The Ringer NBA Show

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 RyanGuest: Justin Verrier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We discuss Adam Silver’s press conference from Tuesday morning following up on the NBA’s statement regarding Daryl Morey’s Hong Kong tweet (1:10). Then, we share our top five biggest takeaways of the early preseason, including Anthony Davis’s dominance and the new look Pelicans (31:51).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey caused international ripples on Friday night after sending a since-deleted tweet in support of protesters in Hong Kong. Facing fierce backlash from the Chinese government and businesses, the NBA finds itself in a delicate balance between protecting business interests and freedom of expression.Read John Gonzalez’s reporting on this story here.Host: John GonzalezGuests: Dan Devine, Haley O’Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As training camps kick off, Chris and Justin evaluate their perception of some noteworthy teams (1:51). Then Ringer staff writer Jordan Ritter Conn comes on to talk about his new podcast, ‘Sonic Boom: How Seattle Lost Its Team’ (35:43).Hosts: Chris Ryan, Justin VerrierGuest: Jordan Ritter Conn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Basketball is (almost) back! The guys discuss the most intriguing quotes from all 30 NBA teams’ media days, on topics such as the James Harden–Russell Westbrook dynamic in Houston, the return of Kristaps Porzingis, the hype around Zion Williamson, LeBron’s late-career trajectory, and much more.Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We respond to a list of listener submissions about what they’d love to see for their team heading into the 2019-20 NBA season, including: Markelle Fultz getting solid NBA minutes, the Knicks looking competent, the Bulls becoming relevant again, and the Hawks playing at least a shred of defense.Hosts: Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The duo highlights a handful of selections from The Ringer’s 29 People and Things That Will Define the NBA in 2019-20 article (0:41), then adds a few of their own (30:14).Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We play a game of ‘Is This a Thing?’ with a slew of offseason story lines, including: James Harden’s comments about how the media chooses the MVP, the Orlando Magic’s locked-in roster, the outlook for Team USA in the 2020 Olympics, Isaiah Thomas’s injury, and Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram’s potential as a young duo.Hosts: Justin Verrier and Danny Chau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The guys discuss Spain’s victory over Argentina in the 2019 FIBA World Cup finals (0:45) before comparing their respective lists of “island” players (12:00).Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We gather for an emergency reaction to Team USA losing in international tournament play for the first time in 58 games. What comes next for USA basketball: Will they have to go young with Zion Williamson and Trae Young, or will veteran stars like LeBron James, James Harden, Anthony Davis, and more reenter the fold?Hosts: Justin Verrier and Dan Devine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices