The Ringer Nba Show

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Hillsong pastor and NBA confidant Carl Lentz to lay out how the secret NBA scrimmages come about in the summertime and many more inside-the-NBA stories from the likes of LeBron and reigning MVP Russell Westbrook. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor react to Eric Bledsoe being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for Greg Monroe (0:24), address the Jahlil Okafor trade rumors (14:43), and marvel at the Celtics’ surprising early-season success (16:40). Then, they discuss the drama within the Miami Heat concerning Hassan Whiteside (26:12), speculate on the meaning behind LeBron’s Instagram post (28:32), and debate whether Kristaps Porzingis could be in the MVP conversation (33:18). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Juliet Litman and John Gonzalez review the weekend’s exciting Thunder-Blazers matchup (1:30), laud the Celtics’ dominant winning streak (6:50), gauge their concerns about the precarious Cavaliers (11:55), and analyze D’Angelo Russell’s first return to Los Angeles as a Brooklyn Net (16:05). Then they play Real or Not Real with the Eastern Conference 2-seed Detroit Pistons (20:00), sensational Utah Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell (21:35), and stats-stuffing savant DeMarcus Cousins (22:05). Finally, they heat-check the New York Knicks’ Kristaps Porzingis (23:40) and look forward to the week’s most intriguing games (27:45). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by recently departed ESPNer Tom Haberstroh to give his thoughts on the Cavs' lacking defense (18:00), potential Boogie Cousins trades (30:00), and re-drafting the 2017 NBA draft (42:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier are joined by Haley O’Shaughnessy to discuss the Cavs and the Bucks (0:57). Then they bring in Jason Concepcion to examine the current state of the New York Knicks (13:15). Finally, Haley O’Shaughnessy returns to tackle some more teams, including: the Suns, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Pistons, and Pacers (24:52). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor discuss the personnel problems with the Cavs (10:00), the surprising top teams in the league (28:00), Aaron Gordon's improvement (38:00), the impressive young Bucks (50:00), and Kobe's film crew (1:02:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Juliet Litman and John Gonzalez sit down to talk some NBA story lines, including some obvious trouble in Cleveland (1:35), Draymond Green and the Golden State Warriors (9:55), and the Clippers' impressive start to the season with point-Blake (22:13). Then they go on rookie watch to talk Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Frankie Smokes, and more (28:40). Finally, they look ahead to some of this week's more exciting matchups (33:50). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier are joined by Paolo Uggetti to chat about Eastern Conference parity, the improved play of the Magic and Nets, the Spurs' and Raptors' style contrast with the rest of the league, the Cavs' new roster having the same old issues, Draymond Green's deflection tactics, and Eric Gordon’s impressive play without Chris Paul. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Juliet Litman and Chris Ryan wade through the murky news surrounding Markelle Fultz’s shoulder injury (1:10), react to the bizarre schism between Eric Bledsoe and the Phoenix Suns (9:45), and celebrate the return of Draymond Green’s expert trash talk (16:30). Then they run through the trending topics from the first eight days of the young NBA season, including the joyless Minnesota Timberwolves (20:50), the ever-tumultuous New York Knicks (24:10), and the surprisingly competent Brooklyn Nets (29:50). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor discuss the Suns firing Earl Watson (2:00), Eric Bledsoe's trade value (8:00), D-Wade's move to the bench (18:00), Giannis Antetokounmpo's MVP-level start (24:00), LaMarcus Aldridge's improved play (32:00), the Warriors' early struggles (37:00), Denver's bench talent (45:00), De'Aaron Fox's 'Dragon Ball Z' infatuation (57:00), the undefeated Grizzlies (1:05:00), and Ben Simmons's hot start (1:08:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Juliet Litman and John Gonzalez sit down to talk some NBA story lines, including Oklahoma City's precarious start to the season (1:05), Giannis MVP watch (5:15), Eric Bledsoe's illuminative tweet (11:48), and Lonzo Ball's first few NBA performances (19:14). Then they indulge in a few overreactions (29:44) and end with some games to look forward to (32:30). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier are joined by Haley O’Shaughnessy to chat about the first Clippers-Lakers matchup of the season (1:10), Chris Paul's timely released short film (5:38), and the Rockets' impressive bout with the Warriors (10:00). Then they discuss rookies' updated stock values (16:40), speculate on this season's MVP prospects (34:15), and discuss the talent gap between some top and bottom tier teams (38:15). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor bang out a far-reaching NBA regular season preview. Topics include: LaMarcus Aldridge's extension (4:00), McCollum missing the opener (14:00), the Houston Rockets experiment (17:00), the OKC superteam (24:00), the unpredictable T'Wolves (33:00), Nurkic's inspired play (43:00), the Pistons' improvement (49:00), IT's belief in Boston's regret (53:00), the Coach of the Year contenders (1:00:00), and the potential first coach fired this season (1:05:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Haralabos Voulgaris after a long hiatus from the podcasting world to discuss the biggest offseason moves (6:00), Oklahoma City's potential contender status (13:00), Kyrie's lacking defense (19:00), LeBron's exit strategy (27:00), the Warriors' unselfishness (36:00), the myth behind the Warriors' reinvention of basketball (44:00), and Ben Simmons's Rookie of the Year campaign (55:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier are joined by Haley O’Shaughnessy to chat about the ballooning hype for Joel Embiid (1:20), the possible precariousness of the "new old-look" Cleveland Cavaliers (8:50), and the awkward roster fits for the revamped Minnesota Timberwolves (18:55). Then, they bring on Paolo Uggetti to debate the meaning behind Kyrie Irving’s bizarre comments regarding the Cavs (26:10), whether Kyle Kuzma can maintain his impressive preseason performance (35:55), and if Carmelo Anthony will be good for the Oklahoma City Thunder (38:35). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor express their astonishment at Joel Embiid’s contract extension (1:50), wonder about the reasoning behind Gary Harris’s contract extension (19:00), and discuss the importance of nutrition when it comes to young NBA players (25:10). Then they debate the trajectory for preseason standout Kyle Kuzma (33:35), take sides in the James Harden–Kevin McHale feud (42:15), and explain Markelle Fultz’s new shooting form (49:50). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons outlines the entire Eastern Conference with help from Joe House and Jason Concepcion. Topics include: the inferior Eastern Conference (6:00), the Bulls' tanking efforts (10:00), the Nets not tanking anymore (18:00), the lack of incentive for the Knicks (24:00), reasons why the Pacers will stay competitive (29:00), the awful Orlando Magic (35:00), Philly's chance to take the next step (42:00), the Miami Heat's dark-horse title chances (57:00), Jabari Parker's trade value (1:06:00), the Wizards' chance for a Boogie trade (1:11:00), the Celtics' new core (1:15:00), and Kyrie's relationship with Brad Stevens (1:18:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor kick off their preseason discussion by speculating the meaning of Tommy Heinsohn’s comments on Aron Baynes (1:05) and wondering about the Orlando Magic’s future with Jonathan Isaac and Mario Hezonja (7:55). Then they react to Russell Westbrook’s contract extension (15:25), Ben Simmons playing with Markelle Fultz during his de facto rookie season (27:25), Klay Thompson’s looming free agency (35:45), Jaylen Brown’s lukewarm comments on the new Boston roster (38:15), and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ fluctuating starting five (42:55). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor is joined by Arcade Fire frontman Win Butler to discuss the influence of Hakeem Olajuwon (1:30), the state of the Rockets (4:00), the beauty of the Spurs (8:00), beating Matt Bonner in a 3-point contest (11:00), the Pelicans' potential (12:30), the rise of Canadian basketball (18:30), and the idea of "sticking to sports" (24:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor discuss Carmelo Anthony's trade to the Thunder (2:30), the history behind superteam success (10:00), the new-look Cavs (19:00), Chicago's complete overhaul (28:00), LeBron vs. Western Conference contenders (34:00), and potential changes to the current playoff format (44:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices