The Ryen Russillo Show

In our final show from Chicago, Ryen opens with the Pistons’ major problems after going down 3–2 to the Cavs. Then, Warriors assistant GM Larry Harris stops by to look back at the process of drafting Steph Curry, the pitch to Kevin Durant, why the two-timelines strategy didn’t work, and the continued search for another star to play alongside Steph. Next, Rockets GM Rafael Stone joins to talk about...

Ryen and the crew continue live from the NBA Combine in Chicago! He opens with the Spurs taking a 3–2 lead over the Wolves and why Wemby is the most fun player to watch in the NBA. Then, he chats with Wizards president Michael Winger about what it was like being in the lottery room when Washington landed the No. 1 pick, how many guys are really in the mix to go first overall, and how that player w...

Ryen and the crew are in Chicago all week for the NBA Combine! He opens with the Wemby ejection and the Wolves tying the series at 2–2 before getting into the Knicks’ sweep of the Sixers. Then, he’s joined by Mark Titus from the Mostly Sports studio to talk about the draft order, who ends up where, their favorite and least favorite prospects, and more. Then, Russillo talks about his experience in...

Ryen opens with the Knicks going up 2–0 against the Embiid-less Sixers and the Spurs’ major bounce-back in Game 2 against the Wolves. Then, Brian Windhorst stops by to talk about the OG Anunoby injury, the Cavs’ future if they get bounced, the Luka-to-Spain story blowing up, a draft lottery lookahead, and more. Then, Kyle and Ceruti join for some listener-submitted Life Advice, including a few fol...

Ryen opens with the Pistons keeping it rolling, taking Game 1 over the Cavs, including a strong Durant performance and the Harden roller coaster. He also breaks down the Thunder, who are coasting so far in the playoffs. Then, US soccer legend Clint Dempsey stops by to talk about his career, the current USMNT ahead of the World Cup, his and Ryen’s shared love for Fulham, and his passion for other s...

Ryen opens by ranking the worst first-round losses in the NBA playoffs, discussing the Magic’s collapse and the firing of head coach Jamahl Mosley, the Celtics’ problems, and whether the Sixers can win the East. Then, the voice of the NBA, Mike Breen, stops by to look back at Round 1 and preview Round 2, including the pressure on the Knicks to reach the Finals, LeBron’s future, his thoughts on the...

Ryen opens with the Pistons staying alive at home against the Magic and the show Cade and Paolo put on, before getting into the Rockets clawing their way back to 3–2 against the Lakers (uh oh?). Next, PJ Carlesimo stops by to break down the game he called—Cavs–Raptors—including Scottie Barnes emerging as the best player in the series, the Spurs’ young guys showing up, and whether the Blazers job i...

Ryen opens with the Knicks going up 3–2 and potentially figuring out the Hawks, along with the Celtics’ shooting variance striking again as they fail to close out the Sixers at home. Then, Ethan Strauss stops by to talk about why people hate the Thunder, whether their perceived advantages are real, modern officiating, Kevin Durant’s legacy, and the NBA’s proposed “fix” for tanking. Next, Trent Dil...

Ryen opens by going through every NBA playoff series, including the Wolves–Nuggets battle, a pivotal Hawks–Knicks Game 5, Jalen Duren’s struggles, and the disappointing Cavs. Then, Nate Tice joins for a full recap of the NFL Draft, including his best and worst grades, quarterback fits, and a look ahead to the hype around 2027. Finally, Kyle and Ceruti join for an NBA Alliance parlay and some liste...

Ryen opens by breaking down the three NBA games from Thursday night, including how much trouble the Knicks and Nuggets are in after going down 2–1, the Raptors getting a game, and some concerns he has with Harden and the Cavs. Then he’s joined by Albert Breer to break down the entire first round of the NFL Draft, including the biggest surprises, picks they didn’t like, and which teams came out as...

Ryen opens with the Rockets going down 0–2 to the Lakers and why they’re such a mess right now, Wemby’s injury, Scoot’s big night, and the Celtics’ ugly loss. Then, The Athletic’s James Edwards joins to discuss the Knicks’ issues with the Hawks, whether the Pistons can bounce back against the Magic, and a great Cade story from his time covering the team. Next, Anthony Slater stops by to talk Wolve...

Ryen starts with the annual Todd McShay and Daniel Jeremiah NFL Draft get-together, where they share a ton about what they’re hearing the week of the draft. They also compare some of the top prospects to previous years, and Ryen finishes with his fake draft scenarios. Then, he gives his thoughts on all the Game 1s from the NBA playoffs over the weekend, including another Magic Minute with Ceruti a...

Ryen is joined by Chris Mannix to break down all the NBA playoff series matchups, why the Magic job will be in demand this summer, and what the summer of Giannis could look like. Then, Ceruti joins for a Magic Minute after their embarrassing loss to the Sixers. Finally, Kyle and Ceruti join for some listener-submitted Life Advice, including someone adding their mom to an NBA group chat and a bad j...

Ryen opens with the top 10 NBA players right now, as voted on by current coaches and executives (plus his own list). Next, Pistons guard Duncan Robinson stops by to talk about Detroit’s No. 1 seed, the strength of the Eastern Conference, Cade’s return, and more. Then, Ryen breaks down the Hornets’ play-in win, LaMelo’s roller coaster, and the Blazers locking up the 7 seed. Finally, Kyle and Ceruti...

Ryen opens with how much the last six weeks of the NBA season have sucked—but is that really a problem as we head into the playoffs? He also gets into the disingenuous ratings comparisons across other sports. Then, Frank Isola joins to talk about the final day, including the embarrassing Magic loss, why the Spurs may have made their path harder, awards races, and a look ahead to some of the playof...

Ryen is joined by Bruce Feldman for his “intel” NFL mock draft, including his love of Arvell Reese, sleepers, divisive players, and the Nigerian freak athlete Uar Bernard. Next, Tom Haberstroh stops by to talk about his research on just how few national TV games star players appear in, whether we’re being a little too bullish on the Hornets, his Eastern Conference tiers, Scoot’s improvement, and t...

Russillo shares day-by-day recaps from his recent trip to Portugal.

Ryen opens with Michigan’s national title win over UConn and his five biggest takeaways, including whether that transfer strategy is the future of the sport. Then, he gets into the Giannis vs. the Bucks drama, the trade rumor timeline, whether Milwaukee should give him the extension (just to trade him), and which teams are desperate enough to go all in on him. Next, he discusses Michael Malone sur...

Ryen opens with a Final Four recap, including Michigan demolishing a good Arizona team and UConn once again reaching the title game. Then, TNT’s Adam Lefkoe joins for more on the Final Four, stories from the TNT desk, whether the Thunder are good for the NBA, and more. Finally, Kyle joins for some listener-submitted Life Advice, including picking a godfather and a courtside seat conundrum. FINAL F...

Ryen opens with arguments for and against the question: “Is Jalen Hurts a good QB?” Next, he talks with Celtics guard Derrick White about Jayson Tatum’s return, postseason basketball approaching, and more. Then, Ryen is joined by The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie to discuss Final Four matchups, draft prospects, and the wide-open Eastern Conference. Finally, Ryen, Kyle, and Ceruti close the show by answer...

Ryen opens with his four NBA MVP candidates: SGA, Luka, Jokic, and Wembanyama. Then Ian Eagle joins to discuss calling UConn’s historic comeback win over Duke, the revival of college basketball, Final Four storylines, and the start of his career at WFAN. Next, Ryen talks with PGA Tour golfer Jake Knapp about tying the course record at Memorial Park Golf Course last weekend, his hot start to the se...

Ryen opens with Duke’s brutal loss to UConn, with a little background on why we collectively root against them. Then, Jay Bilas joins with his thoughts on the Duke collapse, Scheyer and Hurley’s coaching, Arizona vs. Michigan, some draft thoughts, and whether people are wrongly blaming NIL for the changes in college sports. Finally, Kyle and Ceruti join for some listener-submitted Life Advice, inc...

Ryen is joined by Brian Windhorst to talk about whether the Celtics can actually win the title, if tanking can realistically be fixed, a great Wemby–Chet story, and more questions about the league’s contenders. Then, Kyle and Ceruti join for some listener-submitted Life Advice, including whether to have the bachelor party and wedding back-to-back and a family member selling gifts on Facebook Marke...

Ryen opens with the idea that Michael Jordan would average 50 points per game in today’s NBA and explains exactly how improbable that would be. Then, friend of the show Jeff Passan joins for the annual baseball preview, going through every division, World Series picks, and the debate about which sport is better right now: the NBA or MLB. Finally, Kyle and Ceruti join for a Sweet Sixteen Alliance P...

Ryen opens with some NCAA tournament thoughts, including he and Kyle’s Johnnies in the Sweet Sixteen, Florida going down, Michigan and Arizona looking great, and whether it’s crazy that Acuff could be the best player in the draft. Then, CBB analyst Jim Jackson joins to go more in-depth on the tournament, including a Sweet Sixteen preview. Next, World Series champion Hunter Pence stops by to talk b...