The Ringer Nba Show

What would the All-Star teams look like if they were selected on the merits of creating drama (3:11)? Plus: Lonzo’s injury, Boogie back, the PG-Russ dynamic, and the Dennis Smith Jr. saga's resolution (?) (33:03). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Jason Concepcion, Haley O’Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dennis Smith Jr. is the latest high draft pick to become uncomfortable with the ball being taken out of his hands. What does that mean for him and Luka Doncic (18:00)? Then we run down our All-Star ballots for this season (28:18). To wrap up, Kevin interviews Matt Quinn from the band Mt. Joy—a lifelong Sixers fan—about his favorite Sixers-Celtics media conspiracies and the overlap between touring bands and NBA players (39:42). Hosts: Kevin O’Connor and Jonathan Tjarks Guest: Matt Quinn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We diagnose the problems that the Celtics, the Lakers, and the Grizzlies will have to address at the upcoming NBA trade deadline (1:10). Then, we call up Scott Kushner, the 'New Orleans Advocate' Pelicans beat reporter, to give us the Pelicans side of the Anthony Davis story and dish out his best DeMarcus Cousins stories (28:19). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Paolo Uggetti, Haley O’Shaughnessy Guest: Scott Kushner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The fraying Boston Celtics slide even further (0:44), James Harden continues his historic scoring streak amid the Houston Rockets’ injury plague (23:04), and trade rumors pile up as the deadline approaches (34:42). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Los Angeles Clippers host Blake Griffin for the first time since the controversial trade (3:27), the Boston Celtics falter despite their talent (15:26), the New York Knicks accelerate their tank (28:08), and rookies’ statistical comparisons encourage or discourage fans (49:32). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Joe House, Dan Devine, Zach Kram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We take a stab at clairvoyance by each trying to predict two headlines that will be written over the coming weeks (1:05). Then, we throw an outlet pass to the weekend’s best games (34:00). Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Danny Chau, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We award 2018-19 half-season awards for: Best Player, Most Surprising Team, Most Disappointing Team, Most Confusing Team, and League Pass Poison Teams (0:50). Then, Kings superfan Riley McAtee joins to talk about how he hopes the rest of Sacramento’s season unfolds (43:46). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Haley O’Shaughnessy, Paolo Uggetti Guest: Riley McAtee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tom Thibodeau is out in Minnesota. So what does that mean for franchise cornerstone Karl-Anthony Towns (1:00)? Then we dive deep into how the Spurs have reinvented themselves by turning the clock forward and backward at the same time (18:25). Finally, we take stock of the upcoming “pre-agents” and what their franchises have to do to ensure they don’t walk (43:25). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Minnesota firing Tom Thibodeau after a win, who could replace him, Kawhi Leonard’s return to San Antonio, and the drama-filled Sixers. Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Shea Serrano and Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

James Harden daggered the Golden State Warriors Thursday night in overtime (1:30), and Kawhi Leonard was showered with boos while the Raptors got throttled by the Spurs (29:12). Plus, NBA prospect Bol Bol’s college season is done after just nine games (45:30). Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Danny Chau, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Thunder beat the Lakers (sans LeBron) Wednesday night, but are we right to be concerned about Russell Westbrook’s continued shooting woes (1:30)? Plus, Chris spills his deepest, darkest concerns about the future of the Sixers as Ben Simmons still refuses to shoot jump shots (34:30). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Chris Ryan, Paolo Uggetti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Indiana Pacers remain consistently among the Eastern Conference elite (2:59), the Denver Nuggets continue their dominant run atop the West (9:33), and James Harden’s propensity for drawing fouls fuels his scorching stretch of games (18:00). Plus, five questions for the NBA in 2019 (39:55). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We ring in the new year by giving 2019 resolutions for every team in the league — from the lowly Knicks and Hawks to the high and mighty Warriors. Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Jonathan Tjarks, Danny Chau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Los Angeles Lakers handily defeat the Golden State Warriors despite LeBron James's groin injury (3:25), James Harden continues getting back to MVP form as his Houston Rockets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder (24:07), and more takeaways from the Christmas Day games (36:08). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the NBA regular season nears its midpoint, we share our favorite guilty pleasures of this year thus far. Host: John Gonzalez Guest: Chris Ryan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We try to temper our hype after Luka Doncic’s 32-point explosion in a loss to the Clippers, review Chris Paul’s nagging hamstring and the Rockets’ thin roster, and discuss the weird Buddy Hield age news (2:00). Then, we each choose the rebuilding franchise we think is best set up, or most intriguing, for the long term (18:45). Finally, we throw an outlet pass to the weekend’s best games (37:45). Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Danny Chau, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trade season dawns on the NBA as free-agency restrictions get lifted (0:54), the James Harden–led Houston Rockets surge up the standings (21:07), and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s stellar defense keeps them rolling (33:49). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A three-team trade centered on the Washington Wizards acquiring Trevor Ariza falls through in dramatic circumstance and is reincarnated in altered form (4:21): The Phoenix Suns receive Kelly Oubre Jr. and Austin Rivers while the Memphis Grizzlies keep the status quo (30:36). Host: John Gonzalez Guest: Joe House, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Kings are our kings and we hope the trade market might heat up soon for guys like Kevin Love and Tim Hardaway Jr.. Plus, we throw an outlet pass to the games we’re looking forward to this weekend. Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Jonathan Tjarks, Danny Chau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We try to sift through the noise of the Raptors’ blowout win against the Warriors (1:45) and diagnose the state of the Pelicans after Anthony Davis’s big night against the Thunder (13:33). Then, we take a look at two teams whose stocks are up and two whose are down (24:06). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Paolo Uggetti, Haley O’Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices