The Ringer Nba Show

Kyle Korver to the Jazz (0:40), Luka Doncic owns our hearts (7:30), the Wolves are looking up without Jimmy Butler (17:30), and the Clippers might be a playoff lock (22:08). Plus, we admit the takes we misfired on before the season (35:30). Hosts: Chris Ryan, Haley O’Shaughnessy, Justin Verrier, and Paolo Uggetti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Houston Rockets’ slow start might be the new normal (0:50), the Orlando Magic are ... good? (19:40), and the young New York Knicks continue to develop (36:01). Plus, the quarter-season awards (47:03). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Somehow, the Los Angeles Clippers have climbed to the best record in the crowded Western Conference (4:02), and the Philadelphia 76ers’ Jimmy Butler experiment starts to bear fruit (21:32). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Dan Devine, Dan Pfeiffer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We open up the mailbag by answering questions on the Wizards’ dysfunction, the first-, second-, and third-year players we’re most excited about, pre-agency, the Lakers, and much more. Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Jonathan Tjarks, Danny Chau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John Wall’s gargantuan contract stifles his trade value (2:27), the Sacramento Kings continue to outperform expectations in the crowded Western Conference (13:56), and the teams on a streak, winning or losing (33:19). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The devastatingly underachieving Washington Wizards look to sell, sell, sell (3:17) and the glut of talent in the Western Conference coagulates even further (31:13). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Joe House, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jimmy Butler’s tight fit in Philadelphia (1:07), a sophomore focus in this week’s The Kids Are Alright (23:26), and a look ahead at the weekend’s best games (37:36). Hosts: Kevin O'Connor, Danny Chau, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jimmy Butler’s debut for the Sixers didn’t go quite as smoothly as it could’ve—what does that mean for Ben Simmons (2:00)? Plus, Kevin Clark on the Magic (11:38), and a whole lot of Draymond Green and Kevin Durant melodrama (24:36). Hosts: Chris Ryan, Justin Verrier, Paolo Uggetti, Kevin Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Jimmy Butler trade reshapes both conferences (0:48), the Houston Rockets look to move on from their Carmelo Anthony experiment (10:06), the overachieving Los Angeles Clippers remain impressive (19:16), Caris LeVert’s injury sets back the Brooklyn Nets (26:44), and some teams’ expectations contrast with their performance (34:34). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Minnesota Timberwolves finally trade Jimmy Butler to the Philadelphia 76ers. Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Chris Ryan and Jason Concepcion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duke’s trio of outstanding freshman surpassed our lofty expectations (1:38), the NBA’s shooting guard renaissance has caught us off guard (14:03), and we’re not quite sure if Milwaukee has what it takes to handle a tough West Coast road trip (34:37). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kyrie Irving is totally not mad online about Jamal Murray, and the Boston Celtics totally don’t have a problem with offensive distribution (1:20). Plus, could the Lakers be the best League Pass team in NBA history? (22:37). The Lakers May Be the Greatest League Pass Team in History, Justin Verrier Hosts: Chris Ryan, Justin Verrier, Haley O’Shaughnessy, Paolo Uggetti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A big night for Jamal Murray continues the Denver Nuggets’ hot streak (3:07), the torrid Toronto Raptors add another loss to the Utah Jazz’s disappointing start (14:53), precarious teams face sink-or-swim developments (32:58), and draft prospects look to shine as the college basketball season kicks off (47:55). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Los Angeles Lakers add another loss to their turbulent start to the regular season (4:07), and the league’s offensive explosion is transforming defensive schemes (27:34). Plus, examining the importance of providing context to Derrick Rose’s comeback narrative (55:04). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Juliet Litman, Justin Verrier, Haley O’Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ringer staff writer Kevin O’Connor is joined by Jonathan Tjarks and Danny Chau to discuss the unfathomably bad Houston Rockets' start (2:27) and the bright futures of the Jazz and Nuggets (20:52). Then, the trio re-ups their patented "Draft Class" segment to talk about the tantalizing NBA prospects on the Duke Blue Devils (32:56). The State of the John Wall–Bradley Beal Union, Kevin O'Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Chris Ryan is joined by Justin Verrier, Haley O’Shaughnessy, and Paolo Uggetti to establish eight unique tiers of the NBA and place all 30 teams within them. Klay on Klay: The Warriors Guard on the Hidden Art and Craft of His Game, Kevin O'Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor recount the record-breaking night from Klay Thompson (0:50), debate how the still-undefeated Bucks have achieved early-season success (30:53), and discuss their concerns for underachieving Western Conference teams (44:44). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s John Gonzalez is joined by Shea Serrano to discuss the Cleveland Cavaliers firing head coach Ty Lue (4:32) and all the drama going on in the NBA regular season through two weeks (11:30). Then, Jonathan Tjarks comes on to talk about the undefeated Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors (33:36) as well as oft-overlooked teams with intriguing narratives (37:01). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor is joined by Danny Chau and Jonathan Tjarks to discuss the exponential growth of 3-pointers in the NBA (1:24) and the promising offense but problematic defense of Trae Young and Luka Doncic (13:46). Then, they throw an outlet pass to this weekend’s games, previewing a rematch of Lakers-Spurs as well as exciting matchups between the Jazz and Pelicans and the Celtics and Pistons (26:57). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Chris Ryan is joined by Justin Verrier, Haley O’Shaughnessy, and Paolo Uggetti to discuss whether fans will get sick of the routinely high-scoring games from the first week of the season (1:27). Then, they talk about the Thunder’s cramped roster and wonder whether some of the Cavaliers’ veteran pieces could help Oklahoma City (21:34). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices