We do a little game of "predict the headlines" ahead of the 2019 NBA season: When will Anthony Davis start to get unhappy in L.A.? When will Ben Simmons’s jump shot get called into question? When will we start to worry that Zion is out of shape? And more. Hosts: Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 05, 2019•47 min•Ep. 500
Team USA narrowly defeats Turkey in an unexpectedly competitive OT thriller, as FIBA World Cup action intensifies (0:48). Plus: With the 2019 Big 3 season coming to a close, the guys select a hypothetical Big 3 team for each Eastern Conference team (34:09). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 03, 2019•57 min•Ep. 499
As the beginning of the FIBA World Cup approaches, we run down the most important NBA players competing in the tournament and speculate over what impact their participation might have on their 2019-20 NBA seasons. Hosts: Justin Verrier and Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 29, 2019•44 min•Ep. 498
The Brooklyn Nets extends Caris LeVert for $52.5 million over three years (0:43), and the Los Angeles Lakers sign former All-Star (and former Laker) Dwight Howard (8:27). Plus: the first-ever 'Mismatch' mailbag (22:58)! Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 27, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 497
We open up the mailbag in the dog days of August and field questions about dark-horse MVP candidates, James Harden’s usage, the 2019 Sixers, future All-Stars about to make a breakout, and more. Hosts: Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 22, 2019•48 min•Ep. 496
De’Aaron Fox joins the long list of Team USA dropouts for the upcoming FIBA World Cup, so how does the current team stack up against other countries’ squads (0:45)? Plus: The 2019-20 rookie class cast some surprising votes for superlatives among their peers (22:11). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 20, 2019•47 min•Ep. 495
We go over the news out of Las Vegas that DeMarcus Cousins has torn his ACL—what does this mean for the rest of his career, and what will it mean for the 2019-20 Lakers (1:50)? Then, we bounce around the rest of the NBA and talk about the sale of the Nets and Team USA news (20:46). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 16, 2019•35 min•Ep. 494
The NBA just officially announced the 2019-20 regular-season schedule. Which matchups are we most looking forward to? Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 13, 2019•53 min•Ep. 493
We discuss Kevin Durant's first on-the-record interview since his Achilles tear. What is the NBA going to look like in 2020 without its potential best player (1:00)? Then we break down the present and the future of Team USA, including who should and will make it this year, and who we’re most excited to see in 2020 and beyond (31:11). Hosts: Justin Verrier and Dan Devine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Aug 08, 2019•58 min•Ep. 492
The guys react to Draymond Green’s four-year contract extension with the Golden State Warriors (0:42), scheduling news for the 2019-20 season (16:24), and NBA.com’s All-Decade Teams for the 2010s (35:03). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 06, 2019•51 min•Ep. 491
We break down CJ McCollum’s near-max extension, and what it means for the perennially good-but-not-great Blazers (1:00). Then, we briefly run through what it’s like for a coach and franchise to find out they lost their star free agent (25:10), before talking through some potential Carmelo landing spots (31:41). Hosts: Justin Verrier and Danny Chau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Aug 01, 2019•50 min•Ep. 490
Jeremy Lin bemoans the likely end of his NBA career (1:59) which begs the question: Which fringe NBA players could be valuable additions for contending teams (14:38)? Plus: Evaluating early Vegas odds for 2019-20 win totals (37:16). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 30, 2019•50 min•Ep. 489
We share our takeaways from the Los Angeles Clippers’ introduction of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George (2:04) before discussing Zion Williamson’s Jordan brand deal (17:25) and the future of free agency (23:50). Then, Zach Kram joins to explore the best young cores in the NBA according to the numbers (33:31). Host: Justin Verrier Guests: Danny Chau, Zach Kram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Jul 25, 2019•52 min•Ep. 488
The guys discuss the noise coming out of the Washington Wizards (0:50), the Los Angeles Lakers’ new pairing of LeBron James and Anthony Davis (31:35), Tim Duncan joining the San Antonio Spurs coaching staff (50:26), and Zion Williamson's signing with Jordan brand (55:37). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 23, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 487
Chris Paul is reportedly “parked” in Oklahoma City. So how good will the Thunder be? (2:11) Plus: a way-too-early look at the FIBA World Cup (25:50) and a way-way-way-too-early index of 2020 championship contender tiers (39:19). Host: Justin Verrier Guests: Danny Chau, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 18, 2019•53 min•Ep. 486
With the 2019 NBA summer league in the books, the guys discuss the bright future of the champion Memphis Grizzlies as well as other Las Vegas standouts (1:08). Then, they debate the merits of the controversial Russell Westbrook trade (22:40) and the increase in player movement in the modern NBA (49:21). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 16, 2019•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 485
The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets just shook the league—again—by swapping Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul. We convene to discuss the ramifications for these two teams and the rest of the league. Hosts: Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 12, 2019•41 min•Ep. 484
With some distance from the initial shock value of the trade, we take a measured look at the unprecedented haul of picks that the Thunder received from the Clippers in exchange for Paul George (2:00). Then we try to find the ideal partner for Russell Westbrook at this stage of his career and consider which teams can make those partnerships happen (26:00). Finally, Tjarks shares his three biggest observations from NBA summer league in Las Vegas (47:30). Hosts: Justin Verrier and Jonathan Tjarks L...
Jul 11, 2019•59 min•Ep. 483
Live from Las Vegas at NBA summer league, the guys discuss seven topics they're most interested in from the offseason so far. Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 09, 2019•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 482
Now that Kawhi and Paul George have joined forces, what is the market for Russell Westbrook (0:57)? Then we discuss Kawhi Leonard’s savvy moves as a behind-the-scenes general manager, and the Clippers’ potential next season (18:10). Plus, a check in on the Lakers’ new roster (34:20). Hosts: Chris Ryan , Kevin O'Connor , Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Jul 07, 2019•41 min•Ep. 480
Emergency pod! The Los Angeles Clippers win the Kawhi Leonard sweepstakes and acquire Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Hosts: Chris Ryan, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 06, 2019•40 min•Ep. 479
Does anyone actually know anything about Kawhi Leonard’s impending decision (0:40)? Plus: Now that we’ve had a few days to think about the new signings, were our initial reactions correct (15:21)? Hosts: Chris Ryan, Justin Verrier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 03, 2019•46 min•Ep. 478
Kawhi Leonard seems destined to wind up with the Los Angeles Lakers, but whatever he decides to do will drastically shift the NBA landscape (0:36). The top Eastern Conference contenders reload for another run (16:59) while a handful of teams make some questionable signings (42:44). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 02, 2019•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 477
Free agency is finally here! The Philadelphia 76ers sign-and-trade Jimmy Butler to the Miami Heat (1:24) and the New York Knicks strike out while the crosstown Brooklyn Nets sign two megastars (23:00). Plus: Where will Kawhi Leonard end up? Could the reloaded Utah Jazz be real contenders? What in the world are the Charlotte Hornets doing? And much, much more (39:26). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Chris Ryan, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Jul 01, 2019•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 476
The Ringer NBA crew gives instant reactions to the first wave of free-agency signings. Watch on The Ringer’s YouTube channel . Host: John Gonzalez Guest: Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 30, 2019•45 min•Ep. 475
Ahead of the start of free agency on Sunday, we go over some of the emerging suitors for the top free agents and speculate about the order of operations that could determine which guys pair up on teams. Will Kawhi Leonard end up in a Lakers jersey? Will Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant pair up in Brooklyn? Will the Knicks strike out? And more. Hosts: Kevin O’Connor and Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Jun 28, 2019•54 min•Ep. 474
The Houston Rockets are doing what they can to insert themselves into the sweepstakes for free agent Jimmy Butler—can the Sixers convince Butler to stay in Philadelphia? Plus, after a new Kevin Arnovitz report about league schedule changes, we re-enter into past discussions about whether the NBA needs to be proactive in changing their schedule format and adding a midseason or a play-in tournament. Hosts: Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adc...
Jun 26, 2019•52 min•Ep. 473
The results from the NBA awards were largely unsurprising (0:50), but free agency may have some surprises in store (27:48). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 25, 2019•57 min•Ep. 472
With the start of free agency right around the corner, everyone is wondering where some of the league’s biggest stars will end up (3:55). Plus: Draft additions make a handful of young teams (hint: one of the teams has Zion Williamson on it) instantly exciting to watch (34:06). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Dan Devine, Danny Chau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Jun 24, 2019•54 min•Ep. 471
We break down the teams with the biggest draft hauls from Thursday night: the Pelicans, Hawks, and Grizzlies—who all seem to have gotten the exact guys they wanted in Zion Williamson, DeAndre Hunter, and Ja Morant, respectively. Then, we speed through recapping the rest of the lottery picks, including the biggest surprise in Cam Johnson going 11th and the awkward fit between Darius Garland and Collin Sexton in Cleveland. Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Danny Chau, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad...
Jun 21, 2019•51 min•Ep. 470