The Ringer NBA Show

We run through the list of All-Star reserves and debate whether guys like Bradley Beal have a good case for feeling left out (2:33). Then, we talk about the emotion surrounding the Lakers return to the court following Kobe Bryant’s death (27:07), and finish by going over Kawhi’s latest knee trouble and the Rising Stars lineup announcements (30:00). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more...

Today on 'Heat Check,' John, Dan, and Haley take a look at the news around the NBA, talk about a few recent games, and examine some impressive 50-point performances (02:42). They also discuss and reflect on the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant (19:33). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Haley O’Shaughnessy, Dan Devine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We try to come to terms with the life and death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant after a tragic helicopter crash killed him, his daughter Gianna, and seven other people in Calabasas, California, on Sunday. Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin Verrier and Rob Mahoney remember Kobe Bryant on the day after the tragic death of the legendary Laker and eight others in a helicopter crash. Host: Justin Verrier Guest: Rob Mahoney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We review the announced starters for the NBA’s All-Star Game (1:02) before discussing Zion Williamson’s return (47:00), debating whether the Sixers should trade Al Horford (21:22), and considering what the Clippers should do with their rim-running center, Montrezl Harrell (33:49). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Los Angeles Clippers are really, really good. But does that make them uninteresting to watch (0:44)? With Zion Williamson making his regular-season debut tonight, the New Orleans Pelicans could look to make a push for the playoffs (18:35). Plus: What moves could we see at the trade deadline (36:44)? Host: Justin Verrier Guests: Chris Ryan and Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. V...

The Lakers got walloped by the Celtics last night—is there more to take away from this one game than meets the eye (5:56)? Plus, Ben Simmons has been unleashed by the open space on the floor since Joel Embiid has been out with injury. How will Embiid be reintroduced into the lineup, and will the Sixers pursue Pistons guard Derrick Rose (20:00)? Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more abo...

Instant Replay: The Blazers have cut ties with Kent Bazemore and Kyrie Irving is back saying weird things in the media (4:01). The Main Event: Our very own Dan Devine has been coronated as an All-Star voter! We run down his list of starters for the Eastern and Western conferences (24:04). Good Call/Bad Call: LaMelo has a horse named … LaMelo, Josh Richardson is out here naming random iguanas in hi...

After Brandon Ingram scored 49 points to outduel Donovan Mitchell, we wonder whether it’s realistic to think he’s already better than Ben Simmons and on a path to be in the class of Anthony Davis (1:34). Then, we discuss Zion Williamson’s imminent return and what it could mean for night-to-night interest in the league (13:00). Finally, we close with some thoughts on how Denver has set itself up wi...

We discuss the impressive new-era Grizzlies (1:57), teams looking to go all in at the trade deadline (18:16), contenders that are positioned to make a big second-half push (31:39), and the blossoming of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (39:42). Then we debate why the Milwaukee Bucks are not getting prevalent recognition as the best team in the NBA (48:49). Host: Justin Verrier Guests: Jonathan Tjarks and R...

We review Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s historic triple-double and look at what the Clippers gave up when they sent him to OKC (1:04), before discussing the Lakers-Clippers regular-season dichotomy (9:33). Then, we talk about two of the hottest teams in the NBA: the Mike Conley–less Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies (23:01). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit p...

Instant Replay: The Nets beat the Hawks, plus the impact of Spencer Dinwiddie's off-court interests, a possible Sixers trade, and debating whether Steph Curry should return this season (02:42). The Main Event: Paolo Uggetti joins us to talk about the Grizzlies' fight for the eighth spot and why you should never count out the Spurs (16:39). Good Call/Bad Call: KD and Kendrick Perkins get into a spa...

We discuss the overperforming Oklahoma City Thunder and whether they should still consider dealing their desirable players at the trade deadline (1:02), before breaking down the KD vs. Kendrick Perkins Twitter fight that was spurred by Russell Westbrook’s return to OKC (28:46). Finally, we gauge whether the younger Spurs have a chance to reset their season, and briefly re-rank the 2019 rookie clas...

Instant Replay: Anthony Davis busts his bum, Blake Griffin is no longer the bee’s knees, and more changes to the NBA (03:17). The Main Event: Dwight Howard gets a contract guarantee, and making the dunk contest amazing again (22:28). Good Call/Bad Call: Can you party too hard in Miami, Dramatic Apologies, Throwing Shade to Load Management. (31:33). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Haley O’Shaughnessy,...

The Spurs, Pelicans, and Grizzlies have all looked quite encouraging as of late; do they have what it takes to make it into the playoffs (0:43)? As we approach the halfway mark of the regular season, the guys each give three overreactions from the season thus far (27:28). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Sixers are 3-7 in their last 10 games—is the floor really dropping out from under them, or are they not suited to win regular-season games (1:07)? Plus: Where will Kevin Love end up? Are the Hawks just the Process Sixers but worse? And should the Thunder move Chris Paul? Hosts: Chris Ryan, Justin Verrier, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We take some time to review David Stern’s illustrious life and career after the news of his death (0:58). Then, we run down a list of teams that can go one of two ways: trade their valuable assets and tank or push for the lower playoff seeds (9:03). Finally, we try to contain our excitement for the rumors of Zion Williamson’s imminent return (43:15). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn mo...

We break down a Western Conference trio that had high hopes coming into the season but have struggled their way to the bottom of the conference. Can any of them get hot and get back into the playoff mix (3:12)? Then, we re-draft what we think are the top four players from the 2016 NBA draft: Ben Simmons, Brandon Ingram, Jaylen Brown, and Pascal Siakam (31:45). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Conno...

We recap the Christmas Day games: Are the Clippers better suited for the playoffs than the Lakers? Does the same go for the Sixers vs. the Bucks? Plus: Is James Harden getting off too easy for the Rockets' failures, including losing to the Warriors on Christmas? Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin deep-dives on his spicy Ben Simmons take (1:10) before we run down our wishes for the rest of the 2019-20 season and preview NBA Christmas Day (24:08). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Instant Replay: The Denver Nuggets’ sneaky resurgence, a Siakam-less Raptors comeback, IT suspended because of … Frosties?, and Pop goes Pop on plus-minus (4:48). The Main Event: A bizarrely structured in-season tournament and other proposed schedule changes (21:47). Good Call/Bad Call: The Milwaukee Pro Wrestling Bucks, Romeo Langford heart-emoji Celine Dion, and Tacko Fall fever (31:28). Host: J...

The weekend is here, and we are here to talk about the excellent face-off between the Lakers and the Bucks. We discuss whether Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best player in the world (05:56), focus on the short-handed Raptors (36:26), and look ahead to some of the exciting Christmas Day matchups (39:05). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.co...

The New York Knicks win their third game in four against the Atlanta Hawks, exposing the Hawks’ roster construction issues and illuminating a larger problem with rebuilding in the modern NBA (1:20). The Philadelphia 76ers have proved themselves to be an elite defensive team, but can they live up to the championship predictions without a potent offense (32:29)? And finally: Now that free agents fro...

Instant Replay (03:24): News from around the league, including the end of the Bucks’ win streak, Dion Waiters's latest suspension, the excellent clapbacks from CJ McCollum, and more. The Main Event (18:32): Micah Peters stops in to talk to the gang about the absolute mess the Pelicans are in, and whether Zion and all the team's missing parts can even fix it. Good Call/Bad Call (30:11): Drake is be...

With the Lakers and Bucks on a crash course to meet each other with identical 25-3 records, we wonder whether each team can continue its torrid pace (11:30). Also, Luka’s twisted ankle (2:25) and trades that could change the league (28:49). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices