Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor cover the Lakers-Nuggets Western Conference finals (1:06), the importance of Gordon Hayward to the Celtics’ success against the Heat (25:07), and other stories from around the league, including the potential G League restart reported by Shams Charania (40:21) and the controversy around awards voting this season (47:10). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Sep 22, 2020•1 hr 6 min
Logan and Raja are back Monday morning discussing the inevitability of the Lakers-Nuggets series (5:18), whether awards snubs motivate star players (18:21), and if Marcus Smart’s outburst after Game 2 brought the Celtics back into the series (38:07). Then from The Ringer’s copy desk, Jordan Ligons hops on to talk about recent coronavirus concerns in the Wubble, Candace Parker’s future, and the WNBA playoff format (51:33). Finally, producer extraordinaire Isaac Lee pours out some liquor for his c...
Sep 21, 2020•1 hr 9 min
The Heat beat the Celtics to go up 2-0 in the Eastern Conference finals, and Chris and Kevin got together after the game to talk about the Celtics’ meltdown in the face of Miami’s zone defense (0:40), the matchup between the Lakers and Nuggets (39:26), and what moves the Clippers might make in the offseason (50:58). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Sep 18, 2020•1 hr 18 min
Justin Verrier, Jonathan Tjarks, and Rob Mahoney are joined by The Washington Post’s Ben Golliver to decompress from the dopamine overdose of the Nuggets’ historic win over the Clippers (0:50) and Bam Adebayo’s near-unbelievable Game 1–winning block against the Celtics (47:12). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Jonathan Tjarks, and Rob Mahoney Guest: Ben Golliver Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Sep 16, 2020•1 hr 7 min
Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor discuss the importance of Kawhi Leonard and Nikola Jokic in Game 7 of the Clippers-Nuggets series (0:43) and what to look for in the Eastern Conference finals between the Celtics and Heat (32:22). They then touch on the future of the Raptors (48:44), the head coach shuffle around the league (61:17), and what might be next for Russell Westbrook (69:19). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Sep 15, 2020•1 hr 18 min
Logan Murdock and Raja Bell hop on during this basketball-less Monday to figure out who’s to blame for the Clippers’ less-than-expected performance in the playoffs and what could sway Game 7 against the Nuggets (3:26), who the key players are in the upcoming Eastern Conference finals between the Heat and Celtics (30:49), and the aftermath of Houston’s unfruitful postseason (42:48). Then The Ringer’s Sean Yoo joins to pour out a little liquor for his Houston Rockets (56:29), and Logan and Raja ea...
Sep 14, 2020•1 hr 11 min
Kevin O'Connor and Logan Murdock hop on right after Celtics-Raptors Game 7 to share their instant reactions (00:11) as well as a very early preview of the Eastern Conference Finals (13:10). Plus, quick thoughts on the Nuggets surviving elimination against the Clippers (17:33). Hosts: Logan Murdock and Kevin O'Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 12, 2020•21 min
Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor discuss the Rockets’ abysmal showing against the Lakers in Game 4 and what potential moves the team might make in the likely event they lose the series (1:53). They then discuss the down-to-the-wire Game 6 between the Celtics and Raptors (26:31), Kawhi’s dominance in the playoffs versus the regular season (41:59), and the age-old question of whether Giannis will stay or go (58:07). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podc...
Sep 11, 2020•1 hr 8 min
Justin, Jonathan, and Rob are joined by Ethan Strauss of The Athletic to discuss what the Bucks can do to move forward from a disappointing loss in the second round and the role of star players in shaping the landscape of the league (1:53), plus how the Heat pulled off the upset and what could be the key to their next matchup (hint: it rhymes with ham) (32:03). Then the Group Chat crew takes a look at what Billy Donovan's departure from the Thunder means for the team's future (41:00) and what th...
Sep 09, 2020•1 hr 6 min
Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor get into all the conference semifinal matchups about halfway through the round, starting with a surprisingly competitive Nuggets-Clippers series (2:43). They then move on to the basically over Bucks-Heat series (21:09), the back-and-forth Raptors-Celtics series (32:29), and the early days of the tied-up Rockets-Lakers series (42:42). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Sep 08, 2020•57 min
Logan Murdock and Raja Bell get into the Lakers' Game 2 win against Houston and the role Russell Westbrook plays in swinging Rockets games (2:48), whether Giannis can lead a championship charge on his own in a league of fearsome twosomes, which other star in the NBA would be the best pairing for him (39:33), and playoff predictions (59:18). Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Sep 07, 2020•1 hr 4 min
Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor dive into the Raptors’ huge one-point victory over the Boston Celtics to stay in their second-round series (1:51), beg Mike Budenholzer to play Giannis and Middleton for 40 minutes (19:40), mourn the exhausted Denver Nuggets after their blowout loss against the Clippers (40:23), debate what could constitute a “small” Lakers lineup against the Rockets in their Round 2 matchup (45:40), and finally discuss the hiring of Steve Nash as the new Brooklyn Nets head coach ...
Sep 04, 2020•1 hr 25 min
Logan Murdock and Raja Bell share their reactions to the Brooklyn Nets signing Steve Nash to a four-year head-coaching deal and keeping interim head coach Jaque Vaughn as lead assistant coach (00:48). Then they discuss the dramatic ending to Game 7 between the Rockets and Thunder (31:05). Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 03, 2020•43 min
Justin, Jonathan, and Rob are joined by The Athletic's Wosny Lambre to discuss the drag-out battle between the Nuggets and the Jazz in Game 7 and what ultimately made the difference for the Nuggets (02:23). They also talk about the Raptors' failure to hold off the Celtics and how Toronto can improve in this first playoff outing without Kawhi Leonard (36:17). Then Jonathan takes us to Nerd Corner to break down how players with big wins can be difficult to build a team around (55:43). Hosts: Justi...
Sep 02, 2020•1 hr 10 min
Verno and KOC turn yet another contentious page in their ongoing Houston Rockets debate after the Rockets' embarrassing Game 6 collapse against the Oklahoma City Thunder (1:38) before discussing the predictably competitive Bucks-Heat matchup as well as the other series in the NBA playoffs (32:27). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 01, 2020•58 min
Logan and Raja discuss the incredible back-and-forth guard play between Donovan Mitchell and Jamal Murray in the Jazz-Nuggets series (5:22), what moves the homeward-bound Trail Blazers need to make in order to be a real title contender (32:35), Kawhi’s outstanding play and Marcus Morris’s dirty play to send the Mavericks home (45:39), and finally The Ringer’s Jason Gallagher joins the show to pour a little liquor out for his Mavericks (49:35). Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Guest: Jason Gall...
Aug 31, 2020•1 hr 1 min
Verno and KOC are joined by Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff to discuss the NBA players’ strike and how professional sports can lead the pursuit of racial justice for Black Americans. Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Guest: J.B. Bickerstaff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 27, 2020•46 min
Logan Murdock, Rob Mahoney, and Van Lathan share their real-time reactions to the NBA postponing Wednesday's games as a result of the player strike led by the Milwaukee Bucks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 26, 2020•25 min
Justin, Jon, and Rob are joined by NBC Sports' Tom Haberstroh to talk about Tuesday's blowout between the Clippers and the Mavs, including the drama surrounding Luka Doncic and Marcus Morris (15:15). They also discuss the Nuggets' latest victory over the Jazz and the Pacers' decision to fire Nate McMillan just after announcing his extension (26:18). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, Jonathan Tjarks Guest: Tom Haberstroh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Aug 26, 2020•1 hr 14 min
Verno and KOC discuss the competitive first-round matchups (1:16), teams that are figuratively on the ropes (28:37), and the already-concluded series (52:52). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 25, 2020•1 hr 13 min
Logan and Raja discuss Luka Doncic's stunning performance against the Clippers and where he fits in when it comes to the top franchise building blocks in the NBA right now (07:04). They are also joined by Ringer staff writer Tyler R. Tynes to talk about the 76ers getting swept out of the bubble and how to fix the absolute mess of a team (39:42). Finally, Logan and Raja remember Kobe Bryant on "Kobe Day" with memorable stories and encounters with the legendary player. Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raj...
Aug 24, 2020•1 hr 6 min
Verno and KOC react to the 2020 NBA draft lottery (1:16) before discussing the ongoing first-round series in the playoffs (24:07). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 21, 2020•1 hr 22 min
Justin, Jonathan, and Rob are joined by L.A. Times reporter Dan Woike to discuss the Los Angeles Lakers' woes against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1 (01:45), and the loaded Los Angeles Clippers' win over Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks (22:00). Later, they bounce around the NBA bubble with their show-and-tell picks from the start of the playoffs (36:00). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Jonathan Tjarks, Rob Mahoney Guest: Dan Woike Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adch...
Aug 19, 2020•1 hr 4 min
Verno and KOC break down the first day of playoff games, including Donovan Mitchell’s 57-point performance that still couldn’t save the Jazz (2:42), the sleepy Raptors vs. Nets series (20:58), the continued problems with the Sixers (28:29), and the flagrant call on Kristaps Porzingis that could have tipped the Clippers vs. Mavericks series (44:20). Plus, some predictions for the next round of games (59:20). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastcho...
Aug 18, 2020•1 hr 9 min
Logan Murdock and Raja Bell sit down to discuss the winners and losers of this weekend's play-in games (09:18). Logan also debates Raja on his take about Damian Lillard eclipsing Steph Curry (24:52). Then they touch on the dismissal of Alvin Gentry form the Pelicans, what role players do best in the postseason, and their picks for the postseason matchups going forward. Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Aug 17, 2020•1 hr 10 min
Verno and KOC discuss the Portland Trail Blazers' win over the Brooklyn Nets and what we can expect for their next matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, with the eighth seed on the line (1:00). Then they break down the potential franchises that could see changes in the near future (12:40) and discuss the teams to keep an eye on as they move on to the next rounds (33:40). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Aug 14, 2020•1 hr 20 min
Justin, Rob, and Jonathan talk about bubble MVP Damian Lillard (01:25). Chris Ryan joins to discuss the downer of a time the 76ers are having and how improvements by other players could affect Ben Simmons’s performance (27:20). Later they dive into nerd corner to talk about the Denver Nuggets’ growth and what makes Michael Porter Jr. one of the breakout stars of the bubble (50:52). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, Jonathan Tjarks Guest: Chris Ryan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podca...
Aug 12, 2020•1 hr 5 min
Verno and KOC discuss the narrowing race for the 8-seed in the West (0:37), the never-ending quest to make the Philadelphia 76ers' roster fit together (28:12), and the still-undefeated Phoenix Suns (45:47). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 11, 2020•1 hr
Logan Murdock and Raja Bell discuss this weekend’s games, including Damian Lillard’s incredible showing against the 76ers (00:41). They also talk about Phoenix’s momentum and how to best capitalize on Devin Booker’s moment (06:21) before discussing possible concerns for the Lakers, potential reform in the fight for the 8-seed, and players’ relationship with the media. Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Aug 10, 2020•1 hr 2 min
CC and Ryan are joined by All-NBA point guard Kemba Walker to discuss how he’s adjusted to the Orlando bubble (11:58), New York basketball (25:13), his relationship with Michael Jordan, and the Celtics’ playoff hopes (48:53). This episode originally ran on the R2C2 feed. Hosts: CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco Guest: Kemba Walker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 08, 2020•47 min
