing his best basketball of the season?Who would Brandon protect if the expansion draft was today?