For all the uninitiated, The Basketball Jones is one of the best basketball podcasts on iTunes and is a wildly hilarious way to spend 35-60 minutes of your day.

Australian native, Leigh Ellis, is the shows fact checker/twitter guy and is developing a cult following with his occasional off topic excursions into the non-basketball world.

US Sports Down Under caught up with Leigh and asked his opinion on a few topics.

USSDU - What is your best story/experience covering the NBA?

LE - I’ve had a few funny experiences in my efforts to speak to NBA players, but an impromptu promo from Mikael Pietrus stands out (check it out here).

I also did a feature on the soccer World Cup two years ago and Kobe gave me some one-on-one time. It was only a couple of minutes but for me, it was amazing considering how many demands get asked of him by the media. He really handles everything with such class.

USSDU - What are your predictions for the rest of the NBA Season? (NBA Finals, MVP and ROTY)

LE - FINALS: Last season, I predicted Oklahoma City to beat Miami in the Finals. After game one, I was comfortable with that pick, but then LeBron exploded. It was great to see and I think we’re going to see it again this season. After finally delivering the long-awaited title, I think LeBron now understands what it takes to win it all. He’s by far the best player in the world and if he’s able to maintain his health, I think Miami is the favourite to win the next few titles.

Even though Miami is not playing their best right now, it’s hard to see any team being able to beat them four times in seven games. The Heat might not have the best team in the league, but they have the best player and that is more important.

MVP: LeBron is the best player and should win the award for the fourth time but we’ve seen it happen before where voters get a bit bored voting for the same guy every year. I can see Durant winning it this year and if the Knicks keep up their current pace, even Melo could make a real charge at it.

ROTY: No. 1 pick Anthony Davis has had a bit of rough start to his career with a couple of injuries while Damian Lillard might be Portland’s best player this season. Based on that, I think Lillard will win the award this year, but Davis looks amazing and he will have a long and successful career. Certainly Lillard’s composure and body are NBA ready which is a direct benefit of playing three seasons of college ball. More guys should do it.

USSDU - Out of the Basketball Jones crew, who is the best baller and who talks the most trash on the court?

LE - Myself, Skeets, Tas & Trey just lost our rec-league final last Wednesday night. Trey got ejected in our final so I’d say he likes to get into it the most with the opposition!

Thanks for your time Leigh and keep doing what you are doing.

The Basketball Jones is a daily podcast (Tuesday-Saturday Aust Time) and can be found on the Podcasts app on your iPhone, iPad or on iTunes.

The boys also have a blog containing entertaining interviews, videos and funny observations that can be located here.

To read part one please click here http://ussdu.com/Wmx7yH