The Ringer Nba Show

Instant Replay (03:16): The Clippers and Raptors had wonderful games with no signs of slowing down. Also, James Harden had a moment. The Main Event (21:25): The gang looks closely at the Nets in Kyrie Irving’s absence and his inevitable return. Brooklyn seems to be doing just fine without him. Will he be hindering them or putting more gas in the tank? Good Call/Bad Call (32:23): The Bulls' optimism through movie quotes, love chokes in Philly, and cussing in Boston.Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Haley O’Shaughnessy, Dan Devine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The ‘Group Chat’ crew answers questions from you, the listeners! Topics include: the biggest “pretender” team, help for Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks, the 25-and-under power ranking, realistic midseason trades, and more. Host: Justin Verrier Guest: Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We break down the ins and outs of the proposed changes to the NBA schedule, including playoff reseeding, the midseason tournament, and more (2:00). Then, we talk about the NBA’s dip in TV ratings this year, wondering whether it has anything to do with the Western Conference's being loaded and a dearth of Eastern Conference stars (33:51). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Instant Replay: The Spurs and the Bulls pull one out of the hat, along with Jimmy Butler returning to Philly to an irate crowd! (03:43). The Main Event: Zach Kram breaks down new changes to the NBA that could have a drastic effect on the playoffs, finals, and beyond (17:21). Good Call/Bad Call: More Jersey redesigns even wilder than the last (29:20).   Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Haley O’Shaughnessy, Dan Devine, Zach Kram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We talk about the Celtics' versatility, including Kemba Walker's range on and off the court (02:07), dive into how Brandon Ingram is the driving force making the Pelicans viable while Zion is injured (07:02), and ask whether Pascal Siakam is a legitimate no. 1 option (26:12). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We dive deep on the Blazers' roster building and how it created a need for Carmelo Anthony just two months into the season (1:16). Then, Jonathan Tjarks joins the pod to discuss Luka Doncic’s gaudy box scores, James Harden being a 6-foot-5 Wilt Chamberlain, LeBron and Anthony Davis sharing the MVP narrative, and Giannis representing the Eastern Conference (19:05). Hosts: Chris Ryan, Justin Verrier Guest: Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We discuss Luka Doncic’s incredible start to the season, including his run of triple-doubles and how it compares to Russell Westbrook's (1:31), before having a knock-down, drag-out argument about whether the Spurs should blow up their older core and try to rebuild around younger players on their roster (20:28). Then, we finish by marveling over James Harden’s incredible scoring season so far, assessing his fit with Westbrook, and wondering whether the Rockets pose a serious threat in the Western Conference (43:17). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Instant Replay: The Blazers sign Carmelo Anthony, Paul George’s Clippers debut, and Pop’s second-in-command (5:32). The Main Event: Pod Save America’s Dan Pfeiffer on the Philadelphia 76ers’ recent struggles and whether they can reach their fullest potential (18:00). Good Call/Bad Call: Jersey redesigns, Rivers-on-Rivers crime, and eating a waffle on the bench (37:03). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Haley O’Shaughnessy, Isaac Lee, Dan Pfeiffer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We discuss last night’s breaking news that Carmelo Anthony will be joining the struggling Portland Trail Blazers (1:20), before analyzing the Knicks' revenge win over Kristaps Porzingis and the Dallas Mavericks (15:18) and Andrew Wiggins’s 11-game tear to start the season (43:43). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are three weeks into the season, and LeBron has seemingly unlocked Anthony Davis. However, are the Clippers still the best team in the West? (1:15). Then, the enjoyment of watching the NBA’s “hipster” teams like the Hawks, Suns, and Grizzlies led by Ja Morant, Devin Booker, and Trae Young grow into established units (18:45) before we highlight some of the NBAs best up-and-coming duos (43:00). Hosts: Chris Ryan, Justin Verrier Guest: Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A rash of injuries has hit the NBA. We discuss the most impactful ones, including Gordon Hayward's and Steph Curry's (1:50). Then, we run through some Kristaps Porzingis troubles in Dallas and the absolute organizational debacle that is the New York Knicks (25:11). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Instant Replay: Dion Waiters’s suspension, Gordon Hayward’s injury, and the success of the Raptors (03:00). The Main Event: James Dolan and the dreadful Knicks (22:00). Good Call/Bad Call: Giannis gets violent, Nick Nurse gets touchy, Carmelo still wants to ball, and the Clippers’ throwback jerseys (36:15). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Haley O’Shaughnessy and Dan Devine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The load management conversation is at a fever pitch in the NBA after the Clippers were fined for not communicating Kawhi Leonard’s reason for sitting out. Is this a real problem for the league or is it confined to Leonard (2:00)? Plus, we run through Kemba Walker’s return to Charlotte, Gordon Hayward’s resurgence, the Wolves' precarious position, and more (19:33). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We examine four Western Conference teams who have had a noteworthy week: the Los Angeles Lakers trending up (1:09), the Portland Trail Blazers trending down (14:32), the Los Angeles Clippers trending up (23:06), and the Houston Rockets trending down (32:12). Plus: league narratives we love to see and hate to see (40:45). Host: Justin Verrier Guest: Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We react to the breaking news that Hawks forward John Collins has been suspended 25 games for violating the league’s PED policy (2:45). Then, we discuss the Suns’ hot start, Devin Booker’s tear, and whether they can sustain a winning season in the West (10:38), before running down some news and notes of the last few days (40:32). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Instant Replay: The tanking Warriors, Giannis-to-Raptors rumors, early overachievers, and the Blazers’ frontcourt void (4:00). The Main Event: The still-undefeated Philadelphia 76ers, with special guest Tyler Tynes (21:53). Good Call/Bad Call: Dwight Howard’s nickname for the Lakers, Mike Malone calls out his team, Kenny Atkinson’s unconventional communication, and 42-year-old Vince Carter (30:39). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Haley O’Shaughnessy, Dan Devine, Tyler Tynes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two-time MVP Stephen Curry broke his hand this week—will the mighty Warriors wave the white flag on this season after a slow start and the loss of their superstar (3:42)? Plus: We run through a list of guys who have had incredible starts and discuss whether they can sustain their torrid paces (40:15). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Golden State Warriors’ bumpy start to the season highlights the steep cost of building a superteam (0:59). Then, with so many premature narratives shaping up from the first handful of games of the season, which ones are real and which ones are fake (10:04)? Hosts: Chris Ryan, Justin Verrier Guest: Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We react to Jackie MacMullan’s story in ESPN about Kyrie Irving’s mood swings and the Nets’ organizational response to it (1:23). Then we share five early takeaways from this NBA season, including what look to be monster seasons for two young guards in Trae Young and Ja Morant (14:30). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With one week in the books for the 2019-20 regular season, we share our takeaways from the first handful of games (2:16). Plus: Los Angeles is the center of the basketball universe and the center of the NBA media universe; is this the new normal (23:16)? Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Dan Devine, Haley O’Shaughnessy, Bryan Curtis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices