The Ringer Nba Show

The Ringer’s Chris Ryan joins Justin and Rob to discuss their overall first impressions on the NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament. They share what they’ve liked and disliked about the first set of games and hypothesize what the future of the tournament could be (1:20). Later, they talk about the 76ers' early-season success, the positive influence of Nick Nurse, and the Kelly Oubre Jr. renaissance (44:24). Lastly, they discuss what has been working for the Mavericks so far this season and analyze what Kyrie’s role has looked like in Dallas (56:23). Hosts: Justin Verrier and Rob Mahoney Guest: Chris Ryan Producer: Jack Sanders Additional Production Supervision: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan and Raja are joined by three-time NBA all-star and cohost of the ‘No Chill’ podcast Gilbert Arenas to discuss what it was like playing against Raja and the constant push and pull between primary defenders and elite scorers (1:41). Next, they talk about how Arenas evolved from a young scorer to a superstar in the NBA, what it takes to make that transition, and how the empowerment of stars has changed over the years (12:54). Along the way, the guys talk about what Jordan Poole needs to do if he wants to successfully lead the Washington Wizards and how that compares to Arenas’s time with the team (38:20). Later, they react to the early ups and downs of the Los Angeles Lakers and why still relying on LeBron James at this point in his career is unsustainable (45:45). Finally, the guys close with their Real Ones of the Week (60:31). The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming, please checkout ringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Hosts: Logan Murdock and

Justin, Rob, and Wos answer some next questions for all the parties involved in the James Harden trade. They discuss Harden’s fit on the Clippers, the next move for the Sixers, and more. Then they check in on a couple of young bigs in Victor Wembanyama and Evan Mobley and discuss their starts to the season (54:14). The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming, please checkout theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre Producer: Isaiah Blakely Additional Production Supervision: Benjamin Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan, Raja, and Howard are back to discuss the Lakers' 1-2 start and what level of concern the team should have since it's led by an aging LeBron James (02:00). Then, the guys react to the Hawks beating the Bucks at home (32:00). Later, Raja and Howard Beck share some of their players-only meeting stories (41:20). Hosts: Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck Producer: Jonathan Kermah Production Assistant: Kai Grady Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and Wos join to discuss their biggest takeaways from the first week of the season. They start by exploring what’s going wrong with the Chicago Bulls and hypothesize what moves could be in their future (4:20). Then, they talk about the Pistons' impressive first week and what’s been working for their defense (19:11). Later, they express their worries and injury concerns about the Phoenix Suns (51:33). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre Producer: Jack Sanders Additional Production Supervision: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan and Howard are joined by Sam Amick, senior NBA writer for The Athletic, to unpack how Victor Wembanyama navigated opening night jitters as a rookie and what the San Antonio Spurs are going to do to manage the spotlight that comes with a player like him (2:55). Next, they discuss reports that James Harden returned to the Philadelphia 76ers practice facility but wasn’t allowed to travel with the team for the season opener and that trade talks with the Los Angeles Clippers have stalled (24:40). Later, the guys talk about the series of changes coming to the league this season, including the return to the East vs. West format for the NBA All-Star Game (43:50). Finally, the guys close with their Real Ones of the Week (58:37). The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming, please checkout ringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Hosts: Logan Murdock and Howard Beck Guest: Sam Amick Producer: Jonathan Kermah Production Assistant: Kai Grady Learn more about your

Justin, Rob, and Wos give their thoughts on the NBA’s opening night games. They start off with Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets, who didn't skip a beat against the Lakers (03:47). They then discuss the Suns’ win over the Warriors, Devin Booker’s continued improvement, and Chris Paul’s debut in Golden State (28:13). After, they touch on Giannis’s extension with the Bucks (47:35) and the wave of rookie contract extensions (54:54). The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre Producer: Eduardo Ocampo Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan, Raja, and Howard tackle some of the most pressing questions and story lines on the eve of the NBA season. They discuss their expectations for Victor Wembanyama’s rookie season (7:56), the potential long-term impact of James Harden’s trade request on the Philadelphia 76ers (17:36), the Boston Celtics’ championship window (26:10), how Dame and Giannis fit together on the Bucks (37:50), and how Chris Paul can impact this new-look Warriors team (50:20), before giving their NBA season predictions (59:29). The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming, please checkout theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Hosts: Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck Producer: Jonathan Kermah Production Assistant: Kai Grady Mixing and Editing: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and Wos start by discussing Steven Adams’s season-ending knee injury and what it means for the Grizzlies going forward (3:05). Then, the guys dive into their entrance survey for the upcoming season and hypothesize who will be the next star to be traded (12:31), highlight their favorite league pass teams (20:43), and give their season award predictions and Finals picks (1:03:44). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre Producer: Jack Sanders Additional Production Supervision: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan and Raja react to Steph Curry’s preseason game-winner against the Sacramento Kings, Jordan Poole dropping 41 points in three quarters, and whether or not both performances feel like statement games ahead of the regular season (2:58). Next, they discuss James Harden skipping 76ers practice and how his trade request has become a total distraction to the team (38:41). Finally, the guys close with their Real Ones of the Week (52:47). The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming, please checkout ringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Producer: Jonathan Kermah Production Assistant: Kai Grady Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and Wos are here with the finale of their preseason NBA power rankings, this time talking about the teams slotted fifth to first. For each team, they give their general thoughts, answer one essential question, and identify this season's swing player. Lakers: (3:40) Suns: (22:32) Celtics: (37:55) Bucks: (1:00:45) Nuggets: (1:11:06) Listen to all the 'Group Chat' preseason power rankings here! The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out http://theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre Producer: Isaiah Blakely Additional Production Supervision: Benjamin Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and Wos are here with Part 4 of their preseason NBA power rankings, this time talking about the teams slotted 10th to sixth. For each team, they give their general thoughts, answer one essential question, and identify this season's swing player. Cleveland Cavaliers: (3:30) Memphis Grizzlies: (21:30) Philadelphia 76ers: (39:26) Miami Heat: (51:14) Golden State Warriors: (1:04:37) If you missed the beginning of the rankings, listen here! Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre Producer: Isaiah Blakely Additional Production Supervision: Benjamin Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan and Raja are joined by The Ringer’s Howard Beck to give their first impressions of Damian Lillard’s Milwaukee Bucks preseason debut and discuss why building on-court chemistry with Giannis Antetokounmpo is so important (2:00). Along the way, the guys discuss this new era of star player empowerment and how it’s impacting the rest of the league. Later, they talk about the arrival of San Antonio Spurs rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama and what his hybrid play style means for the NBA big man (37:00). The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Hosts: Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck Producer: Jonathan Kermah Production Assistant: Kai Grady Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and Wos are here with part 3 of their preseason NBA power rankings, this time talking about the teams slotted 15th to 11th. For each team, they give their general thoughts, answer one essential question, and identify this season's swing player. Thunder (4:22) Kings (27:10) Knicks (42:53) Clippers (56:13) Mavericks (1:07:10) If you missed the beginning of the rankings, listen here! Part 1 Part 2 Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre Producer: Isaiah Blakely Additional Production Supervision: Benjamin Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and Wos are here with Part 2 of their annual preseason power rankings, this time talking about the teams from no. 20 to no. 16. For each team, they give their general thoughts, answer one essential question, and tell us who they think the swing player is. Utah Jazz (03:18) Atlanta Hawks (17:47) Minnesota Timberwolves (35:25) Indiana Pacers (53:28) New Orleans Pelicans (63:50) The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre Producer: Eduardo Ocampo Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Austin and Pausha are back for the start of the preseason; they react to the news that Jrue Holiday was traded to the Celtics and discuss how this compares to the Damian Lillard trade and what this ultimately means for the Heat (6:04). Then, they address quotes from media day, starting with Jimmy Butler’s hair and Brandon Ingram’s take on a big payday (15:34). They finish off the show with another round of Lost in the Sauce, where they once again put their basketball knowledge to the test (51:22). Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi Producers: Erika Cervantes and Ben Cruz The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming, please checkout theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and Wos deliver Part 1 of their annual preseason power rankings, starting with the bottom 10 teams in the league. For each team, they give their general thoughts, answer one essential question, and tell us who they think the swing player is for each team Intro (00:00). Washington Wizards (09:10) Portland Trail Blazers (25:10) Detroit Pistons (43:37) San Antonio Spurs (54:28) Houston Rockets (1:02:24) Brooklyn Nets (1:14:36) Charlotte Hornets (1:30:21) Orlando Magic (1:43:08) Chicago Bulls (1:56:24) Toronto Raptors (2:02:47) Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre Producer: Isaiah Blakely Additional Production Supervision: Benjamin Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan and Raja discuss the Boston Celtics landing Jrue Holiday, whether or not the move makes them the favorite in the Eastern Conference, and their thoughts on the new-look Milwaukee Bucks (2:00). Next, they briefly talk about James Harden not showing up to media day for the Philadelphia 76ers amid the ongoing feud between him and the franchise (22:00). Later, they react to NBA insider Chris Haynes’s article on Damian Lillard’s departure from Portland and how the relationship between him and the Blazers fractured on the way out (32:00). Finally, the guys close with their Real Ones of the Week (53:00). The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Producer: Jonathan Kermah Production Assistant: Kai Grady Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Austin and Pausha react to the blockbuster Damian Lillard trade and talk through why this is a rare triple win for all three teams involved (0:32). Then, they hit on the Travis Kelce–Taylor Swift relationship news (25:52) and likely NBA prospect Cooper Flagg’s UConn photo shoot. They wrap things up with Lost in the Sauce, a new segment that puts both guys’ NBA history knowledge to the test (53:51). Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi Producers: Erika Cervantes and Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and Wos give their instant reaction to the Damian Lillard three-team trade. They give their thoughts on what Lillard looks like on the Bucks, whether the Suns got better, where Jrue Holiday ends up, and much more. Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre Producer: Isaiah Blakely Additional Production Supervision: Benjamin Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices