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
Today
Belichick’s ‘Legacy,' a Texas NBA Gauntlet, Boston’s 3 Party, Ja’s Big Season, and Week 6 NFL Picks With Kirk Goldsberry, Chris Vernon, and Joe House
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Kirk Goldsberry to check in on the exciting Texas NBA teams, react to the NBA GM survey, and talk about the trends around the league (8:39). Then, Chris Vernon joins Bill and House to discuss the Grizzlies and other NBA topics before making ... Show More
2h 8m
Oct 8
Why Giannis Won’t Be a Knick, UFC’s Latest Boom, the Movie Theater Renaissance, Six Stages of Sean Penn, and ‘One Battle After Another’ With Ariel Helwani and Wesley Morris
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ariel Helwani to discuss whether the Knicks could ever land Giannis Antetokounmpo, Alex Pereira’s dominant win at UFC 320, the future of the UFC, and more! (5:22). Then, Wesley Morris joins to talk about people returning to the movie theater ... Show More
2 h
Oct 6
Drake Definitely Beats Buffalo, Baker for MVP, a Bad QB Draft, Guess the Lines, and Parent Corner With Cousin Sal
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal to react to the Patriots taking down the Bills, and other Week 5 highlights (2:33). Then, they have a bad QB fantasy draft before guessing the lines for Week 6 and ending with Parent Corner (50:33). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Cousi ... Show More
1h 46m
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
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
Jun 2019
Courtside With Mike Brey, the Newest Chapter in the Trial of the Century, and NBA Draft Talk With The Athletic's Sam Vecenie | One Shining Podcast
Titus and Tate can't help themselves, so they briefly discuss Game 5 of the NBA Finals, including Mike Brey's courtside seat, unjust Kyle Lowry hate, Kevin Durant's injury, and more (6:08). Then they discuss the OSP showdown between Ohio State and North Carolina in this year's AC ... Show More
1h 27m