The Mismatch

As the news cycle slows down, Verno and KOC open up the mailbag and answer all of your burning questions, from the in-season tournament to Matas Buzelis! They also discuss hyped teams, Ja Morant, and so much more. Got a question for Verno and KOC? Send them an email at nbamailbag@gmail.com! Or you can send the guys a tweet @ChrisVernonShow and @KevinOConnorNBA! The Ringer is committed to responsib...

Verno and KOC have another rendition of everyone’s favorite game: That’s True, That Might Be True, That's Ridiculous (01:53)! They debate all the hottest topics in the NBA, from Austin Rivers’s comments about players demanding trades to why the Celtics and Jaylen Brown still haven’t agreed to a new contract extension. Also, they discuss if the NBA should be concerned about Kylian Mbappé’s extravag...

Verno and KOC discuss how impressed they are by the Summer League performance of Cam Whitmore after he fell in the draft, and take a look at other players who stood out in Las Vegas (01:35). After Joel Embiid said he wants to win a championship in Philadelphia or "anywhere else," the guys debate whether his comments are something to be concerned about (27:15). Also, the lack of progress on a Damia...

Verno and KOC are back home from Las Vegas, and they discuss the top performances from this year's summer league, including those from last year's top picks Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith Jr., as well as other young standouts like the Lakers' Max Christie and Celtics' Jordan Walsh (04:00). Also, they discuss the latest on Damian Lillard and James Harden before discussing the latest rule changes th...

Verno and KOC are in Las Vegas for NBA Summer League, as they discuss what made Victor Wembanyama’s debut feel so special (03:04). After discussing Marcus Smart’s introductory press conference in Memphis, the guys discuss some of the players that have stood out over the weekend at Summer League (19:55). Also, they dive into the newly introduced in-season tournament, as well as Gregg Popovich’s con...

Verno and KOC discuss Damian Lillard's request for a trade from the Blazers (01:20). Despite Dame’s desire to go to the Miami Heat, do they have enough assets to entice Portland to make the trade? The guys discuss some of the things that stood out to them in free agency, starting off with the real reason Jerami Grant and Kyle Kuzma got the contracts that they did (23:41). Next, the guys discuss th...

Verno and KOC debate where James Harden will land after he opted into his contract with the 76ers and now expects to be traded (01:10). Which interested teams are the best fit for Harden and what could Daryl Morey get in return for him? They also discuss the Kings' re-signing Harrison Barnes, which teams could give the Lakers trouble when it comes to matching an offer sheet for Austin Reaves, and...

Verno and KOC discuss all the latest around Damian Lillard, who remains a Blazer for now (02:08). Can Portland finally build a championship-caliber team around Dame (10:37)? The guys discuss the Hawks finally trading John Collins, the thinking behind the Timberwolves re-signing Naz Reid, as well as Victor Wembanyama’s decision to skip FIBA and the hope to see him at Summer League (22:13). Also, wh...

Verno and KOC react to last night’s NBA draft, starting with their thoughts on the Hornets taking Brandon Miller at no. 2. Then, they move onto the weird picks made by the Magic and debate if Bilal Coulibaly could have a Giannis-like growth spurt after being selected in the top 10 (01:14). The guys discuss the lack of movement at the top of the draft as well as the shock of Cam Whitmore's fall to...

Verno and KOC discuss the blockbuster trade that sent Bradley Beal to the Suns and what it means for the future of the franchise (03:06). Is the clock now ticking on Deandre Ayton’s time in Phoenix (13:18)? Also, the guys look at the other side of the trade and discuss what the next steps for the Wizards should be after a disappointing return for Beal that included Chris Paul (24:47). After Draymo...

After Verno shares his experience broadcasting the 'U.S. Open All-Access,' he and KOC dive into the NBA offseason, starting with next week’s draft (08:22). The guys debate if the Pelicans should trade Zion Williamson for a chance to enter the top of the draft and get Scoot Henderson (16:08). After discussing possible locations for Bradley Beal, the guys discuss the ridiculous comments made by Karl...

Verno and KOC congratulate the Denver Nuggets for winning their first NBA title! They recap Game 5, which went down to the wire, and discuss why the Nuggets are the new team to go through in the NBA (01:31). The guys discuss Nikola Jokic’s playoff run, look back at Michael Malone’s coaching career, and explain why the Nuggets are primed for more championship runs. Also, where do the Heat go from h...

Verno and KOC break down how the Nuggets won Game 3, and discuss how great Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray have become as a duo in Denver (01:40). Is it time to discuss how we evaluate at Jokic and Murray? Also, what does Chris Paul’s future look like (35:06)? After debating the value of the Mavs' no. 10 draft pick, Verno shares his love for one prospect in this year’s class and why he isn’t sold on...

The Heat even the series against the Nuggets, and Verno and KOC discuss how the Heat took Game 2, Michael Malone’s comment about the team’s effort, Jimmy Butler’s brilliant facilitating, and Michael Porter Jr.’s poor performance (01:31). While Erik Spoelstra downplayed the idea of trying to make Nikola Jokic a scorer, could this be a key to beating Denver (21:29)? Also, the guys debate if Kyrie Ir...

The Nuggets take the early lead in the NBA Finals as Verno and KOC break down their Game 1 victory over the Heat behind stellar performances from Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon (02:12). They discuss the Heat’s lack of size and Jimmy Butler’s slump, as well as the Nuggets completely carving up the Heat’s zone defense (19:14). Also, what they thought of Monty Williams’s record-breaking...

The Celtics fail to complete the historic comeback and get blown out at home as the Heat advance to the Finals to face the Nuggets. Verno and KOC break down the lackluster effort from the Celtics and discuss what the future holds for the tandem of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, as well as head coach Joe Mazzulla (01:48). After debating if the Heat can defeat the Nuggets, the guys discuss the fact...

The Celtics stay alive, and Verno and KOC discuss how they blew out the Heat to remain in the Eastern Conference finals (01:05). No one believes LeBron James is going to retire, but the news of his injury will definitely affect how the Lakers will handle the upcoming offseason and will determine how they keep LeBron healthy deep into the playoffs (29:30). Next, the guys discuss the latest head-coa...

Verno and KOC congratulate Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets for sweeping the Lakers en route to their first-ever NBA Finals appearance (01:18). LeBron James had another amazing night in the loss, as the guys debate the Lakers' future after getting swept (21:27). Will Kyrie Irving be a Laker? Next, the guys discuss how the Heat are just one win away from another NBA Finals berth with Jimmy Butle...

Verno and KOC are back after an exciting, if not floppy, Game 2 of the Western Conference finals, in which Jamal Murray’s monster fourth quarter put the Nuggets up 2-0 on the Lakers (1:00). Then, they talk about the Cinderella Heat stealing Game 1 in Boston (37:40), and how they’re feeling after the NBA draft lottery (58:39). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more...

Verno and KOC are back on a rare day without basketball during these 2023 NBA playoffs. They start off with Jayson Tatum’s incredible signature performance to take out the 76ers (0:56) and what the 76ers might do next after going out in such a sad way (10:00). Then, they move on to the matchup between the Celtics and the Heat in the Eastern Conference finals (25:10), the Lakers routing the Warrior...

Verno and KOC are back talking about the Nuggets egregiously embarrassing the Suns in front of their own fans to win the series 4-2 (0:45) and the Celtics eking out a win on the road in Game 6 against the 76ers with a huge fourth quarter from Jayson Tatum (19:35). Then they preview Game 6 of the Warriors-Lakers series (42:48) and Game 6 of the Heat-Knicks series (1:05:55). Hosts: Chris Vernon and...

Verno and KOC react to a wild Game 4 that saw Lonnie Walker IV explode in the fourth quarter to help the Lakers take the victory and a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Warriors (01:05). The Heat also take a 3-1 series lead as they continue to beat up on the Knicks (26:13). Next, the guys dive into Sunday’s slate of games, starting with the Nuggets and Suns (40:32). They gush over Devin Booker’s...

Verno and KOC come together after Tristan Thompson takes the court once again in the blowout Lakers-Warriors Game 2 to parse through the Warriors’ stellar adjustments, Klay Thompson’s unbelievable performance, and how the Lakers may be able to answer in Game 3 (1:00). Then they discuss the Bucks’ firing of coach Mike Budenholzer and whether there can be truly great coaches with longevity in the NB...

Verno and KOC recap the exciting Game 1 that saw the 76ers beat the Celtics and take a 1-0 series lead (00:59). The outlook of the series will completely change if James Harden continues to play this way, and that's with or without a fully healthy Joel Embiid. They next discuss the absolutely incredible performance by Steph Curry to help the Warriors eliminate the Kings and move on to face the Lak...

Verno and KOC begin the episode by recapping the Celtics’ series win over the Hawks (01:57). Will this type of competitiveness remain for their series between the 76ers? The Bucks got eliminated by the Heat after a master-class offensive performance by Jimmy Butler and several head coaching blunders by Mike Budenholzer (14:50). The guys discuss Bud’s future with the Bucks and debate whether Gianni...