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). And finally, Logan recounts his experience at the Warriors-Lakers game and invites Jomi to air his concerns about Russell Westbrook and the new-look Lakers (38:50). Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Guest: Jomi Adeniran Associate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer NBA Show

Are the Lakers Going to Be OK? Plus: Deandre Ayton and the Case of the Missing Bag, KD vs. Giannis, and More! | Real Ones

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). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre Production Assistant: Isaiah Blakely Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warriors Look Impressive Against the Lakers, and the Bucks Dominate the Nets. Plus, What are We Looking Forward To? | Group Chat

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). Then they do some quick-hitter questions, including whether Ben Simmons and Giannis Antetokounmpo will take and make 3s this season (38:22), whether Damian Lillard, Simmons, or Bradley Beal will get traded (43:35), which new head coach will have the greatest impact on their team (46:45), and the likelihood of a Lakers-Warriors Western Conference final (49:35). Make sure to keep up with all of The Ringer's NBA coverage on Twitter and Instagram @RingerNBA. Experience the excitement on Tuesday, October 19 with the whole Ringer NBA team with our 2021-22 NBA Previewpalooza starting at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET on YouTube and across our social channels. Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Associate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The ‘Real Ones’ 2021-22 NBA Season Preview | Real Ones

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

What Makes a Mid-market Team Desirable? | The Answer

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. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Final Thoughts on the Kyrie Irving Situation, Jordan Poole’s Ascent, and Lakers Concerns | Real Ones

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

NBA Preseason Power Rankings, Part 4 | Group Chat

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

Best Case/Worst Case: Lakers, Nets, Bucks, and Suns I The Answer

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

NBA Preseason Power Rankings, Part 3 | Group Chat

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). Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Associate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What Can Klay Thompson and James Wiseman Offer the Warriors This Season? | Real Ones

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

What Makes a Team Dysfunctional? | The Answer

Jonathan Tjarks joins Justin and Wos for Part 2 of our NBA preseason power rankings. This week we count down from 22 to 16, starting with the Hornets (0:45) and moving on to the Wizards (11:25), Pelicans (23:50), Raptors (35:15), Knicks (44:30), Pacers (52:35), and Grizzlies (1:00:15). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Wosny Lambre, and Jonathan Tjarks Associate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NBA Preseason Power Rankings, Part 2 | Group Chat

In light of Matt Sullivan’s recent article for Rolling Stone on the current showdown between the NBA and NBPA surrounding COVID-19 protocols, Logan and Raja have a frank discussion about what the outcome of these negotiations could mean for this season of basketball. They discuss players who are fighting to remain unvaccinated in cities that require it for entry to stadiums, athlete activism, and much more (0:40). Then they mention a few tidbits about Ben Simmons from the 76ers' media day (53:30) and each award their Real One of the Week (56:30). Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Associate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Examining COVID-19 Protocol Negotiations in the NBA and Athlete Activism | Real Ones

Chris and Seerat discuss some of the rules that will be implemented in the NBA this season and which players and teams will be impacted most by these changes. Hosts: Chris Ryan and Seerat Sohi Production Assistant: Isaiah Blakely Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who Will the NBA’s New Terrain Favor?

Breaking news: The Timberwolves (Timberwovles?) decided to fire GM Gersson Rosas after we finished recording, so Justin, Rob, and Wos hopped back on for a quick discussion on this developing story (0:45). Then they get into Part 1 of our NBA preseason power rankings with the eight worst teams in the league, starting with the Houston Rockets (8:50) and moving on to the Thunder (19:30), Magic (30:05), Cavaliers (37:50), Pistons (47:45), Kings (54:22), Timberwolves (1:01:00), and Spurs (1:09:35). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre Associate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NBA Preseason Power Rankings, Part 1 | Group Chat

Logan and Raja are back talking about the potential for a midseason tournament and whether that would work in the NBA (0:30). Then they discuss Nick Wright’s reporting that Kyrie Irving would retire from the NBA if he were traded from the Nets (21:00) before Jomi joins to give his thoughts on the Clippers breaking ground on their new arena in Inglewood (33:50). Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Guest: Jomi Adeniran Associate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kyrie Irving Would Simply Retire if the Nets Were to Trade Him. Plus, a Potential Midseason Tournament. | Real Ones

A daily breakdown of the latest story lines, trends, and important developments in the NBA. We promise to keep the Sixers and Celtics discussion to a reasonable amount … or to at least try.

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The Ringer NBA Show

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