The Ringer NBA Show

After Thursday’s board of governors call with Adam Silver, the NBA has almost unanimously approved the league’s plan to return with eight regular-season games followed by a play-in tournament for the 8th seed in each conference. Now all that’s left is for the players union to approve the plan and for each team to get to Orlando and ramp up to play. We discuss potential challenges the teams will face getting ready to play competitively again (0:49), and then we open up the mailbag to answer your questions about the return plan, the league’s openness to potential player protests during games or the national anthem, and more (21:03). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We discuss the sweeping condemnation of police brutality from NBA players and the NBA community—in line with nationwide protests over the last week—and what it means to even think or talk about the return of basketball in this moment (0:39). Then we go over reports about the league’s plan to return in late July and the board of governors meeting tomorrow that will dictate the terms of that return (10:08). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Steve and Pete are joined by San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich to have a conversation about the state of our nation, how we got here as a country, our absence of leadership, and how we can take action to grow and bring about change following the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. Host: Steve Kerr and Pete Carroll Guest: Gregg Popovich This show is raising money for COVID-19 relief. You can help! Donate here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We discuss Kevin’s report that the NBA GMs voted overwhelmingly against the group stage format floated by the league earlier this week (1:56). Then, we open the mailbag back up to answer your questions about the best and worst statistics in the NBA, players whose legacies would be most improved with a title, and our favorite type of player to create in NBA2K (23:06). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the NBA nears its return, we explore the benefits and drawbacks of adopting a World Cup–style group stage for the 2020 playoffs. Could this draw new fans? Could it be a precursor to future midseason tournaments or even playoffs? Does this shift the competitive balance in any way? Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Longtime Utah Jazz coach and NBA Hall of Famer Jerry Sloan died Tuesday morning. We remember his playing and coaching career and the legacy he leaves behind in the modern NBA (1:20). Then, we get into the nitty-gritty of Kevin’s reporting on the NBA’s COVID-19 testing plans in the event of a return this year (10:50), before answering more of your mailbag questions (27:19). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We run through the latest news around the NBA, including Tillman Fertitta’s comments to Donald Trump about the return of the NBA, Jazz wing Bojan Bogdanovic’s wrist surgery, and the Knicks’ new assistant GM, Frank Zanin (1:49). Then, we give our closing thoughts on ESPN’s Michael Jordan documentary ‘The Last Dance’ (35:30). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After the final two episodes of 'The Last Dance' premiered Sunday night, Chris Ryan and Sean Fennessey break down the key takeaways and share their overall thoughts on the popular sports documentary. They talk about how a document like this could be made for modern players and what this doc does to Michael Jordan's legacy as a whole. Hosts: Chris Ryan and Sean Fennessey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

News about the NBA’s potential return continues to trickle out. This week, we discuss whether NBA players would feel compelled to complete the regular season if it meant they'd make their full salaries, and the timeline for the league’s return (5:01). Then, we reach back into the mailbag to answer questions on Lonzo Ball’s basketball preference, our all-time 3-point shootout and dunk contest lineups, and our favorite seasons of covering the league (23:30). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We go through the news leaking out of the conference call between the National Basketball Players Association and commissioner Adam Silver (1:17). Kevin shares his insights and reporting into the return ideas the NBA thinks are most feasible. Then, we discuss the emotional impact of episodes 7-8 of ESPN’s ‘The Last Dance,’ the only stain on Scottie Pippen’s career, and Jordan as a baseball player (37:04). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

JJ and Tommy sit down with filmmaker Jason Hehir to talk about his Michael Jordan/Bulls docuseries 'The Last Dance' and explore what went into making the immensely popular project. They break down the animosity between players during that era (23:07). Jason reveals what went down during the supposed "Jordan freeze-out" in 1985, and then they draft their favorite quarantine comforts (48:09). Subscribe to The JJ Redick Podcast here. Hosts: JJ Redick and Tommy Alter Guest: Jason Hehir Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We discuss Kevin’s article about the debates going on within the league office about the best plan to bring basketball back this summer (1:42). Then, we open the mailbag back up to answer your questions about Matthew Dellavedova, which teams should blow it up, and whether Steph Curry could score 101 points in a game (37:16). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Steve and Pete are joined by manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Dave Roberts, to discuss how they look at and assess multisport athletes, and how a player's expertise at one sport can translate to another. Later the guys chat about how analytics factor into their respective coaching strategies, how analytics are being utilized for player development, and getting players to live in the present. Hosts: Steve Kerr and Pete Carroll Guest: Dave Roberts This show is raising money for COVID-19 relief. You can help! Donate here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We run through some league news, including the discussions about whether Kevin Durant would be ready to come back by the time the NBA is ready to ramp up again (1:41). Then we go deeper into episodes 5-6 of ‘The Last Dance,’ including the concept of the “role model” athlete (30:00). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin Verrier and Rob Mahoney come to you immediately after the conclusion of the fifth and sixth episodes of ‘The Last Dance.’ On this week’s pod: an examination of Michael Jordan’s trip to Atlantic City during the 1993 playoffs, a window into the unique pressure Jordan faced every time he stepped out of his hotel or home, and what NBA Twitter would have to say about the ascension of Jordan the shoe mogul. Hosts: Justin Verrier and Rob Mahoney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With news swirling about the NBA's continued exploration of potential return options, we discuss the complexities of restarting basketball in a bubble in Las Vegas or Orlando (1:23). Then, we open the Friday mailbag to answer your questions on ESPN’s ‘The Last Dance,’ teams that could make a leap next season, and whether or not Kevin is secretly British (23:39). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We react to the news that the NBA is considering opening its practice facilities up to players starting as soon as May (1:40), before discussing Marc Eversley’s hiring as the new Bulls general manager (7:06). Then, we close by giving our biggest takeaways from episodes 3-4 of ‘The Last Dance,’ including some revelations about Dennis Rodman and intriguing moments with Phil Jackson (18:40). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin Verrier and Rob Mahoney gather to discuss the second week of ESPN’s Michael Jordan documentary, ‘The Last Dance.’ This week, we got a peek into the fascinating life of Dennis Rodman. Plus, we’re starting to peel the layers of the onion back on the real Jordan as he shows his past frustrations with Scottie Pippen, Phil Jackson, and the Detroit Pistons. Hosts: Justin Verrier and Rob Mahoney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We discuss the short list (read: Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving’s list) for Kenny Atkinson’s replacement in Brooklyn (2:13). Then, we take a look at NBPA president Chris Paul’s reluctance to bring the NBA back without giving players at least a month to get their bodies ready (7:19). Finally, we open the 'Mismatch' mailbag again to answer your questions about the draft, the Grizzlies, our dream 3v3 partners, and more (11:53). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll discuss all things draft, including how they are preparing for a virtual draft, how they scout players, and drafting late-round guys like D.K. Metcalf and Draymond Green (3:25) before talking about the coaches in both the NFL and NBA who innovated the game like no one before them (39:30). Hosts: Steve Kerr and Pete Carroll This show is raising money for COVID-19 relief. You can help! Donate here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin and Chris are joined by Bill Simmons to react to Draymond Green’s Warriors-Bulls comparisons (1:48), discuss episodes 1-2 of ‘The Last Dance,’ recount some of the lesser-known stories of the late-’90s Bulls, and discuss the feasibility of the NBA's return from quarantine (54:44). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Guest: Bill Simmons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris Ryan and Sean Fennessey convene for a special recap of ESPN's new Michael Jordan documentary, 'The Last Dance.' Episodes 1-2 bring us back to the beginning, where Michael Jordan was a fresh young face at the University of North Carolina. What memories did the documentary evoke, and what were the moments that gave us goose bumps? Hosts: Chris Ryan and Sean Fennessey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Top prospect Jalen Green is the next player to join the G League rather than go to college. Is he the next wave in a trend or an outlier (3:20)? Plus: The Ringer NBA Draft Guide has launched. Which players does Kevin have higher or lower than the NBA community consensus (55:15)? Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We discuss the successes and failures of the NBA’s H-O-R-S-E broadcast (2:30), before talking about Taiwan bringing basketball back with mannequins and cardboard cutouts in the stands as fans (12:25). Then, we jump back into the mailbag to answer a handful more of your questions (33:04). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll sit down for the premiere episode of their new podcast ‘Flying Coach With Steve Kerr & Pete Carroll,’ in which they offer up their unique perspectives as championship-level coaches in the NBA and NFL. Hosts: Steve Kerr and Pete Carroll This show is raising money for COVID-19 relief. You can help! Donate here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We chat about whether the proposed NBA H-O-R-S-E tournament will be entertaining or a bust (1:31), before reviewing the news that the Bulls will hire Arturas Karnisovas as their new executive vice president of basketball operations (6:15). Then, amid uncertainty about the rest of the regular season, we look ahead to the NBA draft and give four prospects we think you should be familiarizing yourself with (16:05). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The guys discuss the emerging ideas about how to bring back the NBA, including a H-O-R-S-E competition and rapid testing to resume the season (0:41), before answering more mailbag questions on: potential expansion team locations, greatest teams to never win a championship, Giannis destinations, and more (14:01). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With basketball still shelved, we revisit our biggest hits and misses in previous draft coverage: Dragan Bender, Jaylen Brown, Mario Hezonja, and more. Plus, are you in or out on Julius Randle? Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We review comments by Mark Cuban and Adam Silver that make it seem like the NBA is still focused on finishing the 2019-20 season (3:52), before discussing the news that ESPN has decided to move up the release date of its much-anticipated 10-part Michael Jordan documentary (7:09). Then we open back up the Mismatch Mailbag to a whole new list of your questions (11:00). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We revisit some of the stories and players that we dropped the ball on covering this year—including Goran Dragic (the unsung anchor of the Miami Heat), Victor Oladipo’s return to form, Alex Caruso, and more. Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We look to other countries’ professional basketball leagues and wonder whether the NBA can develop a model to return that works in the United States (0:42) before discussing a bevy of college players that have declared for the NBA draft in the time since basketball’s hiatus began (12:46). Then, we revisit some of the questions we didn’t get to from last Friday’s mailbag, including basketball book and movie recommendations, potential rule changes to the league, and more (21:11). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We sifted through all your questions and picked our favorites: What were our most memorable arguments? Which teams are primed to blow it up next season? What music are we listening to? And much more. Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin reacts to the news that his favorite football player of all time, Tom Brady, is leaving the New England Patriots (0:00). Then, we discuss the NBA’s myriad of options for proceeding with the season—all contingent on global news—and discuss what we’ve been doing while sports have been on hiatus (0:00). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In light of the news that the Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert has tested positive for COVID-19, the NBA announced that the 2019-20 season has been suspended. Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers lose a shocker to the Nets, only their second defeat in 13 games (1:04). We then discuss what rebuilding looks like for the league and its teams these days (10:12). Plus: another segment of Line ’Em Up, where Tjarks analyzes the lineups we are seeing on the floor (33:17). Host: Chris Ryan Guest: Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin wonders whether LeBron James should be getting more serious consideration for the MVP award, which leads us to a knock-down, drag-out fight about whether or not Khris Middleton is a top-20 player in the NBA (0:40). Then, with the coronavirus threatening to affect the NBA regular season, we imagine what it might be like if games have to be played without fans (36:40). Host: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Instant Replay: In this special extended segment, the gang looks at the latest news from around the NBA, including what further precautions the league might take to respond to the coronavirus outbreak. They also discuss the Nets' firing of Kenny Atkinson as well as LeBron looking a lot like an MVP (03:57). Good Call/Bad Call: The 'Heat Check' family gets weird, and concocts and drinks the Ben Bartch smoothie with special guest Colleen Wolfe of the NFL Network (34:16). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Haley O'Shaughnessy, Dan Devine, Colleen Wolfe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Here are some highlights from our podcast 'Winging It With Vince Carter.' On this special preview, Vince and Annie Finberg talk to an array of guests from around the NBA, including Lamar Odom, Markelle Fultz, and Kyle Lowry. You can find 'Winging It' on the Ringer Podcast Network wherever you find podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After laying it on the Houston Rockets last night, the full-strength Clippers look about as good, if not better, than anyone in the NBA right now. Can they reach their final gear when the playoffs roll around (1:21)? Plus: We discuss Andrew Wiggins’s future with the Warriors and the race for the eighth seed in the West (10:49). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our very own Chris Ryan recaps what he saw last night at the Lakers-Sixers game (1:45). Spike Lee addresses his feud with the Knicks and the infamous James Dolan (19:15). Plus: Line ’Em Up—a Jonathan Tjarks Joint, a new segment where Tjarks highlights the most pressing story lines in the league (28:30). Host: Justin Verrier Guests: Chris Ryan and Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Kevin’s return to the show, we return to our old ways: arguing about James Harden’s gather dribble and Giannis’s claim to the MVP (10:30). Then, we discuss the Knicks' awkward handling of Spike Lee (29:40), the Elam ending in the All-Star Game, and Jayson Tatum’s ascendance since Kevin’s absence from the podcast (56:26). Host: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Instant Replay: The Knicks make a hire, developments in the Giannis-Harden beef, and the Timberwolves get a resting policy violation (03:16). The Main Event: We play Heat Check Survivor and vote tired conversations off Heat Check Island (22:58). Good Call/Bad Call: Dan Devine gets a new nickname, the aftermath of the mystery box, and should the gang try a disgusting smoothie (37:49)? Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Haley O'Shaughnessy, Dan Devine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We parse James Harden’s comments in response to Giannis Antetokounmpo passing him over during the All-Star draft (16:28), before breaking down which middle-seeded Western Conference playoff teams should be the most feared (22:47). Finally, we take a look at the lowly Chicago Bulls, who are getting good minutes from Coby White, and try to determine which of their young players most deserve to stay for the long haul (44:34). Host: Chris Vernon Guest: Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks walked away with a win over Toronto, but who deserves the credit? Zion Williamson faced off against LeBron James in their first matchup and gave us a glimpse into what we can anticipate for the rest of the season from this young Pelicans team. Plus, Ben Simmons's back injury and the tentative timeline for his return to the court. Hosts: Justin Verrier and Chris Ryan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We recap some news from around the league, including Vanessa Bryant’s moving tribute to Kobe Bryant, Bradley Beal’s big scoring night, and Ben Simmons’s back injury (2:15). Then, we preview what it will mean when Zion Williamson plays in Los Angeles against LeBron James for the first time in his career (46:39). Finally, we finish by talking about some draft prospects that might fly under the radar (58:03). Host: Chris Vernon Guest: Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Instant Replay: Dwyane Wade's jersey is retired, Mark Cuban has a very expensive meltdown, and we analyze the buyout market (03:08) The Main Event: The gang takes a look at Dan's ranking of the NBA’s five most interesting teams of the stretch run, including the Rockets, Pelicans, and podcast favorite Grizzlies (21:31). Good Call/Bad Call: Zion debuting some new shoes, spending time at a Milwaukee casino, and deciding to go in on a $100 mystery box (40:39). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Haley O'Shaughnessy, Dan Devine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We go over some highlights of the first night the NBA returned to action, including Trae Young's and Joel Embiid’s big games against the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets, respectively (1:27). Then we try to make sense of the Western Conference playoff race and predict who will grab the eighth seed out of Memphis, Portland, and New Orleans (25:39). Host: Chris Vernon Guest: Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With a new head coach and a less-than-impressive season, what does the future look like for the Cleveland Cavaliers (3:30)? Plus, major story lines for the rest of the regular season: the impact of buyouts for the league (16:30), what Kyrie Irving’s injury means for the Nets (28:55), and Giannis’s MVP reputation (39:28). Host: Justin Verrier Guest: Rob Mahoney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We run down a list of items, including rumors that John Beilein might be on his way out in Cleveland and news that the G League is unionizing (1:23). Then, with the All-Star Game in the rearview, we ask four questions about the landscape of the league, including: Who should the Bucks and Lakers fear most in their respective conferences (27:12)? Hosts: Chris Vernon and Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Instant Replay: John Beilein is reportedly not long for the Cavaliers, and we recap the All-Star events from Friday and find out who is the league's best one-on-one player (03:50). The Main Event: The skills competition results, the 3-point contest shockers, and Team LeBron taking the All-Star Game by a single free throw (17:58). Good Call/Bad Call: Honoring Vince Carter, controversial billboards for the Kings, and Bam Adebayo's strange training drill (38:44). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Haley O'Shaughnessy, Dan Devine, Micah Peters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices