Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey caused international ripples on Friday night after sending a since-deleted tweet in support of protesters in Hong Kong. Facing fierce backlash from the Chinese government and businesses, the NBA finds itself in a delicate balance between protecting business interests and freedom of expression.
Read John Gonzalez’s reporting on this story here.

Host: John Gonzalez
Guests: Dan Devine, Haley O’Shaughnessy

      
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Daryl Morey, China, and the NBA | Heat Check

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.

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Logan, Howard, and Raja are back to help you digest a weekend of Game 1s and kick off the 2024 NBA playoffs. Along the way, the guys discuss the Pelicans and Thunder game, which came down to the wire (05:00); whether James Harden’s Game 1 against the Mavericks is fool's gold (12:00); a disappointing outing for Tyrese Haliburton (36:00); and much more. Later, producer Kerm reads your questions for Logan, Howard, and Raja to answer (57:00).
Hosts: Logan Murdock, Howard Beck, and Raja Bell
Guest: Jomi Adeniran
Producer: Jonathan Kermah
Production Assistant: Kai Grady
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One Burning Question for Each Game 1 of Opening Playoffs Weekend | Real Ones

Justin, Rob, and Wos bring their biggest takeaways from Saturday’s Game 1s, starting with Lakers-Nuggets (2:50). Then they discuss Knicks-Sixers (14:55) and Timberwolves-Suns (25:26), and they wrap up with Cavs-Magic (39:35).

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Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre
Producers: Isaiah Blakely and Tucker Tashjian
Additional Production Supervision: Ben Cruz
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Top-Line Takeaways From All of Saturday’s Game 1s | Group Chat

Logan and Raja start the pod with former NBA player Jontay Porter getting banned for betting on games that he played in, and discuss why the league had to ban him (03:28). They then begin their playoff preview with the no. 7 Sixers facing the no. 2 Knicks. Is Joel Embiid healthy enough for the Sixers to upset the Knicks (16:09)? Can the no. 7 Lakers upset the no. 2 Denver Nuggets, even though they haven’t beaten them in their last eight contests (35:25)? Can the Clippers take care of the red-hot Mavericks, who’ve been on a roll since the All-Star break (45:38)?
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Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell
Producer: Cliff Augustin
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Playoff Preview and Jontay Porter Banned From the NBA | Real Ones

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).

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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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Daryl Morey, China, and the NBA | Heat Check

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