The Ringer Nba Show

The Ringer’s Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier are joined by Haley O’Shaughnessy to chat about the ballooning hype for Joel Embiid (1:20), the possible precariousness of the "new old-look" Cleveland Cavaliers (8:50), and the awkward roster fits for the revamped Minnesota Timberwolves (18:55). Then, they bring on Paolo Uggetti to debate the meaning behind Kyrie Irving’s bizarre comments regarding the Cavs (26:10), whether Kyle Kuzma can maintain his impressive preseason performance (35:55), and if Carmelo Anthony will be good for the Oklahoma City Thunder (38:35). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor express their astonishment at Joel Embiid’s contract extension (1:50), wonder about the reasoning behind Gary Harris’s contract extension (19:00), and discuss the importance of nutrition when it comes to young NBA players (25:10). Then they debate the trajectory for preseason standout Kyle Kuzma (33:35), take sides in the James Harden–Kevin McHale feud (42:15), and explain Markelle Fultz’s new shooting form (49:50). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons outlines the entire Eastern Conference with help from Joe House and Jason Concepcion. Topics include: the inferior Eastern Conference (6:00), the Bulls' tanking efforts (10:00), the Nets not tanking anymore (18:00), the lack of incentive for the Knicks (24:00), reasons why the Pacers will stay competitive (29:00), the awful Orlando Magic (35:00), Philly's chance to take the next step (42:00), the Miami Heat's dark-horse title chances (57:00), Jabari Parker's trade value (1:06:00), the Wizards' chance for a Boogie trade (1:11:00), the Celtics' new core (1:15:00), and Kyrie's relationship with Brad Stevens (1:18:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor kick off their preseason discussion by speculating the meaning of Tommy Heinsohn’s comments on Aron Baynes (1:05) and wondering about the Orlando Magic’s future with Jonathan Isaac and Mario Hezonja (7:55). Then they react to Russell Westbrook’s contract extension (15:25), Ben Simmons playing with Markelle Fultz during his de facto rookie season (27:25), Klay Thompson’s looming free agency (35:45), Jaylen Brown’s lukewarm comments on the new Boston roster (38:15), and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ fluctuating starting five (42:55). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor is joined by Arcade Fire frontman Win Butler to discuss the influence of Hakeem Olajuwon (1:30), the state of the Rockets (4:00), the beauty of the Spurs (8:00), beating Matt Bonner in a 3-point contest (11:00), the Pelicans' potential (12:30), the rise of Canadian basketball (18:30), and the idea of "sticking to sports" (24:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor discuss Carmelo Anthony's trade to the Thunder (2:30), the history behind superteam success (10:00), the new-look Cavs (19:00), Chicago's complete overhaul (28:00), LeBron vs. Western Conference contenders (34:00), and potential changes to the current playoff format (44:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor dissect Kevin Durant's multiple social media accounts and discuss the best ways to respond to backlash on the internet in the NBA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor discuss the most interesting rookie-scale candidates heading into the 2017-18 season (7:00), Joel Embiid's future in Philly (16:00), Rodney Hood's chance to shine in Utah (27:00), the Warriors' repeat potential (36:00), Pat Beverley in Los Angeles (54:00), and Hoodie Melo in an actual NBA game (1:01:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Juliet Litman and Chris Ryan discuss the Celtics and Cavs finally finalizing the deal for Kyrie Irving (5:00), Blake Griffin and Chandler Parsons's double date (12:00), and Rob Pelinka sticking to basketball even in the summer (17:00). Then, Mallory Edens joins to give her thoughts on owning an NBA franchise and dealing with the TMZ photo-snapping process (24:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Ryan and Juliet Litman discuss the ridiculously wild NBA summer, including CP3's trade (4:00), Rob Pelinka's press conference parables (11:00), LeBron's interesting summer (21:30), Kyrie's personality (24:00), and what's going on with the Banana Boat crew (29:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Jonathan Tjarks discuss the possibility that Kyrie Irving is traded (8:00), the impact of David Griffin's departure (20:00), Eric Bledsoe's defensive upside (28:00), reasons Carmelo Anthony doesn't make sense as a one-year rental (34:00), and LeBron's rebuttal on Twitter (41:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor discuss the ire toward Lonzo Ball (5:00), Donovan Mitchell's shooting (12:30), Josh Jackson's jumper (20:30), the young Phoenix Suns (30:10), and the best free agents on the market (44:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor report live from summer league in Las Vegas to discuss the major story lines from the first weekend of games, and to rank the best and worst NBA offseasons so far. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Chris Vernon is joined by NBA TV’s Tas Melas to discuss the Toronto Raptors’ free-agency moves (1:00), Gordon Hayward’s potential landing spots (9:45), the dearth of talent in the Eastern Conference (21:15), Blake Griffin’s max deal with the Clippers (31:40), and the possibility of LeBron leaving Cleveland again (41:20). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Ryan brings on Bill Simmons to offer up initial reactions to the news that Chris Paul is heading to the Houston Rockets (3:00). Then, The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor joins to give his thoughts on what's next for the Clippers (17:30). Finally, Knicks fan Jason Concepcion of The Ringer bids farewell to the Phil Jackson era in New York (56:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor discuss the NBA Awards ceremony and some memorable moments (2:33). Then they take a hard look at upcoming free-agency moves (24:25). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor and Jonathan Tjarks recap the NBA draft. They start with the top six (0:32), then dissect the questionable Jimmy Butler trade (1:58), their draft surprises (9:45), and their draft steals (14:33). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Vernon is joined by Sam Amick of USA Today to discuss David Griffin's departure from the Cleveland Cavaliers (02:00), Jimmy Butler and the Boston Celtics (18:00), Paul George's interest in the Lakers (22:00), what the Clippers' addition of Jerry West means to Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and the Clippers (26:30), and Phil Jackson's statement on possibly trading Kristaps Porzingis (34:30). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bill Simmons is joined by Chris Ryan to discuss the similarities and differences between LeBron James's and Kevin Durant's decisions to leave their first NBA teams (2:07). Later they talk offseason trades and the NBA draft (37:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor discuss the Cavaliers falling short of beating the Warriors (1:20), Kevin Durant’s and LeBron James’s legacies (11:21), what superteams mean for NBA fandom (21:30), how teams could compete against the Warriors (41:48), and the biggest what-ifs of the playoffs (49:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices