Russillo shares some observations from the 2022 NBA draft, including Chet Holmgren to the Thunder, the Knicks’ draft decisions, the Grizzlies trading up, and more (0:28). Then Ryen talks with Orlando Magic president of basketball ops Jeff Weltman about when and how the Magic decided to draft Paolo Banchero no. 1, how Paolo fits in with the young roster, a Jonathan Isaac update, Mo Bamba, the multiple ways cap space factors into free agency, and more (18:14). Finally Ryen answers some listener-su...
Jun 24, 2022•1 hr 14 min
Russillo shares his thoughts on the news that Kyrie Irving and the Nets have stalled on contract negotiations (0:25), before talking about the Warriors-Grizzlies post-Finals beef and why it doesn't make a ton of sense to clap back at a team that just won a title (6:53). Then Ryen is joined by Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch to discuss joining the team midseason in 2021, the 2022 playoff series vs. the Grizzlies, team dynamics with Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, D'Angelo Russell, and Pa...
Jun 21, 2022•1 hr 27 min
Ryen is joined by 'The Athletic'’s Sam Vecenie for an extensive breakdown of all the major prospects in next week’s NBA draft, including where Chet Holmgren should want to land, if we’re underrating Jabari Smith Jr.’s ceiling, and more (0:32)! Then, he’s joined by the NBA’s associate VP of international basketball operations, Chris Ebersole, to talk about the influx of international talent in the league, why it's only going to keep growing, and a look at some of the best international prospects ...
Jun 16, 2022•1 hr 49 min
Russillo shares his thoughts on the Warriors' Game 5 win over the Celtics, Boston not being able to capitalize on Steph Curry's low-scoring performance, improvements from Andrew Wiggins and Klay Thompson, the Celtics' turnover problem, and a look ahead to Game 6 (0:33). Then he talks with The Ringer's Wosny Lambre about the "approval ratings" of eight NBA players after the 2021-22 season, including Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, Damian Lillard, Rudy Gobert, and more (15:57). Finally Ryen ans...
Jun 14, 2022•1 hr 32 min
Ryen opens with the Celtics taking a 2-1 Finals lead, Draymond’s terrible Game 3, and the Warriors' inconsistent shot creation (0:32). Then, he chats with Pelicans executive VP of basketball operations David Griffin about the team’s drastic turnaround this season and what the future holds for Zion Williamson and the franchise (13:12). Next, Ryen talks with CNBC’s David Faber about covering these complicated financial times, how he got on TV, and his new ExxonMobil documentary (39:31). And finall...
Jun 09, 2022•1 hr 41 min
Russillo shares his thoughts on the idea of shortening the NBA season, as well as the top players already playing a shortened season (0:37). Then Ryen talks with 76ers forward Georges Niang about being on the Jazz during the NBA's COVID shutdown in March 2020, figuring out how to change his game to stay in the NBA, his experience with Joel Embiid as a teammate, the Sixers-Heat playoff series, the mechanics of defending certain star players, his experiences from Warriors training camp, Finals pre...
Jun 07, 2022•1 hr 20 min
Russillo and Ceruti bounce some NBA Finals questions off of each other (0:26) before Ryen previews the Finals with The Athletic's Anthony Slater. They compare Steph Curry’s 2022 season to past campaigns and discuss helpful stats to understand the matchup between the Warriors and Celtics, Gary Payton II’s planned return to the Warriors, Finals picks, and more (30:51). Finally Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (1:02:48). Host: Ryen Russillo Guest: Anthony Slater Producers:...
Jun 02, 2022•1 hr 41 min
Ryen opens with his pick for the Warriors-Celtics NBA Finals matchup and goes through the categories of confidence whenever people make predictions (0:27). Next, he chats with Van Lathan about why Texas A&M is the G-Eazy of college football, Captain America vs. Black Panther, and his new book 'Fat, Crazy & Tired' (17:09). Then, Ceruti hops on for a Champions League edition of Going Abroad, before Ryen recaps the F1 Monaco Grand Prix (30:07). And finally, he closes it out with some listener-submi...
May 31, 2022•1 hr 35 min
Old-school radio format! (0:28) - Heat-Celtics Game 5: Where Miami (likely) lost the series (8:33) - Debating the no. 1 NBA draft pick, figuring out the top 3 prospects in order (33:08) - Kyrie Irving free agency talk (47:57) - Life Advice Host: Ryen Russillo Producers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 26, 2022•1 hr 15 min
Russillo shares his thoughts on Celtics-Heat Game 4, some historically poor statistics for the Heat, staggering margins of victory throughout the playoffs, and more (0:32). Then Ryen talks with ESPN's Jorge Sedano about trying to understand the Eastern Conference finals: blowout wins, historic stats, and yet the series is tied 2-2. They also discuss the impact of the Heat's Bam Adebayo, Erik Spoelstra's coaching brilliance, Mavericks-Warriors, and more (13:41). Finally Ryen answers some listener...
May 24, 2022•1 hr 12 min
Russillo shares his thoughts on the Warriors’ Game 1 win over the Mavericks in the Western Conference finals (0:31) before talking with Charles Barkley about ‘Inside the NBA,’ endorsement deals, conference finals matchups, how NBA players deal with criticism, comparisons of David Stern and Adam Silver, the ceilings for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic, and more (12:32). Finally Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (49:57). Host: Ryen Russillo Guest: Charles Barkley Pro...
May 19, 2022•1 hr 12 min
Russillo makes his picks for Celtics-Heat and Warriors-Mavericks (0:28) before talking with The Ringer’s Logan Murdock about the uncertainty surrounding Warriors-Mavericks, the Jason Kidd renaissance, Celtics-Heat, Erik Spoelstra, what happened to the Suns, Deandre Ayton’s future, and more (19:47). Finally, Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (54:58). Host: Ryen Russillo Guest: Logan Murdock Producers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ...
May 17, 2022•1 hr 26 min
Russillo shares his thoughts on the Bucks’ Game 5 win over the Celtics in Boston, the Warriors 134-95 loss to the Grizzlies, and Suns-Mavericks (0:39), before talking with Hall of Famer and NBA champion Ben Wallace about today's best defensive NBA players, game planning for Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant in the 2004 Finals, head coach Larry Brown, playing with LeBron James in Cleveland, the hardest players to defend, and more (18:53). Finally Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice qu...
May 12, 2022•1 hr 21 min
Russillo shares his thoughts on all four NBA conference semifinal series (0:30), before talking with Raja Bell about the Grizzlies being down 3-1 to the Warriors, the Mavericks tying up their series with the Suns, how teams should defend Luka Doncic, pre-title concerns for the Bucks creeping into their series with the Celtics, 76ers-Heat, and playoff stories from Raja's NBA career (15:50). Finally Ryen is joined by comedian Nikki Glaser to discuss her new reality show 'Welcome Home Nikki Glaser?...
May 10, 2022•1 hr 40 min
Russillo talks about the Suns’ 20-point victory over the Mavericks in Game 2, Celtics-Bucks, the 76ers struggling down 2-0 in their series with the Heat, and Warriors-Grizzlies tied at 1-1 and what adjustments Golden State has to make going into Game 3 (0:37). Then Ryen talks with Al Harrington about his company Viola Brands, introducing his "Iverson" cannabis strain courtside at an NBA game, stories from Al’s 16-season NBA career, predictions for Warriors-Grizzlies, and more (16:58). Finally Ry...
May 05, 2022•1 hr 28 min
Ryen opens with his thoughts on Mavs-Suns and why Dallas just looks outmatched in this series before getting into why Doc Rivers is being so stubborn with DeAndre Jordan (0:34). Next, he chats with basketball Hall of Famer Gary Payton about his son’s emergence with the Warriors, his best trash talk stories, and the story of when young Ryen first met Gary (20:22). Then, ESPN NFL insider Dianna Russini stops by for a behind-the-scenes look at how the A.J. Brown trade happened, Baker Mayfield’s fut...
May 03, 2022•1 hr 49 min
Russillo shares his thoughts on Chris Paul’s historic performance in the Suns' series-winning victory over the Pelicans, the 76ers closing out their series with the Raptors, the Mavericks' series win over the Jazz, and what’s next for Utah (0:27). Then Ryen talks with ESPN’s Booger McFarland about the NFL draft—who had the best Round 1, the players with the highest upside, and more (15:26). Then Ryen is joined by Colts QB Matt Ryan to discuss his move to Indianapolis, calling Peyton Manning for ...
Apr 29, 2022•1 hr 47 min
Russillo shares his thoughts on the philosophy that the NBA is "a business," and where "business partners" like Ben Simmons and Kyrie Irving fit into all of it (0:31). Then Ryen talks with NBA champion and color analyst for the New Orleans Pelicans Antonio Daniels about the Suns-Pelicans series being tied 2-2, how coach Willie Green galvanized the team, Brandon Ingram's development, Zion Williamson's future in New Orleans, stories from Antonio's 13 seasons in the NBA, and more (11:26). Finally R...
Apr 26, 2022•1 hr 20 min
Russillo shares his thoughts on the Celtics’ defensive prowess in their Game 2 win vs. the Nets, Joel Embiid and the 76ers going up 3-0 vs. the Raptors, Bulls-Bucks, and more (0:34). Then Ryen talks with The Ringer’s Kevin Clark about the news of 49ers WR Deebo Samuel requesting a trade, NFL draft rumors, and more (16:45) before Going Abroad to discuss Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finishing in first place in the Australian Gran Prix (35:33). Finally, Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice...
Apr 21, 2022•1 hr 29 min
Ryen opens with a new edition of NBA Playoff Story Rankings, including whether he might be all the way back in on the Warriors, disappointing Jokic criticism, the mess that was the Jazz in Game 2, and more (0:43). Next, he chats with The Athletic’s Anthony Slater about the emergence of Jordan Poole and the Warriors’ new death lineup (17:13). Then, G League and Lakers guard Mac McClung stops by to talk about his journey to the NBA and being one of the first Instagram dunkers (41:08). Finally, he ...
Apr 19, 2022•1 hr 27 min
Russillo talks about Miles Bridges, the Timberwolves, young NBA defenders, and more (0:27). Then Ryen is joined by ESPN’s Todd McShay and NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah to discuss their respective NFL mock drafts, possible draft-day scenarios, the scouting process for draft prospects, and more (15:51). Finally Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (56:00) Host: Ryen Russillo Guests: Todd McShay and Daniel Jeremiah Producers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti Learn more about you...
Apr 14, 2022•1 hr 32 min
Ryen opens with some NBA observations before the playoffs begin, including a potential Celtics-Nets matchup, Luka’s injury concern, and which teams might blow it up if things go bad (0:37). Then, he chats with his old friend Scott Van Pelt about Tiger and the Masters, his love for Kevin Durant, an NBA playoff team draft, and why SVP needs a hobby (22:52). Finally, he closes it out with some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (1:03:35). Host: Ryen Russillo Guests: Scott Van Pelt Producers: ...
Apr 12, 2022•1 hr 34 min
Russillo shares his thoughts on Magic Johnson’s critical comment about the Lakers and the big question of what is next for the team (0:32). Then Ryen talks with Mikal Bridges of the Phoenix Suns about the Suns’ regular-season success, defending Luka Doncic, Chris Paul’s leadership, last year’s postseason run, and more (12:00). Then Ryen is joined by the cocreators of the AppleTV+ show ‘WeCrashed’ to discuss the show’s inception, working with Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway, the challenges of making...
Apr 07, 2022•1 hr 37 min
Russillo shares his thoughts on the beauty of the NCAA tournament and the national champion Kansas Jayhawks (0:29) before talking with Jackie MacMullan about her new narrative podcast, ‘Icons Club,’ the friendship and rivalry between Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, the 2022 Celtics’ turnaround, LeBron James’s future after a crushing Lakers season, and more (12:13). Then Ryen talks with author and journalist Michael Lewis about some of his books, including ‘The Premonition,’ ‘The Fifth Risk,’ ...
Apr 05, 2022•1 hr 51 min
Russillo is joined by NBA champion Andrew Bogut to discuss joining the Warriors in 2012, the 2015 title run, stories from the Clippers-Warriors rivalry, playoff predictions, and more (0:37). Then Ryen talks with Kyle Buchanan of The New York Times about his book, ‘Blood, Sweat & Chrome: The Wild and True Story of Mad Max: Fury Road’ (39:18). Finally Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (1:26:08). Host: Ryen Russillo Guests: Andrew Bogut and Kyle Buchanan Producers: Kyle Cri...
Mar 31, 2022•1 hr 53 min
Ryen opens with whether it’s really true that the East is better than the West in the NBA this season (0:29). Next, he chats with ESPN’s Domonique Foxworth about Will Smith vs. Chris Rock, how the Deshaun Watson situation will play out with the Browns, and stories from playing with Ray Lewis and Ed Reed (11:52). Then, Peter Rosenberg, the host of 'Cheap Heat' on the Ringer Wrestling Show feed, talks a little 'WrestleMania 38,' Ryen’s history as a wrestling fan, plus his thoughts on the Kanye doc...
Mar 29, 2022•1 hr 45 min
Russillo shares his thoughts on the spat between Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra and Jimmy Butler, and examines Butler’s NBA career and exits from his former teams (0:41). Then Ryen talks with The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor about his latest NBA mock draft and his 14 lottery projections (14:05). Next, Ryen is joined by mountain climber Alex Honnold to discuss the making of the documentary ‘Free Solo,’ in which he completed the first free-solo climb of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park (49:50). Fin...
Mar 24, 2022•1 hr 49 min
Ryen opens with his thoughts on whether the quarterback gap between the AFC and NFC is as big as we think (0:31) before brining on The Athletic’s Sheil Kapadia to talk about some of the specific movement we saw at the position this offseason (8:08). Next, he chats with former NBA star Gilbert Arenas about being broke as a rookie, becoming an All-Star with the Wizards, and his battle with commissioner David Stern after his 2009 gun incident (27:46). Finally, Ryen closes it out with some listener-...
Mar 22, 2022•1 hr 53 min
Russillo shares what five NBA teams are thinking about the top of the 2022 NBA draft class (0:33). Then Ryen talks with ESPN's Todd McShay about his latest 2022 NFL mock draft. They discuss all the uncertainty free-agent signings and trades have brought to the top QB prospects, top WRs, NFL combine superstar DT Jordan Davis, McShay's top 10 draft prospects, second-round sleepers, and more (8:34). Finally, Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (50:44). Host: Ryen Russillo Gue...
Mar 17, 2022•1 hr 15 min
Russillo remembers the Miami Marlins heist (0:33). Then Ryen is joined by Doug Gottlieb of Fox Sports to fill out an entire bracket for the NCAA men's basketball tournament (9:35). Then Ryen talks with Metta Sandiford-Artest about playing for St. John's in the late '90s, his NBA mentors, executing a team style of play, stories from playing with Kobe Bryant, guarding Allen Iverson, Paul Pierce, and more (39:35). Finally Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (1:20:19). Host: R...
Mar 15, 2022•1 hr 41 min
