We parse last night’s news through the lens of some unnecessarily hot takes—Luka is the next LeBron, Jake Layman is first-team All-NBA, Buddy Hield is better than Jamal Murray, and more (2:00). Then, we steal a bit from Chris Ryan and Jason Concepcion and do our own 'True Detective' investigation: Who is to blame for ‘The Flat Lakers’ (28:55)?

Hosts: Justin Verrier, Paolo Uggetti, Haley O'Shaughnessy

      
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A Ringer NBA Investigation: Who’s to Blame for the Lakers Tailspin? | Group Chat (Ep. 386)

The Ringer NBA squad provides the insight, reporting, and analysis that you need in your life right here on The Ringer NBA Show. On Sundays and Wednesdays, check out 'Group Chat' with Justin Verrier, Wosny Lambre and Rob Mahoney. Tap in on Mondays and Thursdays for 'Real Ones' with Logan Murdock and Raja Bell.

Sports

Justin, Rob, and Wos start with their reactions to the two Eastern Conference play-in games, first with the Sixers beating the Heat, and then the Bulls beating the Hawks. They also briefly discuss their thoughts on Sixers-Knicks in the first round and how injuries will impact the Heat and Bulls moving forward. Then, they talk about Jontay Porter getting a lifetime ban from the NBA for betting. In the second part of the podcast, they debut a new segment called “The Verriables,” where they answer six questions about the first round of the playoffs, including first-round series predictions (25:32).

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

Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre
Producers: Isaiah Blakely, Chia Hao Tat, and Victoria Valencia
Additional Production Supervision: Ben Cruz
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First-Round Playoff Verriables. Plus, Batum Saves the Sixers. | Group Chat

Logan, Raja, and Howard discuss the upcoming play-in tournament matchups, how teams should approach the opportunity to target specific outcomes, and how the pool of veteran superstars pitted against young talent will shake out (2:00). Next, they briefly talk about whether the Pacers can upset the Bucks in the first round (35:00). Finally, the guys close with Mailbag Monday (41:15).
Email us questions for Mailbag Monday! realonesmailbag@gmail.com
The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.
Hosts: Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck
Producer: Jonathan Kermah
Production Assistant: Kai Grady
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Previewing the Play-In Tournament Games. Plus, Can the Pacers Upset the Bucks? | Real Ones

Justin, Rob, and Wos fire up the mics immediately after the conclusion of the 2023-24 NBA season to discuss the finale. They start with the Eastern Conference, discussing the final standings (2:07), the biggest winner of the day (10:39), and how the teams in the East make a case against the play-in games (23:03).

Then they go over the Western Conference and discuss the biggest winners of the day (278:19), why Lakers fans should be rooting for them to lose their first play-in game to avoid the Nuggets (33:00), whether the seeding should shift so the top seed always plays the bottom seed (41:45), and more!

Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre
Producer: Brian H. Waters

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Biggest Winners of the NBA Finale, Plus NBA Playoff Preview! | Group Chat

Howard and Raja react to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s calf injury, the Mavs' 50 wins behind Luka Doncic’s MVP-level play, and Lindsey Harding's interview for an NBA head-coaching position (2:35). Along the way, they discuss the competitive balance across the league during the Adam Silver era and whether they miss NBA dynasties (19:44). Later, they debate whether the tail end of the playoff race is really that open (33:52).
Email us questions for Mailbag Monday! realonesmailbag@gmail.com
The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.
Hosts: Howard Beck and Raja Bell
Producer: Jonathan Kermah
Production Assistant: Kai Grady
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Is the Playoff Race Still Wide-Open? Plus, NBA Dynasties Vs. Competitive Balance. | Real Ones

Justin, Rob, and Wos are here to discuss what their All-NBA teams would look like (9:36). But first, they start with Justin’s UConn Huskies' victory at the national championship and their early thoughts on some of the top prospects from the game. Then, they pick their All-Defensive teams and All-Rookie teams (42:26).
The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.
Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre
Producers: Isaiah Blakely and Victoria Valencia
Additional Production Supervision: Ben Cruz
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Ringer NBA Investigation: Who’s to Blame for the Lakers Tailspin? | Group Chat (Ep. 386)

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