NBA: The Jump Season 3 Episode 29 Episode 29

The Jump is a daily NBA talk show hosted by Rachel Nichols, who is joined by a rotating cast of ESPN NBA analysts, insiders and reporters. The show features player interviews, highlights, debates, and analysis of the biggest stories and moments in the NBA.

For Episode 29 of season 3, Rachel Nichols is joined by WNBA star and ESPN analyst Chiney Ogwumike and NBA champion Kendrick Perkins. The trio previews the upcoming NBA playoffs and discusses which teams are the biggest threats to win the championship.

They start by discussing the Brooklyn Nets, who are widely considered the favorites to win it all this year. Nichols asks Perkins if he thinks the Nets' recent injury woes will prevent them from winning the championship. Perkins argues that the Nets are still the team to beat, but that they will need all three of their stars - Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving - to be healthy and playing at a high level in order to win it all.

Ogwumike points out that the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers are also strong contenders in the Eastern Conference, and that both teams have made major moves to improve their chances this season. She argues that the Bucks, in particular, have a good chance of knocking off the Nets if they can get past the Miami Heat in the first round.

The conversation then turns to the Western Conference, where the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns have been two of the best teams all season. Perkins argues that the Los Angeles Lakers are still the team to beat in the West, despite their recent struggles and injuries. He points out that LeBron James and Anthony Davis are both playoff-tested veterans who know how to win in the postseason.

Ogwumike agrees that the Lakers are still a dangerous team, but she also thinks that the Suns and Jazz are both capable of making a deep run in the playoffs. She points out that the Suns have an excellent young core led by Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, while the Jazz have one of the best defenses in the league and a deep roster of talented players.

Nichols asks the panelists which players they think will have the biggest impact in the playoffs this year. Perkins picks Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers, arguing that he has a history of stepping up in big moments and that he has a chip on his shoulder after last year's disappointing playoff exit.

Ogwumike picks Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz, arguing that he is a dynamic scorer who can take over games and that he will be a key player for the Jazz as they try to make a deep playoff run.

The episode ends with the panelists giving their predictions for who will win the NBA championship this year. Perkins sticks with his pick of the Brooklyn Nets, while Ogwumike picks the Los Angeles Clippers as her dark horse candidate. Nichols stays neutral, but thanks the panelists for their insightful analysis and for getting fans excited for what promises to be an exciting and unpredictable postseason.