Hoopdarshan

Hoopdarshan Episode 79: NBA Finals and India's 3x3 topper Dhruv Barman

Episode 79 of Hoopdarshan accomplishes two agendas: our reaction to the Toronto Raptors becoming the weirdest NBA champions in years... and the rise of 3x3 basketball in India. Co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok are joined by India's top-ranked FIBA 3x3 player Dhruv Barman who tells us about his unlikely journey into a basketball career and why India's 3x3 can make waves at the Olympics. 

Hoopdashan Episode 78: NBA Finals Warriors vs. Raptors preview with Manas Singh

With the NBA reaching its last stage of the season, we invited sports anchor for the NBA in India Manas Singh on Hoopdarshan. In a free-flowing interview, Singh discussed with co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok about the Warriors going for a three-peat, the effect (or non-effect) of Kevin Durant's presence in the Finals, Kawhi Leonard's redemption tour, Stephen Curry's legacy, and why he's potentially 90 minutes away from an inappropriate tattoo. 

 

Hoopdarshan Episode 77: Scott Flemming on NBA Academy India and India's National Basketball Team

The very first guest on Hoopdarshan, Scott Flemming, returns to India's premier basketball podcast in a new role. Flemming was arguably the most successful head coach of India's Men's basketball side, and now works as the Technical Director of the NBA Academy India in Greater Noida. In an in-depth interview with co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok, Flemming talked about the changing opportunities for India's top prospects, what India can do to turn around their recent slump, and the full inside story of the 'Turban-Ban' controversy from the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup. 

 

Hoopdarshan Episode 76: Veteran Indian international Raspreet Sidhu

One of the most experienced players of Team India, Raspreet Sidhu joins the new episode of the Indian basketball podcast Hoopdarshan. In a wide-ranging conversation with co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok, Sidhu discussed her father's role in her basketball journey, being on court for iconic moments in Indian hoops history, and the struggle for opportunities for India's women players.

Hoopdarshan Episode 75: 2019 NBA Playoffs Preview with Akshay Manwani

To preview the upcoming NBA playoffs, NBA analyst and commentator Akshay Manwani joins Hoopdarshan's co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and KaranMadhok to discuss the battle-royale in the East, the challengers to Golden State in the West, and the players, teams, and moments that have defined this NBA season so far. 

Hoopdarshan Episode 74: Building sports culture in India - with Arka Bhattarcharya

After a long absence, Hoopdarshan returns for Episode 74, with our attention focused towards the future. Hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok are joined by sports journalist Arka Bhattacharya of The Field to discuss building sustainable sports culture in India, lessons for a future Indian pro basketball league, and the current sports-media landscape.

Hoopdarshan Episode 73: NBA Midterms with Nikhila Makker

With the season right around its midway point, Hoopdarshan returns with an All-NBA special episode. Joined by special guest Nikhila Makker of FirstPost, co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok talk about the Warriors' dominance, James Harden pros/cons, Pacers vs. Kings in India, and the quality (or lack thereof) of NBA beards. 

 

Hoopdarshan Episode 72: Sanjana Ramesh on NCAA D1 journey + next year's NBA India Games

Episode 72 of Hoopdarshan comes around Christmas and New Year's with a double dose of gifts for the holidays. We are joined by Sanjana Ramesh - the Beagles Mamba - on becoming the second Indian to receive a NCAA D1 scholarship for Northern Arizona, her basketball journey in Bengaluru, and her favourite dosas. Hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok also discuss the impact of the historic first NBA preseason games between the Kings and Pacers coming to Mumbai next year. 

Hoopdarshan Episode 71: Mizoram basketball superstar Lalrina Renthlei on the MSL and basketball in the North-East

With the finals of the fifth season of India's most-extra basketball event - the Mizoram Basketball League (MSL) - in our sights, Hoopdarshan welcomes Mizo basketball's biggest star and last season's MVP Lalrina Renthlei as our special guest for Episode 71. In a wide-ranging interview, Renthlei speaks to hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok about the MSL's growth, basketball in the North-East, toggling between pro basketball and snooker, and his ambitions to play for India's national team.

Hoopdarshan Episode 70: Palpreet Singh Brar on his G-League journey, BFI suspension, and more

It's Diwali season, and Hoopdarshan has brought the fireworks. In Episode 70 of the podcast, we feature special guest Palpreet Singh Brar, the first Indian to be drafted directly by the NBA G-League, an important member of the Indian national team, and the man embroiled around a controversy that got him suspended from Indian basketball this year. Brar bares his all, giving his side of the story, and providing more details of his incredible journey. Additionally, co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok catch up on other news in Indian basketball and the NBA.