The Ringer Nba Show

Kyle and Seerat get together to discuss why teams around the league aren't choosing to dive to the bottom standings to improve their draft statuses lately, using the intricacies of the recent Lakers-Wizards trade as a conversational springboard. They start on the Lakers side of the deal and talk about whether new acquisition Rui Hachimura can help them in their playoff aspirations (9:54). After the break, they examine the Wizards' current state and the history of misses in both the draft and trade market that has led to their bleak predicament (34:05). They end the pod by doing a deep dive into the first episode of 'The Last of Us' (42:21). Hosts: J. Kyle Mann and Seerat Sohi Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Production Supervision: Benjamin Cruz and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan and Raja discuss the verbal altercation between Shannon Sharpe and Dillon Brooks at the Grizzlies-Lakers game last week and courtside heckling (2:00). Next, the guys talk about making it through the dog days of the season and next month’s All-Star Weekend (28:00). Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Associate Producer: Jonathan Kermah Production Assistant: Kai Grady Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Austin and Pausha recap the Wolves’ close win against the Raptors and discuss how certain teams should handle their playoff aspirations when they’re in that middle ground of tanking or making a run (1:42). Then, they touch on a player’s mentality when trade rumors circulate (4:38), look at how home-court advantage impacts teams (10:41), and revisit their viral highlight culture conversation. Later, they share their mid-season awards for MVP, Rookie of the Year, and best potential dunk contest participant (29:45). Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi Producer: Ben Cruz Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wos sits down with The Ringer's Chris Ryan to discuss the current state of the 76ers and their dynamics this season (1:32). They touch on Embiid, Harden, and Doc Rivers's strategy with the team (12:42). Later on in the episode they discuss the state of the Eastern Conference as a whole, including the Knicks, Nets, Heat, and Pacers (21:49). To end the podcast, Chris gives an interesting movie recommendation and the two talk about what they do upon returning to their home of New York (35:20). Host: Wosny Lambre Guest: Chris Ryan Producer: Jade Whaley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan and Raja are joined by four-time WNBA champion Sue Bird to discuss what it’s like to be done playing basketball after such a storied career and how she’s been spending her time now that she’s retired (2:43). Next, she explains to the guys what it was like playing women’s basketball overseas and how it compared to playing in the States (15:00). Later, she talks about how important the WNBA is for aspiring young players and where the league is going (35:30). Finally, they close out with their Real Ones of the Week (59:19). Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Guest: Sue Bird Associate Producer: Jonathan Kermah Production Assistant: Kai Grady Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and Wos make their All-Star picks, with a unique twist; they pick the 24 most deserving players regardless of conferences. They discuss their starters (07:09), reserves (23:33), and who missed the cut (58:29). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre Producer: Eduardo Ocampo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

J. Kyle Mann and Seerat Sohi tap the classic quote from 'The Matrix' to discuss two NBA teams that are currently trending in opposite directions. They begin by detailing how the New York Knicks have catered their recent roster moves to coach Tom Thibodeau's defensive schemes, which resulted in their recent success (4:16). They then dive into GM Tim Connelly's personnel misevaluations in Minnesota and talk about the player adjustments he can make to steer that squad back to a more cohesive identity (32:39). Hosts: J. Kyle Mann and Seerat Sohi Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Production Supervision: Benjamin Cruz and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wos is back with Adam Mares, VP of creative production at DNVR Sports and the host of two Nuggets podcasts. They discuss the current state of the Denver Nuggets mid-season, Nikola Jokic, and Jokic's critical role with the Nuggets this season. Host: Wosny Lambre Guest: Adam Mares Producer: Jade Whaley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Austin and Pausha break down the latest in the world of hoops and start with Wednesday's game between the Timberwolves and Pistons, where they break down the Wolves’ underwhelming performance and discuss how they can continue to improve (2:49). Then, they weigh in on the structure of the game due to the play-in strategy (8:22), dive into the veterans that have helped mold Austin’s career (19:37), and discuss how highlight culture has killed the game of basketball (30:45). Later, they share thoughts on young talent in the league, highlighting Evan Mobley (40:32), then wrap things up with a rapid-fire round of questions focusing on your favorite players. Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi  Producer: Ben Cruz Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan and Raja are joined by ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith to discuss what it was like to cover Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers during his time as a columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer (4:52). Along the way, Raja and Stephen briefly reminisce on the eccentric nature of head coach Larry Brown (20:19). Next, the ‘First Take’ host explains how his bond with Kobe Bryant evolved over the course of their careers (26:46). Later, they talk about Smith’s new book, ‘Straight Shooter,’ and his past partnership with Skip Bayless (30:05). Finally, the guys close out with their Real Ones of the Week (34:53). Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Guest: Stephen A. Smith Associate Producer: Jonathan Kermah Production Assistant: Kai Grady Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin and Wos run through some of the recent news around the Association, including Steph Curry’s return, Kevin Durant’s injury, and more. Hosts: Justin Verrier and Wosny Lambre Associate Producer: Isaiah Blakely Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kyle and Seerat are joined by Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela. They start their conversation by detailing his beginnings as a young athlete in Switzerland and his first impressions upon arrival to the NBA. Clint then talks about drawing inspiration from French players like Tony Parker, transitioning from soccer to basketball, and the hardest player to defend in the league (7:02). Next, they shine a spotlight on the Rockets' Game 7 meltdown versus the Warriors in the 2018 Western Conference finals and his chemistry with James Harden while he was in Houston (31:30). Finally, they discuss the state of the Hawks, speculate on Clint's future in the league, and dive into his relationship with Trae Young (53:36). Hosts: J. Kyle Mann and Seerat Sohi Guest: Clint Capela Production Supervision: Benjamin Cruz and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan and Raja discuss how coaching tactics are approached for younger teams and the importance of a strong relationship between the coaching staff and the rookies (5:00). Next, Raja explains why having a veteran in the locker room for a young team is invaluable (16:00). Later, the guys introduce a new segment called "Do We Believe Their Raps?" where they debate which of the league’s top teams are legit and which ones aren’t (32:00). Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Associate Producer: Jonathan Kermah Production Assistant: Kai Grady Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wos sits down again with Sam Esfandiari and Andy Liu of the ‘Light Years Pod,’ to discuss the Warriors five-game winning streak and all things happening in the West for the league. They then end the episode with a discussion on James Dolan’s facial recognition scandal. Host: Wosny Lambre Guest: Sam Esfandiari and Andy Liu Producer: Jade Whaley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan and Raja are back to discuss the NBA’s recent barrage of historic individual scoring performances and the reasons it’s happening so consistently (1:02). Later, Sam Amick, senior writer for The Athletic, returns to the show to talk about the Suns’ struggles (23:50), the Mavericks exceeding expectations, (45:09), and the Nuggets’ chances at a title run this season (57:45). They wrap up with a brief update on the Atlanta Hawks situation (62:12). Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Associate Producer: Jonathan Kermah Production Assistant: Kai Grady Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and Wos kick off the new year by discussing five NBA teams who are starting 2023 either surging or slumping. They discuss the Nets’ surge as one of top teams in the East (02:46), whether the Sixers’ recent success makes them legit title contenders (14:28), and how Luka Doncic's dominance is carrying the Mavs (26:44). Later, they look at the struggles of the Timberwolves (34:31) and Suns (48:21). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre Producer: Eduardo Ocampo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Seerat and Kyle celebrate the first pod of the New Year by discussing Klay Thompson's 54-point barrage against the Hawks and Donovan Mitchell's jaw-dropping 71-point performance in the Cavs win over the Bulls on Monday night. After the break they examine some of the NBA teams looking to either improve or possibly start a brand-new process before the upcoming trade deadline—notably, the Raptors, Bulls, and Mavs (25:39). They end the pod by talking about the state of the Cleveland Cavaliers and what moves they can make to improve on their newfound success (48:51). Hosts: J. Kyle Mann and Seerat Sohi Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Production Supervision: Benjamin Cruz and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wos is joined by NBA writer and HoopsHype podcaster Michael Scotto to discuss all things New York basketball and what the future has in store for both the Knicks and the Nets. Host: Wosny Lambre Guest: Michael Scotto Producer: Devon Manze Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Pina is joined by James Herbert, NBA writer for CBS Sports, to share their 10 interesting predictions for the NBA in 2023. From Karl-Anthony Towns getting traded (2:26) to a possible Ja Morant vs. Zion Williamson premier matchup (50:52), 2023 looks to be a very interesting year of hoops. Host: Michael Pina Guest: James Herbert Producer: Brian H. Waters Additional Production Supervision: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and Wos answer five “who is” questions, starting with who is the best team (4:53). Then they predict who will be the best team. They do this for four other prompts including MVP (20:35), a disgruntled superstar (33:10), a team in serious trouble (48:29), and who’s taken the leap (1:01:17). They wrap up by opening up the suggestion box (1:07:28). We want to hear from you! Email us at SuggestionBoxGC@gmail.com Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre Associate Producer: Isaiah Blakely Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices