logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2024
1h 23m

The Biggest Questions Leading Up to the ...

The Ringer
About this episode

Verno and Jacoby go through some of the most burning questions leading up to the start of the NBA season (02:00). They talk about Joel Embiid’s comments about not playing anymore back-to-backs, which teams other than the Thunder can reach the 1-seed in the West, Donte DiVincenzo, Zach Edey, and so much more.


The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.


Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby

Producer: Jessie Lopez

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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

Up next
Oct 3
The Warriors Are Finally Complete, the Sixers’ Only Hope, and the Cooper Flagg Hype Meter
With media days underway and preseason basketball ramping up, Verno and Jacoby return to recap the first preseason game, debate the Sixers' championship window, discuss Wemby’s offseason, and more! (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch!(00:40) Question 1: How was Knicks-76ers in Abu Dh ... Show More
1h 10m
Sep 26
The Wemby Debate, Zion's Revival, Houston’s Hopes, and LeBron’s Leverage
As we inch closer and closer to the regular season, Verno and Jacoby return with 10 questions about the upcoming season and more. (00:00) Welcome to the Mismatch!(02:24) Question 1: Is Victor Wembanyama the fifth-best player in the NBA?(10:34) Question 2: What are your thoughts o ... Show More
1h 16m
Sep 19
Adam Silver’s Tough Week, Trae Young Claps Back, and What to Do With Jonathan Kuminga
Verno and Jacoby are back as they continue to discuss the evolving story about Kawhi Leonard, Steve Ballmer, and Aspiration. Also, they detail how commissioner Adam Silver has mishandled the Clippers situation and his backtracking comments after calling the NBA a "highlights-base ... Show More
1h 6m
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2025
All Tied Up in the NBA Finals: What Happened and What to Watch for in Game 3. Plus, Offseason News, Notes, and Fake Trades With Michael Pina.
Zach and Michael Pina discuss the 1-1 NBA Finals from the city of Game 3, Indianapolis (1:52). They talk about the keys to the Thunder's victory, what the Pacers can do to adjust, and much more. Then, with an eye toward the offseason, the pair discusses the Hawks' outlook (41:16) ... Show More
1h 18m
Jun 2024
Celtics-Mavs NBA Finals Preview | Real Ones
Logan, Raja, and Howard preview the upcoming NBA Finals matchup between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks, debate who has the most to gain from winning the title, discuss how this series can swing the reputations of specific players, make predictions, and much more (2:00). ... Show More
57m 34s
Sep 2024
Biggest 2024-25 NBA Concerns With Zach Lowe
The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by ESPN's Zach Lowe to discuss their biggest concerns for the 2024-25 NBA season, including Giannis's supporting cast on the Bucks, the Nuggets in a wide-open Western Conference (1:43), Joel Embiid's health, Ja Morant, the wild-card Pelicans (3 ... Show More
1h 50m
Apr 2025
The 25 Most Intriguing NBA Playoff Guys With Zach Lowe
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Zach Lowe to discuss some NBA happenings that occurred during Zach’s podcast hiatus, including the Luka trade, the Suns, 76ers, and Mavericks’ disappointing season, and more (2:31). Then they talk about Monday’s Rockets-Lakers game (29:44) a ... Show More
2h 18m
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 43m
Jun 2025
Zach’s FA Preview! What to Watch for Ahead of the Start of NBA Free Agency.
Zach hops on to quickly discuss what teams and what players we should have our eye on as free agency begins Monday (1:59). Giannis will be tracking what the Bucks will do, and so should we. Who else are the main characters—Bradley Beal? The Celtics guys? LeBron James?? Zach also ... Show More
33m 19s
Sep 2021
A Zach Lowe–Jackie MacMullan Reunion on West Sleepers, Toughest Coaching Gigs, and Ben Simmons Options
The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Zach Lowe and Jackie MacMullan to discuss NBA sleeper teams in the Western Conference (1:55), the question "Is the East finally stronger than the West?" (29:55), an update on the Ben Simmons–76ers saga (49:00), NBA rule changes (1:05:05), an ... Show More
1h 29m
Apr 2025
NBA Playoff Reactions and Overreactions With Ryen Russillo
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to react (and possibly overreact) to all the NBA Playoff games (2:18). Host: Bill SimmonsGuest: Ryen RussilloProducers: Chia Hao Tat, Chris Sutton, and Steve Ceruti #ULTRACourtside could get you closer to the game! michelobultr ... Show More
2h 9m
Mar 2025
Talking Basketball, NBA, and Hoops With Ryen Russillo
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to discuss the 76ers’ arduous journey to retaining their first-round draft pick, the unknown ceiling of the new-look Lakers (15:26), criticizing NBA player criticism, what it means to be the “face of the league” (32:59), bigges ... Show More
2h 11m
Mar 2025
SGA vs. Jokic, Celts-Lakers, and the State of NBA Media With Ryen Russillo and Bryan Curtis
The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to discuss the Thunder's 127-103 win over the Nuggets on Sunday, OKC's improvement from last season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's incredible statistical season (2:06), Saturday's big Lakers-Celtics showdown, LeBron's late-game inj ... Show More
2h 10m