The Ringer Nba Show

The Ringer’s Juliet Litman and Chris Ryan discuss Lakers guard Isaiah Thomas undergoing hip surgery (1:24), Markelle Fultz returning to the rising Philadelphia 76ers (7:02), and Ben Simmons’s recent exploits (9:59). Then, they discuss singer Lorde’s Oklahoma City Thunder fandom (15:55) and some struggling playoff teams (27:40). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor react to Markelle Fultz’s return to action (2:19), discuss the Minnesota Timberwolves’ puzzling loss to the Memphis Grizzlies (13:39), debate playoff teams that the top seeds want to avoid (24:25), and assess the value of dissent in draft evaluations (40:16). Check out Kevin’s analysis of Fultz’s return here: https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/3/27/17167456/markelle-fultz-return-sixers-analysis. And pre-order Ringer merch at http://bit.ly/ringershop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s John Gonzalez is joined by Kevin O’Connor to weigh playoff concerns for the Golden State Warriors with a sidelined Stephen Curry (2:35). Then, Joe House calls in to discuss how LeBron James’s recent hot streak bolsters the Cavaliers’ title chances (21:25). Finally, Jason Concepcion comes on to apologize for underestimating the now-potent Philadelphia 76ers (38:06) and explain how the Knicks fail at tanking (47:30). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor and Jonathan Tjarks is joined by Danny Chau to project the NBA future for Oklahoma sensation Trae Young (2:00), discuss Texas A&M big man Robert Williams (19:00), and analyze Kentucky freshmen Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jarred Vanderbilt (29:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier are joined by Paolo Uggetti to discuss a new wrinkle in the strange case of Kawhi Leonard (0:48), debate whether the Cleveland Cavaliers have flipped a switch (9:56), evaluate how the Portland Trail Blazers will fare in the playoffs (20:52), and consider playoff teams on a hot streak (25:24). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor discuss hypothetical first-round matchups in the Western Conference (3:54), how the Cavs will fare during Tyronn Lue’s hiatus (19:41), and the fluctuating draft stocks of NBA prospects who have been bumped out of the NCAA tournament (31:30). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s John Gonzalez is joined by Juliet Litman to discuss the impact of Tyronn Lue temporarily stepping away as the Cavaliers' head coach, due to illness (2:20). Then, Haley O’Shaughnessy and Danny Chau discuss how the Warriors’ recent slew of injuries affect the Western Conference playoff picture (24:44) and variability in the Eastern Conference playoff picture (39:54). Finally, Micah Peters and Justin Verrier come on to discuss the future of the New Orleans Pelicans regarding the passing of owner Tom Benson (44:16) and how superstar Anthony Davis is carrying his team into the playoffs (53:49). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, Jonathan Tjarks, and Danny Chau debate the pros and cons of two highly touted Duke University freshmen, Marvin Bagley III and Wendell Carter Jr. (3:21), and highlight four prospects whose draft stock may rise over the course of March Madness (17:19). Check out The Ringer’s 2018 NBA Draft Guide with contributions from O’Connor, Tjarks, and Chau. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier are joined by Haley O’Shaughnessy to discuss the decimated Warriors’ triumph over the up-and-coming Lakers (1:55), to debate the turbulent career of former no. 1 pick Andrew Wiggins in context of the 2014 draft (17:59), and to consider how to reconfigure the Bucks to better complement their superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo (28:19). Articles mentioned on the show Brew Hoop piece on the Bucks’ struggles with consistency ESPN piece on Julius Randle’s uncertain future Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Chris Ryan and Juliet Litman sit down to discuss Stephen Curry's and Tristan Thompson’s birthday festivities (01:00). Then they discuss how unhappy Andrew Wiggins is (29:50) and the potential rift between Nikola Jokic and Mike Malone (33:20). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor discuss the possibility for the Spurs to miss the playoffs for the first time in two decades (6:05), the Steph Curry–like ascent of Portland Trail Blazers All-Star Damian Lillard (14:47), the minimum number of wins necessary to make it into the competitive Western Conference playoffs (22:17), intriguing Eastern Conference teams on the rise (27:21), and prospects to look forward to watching during March Madness (47:23). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s John Gonzalez is joined by Shea Serrano and Kevin O’Connor to debate whether the Spurs dynasty is nearing its end (3:09). Then, Jonathan Tjarks and Danny Chau come on to discuss the dominant Toronto Raptors and the scorching-hot Portland Trail Blazers (23:01). Finally, Paolo Uggetti joins to highlight the most important players in the last month of the season (42:38). Articles mentioned in the show Kevin O’Connor on the Spurs’ concerns for the future 'NBA Desktop,' featuring Danny Chau’s take on tanking Paolo Uggetti and Haley O’Shaughnessy on the most important players of the final month Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor and Jonathan Tjarks are joined by Mark Titus and Tate Frazier of ‘One Shining Podcast’ to discuss the impact of Missouri freshman Michael Porter Jr.’s return on his draft stock (2:49), compare two lottery prospects named Bridges (10:47), debate Ohio State junior Keita Bates-Diop’s NBA potential (23:21), and select sleeper picks for each position (34:51). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier are joined by Haley O'Shaughnessy to check in on the revitalized Cavs (3:20), DeMar DeRozan's MVP candidacy (10:45), and mid-tier playoff contenders, including the Pelicans and 76ers (20:15). Then Jason Concepcion stops by to talk Russ vs. Harden (37:55). Links: Kevin O'Connor on The End of The Spurs Dynasty Jason Concepcion on Russ vs. Harden Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor discuss the Portland Trail Blazers’ impressive late-season run (3:08), the questions surrounding Kawhi Leonard and the Spurs (9:47), the rapidly improving Lakers (20:23), the coach-GM conundrum as it relates to the Detroit Pistons’ struggles (28:01), regular-season award predictions (38:30), and draft prospects to watch for during March Madness (48:57). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s John Gonzalez is joined by Joe House to discuss J.R. Smith's Soupgate (3:17), the Cleveland Cavaliers’ concerns (9:12), and the Rockets’ chances to usurp the Warriors (15:17). Then, Chris Ryan comes on to discuss the legacy of former Sixers GM Sam Hinkie (27:05), the hypothetical of LeBron going to Philadelphia (35:02), and the future for Hinkie (42:28). Finally, Kevin O’Connor and Paolo Uggetti join to reevaluate draft-day debates (48:22) and Lonzo Ball’s recent improvements (63:16). Articles mentioned on the show: Paolo Uggetti on the Rockets’ regular-season dominance John Gonzalez on Sam Hinkie’s future Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier on how LeBron James would fit on the 76ers Kevin O’Connor on past draft-day debates Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor and Jonathan Tjarks answer listener-submitted questions about the 2018 NBA draft. Topics include: Michael Porter Jr.’s return to action, NBA prospects who could play football, Kawhi Leonard vs Luka Doncic, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier are joined by Haley O'Shaughnessy to talk LeBron rumors (2:25), the red-hot Rockets (5:30), and Anthony Davis's MVP candidacy (13:10), before trying to pin down some of the teams between third and 10th place in the East and West who might make some noise in the playoffs (22:50). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Ryan and Juliet Litman sit down to talk about teams tanking (2:55) and rumors about LeBron leaning toward joining the 76ers and what that would mean for Philadelphia (9:15). Then they do locker room check-ins for the Lakers, Cavs, Clippers, and more (14:55). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer’s Bill Simmons brings on Haralabos Voulgaris and Jason Concepcion to discuss the trends of the modern NBA (3:09), the merits of advanced metrics (13:48), and how to fix tanking (34:17). Then they are joined by Justin Verrier to debate who belongs in the All-NBA first team (46:37), how much coaching matters (58:32), and the future of the post-trade-deadline Cleveland Cavaliers (69:14). Link — The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor on Takeaways From the Sloan Conference Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices