The Ringer NBA Show

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 GonzalezGuests: 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 VernonGuest: 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 VernonGuest: 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 GonzalezGuests: 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 VernonGuest: 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 VerrierGuest: Rob Mahoney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices