logo
episode-header-image
May 2020
1h 51m

The NBA’s World Cup Fix, Plus the 2004 N...

The Ringer
About this episode

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Kevin O'Connor to discuss the proposed World Cup–like group stage format for the NBA playoffs, potentially eliminating conferences, how to maintain the integrity of the NBA regular season, exciting matchups, and more (2:15). Then Bill and Joe House revisit the 2004 NBA draft and discuss some of the subplots, draft comedy, and NBA legends from that draft class (40:25) before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks (55:00).

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

Up next
Aug 22
The "My Guy" Fantasy Football Draft (4th Annual!) With Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, and Craig Horlbeck
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, and Craig Horlbeck for their annual "My Guy" Fantasy Football Draft (1:49). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, and Craig Horlbeck Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo The Ringer is commit ... Show More
2h 3m
Aug 14
NFL Preseason Hype Buy or Sell. Plus, Spike Lee on Basketball and Movies | With Danny Kelly
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Danny Kelly of The Ringer Fantasy Football Show to discuss the preseason NFL hype (2:54). Then, Spike Lee joins to talk Knicks; Denzel Washington; his new film, ‘Highest 2 Lowest’; and much more (01:02:09)! Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Danny K ... Show More
2h 25m
Aug 12
The UFC Cashes In, Plus a Truly Riveting 1990s Cowboys Documentary With Ariel Helwani, Cousin Sal, and Bryan Curtis
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ariel Helwani to react to the news of UFC landing a blockbuster streaming deal with Paramount and discuss what it means for the fans, the fighters, and the company (3:01). Then, Bryan Curtis and Cousin Sal join to talk about the new Cowboys ... Show More
1h 41m
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2020
1999 Redraftables: Francis in Purgatory! Odom in Hell! Weis Over Artest! Remembering an Unusually Hilarious Draft With Chris Ryan and Joe House | Book of Basketball 2.0
The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Joe House and Chris Ryan to revisit the 1999 NBA draft, talk through some of the NBA subplots and legends in that draft class, and redraft the first 14 lottery picks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 
1h 11m
May 2018
Cleveland Bullies Boston, WCF Game 4, and the Draft Combine | The Ringer NBA Show (Ep. 273)
The Ringer’s Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor discuss the Cleveland Cavaliers’ beatdown of the Boston Celtics (02:00) and preview Game 4 of the Western Conference finals between the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors (32:20). Then they talk about the winners and losers from ... Show More
1h 10m
Jun 2024
NBA Draft Takeaways, Steals, and Zach Edey
Verno and KOC recap the 2024 NBA draft, as they discuss picks they liked, picks they disliked, surprises, and more! They start off by discussing Zach Edey’s fit with the Grizzlies, the one big difference maker for Ron Holland’s development with the Pistons, and the importance of ... Show More
1h 17m
Oct 2020
The Heat Stay Alive in Game 5 of the NBA Finals with Bill Simmons | The Mismatch
Verno and KOC go live after the Heat outlast the Lakers in Game 5 of the NBA Finals with special guest Bill Simmons.  Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Guest: Bill Simmons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 
1h 14m
Nov 2020
NBA 2020-2021 Season Dates Are Set. Plus: Where LaMelo Ball and Other Prospects Will Wind Up in the Draft | The Mismatch
Verno and KOC get into all the NBA news that’s broken over the past couple of days regarding the start of the 2020-2021 season (0:45) and where LaMelo Ball could end up in the draft (11:00), and then they talk through some of the most interesting prospects in the draft (30:30).Ho ... Show More
55m 16s
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
Jun 2021
The Hawks Advance, the Suns Take Game 1, and We Preview the Draft Lotto | Post Game
Kevin O'Connor and J. Kyle Mann bring you in-depth analysis from Sunday's NBA playoff games beginning with the Game 7 Hawks victory over the Sixers (01:31). They then move on to the first game of Suns vs. Clippers and what L.A. can do to improve in this series (21:41). Then they ... Show More
1h 16m
Dec 2020
Will Westbrook Help the Wizards? Plus: Lakers Loom Large and PG-13 Talks Trash | The Mismatch
Subscribe now to the new feed on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts for ALL future episodes of "The Mismatch".On their last-ever podcast on the Ringer NBA Show feed, Verno and KOC get into the nitty gritty of the Westbrook-Wall trade (3:00), then talk over the late ... Show More
1h 11m
Apr 2023
Brian Windhorst Previews the NBA Playoffs
The biggest soap opera in sports is beginning its home stretch tonight as the NBA Postseason gets going with the play-in round. From now until late June, we’ll be staring at our television screens every night watching the best teams battle for a chance at the NBA Finals. Two mont ... Show More
29m 34s
Listen to millions of songs and podcasts on Anghami