The Ringer Nba Show

A rash of injuries has hit the NBA. We discuss the most impactful ones, including Gordon Hayward's and Steph Curry's (1:50). Then, we run through some Kristaps Porzingis troubles in Dallas and the absolute organizational debacle that is the New York Knicks (25:11). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Instant Replay: Dion Waiters’s suspension, Gordon Hayward’s injury, and the success of the Raptors (03:00). The Main Event: James Dolan and the dreadful Knicks (22:00). Good Call/Bad Call: Giannis gets violent, Nick Nurse gets touchy, Carmelo still wants to ball, and the Clippers’ throwback jerseys (36:15). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Haley O’Shaughnessy and Dan Devine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The load management conversation is at a fever pitch in the NBA after the Clippers were fined for not communicating Kawhi Leonard’s reason for sitting out. Is this a real problem for the league or is it confined to Leonard (2:00)? Plus, we run through Kemba Walker’s return to Charlotte, Gordon Hayward’s resurgence, the Wolves' precarious position, and more (19:33). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We examine four Western Conference teams who have had a noteworthy week: the Los Angeles Lakers trending up (1:09), the Portland Trail Blazers trending down (14:32), the Los Angeles Clippers trending up (23:06), and the Houston Rockets trending down (32:12). Plus: league narratives we love to see and hate to see (40:45). Host: Justin Verrier Guest: Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We react to the breaking news that Hawks forward John Collins has been suspended 25 games for violating the league’s PED policy (2:45). Then, we discuss the Suns’ hot start, Devin Booker’s tear, and whether they can sustain a winning season in the West (10:38), before running down some news and notes of the last few days (40:32). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Instant Replay: The tanking Warriors, Giannis-to-Raptors rumors, early overachievers, and the Blazers’ frontcourt void (4:00). The Main Event: The still-undefeated Philadelphia 76ers, with special guest Tyler Tynes (21:53). Good Call/Bad Call: Dwight Howard’s nickname for the Lakers, Mike Malone calls out his team, Kenny Atkinson’s unconventional communication, and 42-year-old Vince Carter (30:39). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Haley O’Shaughnessy, Dan Devine, Tyler Tynes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two-time MVP Stephen Curry broke his hand this week—will the mighty Warriors wave the white flag on this season after a slow start and the loss of their superstar (3:42)? Plus: We run through a list of guys who have had incredible starts and discuss whether they can sustain their torrid paces (40:15). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Golden State Warriors’ bumpy start to the season highlights the steep cost of building a superteam (0:59). Then, with so many premature narratives shaping up from the first handful of games of the season, which ones are real and which ones are fake (10:04)? Hosts: Chris Ryan, Justin Verrier Guest: Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We react to Jackie MacMullan’s story in ESPN about Kyrie Irving’s mood swings and the Nets’ organizational response to it (1:23). Then we share five early takeaways from this NBA season, including what look to be monster seasons for two young guards in Trae Young and Ja Morant (14:30). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With one week in the books for the 2019-20 regular season, we share our takeaways from the first handful of games (2:16). Plus: Los Angeles is the center of the basketball universe and the center of the NBA media universe; is this the new normal (23:16)? Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Dan Devine, Haley O’Shaughnessy, Bryan Curtis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The guys share their concerns about the Houston Rockets experiment (1:26) as well as the revamped Los Angeles Lakers (9:07). Then they overreact to opening week of the regular season (24:20). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Los Angeles Clippers impress on opening night with a statement victory over crosstown rivals Los Angeles Lakers: how the Lakers can address their shortcomings (0:59) and what more we can expect from the Kawhi Leonard–era Clippers (12:29). Then we preview some of the most anticipated matchups of this week (20:19). Host: Chris Ryan Guests: Justin Verrier, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We speed through the last pieces of preseason news—Zion’s knee, contract extensions, Michael Jordan's comments, and Klay Thompson's timeline (1:30)—before diving headfirst into the 2019-20 season with three bold predictions (41:42). Then, finally, we run down our predictions for the championship and the NBA regular-season awards (56:45). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The NBA-China story drags on, Zion Williamson’s injury delays his much-anticipated debut, and Buddy Hield reaches an extension with the Sacramento Kings (3:37). Then: Which teams will actually make the playoffs (18:06)? Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Dan Devine, Haley O’Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re shocked by Bradley Beal’s extension (1:00), confused by Buddy Hield’s public feud with the Kings (0:00), and dismayed by Zion’s knee injury, which could derail the beginning of his rookie season (5:00). Plus: We close the NBA preseason by each sharing the four stats that interested us most over the last month (42:30). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the regular season right around the corner, we examine the rookies with the most outstanding preseason performances (1:09). Then, we discuss the career trajectory of Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Karl-Anthony Towns (35:41). Host: Justin Verrier Guest: Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

LeBron’s comments about Daryl Morey’s tweet were surprising and spurred a lot of backlash—what do we make of them (3:00)? Plus, we go over some lingering preseason headlines and then run down the list of rookie extension-eligible players and opine on whether their respective teams should offer to bring them back (18:36). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We review the stories coming out of this weekend: a minor Anthony Davis thumb injury, Kyrie Irving’s reaggravated facial fracture, the Kings’ Buddy Hield contract dilemma, and Zion Williamson’s impressive performances (2:51). Then we draft all 30 NBA teams in terms of watchability (12:16) before deciding whether an NBA news item is a good call or bad call (42:42). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Haley O’Shaughnessy, Dan Devine, Micah Peters, Isaac Lee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Daryl Morey’s tweet now almost a week in the rearview, we talk about the NBA preseason games being played in China and assess how this story line might continue to unfold (9:30). Then, we share some more takeaways from preseason thus far, including the Rockets looking like the best team in the NBA and Zion seemingly dominating the NBA like he’s dominated his past competition (21:28). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Let’s overreact to preseason basketball! Ben Simmons shoots (and makes) a 3-pointer (7:30), the Oklahoma City Thunder flashes double–Ewing Theory potential (13:07), and the baby Pelicans might grow up quicker than anyone expects (22:59). Host: Chris Ryan Guest: Justin Verrier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices