The Ringer NBA Show

The Phoenix Suns fire head coach Igor Kokoskov, continuing a season of constant upheaval for the franchise (1:14), the Milwaukee Bucks look unstoppable as they complete their sweep of the Detroit Pistons (22:38), and the Utah Jazz pull off an impressive win against the Houston Rockets to avoid a sweep (33:36). Plus: as the first round comes to a close, the most interesting narratives for the remai...

With the first round of the NBA playoffs in full effect, Joe House calls in to check on where the current Eastern and Western Conference matchups stand (02:51), including 76ers - Nets (18:03) and Clippers - Warriors (28:59). Then Tyler Tynes discusses his recent piece on the touchy relationship between NBA players and fans (50:14). Read Tyler Tynes's piece on fan abuse towards players here. Host:...

The Philadelphia 76ers found themselves without superstar center Joel Embiid against the Nets in Brooklyn for Game 3, unintentionally unlocking Ben Simmons to seize a win (0:52). Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs handily beat the Denver Nuggets behind an unlikely outburst from Derrick White (15:10) as the Golden State Warriors re-established their dominance over the Los Angeles Clippers (26:22). Pl...

We break down how Jamal Murray shot his way out of his cold streak, helping the Nuggets tie their series with the Spurs at 1-1 and potentially stopping the bottom from falling out from underneath them this playoffs (1:30). Then, we wonder whether the Thunder will be able to get back on track when they come home, considering how bad they looked on the road in Portland in games 1 and 2 (12:38). Fina...

The resilient Los Angeles Clippers make a historic comeback against the reigning champion Golden State Warriors in Game 2 (0:42) and the Philadelphia 76ers redeem themselves with a resounding win against the Brooklyn Nets (26:44). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2019 NBA playoffs are finally here! The first round kicked off with some surprising upsets (2:53), most notably the Brooklyn Nets defeating the Philadelphia 76ers (29:55) and the Orlando Magic edging out the Toronto Raptors (57:16). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Justin Verrier, Spike Eskin, Kevin Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We preview the 2019 NBA playoffs by drafting the series we’re most excited to watch, including intriguing stylistic matchups like the Rockets and Jazz, talent-heavy lineups vs. up-and-coming teams like the Sixers and Nets, and hotly contested new rivalries like the Blazers and Thunder. Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Danny Chau, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adc...

We open by briefly delving into the Kings firing Dave Joerger, and examining what the potential trickle-down effects of that might be (1:30). Then, we preview the playoffs through a series of questions (9:00): How far do teams like the Raptors and Warriors have to go to keep their stars? Who’s legit and who’s not ready? Will talent win out for the Sixers? Hosts: Justin Verrier, Chris Ryan, Paolo U...

Magic Johnson resigning put the finishing touches on an NBA season that was filled with an absurd amount of drama. What does this mean for members of the Lakers franchise—including Rob Pelinka, Jeanie Buss, and LeBron James—and have we reached Peak NBA Reality TV yet? Hosts: Chris Ryan, Justin Verrier, Paolo Uggetti, Haley O’Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/ad...

Top prospects audition for the pros in the NCAA championship game (0:46) while the still-murky NBA playoff picture continues to shift (15:23). Then: 10 burning questions for the 2019 NBA playoffs (22:24). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the postseason just within grasp, which flaws could haunt playoff-bound teams in the weeks to come (4:50)? And of course, the Philadelphia 76ers generate genuine apprehension from their fan base (34:04). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Joe House, Dan Pfeiffer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We recap the exciting Bucks comeback win over the Sixers on Thursday night, which featured gigantic performances from Giannis and Joel Embiid (1:30). Then, ahead of the Final Four, we take one last dive into NCAA tournament prospects like Jarrett Culver and De'Andre Hunter (21:30). Hosts: Danny Chau and Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We weigh the different bleak futures of some of the NBA’s bottom-feeders and try to determine who has the longest path back to contention (2:00). Then, with the playoffs on the immediate horizon, we go over the teams that are trending up and trending down, and whether that will matter for how they fare in their opening series (49:00). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Paolo Uggetti, Haley O’Shaughnessy Learn...

With the end of the regular season in sight, which first-round matchups would be the most interesting (0:56)? Plus: even more NBA draft takeaways from the NCAA tournament (30:43). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the Western Conference playoff teams locked in, we shift our focus to the four teams competing for the last three spots in the Eastern Conference (5:39). Then, we examine how media coverage for NBA teams varies across the country (34:50). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Haley O’Shaughnessy, Bryan Curtis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Halfway through the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament, we examine the notable players with draft potential (1:12). Plus: parity between the Eastern and Western conferences (39:05). Hosts: Danny Chau, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We hand out some traditional awards for the 2018-19 NBA season, as well as a bevy of 'Group Chat'–specific ones—like Most Washed, the Best Player in the World Belt, and the Skeleton Key Award. Hosts: Justin Verrier, Haley O’Shaughnessy, Paolo Uggetti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jusuf Nurkic’s horrific leg injury takes the air out of the Portland Trail Blazers’ postseason ambitions (1:00), the variability of playoff seeding in the Western Conference makes matchup-jockeying impossible (20:15), and the NCAA's March Madness sheds more light on NBA draft prospects (46:55). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who have been the most entertaining personalities in the NBA this season? (4:01) Plus: our pick for Coach of the Year from an unusually stacked pool of candidates (43:10). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Ian Karmel, Chris Almeida Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We assess a dominant first-game performance from Murray State point guard Ja Morant, who has now solidified his case to be a top-three pick in the coming NBA draft (1:20). Then we note a bevy of prospects to look out for in this weekend’s March Madness games (17:00) before switching to the NBA and trying to make sense of a heavily clustered race for the five-through-eight seeds in the Western Conf...

We do some in-depth analysis on the Sixers finally getting over the hump and beating the Celtics, then wonder whether the Thunder’s recent skid means they might be one-and-done in the playoffs (2:30). Then, we rapid-fire draft the teams in the playoff field that are most watchable (40:30). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Haley O’Shaughnessy, Paolo Uggetti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoi...

Another home victory against the Golden State Warriors marks an impressive nine-game winning streak for the San Antonio Spurs (6:46). Plus: previewing regular-season awards (32:55) and NBA prospects to look forward to in March Madness (43:59). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Resident gambling degenerate Joe House gives his predictions for how the playoff race will shake out in each conference (4:05). Plus: New York Knicks owner James Dolan was in the headlines for all the wrong reasons last week; will he ever sell the team? (38:46) Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Joe House, Dan Devine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We react to Thursday night’s games, where the Pacers proved they’re going to be a tough out in the playoffs and Luka Doncic started to look worn down by the NBA season (2:04). Then Kevin and Danny share a short list of prospects who are piquing their interest early on in the run-up to the 2019 draft (22:36). Hosts: Kevin O’Connor and Danny Chau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoice...

Now that the Anthony Davis trade saga has cooled down, we wonder whether the dwindling list of potential outcomes means he might just re-sign in New Orleans—and, of course, what that would mean for the Lakers and Celtics (01:30). Then, we speculate about which teams are most likely to be upset in the first round of the playoffs, and which teams are primed to do the upsetting (35:47). Hosts: Justin...