The Ringer Nba Show

We check in with each of the four playoff series, including what the Celtics need from Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, whether Brett Brown’s adjustments in the Sixers-Raptors series are here to stay, and whether Nikola Jokic has finally made the choice to be a dominant scorer for the rest of the playoffs (1:30). Then we give a quick preview of the big men in the upcoming NBA draft, theorizing about what roles they might fill and whether it’s worth using a high draft pick on any of them (43:23). Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Jonathan Tjarks, Danny Chau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Game 2 of the most anticipated playoff series thus far, the Golden State Warriors hold off a bloody-eyed James Harden and the Houston Rockets to defend home-court advantage with a 2-0 lead. Host: John Gonzalez Guest: Haley O’Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Philadelphia 76ers defeat the juggernaut Toronto Raptors in Game 2, tempering concerns of a one-sided series (0:47), while Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets present a big-man problem for the Portland Trail Blazers (14:36). The Milwaukee Bucks need to address how to combat the Boston Celtics’ suffocating defense (28:38), while Warriors-Rockets remains derailed by officiating controversies (45:16). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The first game of the highly anticipated second-round matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets ended with a conspicuous lack of foul calls (4:04), while in the East, the Boston Celtics proved their formidability with a resounding win against the Milwaukee Bucks (16:02). Plus: the Philadelphia 76ers struggled to contain—let alone stop—Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors (24:50), and the San Antonio Spurs got knocked out of the first round in a bizarre sequence at the end of Game 7 versus the Denver Nuggets (37:33). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Dan Devine, Shea Serrano Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We wonder whether the Warriors can close the Clippers in Game 6 in L.A., or whether we’re starting to see signs that they’re unraveling (4:00). Then, we touch on the other Western Conference series that’s still going—Spurs vs. Nuggets—and what a potential loss could mean for Michael Malone, Nikola Jokic, and the rest of the Nuggets franchise (15:30). Finally, we close with—predictably—some Russell Westbrook talk and a preview of the upcoming round of the playoffs (28:00). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Chris Ryan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We recap one of the most ridiculous shots in NBA history—Damian Lillard’s 37-foot stepback 3 to end the series against Oklahoma City (1:08). Then we talk about the rise of the pull-up 3 in the NBA, and how it might affect scouting and drafting going forward (21:00). Finally, we go over the remaining series and give exit surveys for the Nets and Magic, the other teams that were eliminated on Tuesday night (34:30). Hosts: Kevin O’Connor and Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Phoenix Suns fire head coach Igor Kokoskov, continuing a season of constant upheaval for the franchise (1:14), the Milwaukee Bucks look unstoppable as they complete their sweep of the Detroit Pistons (22:38), and the Utah Jazz pull off an impressive win against the Houston Rockets to avoid a sweep (33:36). Plus: as the first round comes to a close, the most interesting narratives for the remaining series (49:56). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the first round of the NBA playoffs in full effect, Joe House calls in to check on where the current Eastern and Western Conference matchups stand (02:51), including 76ers - Nets (18:03) and Clippers - Warriors (28:59). Then Tyler Tynes discusses his recent piece on the touchy relationship between NBA players and fans (50:14). Read Tyler Tynes's piece on fan abuse towards players here. Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Joe House, Tyler Tynes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Philadelphia 76ers found themselves without superstar center Joel Embiid against the Nets in Brooklyn for Game 3, unintentionally unlocking Ben Simmons to seize a win (0:52). Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs handily beat the Denver Nuggets behind an unlikely outburst from Derrick White (15:10) as the Golden State Warriors re-established their dominance over the Los Angeles Clippers (26:22). Plus: Which matchups are we most interested in so far (39:24)? Host: Justin Verrier Guests: Chris Ryan, Haley O’Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We break down how Jamal Murray shot his way out of his cold streak, helping the Nuggets tie their series with the Spurs at 1-1 and potentially stopping the bottom from falling out from underneath them this playoffs (1:30). Then, we wonder whether the Thunder will be able to get back on track when they come home, considering how bad they looked on the road in Portland in games 1 and 2 (12:38). Finally, we breeze through the Eastern Conference series and do a little draft preview before the expansion of The Ringer’s NBA Draft Guide this week (31:45). Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Danny Chau, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The resilient Los Angeles Clippers make a historic comeback against the reigning champion Golden State Warriors in Game 2 (0:42) and the Philadelphia 76ers redeem themselves with a resounding win against the Brooklyn Nets (26:44). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2019 NBA playoffs are finally here! The first round kicked off with some surprising upsets (2:53), most notably the Brooklyn Nets defeating the Philadelphia 76ers (29:55) and the Orlando Magic edging out the Toronto Raptors (57:16). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Justin Verrier, Spike Eskin, Kevin Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We preview the 2019 NBA playoffs by drafting the series we’re most excited to watch, including intriguing stylistic matchups like the Rockets and Jazz, talent-heavy lineups vs. up-and-coming teams like the Sixers and Nets, and hotly contested new rivalries like the Blazers and Thunder. Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Danny Chau, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We open by briefly delving into the Kings firing Dave Joerger, and examining what the potential trickle-down effects of that might be (1:30). Then, we preview the playoffs through a series of questions (9:00): How far do teams like the Raptors and Warriors have to go to keep their stars? Who’s legit and who’s not ready? Will talent win out for the Sixers? Hosts: Justin Verrier, Chris Ryan, Paolo Uggetti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Magic Johnson resigning put the finishing touches on an NBA season that was filled with an absurd amount of drama. What does this mean for members of the Lakers franchise—including Rob Pelinka, Jeanie Buss, and LeBron James—and have we reached Peak NBA Reality TV yet? Hosts: Chris Ryan, Justin Verrier, Paolo Uggetti, Haley O’Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Top prospects audition for the pros in the NCAA championship game (0:46) while the still-murky NBA playoff picture continues to shift (15:23). Then: 10 burning questions for the 2019 NBA playoffs (22:24). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the postseason just within grasp, which flaws could haunt playoff-bound teams in the weeks to come (4:50)? And of course, the Philadelphia 76ers generate genuine apprehension from their fan base (34:04). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Joe House, Dan Pfeiffer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We recap the exciting Bucks comeback win over the Sixers on Thursday night, which featured gigantic performances from Giannis and Joel Embiid (1:30). Then, ahead of the Final Four, we take one last dive into NCAA tournament prospects like Jarrett Culver and De'Andre Hunter (21:30). Hosts: Danny Chau and Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We weigh the different bleak futures of some of the NBA’s bottom-feeders and try to determine who has the longest path back to contention (2:00). Then, with the playoffs on the immediate horizon, we go over the teams that are trending up and trending down, and whether that will matter for how they fare in their opening series (49:00). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Paolo Uggetti, Haley O’Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the end of the regular season in sight, which first-round matchups would be the most interesting (0:56)? Plus: even more NBA draft takeaways from the NCAA tournament (30:43). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices