The Ringer NBA Show

The NBA is back, baby! Logan and Raja investigate Deandre Ayton and the curious case of the missing bag after his less-than-stunning performance against 2021 MVP Nikola Jokic (0:30). Then they debate whether Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kevin Durant is the best player in the NBA (20:38) and Raja wonders about the possibly muddled leadership hierarchy on the Celtics after Jaylen Brown dropped 46 points in their season opener (32:40)...

Justin, Rob, and Wos start by discussing the Warriors’ impressive performance against the Lakers and Russell Westbrook’s struggles in his Lakers debut (1:15). Then they talk about the Bucks’ strong performance in their win over the Nets (20:50). They wrap up by talking about Jonas Valanciunas’s contract extension and a few thing that each of them are looking forward to this NBA season (29:42)...

In anticipation of the start of the 2021-22 NBA season, Logan and Raja kick this momentous week off with a season preview (0:40). They name their playoff locks and fringe teams for the East and West (6:50), three teams they’re concerned about (16:25), and three teams they’re higher and lower on than consensus (27:47)...

Chris and Seerat discuss how mid-market teams make themselves desirable for star players, and then they focus on how the Phoenix Suns and Chicago Bulls built their rosters and what their futures hold. Hosts: Chris Ryan and Seerat Sohi Production Assistant: Isaiah Blakely Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan and Raja give their final thoughts on the situation in Brooklyn after the Nets said he won’t play with the team until he can fully contribute and Kyrie put his reasoning on the internet (1:00). Then Logan asks Raja if Jordan Poole is a potential future All-Star (22:30) and airs his concerns about this Lakers team (29:10), before they each award their Real One of the Week (35:50). Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Associate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices...

Justin, Rob, and Wos discuss the best teams in the NBA in Part 4 of our NBA preseason power rankings. They go 8-1 starting with the Warriors (1:37), Sixers (14:11), Heat (31:20), Jazz (40:55), Suns (55:24), Bucks (1:03:48), Lakers (1:11:00), and Nets (1:18:00).  Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre Production Assistant: Isaiah Blakely Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob Mahoney fills in for Chris, joining Seerat to run through some of the best- and worst-case scenarios for four of the NBA’s projected top teams, the Lakers, Nets (14:46), Bucks, and Suns (42:14). Hosts: Seerat Sohi, Rob Mahoney Producer: Troy Farkas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and Wos buckle down for Part 3 of our preseason power rankings. This week, we count down from no. 15 to no. 6, starting with the Bulls (0:45) and moving on to the Trail Blazers (16:00), Clippers (24:50), Celtics (33:30), Hawks (44:00), Nuggets (52:20), and Mavericks (58:50). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre Associate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fresh off Warriors media day and the first preseason game of the season, Logan and Raja discuss Klay Thompson’s mindset going into this season (0:40) and what James Wiseman’s role will be (18:15). Then they talk about the absolute mess that the Ben Simmons situation has become (32:05), Zion Williamson’s position in New Orleans (45:05), and the money Kyrie Irving stands to lose by not getting vaccinated (52:00) before each awarding their Real One of the Week (53:30)...

Chris and Seerat discuss how the Philadelphia 76ers handled media day in regard to Ben Simmons (9:03), touch on Zion’s role in the ongoing conversation around player contracts (24:00), and weigh in on how stories in the media affect how teams are perceived (29:30).  Hosts: Chris Ryan and Seerat Sohi Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices