Published by Blue Wire
Buzz Beat is a Charlotte Hornets podcast hosted by Richie Randall, Brian Geisinger, Darian Thomas, Matt Alquiza, and James Plowright. The show provides in-depth analysis, covering Xs and Os, coaching strategies, and team trends.
Listen on Apple Podcasts55 min
Richie, Brian, and James dive deep into why Vegas is banking heavily on Brandon Miller winning the Most Improved Player award. Plus, we break down the Eastern Conference and predict exactly where Charlotte lands in the standings. Be sure to check out Buzz Beat Plus for ad-free and exclusive episodes, Q&A sessions in the Substack chat, written content, and much more. We have Buzz Beat apparel, including hats, shirts, and sweatshirts. Check it out here ! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
1 hr 7 min
The Hornets made franchise-altering decisions this offseason, reshaping the organization's future. We open by looking at the bigger picture: where does Charlotte stand as a franchise, what direction are they heading, and how should fans evaluate the monumental decisions made this summer? Then we grade every major move, including the draft selections of Steinbach and Anderson Jr, the LaMelo Ball trade, re-signing Coby White, moving on from Miles Bridges, and acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith. We’ll break down the reasoning behind each move, what Charlotte gained and gave up, and finish with an overall grade for an offseason that could define the next era of Hornets basketball. Be sure to check out Buzz Beat Plus for ad-free and exclusive episodes, Q&A sessions in the Substack chat, written content, and much more. We have Buzz Beat apparel, including hats, shirts, and sweatshirts. Check it out here ! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
59 min
Richie, Brian, and Matt put a bow on Summer League by sharing their final evaluations of the players, specifically Hannes Steinbach and Christian Anderson Jr. The three also explore ongoing roster management and trade possibilities before the season starts to improve the point guard position. Be sure to check out Buzz Beat Plus for ad-free and exclusive episodes, Q&A sessions in the Substack chat, written content, and much more. We have Buzz Beat apparel, including hats, shirts, and sweatshirts. Check it out here ! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
56 min
James takes a look at Jeff Peterson’s latest press conference about LaMelo Ball’s trade and some of the interesting things said. He also checks out the prominent players and how they’ve been playing in the Summer League so far. Be sure to check out Buzz Beat Plus for ad-free and exclusive episodes, Q&A sessions in the Substack chat, written content, and much more. We have Buzz Beat apparel, including hats, shirts, and sweatshirts. Check it out here ! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
1 hr 0 min
Richie , Brian , and James return to discuss the chain reactions from all the recent Hornets moves. The three cover the latest trade involving Dorian Finney-Smith, whether this offseason is leading to a Brandon Miller extension, and which players are likely to miss the final roster. The episode ends with a brief segment on the NBA Summer League roster. Be sure to check out Buzz Beat Plus for ad-free and exclusive episodes, Q&A sessions in the Substack chat, written content, and much more. We have Buzz Beat apparel, including hats, shirts, and sweatshirts. Check it out here ! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
25 min
Gordon Hayward joins Richie for a two-part interview. In Part 2 , Hayward discusses his recruitment to Butler, the Jazz matching Charlotte’s offer sheet in 2014, rehabbing major injuries, his career with the Charlotte Hornets (2020-2024), and shares his thoughts on Kon Knueppel’s potential. Be sure to check out Buzz Beat Plus for ad-free and exclusive episodes, Q&A sessions in the Substack chat, written content, and much more. We have Buzz Beat apparel, including hats, shirts, and sweatshirts. Check it out here ! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
14 min
Gordon Hayward joins Richie for a two-part interview. In Part 1 , Hayward shares about his upbringing, his parents’ influence on his success as a student and athlete, the importance of his relationship with Joe Mazzulla, and his conversion to the Catholic church. Special Offer [EXPIRES AT 11:59 PM] 20% off an Annual Subscription to Buzz Beat Plus Contact the Catholic Speakers Organization to book Gordon Hayward for speaking events and public appearances. Be sure to check out Buzz Beat Plus for ad-free and exclusive episodes, Q&A sessions in the Substack chat, written content, and much more. We have Buzz Beat apparel, including hats, shirts, and sweatshirts. Check it out here ! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
30 min
Richie, Matt, and James analyze the trade that sent Miles Bridges to Phoenix. The three look at the on-court ramifications, the unprotected 2033 first-round pick returning to Charlotte, and how the roster is taking shape. Be sure to check out Buzz Beat Plus for ad-free and exclusive episodes, Q&A sessions in the Substack chat, written content, and much more. We have Buzz Beat apparel, including hats, shirts, and sweatshirts. Check it out here ! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
55 min
Richie and James return to break down the re-signing of Coby White and put a bow on the trading of LaMelo Ball. The two look at these interconnected transactions and how they will affect the Hornets' future dealings as we head into free agency. Be sure to check out Buzz Beat Plus for ad-free and exclusive episodes, Q&A sessions in the Substack chat, written content, and much more. We have Buzz Beat apparel, including hats, shirts, and sweatshirts. Check it out here ! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
30 min
🚨 EMERGENCY POD | LaMelo Ball is traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Richie, Matt, and James break down the trade and the pros and cons of the return. The three also look at how this affects the team moving forward. Be sure to check out Buzz Beat Plus for ad-free and exclusive episodes, Q&A sessions in the Substack chat, written content, and much more. We have Buzz Beat apparel, including hats, shirts, and sweatshirts. Check it out here ! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
34 min
The crew analyzes the selection of Hannes Steinbach from the University of Washington and Christian Anderson Jr. from Texas Tech University. James, Brian, Matt, and Darian debate Steinbach’s true position and if he will see rotational minutes come October. They are also cautiously optimistic about the Anderson Jr. pick and offer pros and cons of his selection. Live Reaction Podcast Be sure to check out Buzz Beat Plus for ad-free and exclusive episodes, Q&A sessions in the Substack chat, written content, and much more. We have Buzz Beat apparel, including hats, shirts, and sweatshirts. Check it out here ! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
22 min
NBA.com and Hoops HQ’s Krysten Peek joins the show to discuss the Hornets’ draft outlook, including Charlotte’s evolving reputation across the league, the age debate in prospect evaluation, potential trade-up scenarios, and which top prospect could fall to No. 14. We also revisit the early Tidjane Salaün connection and share our final predictions for picks 14 and 18. Be sure to check out Buzz Beat Plus for ad-free and exclusive episodes, Q&A sessions in the Substack chat, written content, and much more. We have Buzz Beat apparel, including hats, shirts, and sweatshirts. Check it out here ! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
1 hr 21 min
Brian and Matt step into the Hornets’ front office, while James takes on the roles of the league’s other 29 teams and player agents throughout the negotiation process. The trio works through every stage of the offseason, including the NBA Draft, free agency, trade discussions, and veteran extension negotiations, to shape Charlotte’s path forward for 2026. Be sure to check out Buzz Beat Plus for ad-free and exclusive episodes, Q&A sessions in the Substack chat, written content, and much more. We have Buzz Beat apparel, including hats, shirts, and sweatshirts. Check it out here ! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
1 hr 14 min
Brian and Darian break down five NBA prospects at the center position. The two discuss the strengths, weaknesses, and team fit, while also revealing how strongly they’d covet each prospect. The players discussed on this episode are Chris Cenac, Hannes Steinbach, Jayden Quaintance, Aday Mara, and Morez Johnson. Be sure to check out Buzz Beat Plus for ad-free and exclusive episodes, Q&A sessions in the Substack chat, written content, and much more. We have Buzz Beat apparel, including hats, shirts, and sweatshirts. Check it out here ! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
1 hr 1 min
Richie moderates a debate between Brian, Matt, and James on some polarizing topics concerning the Hornets’ upcoming draft. The three share their thoughts on consolidating picks, avoiding guards in the draft, Morez Johnson Jr., and much more. Be sure to check out Buzz Beat Plus for ad-free and exclusive episodes, Q&A sessions in the Substack chat, written content, and much more. We have Buzz Beat apparel, including hats, shirts, and sweatshirts. Check it out here ! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
56 min
James and Darian break down three NBA prospects at the guard position. The two discuss the strengths, weaknesses, and team fit, while also revealing how strongly they’d covet each prospect. The players discussed on this episode are Labaron Philon Jr., Ebuka Okorie, and Bennett Stirtz. Be sure to check out Buzz Beat Plus for ad-free and exclusive episodes, Q&A sessions in the Substack chat, written content, and much more. We have Buzz Beat apparel, including hats, shirts, and sweatshirts. Check it out here ! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
44 min
Richie and Brian return to grade Brandon Miller and Tidjane Salaün’s seasons. They look at their strengths on both ends of the court, their drawbacks, and hand out a letter grade. Special Offer: Buzz Beat Plus ($12 off an annual subscription) Be sure to check out Buzz Beat Plus for ad-free and exclusive episodes, Q&A sessions in the Substack chat, written content, and much more. We have Buzz Beat apparel, including hats, shirts, and sweatshirts. Check it out here ! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
58 min
Matt and James break down four NBA prospects at the wing position. The two discuss the strengths, weaknesses, and team fit, while also revealing how strongly they’d covet each prospect. The players discussed on this episode are Brayden Burries, Dailyn Swain, and Cameron Carr. Be sure to check out Buzz Beat Plus for ad-free and exclusive episodes, Q&A sessions in the Substack chat, written content, and much more. We have Buzz Beat apparel, including hats, shirts, and sweatshirts. Check it out here ! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
1 hr 21 min
Brian and James break down four NBA prospects at the forward position. The two discuss the strengths, weaknesses, and team fit, while also revealing how strongly they’d covet each prospect. The players discussed on this episode are Yaxel Lendeborg, Nate Ament, Karim López, and Koa Peat. Be sure to check out Buzz Beat Plus for ad-free and exclusive episodes, Q&A sessions in the Substack chat, written content, and much more. We have Buzz Beat apparel, including hats, shirts, and sweatshirts. Check it out here ! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
1 hr 8 min
Matt and James recap the NBA Combine with their final thoughts on some of the prospects in Charlotte’s range, including Koa Peat, Cam Carr, and Morez Johnson. The two talk about how much sway the results of these workouts have on their overall big board. Finally, they pit two prospects against each other and debate their preferred selection. Be sure to check out Buzz Beat Plus for ad-free and exclusive episodes, Q&A sessions in the Substack chat, written content, and much more. We have Buzz Beat apparel, including hats, shirts, and sweatshirts. Check it out here ! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.