The Ringer Nba Show

Lakers.com's Mike Trudell joins Justin, Jon, and Rob to go over the Lakers’ loss in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals to the Nuggets (0:34), match up available head coaches with vacancies around the league (42:18), and preview Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals (1:08:52). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, Jonathan Tjarks Guest: Mike Trudell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor cover the Lakers-Nuggets Western Conference finals (1:06), the importance of Gordon Hayward to the Celtics’ success against the Heat (25:07), and other stories from around the league, including the potential G League restart reported by Shams Charania (40:21) and the controversy around awards voting this season (47:10). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan and Raja are back Monday morning discussing the inevitability of the Lakers-Nuggets series (5:18), whether awards snubs motivate star players (18:21), and if Marcus Smart’s outburst after Game 2 brought the Celtics back into the series (38:07). Then from The Ringer’s copy desk, Jordan Ligons hops on to talk about recent coronavirus concerns in the Wubble, Candace Parker’s future, and the WNBA playoff format (51:33). Finally, producer extraordinaire Isaac Lee pours out some liquor for his cursed Clippers (59:33), and Logan and Raja each pick their Real One of the Week (1:05:30).  Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Guests: Jordan Ligons and Isaac Lee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Heat beat the Celtics to go up 2-0 in the Eastern Conference finals, and Chris and Kevin got together after the game to talk about the Celtics’ meltdown in the face of Miami’s zone defense (0:40), the matchup between the Lakers and Nuggets (39:26), and what moves the Clippers might make in the offseason (50:58). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin Verrier, Jonathan Tjarks, and Rob Mahoney are joined by The Washington Post’s Ben Golliver to decompress from the dopamine overdose of the Nuggets’ historic win over the Clippers (0:50) and Bam Adebayo’s near-unbelievable Game 1–winning block against the Celtics (47:12). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Jonathan Tjarks, and Rob Mahoney Guest: Ben Golliver Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor discuss the importance of Kawhi Leonard and Nikola Jokic in Game 7 of the Clippers-Nuggets series (0:43) and what to look for in the Eastern Conference finals between the Celtics and Heat (32:22). They then touch on the future of the Raptors (48:44), the head coach shuffle around the league (61:17), and what might be next for Russell Westbrook (69:19). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan Murdock and Raja Bell hop on during this basketball-less Monday to figure out who’s to blame for the Clippers’ less-than-expected performance in the playoffs and what could sway Game 7 against the Nuggets (3:26), who the key players are in the upcoming Eastern Conference finals between the Heat and Celtics (30:49), and the aftermath of Houston’s unfruitful postseason (42:48). Then The Ringer’s Sean Yoo joins to pour out a little liquor for his Houston Rockets (56:29), and Logan and Raja each anoint their Real One of the Week (1:07:02).  Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Guest: Sean Yoo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin O'Connor and Logan Murdock hop on right after Celtics-Raptors Game 7 to share their instant reactions (00:11) as well as a very early preview of the Eastern Conference Finals (13:10). Plus, quick thoughts on the Nuggets surviving elimination against the Clippers (17:33). Hosts: Logan Murdock and Kevin O'Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor discuss the Rockets’ abysmal showing against the Lakers in Game 4 and what potential moves the team might make in the likely event they lose the series (1:53). They then discuss the down-to-the-wire Game 6 between the Celtics and Raptors (26:31), Kawhi’s dominance in the playoffs versus the regular season (41:59), and the age-old question of whether Giannis will stay or go (58:07). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Jonathan, and Rob are joined by Ethan Strauss of The Athletic to discuss what the Bucks can do to move forward from a disappointing loss in the second round and the role of star players in shaping the landscape of the league (1:53), plus how the Heat pulled off the upset and what could be the key to their next matchup (hint: it rhymes with ham) (32:03). Then the Group Chat crew takes a look at what Billy Donovan's departure from the Thunder means for the team's future (41:00) and what the sudden appearance of Playoff Rondo means for the championship-hungry Lakers (51:10). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Jonathan Tjarks Guest: Ethan Strauss Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor get into all the conference semifinal matchups about halfway through the round, starting with a surprisingly competitive Nuggets-Clippers series (2:43). They then move on to the basically over Bucks-Heat series (21:09), the back-and-forth Raptors-Celtics series (32:29), and the early days of the tied-up Rockets-Lakers series (42:42). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan Murdock and Raja Bell get into the Lakers' Game 2 win against Houston and the role Russell Westbrook plays in swinging Rockets games (2:48), whether Giannis can lead a championship charge on his own in a league of fearsome twosomes, which other star in the NBA would be the best pairing for him (39:33), and playoff predictions (59:18). Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor dive into the Raptors’ huge one-point victory over the Boston Celtics to stay in their second-round series (1:51), beg Mike Budenholzer to play Giannis and Middleton for 40 minutes (19:40), mourn the exhausted Denver Nuggets after their blowout loss against the Clippers (40:23), debate what could constitute a “small” Lakers lineup against the Rockets in their Round 2 matchup (45:40), and finally discuss the hiring of Steve Nash as the new Brooklyn Nets head coach (1:02:26). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan Murdock and Raja Bell share their reactions to the Brooklyn Nets signing Steve Nash to a four-year head-coaching deal and keeping interim head coach Jaque Vaughn as lead assistant coach (00:48). Then they discuss the dramatic ending to Game 7 between the Rockets and Thunder (31:05).  Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Jonathan, and Rob are joined by The Athletic's Wosny Lambre to discuss the drag-out battle between the Nuggets and the Jazz in Game 7 and what ultimately made the difference for the Nuggets (02:23). They also talk about the Raptors' failure to hold off the Celtics and how Toronto can improve in this first playoff outing without Kawhi Leonard (36:17). Then Jonathan takes us to Nerd Corner to break down how players with big wins can be difficult to build a team around (55:43). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Jonathan Tjarks Guest: Wosny Lambre Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC turn yet another contentious page in their ongoing Houston Rockets debate after the Rockets' embarrassing Game 6 collapse against the Oklahoma City Thunder (1:38) before discussing the predictably competitive Bucks-Heat matchup as well as the other series in the NBA playoffs (32:27). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan and Raja discuss the incredible back-and-forth guard play between Donovan Mitchell and Jamal Murray in the Jazz-Nuggets series (5:22), what moves the homeward-bound Trail Blazers need to make in order to be a real title contender (32:35), Kawhi’s outstanding play and Marcus Morris’s dirty play to send the Mavericks home (45:39), and finally The Ringer’s Jason Gallagher joins the show to pour a little liquor out for his Mavericks (49:35). Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Guest: Jason Gallagher Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC are joined by Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff to discuss the NBA players’ strike and how professional sports can lead the pursuit of racial justice for Black Americans. Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Guest: J.B. Bickerstaff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan Murdock, Rob Mahoney, and Van Lathan share their real-time reactions to the NBA postponing Wednesday's games as a result of the player strike led by the Milwaukee Bucks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Jon, and Rob are joined by NBC Sports' Tom Haberstroh to talk about Tuesday's blowout between the Clippers and the Mavs, including the drama surrounding Luka Doncic and Marcus Morris (15:15). They also discuss the Nuggets' latest victory over the Jazz and the Pacers' decision to fire Nate McMillan just after announcing his extension (26:18). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, Jonathan Tjarks Guest: Tom Haberstroh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices