logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2023
2h 15m

NBA Playoff Chaos, the Positionless Awar...

The Ringer
About this episode

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to discuss the Bucks' decisive win over the 76ers, the Warriors coming up short vs. a Nuggets team without Nikola Jokic, the Mavericks playing themselves out of the playoffs, and the updated NBA playoff picture (3:13), before discussing the upcoming shift to positionless All-NBA teams and 2022-23 All-NBA arguments (33:19). Finally Bill and Ryen are joined by Van Lathan to discuss LSU beating Iowa in the NCAAW championship game, Caitlin Clark’s impact on women’s basketball, the strangest NBA story lines leading up to the playoffs, and more (1:06:42)!


Host: Bill Simmons

Guests: Ryen Russillo and Van Lathan

Producer: Kyle Crichton

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Up next
Jul 7
The Bleakest NBA Team Situations (Next 5 Years) With Ryen Russillo
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to react to the latest NBA free agency news (1:50). Then, they break down the teams with the worst roster situations in the East and the West (18:40). Finally, they discuss LeBron’s situation with the Lakers, Deandre Ayton, and ... Show More
1h 46m
Jul 2
Milwaukee’s Crazy and Other NBA Summer Takeaways With Rob Mahoney, Plus a Boston Sports Check-In With Bill’s Dad
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Rob Mahoney to react to NBA free agency with major moves from the Bucks, Rockets, and Lakers (2:01). Then, they talk about the positive offseason for the Nuggets and the Hawks, before discussing the Pacers, Celtics, and Pistons (31:47). Afte ... Show More
1h 55m
Jun 30
The NBA Summer Movement Preview With Ryen Russillo
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to discuss the upcoming NBA free agency, plus some big deals that already came from the Rockets and Timberwolves (2:07). Then, they talk about their favorite free agents, Yang Hansen, and the Collin Sexton trade (35:33). Finall ... Show More
2h 6m
Recommended Episodes
May 2018
Rockets Up on Warriors, All-NBA Teams, Doncic Falls, and Porter Rises | The Ringer NBA Show (Ep. 276)
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor and Shea Serrano react to the Houston Rockets defeating the Golden State Warriors to take a lead in the series (0:35), debate how LeBron James’s Cleveland Cavaliers can hold off the Boston Celtics (11:49), and discuss the All-NBA selections (19:39). Th ... Show More
47m 8s
Apr 2024
Thrillers in Denver and New York, Plus Breaking Down Every NBA Playoff Series
Verno and KOC go through all the playoff matchups from Monday night, starting off with Jamal Murray’s game-winning shot to put the Nuggets up 2-0 over the Lakers (01:26). Next, they discuss how the Knicks were able to grind out a victory over Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and the Si ... Show More
1h 19m
Sep 2020
The Keys to Clippers vs. Nuggets and Celtics vs. Heat and the Future for the Raptors and Rockets | The Mismatch
Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor discuss the importance of Kawhi Leonard and Nikola Jokic in Game 7 of the Clippers-Nuggets series (0:43) and what to look for in the Eastern Conference finals between the Celtics and Heat (32:22). They then touch on the future of the Raptors (48:44 ... Show More
1h 18m
May 2019
The Warriors Without KD Are Still Pretty Damn Good | The Mismatch
The Golden State Warriors are headed to their fifth straight NBA Finals after sweeping the Portland Trail Blazers despite Kevin Durant out with an injury (0:48). Plus: belated reactions to the NBA draft lottery (43:09) and critical reactions to Magic Johnson’s recent comments on ... Show More
1h 11m
May 2024
A Boston Celtics NBA Finals Preview With Ryen Russillo
On this week’s episode of The Old Man and the Three we welcome The Ringer’s Ryen Russillo to preview the Boston Celtics (Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown) side of the NBA Finals ahead of their matchup against the Dallas Mavericks (Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving). They also discuss why it’s ... Show More
1h 22m
Apr 2023
Hoops Tonight - NBA Playoff Picks: Will Warriors repeat? LeBron & Lakers chances, Bucks vs. Celtics
Jason Timpf shares his predictions for the 2023 NBA Playoffs. Will Steph Curry's Warriors, Kevin Durant's Suns, or LeBron James' Lakers come out of a loaded Western Conference. And who does Jason see having the advantage between Giannis Antetokounmpo's Milwaukee Bucks and Jayson ... Show More
47m 53s
Aug 2020
Playoff Basketball Is Back: Breaking Down Jazz vs. Nuggets, Raptors vs. Nets, Sixers vs. Celtics, and Clippers vs. Mavericks | The Mismatch
Verno and KOC break down the first day of playoff games, including Donovan Mitchell’s 57-point performance that still couldn’t save the Jazz (2:42), the sleepy Raptors vs. Nets series (20:58), the continued problems with the Sixers (28:29), and the flagrant call on Kristaps Porzi ... Show More
1h 9m
Dec 2019
The Bucks and Lakers Are the Cream of the Balanced NBA’s Crop. Plus: Trade Season Preview and the Denied Rockets Protest. | The Mismatch
The Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers continue to thrive atop their respective conferences, but there is still more parity in the NBA than in years past (1:24). Then: It’s the most wonderful time of the year ... trade season is here (31:29)! And finally, the Houston Rockets’ ... Show More
55m 46s
May 2019
The Raptors Win the Most Boring Double-OT Playoff Game in Recent Memory | Heat Check
Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors take advantage of an off-night from Giannis Antetokounmpo to edge out a double-OT win against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 3 (3:12), while the Portland Trail Blazers fall behind 3-0 to the still-dominant Golden State Warriors (28:10). Plus: Th ... Show More
48m 37s
Jul 2021
The Bucks Squeeze Out a Win in Game 4 Despite Devin Booker’s Best Efforts. Plus: Kawhi Leonard’s Knee Surgery and Ben Simmons Trade Rumors. | Group Chat
Coming to you live on Greenroom right after Game 4 of the NBA Finals or whenever you like on Spotify (or wherever you get your podcasts), Justin, Rob, and Wos talk about the Bucks beating the Suns to tie the series (0:30). Then they get into the offseason drama of the day, namely ... Show More
1h 9m