By Joel C Cordes

Editor in Chief, TBW co-Founder and Co-host of 'Basketball by Association' on TBW. Former Bleacher Report’s NBA Associate Editor (2012-17). Previously served in key B/r NBA columnist, video host and writer training posts (2009-12). Former high school history teacher, basketball coach and play-by-play broadcaster; NBA podcast host, locker room reporter (Minnesota Timberwolves, Vikings, Twins, Wild) and radio host/producer. Former Managing Editor of TravelPulse.com. Appears on NBA radio shows and podcasts across the U.S.

For the Love of the Game

In mid-June of 2020, the founders of TBW made the difficult decision to cease publication as of July 4, 2020. There were many layers and circumstances involved, including the severe economic ramifications of both the COVID pandemic and global recession on both sports media and the online industry as a whole. We have worked tirelessly…

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BbA 18: NBA Playoffs First-Round Matchups We Crave

How will the NBA’s rebooted season shake out the standings during its final eight regular-season games, and which first-round matchups should we be especially excited for once the NBA Playoffs begin? TBW staff writer Bob Bajek joins hosts Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes to break down each of the most fun scenarios for the opening round, including…

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BbA 17: Fate of NBA’s Reboot, G-League & Relegated 8

At what point does the league decide that Florida is the worst possible place to attempt its season reboot? Will it consider rescheduling or re-locating to avoid the current epicenter of COVID-19? TBW staff writer Bob Bajek joins hosts Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes for a wide-ranging discussion, including the latest Coronavirus-related NBA news…

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BbA 16: Weighing Each Conference Ahead of NBA’s Return

What matters in an NBA Playoff series when momentum and homecourt advantage no longer hold as much weight? Which teams in the Eastern Conference want to avoid matching up against one another? Which Western Conference squads have a chance of forcing a play-in series between the No. 8 and 9 seeds, and who could be…

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BBA 15: Does Anyone Really Know How the NBA’s Reboot Will Work?

As anticipation and excitement build for the NBA’s 22-team, late-July return in Orlando, Florida, we’re still left with more questions than answers. And we’re not the only ones: Both the league and the NBA Players’ Association have not even finalized terms yet and continue to debate the details. So what are the long-term ramifications and…

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BbA 14: Young NBA Players Facing Career Crossroads

Many players struggle just to carve out an NBA career during their first season or two. However, once establishing themselves, they unlock new pathways and opportunities depending on their talent and production. Whether it’s earning a max contract, a greater role or even just proving to be a “winning” player, life comes fast before earning…

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BbA 11: What We Still Want from ‘The Last Dance’

In this 11th episode of TBW’s Basketball by Association podcast, Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes are joined by Brandon Jefferson to break down what they still want from ESPN’s landmark documentary The Last Dance’. Fueled by Brandon’s “The Last Dance Roundtable: Episodes 1-4”, the guys first discuss what has gone so well already for the retelling of the…

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BbA 10: Favorite Centers of the 90s; Meet Bob Bajek

In this 10th episode of TBW’s Basketball by Association podcast, Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes are joined by Bob Bajek to reminisce about their favorite paint patrollers of the 1990s. Inspired by Bob’s “The NBA I Grew Up Watching: When Centers Ruled the League”, they look back on why they loved (or hated) luminaries…

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