The Ringer NBA Show

The Ringer's Chris Vernon is joined by Washington Post national NBA writer Tim Bontemps to answer the 10 most important questions entering the 2017 NBA Finals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Ryan brings on a roundtable of Ringer writers to discuss the stories they've been working on leading up to the NBA Finals. First, Jonathan Tjarks gives his thoughts on Kevin Durant's under-the-radar role (5:00). Then, Kevin O'Connor discusses the importance of isolation scoring (11:10). Finally, John Gonzalez gives his thoughts on the culture of the Warriors and the Cavaliers (2...

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor discuss the major story lines heading into the 2017 NBA Finals. Topics include: Steve Kerr's absence on the bench (3:00), the importance of isolation scoring (10:00), the Warriors' defense (19:00), Tristan Thompson's importance (28:00), LeBron James's potential "greatest of all-time" label (34:00), and which is the favorite team for the casual fan (41:0...

The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor and Jonathan Tjarks discuss the best wing players in the 2017 NBA draft. Topics include: Justin Jackson's upside (8:00), Wesley Iwundu's sleeper status (14:00), the importance of basketball IQ (18:00), the next Malcolm Brogdon (23:00), and the best dark horse wing prospects (28:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Chris Ryan discuss LeBron's Game 3 illness (6:00) and his affinity for deferring (10:00), the Cavaliers' struggling defense (18:00), the best players on the Cavaliers and Warriors (23:00), Lonzo Ball on the Sixers (28:00), and the best TV shows to fill time before the Finals (36:00). Then, writer John Gonzalez joins to discuss Richard Jefferson, Channing Frye, and All...

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor discuss the Warriors' historic run to the Finals (5:00), Manu Ginobili's potential retirement (12:00), the Celtics' improbable comeback (24:30), Kevin Love's draft workout (33:00), the importance of "tweener" players in today's NBA (37:00), and the Celtics' impending free-agency decisions (41:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.c...

The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor and Jonathan Tjarks discuss the lottery-level guards in the 2017 NBA draft. Topics include: Markelle Fultz's defense (5:00), Frank Ntilikina's NBA frame (11:00), Dennis Smith Jr.'s fit on the Mavericks (17:00), Malik Monk's lack of assists (22:00), Donovan Mitchell's foundation of skills (26:00), and the ideal skill set of the modern NBA guard (30:00). Learn more about...

The Ringer's Chris Vernon is joined by CBS Sports columnist Gary Parrish to discuss Jaylen Brown's surprising play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals (5:00), Vegas's big spreads for the Warriors (15:00), Lonzo Ball on the Lakers (19:00), Markelle Fultz's lack of skeptics (25:00), LaVar Ball's premonition in AAU basketball (31:00), Josh Jackson's upside (37:00), De'Aaron Fox's demeanor (41:...

The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor and Jonathan Tjarks give their initial reaction to the NBA draft lottery and discuss Boston's big night (5:00), potential Celtics chemistry issues (10:00), Josh Jackson's fit in Philly (17:00), the best players outside of the top three (21:00), the battle for point guards between Dallas and New York (26:00), a wide range of outcomes for Lauri Markkanen (31:00), and the...

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor discuss John Wall's game winner (5:00), the Wizards' consistency against the Celtics (10:00), the Spurs' chances without Kawhi Leonard (20:00), the Warriors' defensive mistakes (24:00), Durant and Curry's offensive explosion (29:00), Zaza Pachulia's closeout on Kawhi (33:00), the problem with 3-point shooters trying to draw fouls (37:00), and De'Aaron F...

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Shea Serrano discuss James Harden's no-show against the Spurs (5:00), the Spurs winning without Kawhi (15:30), the top moments in Spurs history (23:00), John Wall's cussing on the court (27:00), potential Wall vs. LeBron scenarios (34:00), and Harden's major shortcoming (38:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Joe House to discuss D.C.'s devastating sports night (5:00), the district's Friday-night crowd (11:00), the Wizards' end-of-game situations (16:00), James Harden's management of minutes (20:00), Kyle Lowry's injury (26:00), Otto Porter's midrange misses (33:00), and matchups of the best teams in NBA history against the Warriors (38:00). Learn more about...

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor discuss Kyle Lowry's likely exit from Toronto (5:00), LeBron's demoralizing dominance (15:00), reasons to blow up teams with stars (25:00), Paul George's trade value (35:00), Wizards-Celtics (46:00), and the Rockets without Nene (54:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor and Jonathan Tjarks discuss the changing landscape of big men in the NBA (4:00), Jonathan Isaac's ability to play center (8:00), Jayson Tatum's NBA comparison (14:00), Josh Jackson's jump shot (18:00), OG Anunoby’s high ceiling (25:00), and potential fits for each top forward in the 2017 NBA draft (32:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adcho...

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Jason Concepcion discuss watching NBA games in L.A. (5:00), DeMar DeRozan's one-dimensional offense (14:00), Rockets-Spurs (24:00), James Harden's charging (29:00), ’90s basketball comparisons with Wizards-Celtics (35:00), and the NBA's investment in e-sports (44:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons calls his dad to talk about the Celtics' epic overtime victory over the Wizards on Tuesday night (02:00), John Wall's fatigue (08:00), if Avery Bradley is injured (11:00), if Isaiah Thomas is the best Celtics scorer since Larry Bird (13:00), and the upcoming NBA draft lottery (26:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor discuss the Raptors' reliance on isolation against the Cavs (5:00), James Harden's masterful pick-and-roll play (10:00), LaMarcus Aldridge's dismal showing (15:00), the Spurs' discipline on defense (23:00), Wizards-Celtics (29:00), Scott Brooks's rotations (34:00), John Wall's scoring (40:00), and the Warriors' ridiculous spread over the Jazz (44:00). L...

The Ringer's Chris Vernon is joined by Washington Post NBA writer Tim Bontemps to discuss Wizards-Hawks (4:00), the Bucks' point totals (10:00), the Bulls without Rondo (15:00), the Spurs' struggles (23:00), Joe Johnson and the Jazz (27:15), offseason moves for the Clippers (34:00), and Steve Kerr's absence from the bench (44:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoice...

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor discuss sweeps by the Warriors and Cavs (5:00), Raptors-Bucks (11:00), the Wizards' lacking bench (18:00), Taurean Prince's improvement (22:00), Hack-a-Shaq situations (30:30), Gasol and Conley (38:00), Kawhi's iso offense (44:00), and the Bulls without Rondo (55:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Vernon is joined by Chris Mannix of The Vertical to discuss Rajon Rondo's injury (01:00), an epic comeback by LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavs (11:00), the Raptors' loss in Milwaukee (19:30), and the Grizzlies striking back in Memphis (26:00). Then, Ringer staff writer Rodger Sherman joins the show to analyze Russell Westbrook's performance in Game 2 (39:00) and the importanc...

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor discuss the Celtics' struggles (5:00), Al Horford's disappearing act (11:00), Russell Westbrook's fourth-quarter collapse (18:55), John Wall's entertaining style (26:00), the Warriors' winning ways (32:00), Raptors-Bucks (39:00), Spurs-Grizzlies (42:00), and the Brooklyn Nets' playoff impact (50:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoice...

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor discuss David Fizdale's postgame rant (3:00), Kawhi's historic efficiency (14:00), Kevin Love's lack of shots (18:00), Raptors déjà vu (23:00), the Bucks defense (29:00), Bulls-Celtics (33:00), the loss of Rudy Gobert (40:00), Hawks-Wizards (44:00), Thunder-Rockets (48:00), and Warriors-Blazers (54:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastcho...

The Ringer's Chris Vernon is joined by Bill Simmons to discuss the most polarizing MVP race ever (5:00), James Harden's MVP case (10:00), CP3's attrition (15:00), Kyrie Irving and LeBron's disappointing win total (21:00), Celtics-Bulls (28:00), the Cavs's switch (32:00), Raptors-Bucks (35:00), the Celtics' formula (39:00), Thon Maker's wild-card potential (42:00), Kevin Durant's return (47:00), Sp...

The Ringer's Chris Vernon is joined by NBA TV's Kristen Ledlow to discuss the end of the NBA regular season (5:00), the Cavs' playoff switch (11:00), Raptors-Bucks (16:00), Ahmad Rashad giving his blessing to her hosting ‘Inside Stuff’ (22:00), the best shoes in basketball (27:00), and advice for aspiring female broadcasters (31:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adcho...

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor discuss the end of the NBA regular season, the Heat's playoff push (6:00), the Bulls' best lineup (11:00), the best deal of the season (16:00), the underrated Clippers (22:00), LeBron's MVP argument (32:00), Westbrook vs. Harden (38:00), and the NBA awards banquet (48:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices