The Ringer NBA Show

The Ringer's Chris Vernon is joined by NBA writer Zach Harper to discuss LeBron's fatigue (5:00), the Cavs' chances to right the ship in Cleveland (13:00), the reason to blame Bill Russell for the Warriors' superteam (24:00), Durant playing center (28:00), and Russell's favorite TV show (34:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Vernon is joined by Washington Post national NBA writer Tim Bontemps to answer the 10 most important questions entering the 2017 NBA Finals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Ryan brings on a roundtable of Ringer writers to discuss the stories they've been working on leading up to the NBA Finals. First, Jonathan Tjarks gives his thoughts on Kevin Durant's under-the-radar role (5:00). Then, Kevin O'Connor discusses the importance of isolation scoring (11:10). Finally, John Gonzalez gives his thoughts on the culture of the Warriors and the Cavaliers (20:15). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor discuss the major story lines heading into the 2017 NBA Finals. Topics include: Steve Kerr's absence on the bench (3:00), the importance of isolation scoring (10:00), the Warriors' defense (19:00), Tristan Thompson's importance (28:00), LeBron James's potential "greatest of all-time" label (34:00), and which is the favorite team for the casual fan (41:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor and Jonathan Tjarks discuss the best wing players in the 2017 NBA draft. Topics include: Justin Jackson's upside (8:00), Wesley Iwundu's sleeper status (14:00), the importance of basketball IQ (18:00), the next Malcolm Brogdon (23:00), and the best dark horse wing prospects (28:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Chris Ryan discuss LeBron's Game 3 illness (6:00) and his affinity for deferring (10:00), the Cavaliers' struggling defense (18:00), the best players on the Cavaliers and Warriors (23:00), Lonzo Ball on the Sixers (28:00), and the best TV shows to fill time before the Finals (36:00). Then, writer John Gonzalez joins to discuss Richard Jefferson, Channing Frye, and Allie Clifton's in-season podcast, 'Road Trippin' With R.J. and Channing' (45:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor discuss the Warriors' historic run to the Finals (5:00), Manu Ginobili's potential retirement (12:00), the Celtics' improbable comeback (24:30), Kevin Love's draft workout (33:00), the importance of "tweener" players in today's NBA (37:00), and the Celtics' impending free-agency decisions (41:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor and Jonathan Tjarks discuss the lottery-level guards in the 2017 NBA draft. Topics include: Markelle Fultz's defense (5:00), Frank Ntilikina's NBA frame (11:00), Dennis Smith Jr.'s fit on the Mavericks (17:00), Malik Monk's lack of assists (22:00), Donovan Mitchell's foundation of skills (26:00), and the ideal skill set of the modern NBA guard (30:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Chris Vernon is joined by CBS Sports columnist Gary Parrish to discuss Jaylen Brown's surprising play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals (5:00), Vegas's big spreads for the Warriors (15:00), Lonzo Ball on the Lakers (19:00), Markelle Fultz's lack of skeptics (25:00), LaVar Ball's premonition in AAU basketball (31:00), Josh Jackson's upside (37:00), De'Aaron Fox's demeanor (41:00), and Harry Giles's NBA chances (48:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor and Jonathan Tjarks give their initial reaction to the NBA draft lottery and discuss Boston's big night (5:00), potential Celtics chemistry issues (10:00), Josh Jackson's fit in Philly (17:00), the best players outside of the top three (21:00), the battle for point guards between Dallas and New York (26:00), a wide range of outcomes for Lauri Markkanen (31:00), and the biggest late-lottery sleepers (34:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices