The Mismatch

By The Ringer

What's The Mismatch about?

J.J. Redick of the Philadelphia 76ers interviews some of the biggest names in basketball—including his teammates!—and many other celebrities. It’s an inside look at life in the NBA and conversations with people who interest Redick the most.

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Ja Morant Is the Most Fun P...

10.26.2021

Verno and KOC are back talking about the best games from this past week of basketball, starting with Bulls-Raptors and the question of whether the Bulls can sustain their current success (0:45) and Celtics-Hornets and how fantastic Ish Smith has ...

The Mismatch episodes:

10.26.2021 Ja Morant Is the Most Fun Player to Watch in the NBA. Plus, Rule Changes and the Bulls’ Possibly Unsustainable Success. Verno and KOC are back talking about the best games from this past week of basketball, starting with Bulls-Raptors and the question of whether the Bulls can sustain their current success (0:45) and Celtics-Hornets and how fantastic Ish Smith has ...
10.22.2021 Ten First Impressions From the Opening Games. Plus, Issues With the NBA 75 List. Verno and KOC first discuss all the issues with the NBA 75 rollout over the past week, including the most glaring omissions and the fact that it ended up actually being the NBA 76 (0:30). Then they give 10 first ...
10.19.2021 2021-22 NBA Season Preview and Predictions Opening day is here! Verno and KOC first react to all the contract extensions that occurred (or didn't) before the deadline (0:40). Then they get into all their predictions for the 2021-22 NBA season, including playoff seeding in the East ...
10.15.2021 Ten Questions About the Upcoming Season, Plus Zion Williamson’s Health and Kyrie Irving’s Instagram Live Verno and KOC first touch on the recent developments in Zion Williamson’s health (0:35) and Kyrie Irving’s Instagram Live explaining why he won’t get vaccinated (10:50). Then they ask each other 10 questions about the upcoming season, including which new ...
10.12.2021 Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons, and Zion Williamson Developments, Plus Eight People to Keep an Eye on for the Upcoming Season Verno and KOC delve into the developments of Kyrie Irving’s situation in Brooklyn, with the Nets releasing a statement saying he will not be practicing or playing games until he can be a full-time member of the team (0:52). They ...
10.08.2021 Eight Intriguing Observations From Preseason and What Kevin Learned About the Brooklyn Nets Verno and KOC discuss what KOC learned after spending some time with the Brooklyn Nets, including Harden’s newfound leadership and the love players have for head coach Steve Nash (0:35). Then they get into their eight intriguing observations from preseason, ...
10.05.2021 Evaluating the GM Survey and Preseason Overreactions Verno and KOC first go over the surprises and revelations from NBA.com’s recently released 2021-22 GM Survey (0:50). Then Chris asks Kevin to assess his preseason overreactions on the Nets, Kings, Nuggets, Clippers, and many more after the first big ...
10.01.2021 Unpacking Joel Embiid’s Recent Comments on Ben Simmons, Plus Evaluating NBA Player Rankings and Six Teams to Watch This Preseason Happy Friday! Joel Embiid unloaded the clip in response to rumors that Ben Simmons is done playing with him, so Verno and KOC dissect the most interesting parts of Embiid’s statement (0:45). Then they talk about the ESPN and Sports ...
09.28.2021 Media Day Revelations, From Zion Williamson to Ben Simmons and Beyond Media day is upon us! Verno and KOC discuss the vaccine hype at the various media days across the NBA (1:10), before getting into some of the other revelations from Monday. First up, they talk about Zion Williamson’s secret foot ...
09.24.2021 Listener Mailbag Part 4! Plus: the Gersson Rosas Debacle in Minnesota Verno and KOC first dig into the reporting on the sudden dismissal of Timberwolves general manager Gersson Rosas (0:45) and discuss a few of the particulars of the Ben Simmons situation in Philly (15:00). Then we answer listener questions about ...
09.21.2021 Picking New NBA Player Islands to Inhabit and Evaluating Old Choices Verno and KOC take a look back to 2019 to evaluate their previous picks for which NBA player islands to inhabit, most of which are pretty unfortunate and some of which have come off well (0:45). Then they choose some ...
09.10.2021 Listener Mailbag Part 3! Plus: a Bit of Football and a Bit of Ben Simmons. After a bit of banter about Thursday night’s Cowboys-Buccaneers game (0:30), Verno and KOC talk about some of the developments in the Ben Simmons saga (5:30). Then they dig into the mailbag to answer listener questions about basketball and life ...
09.07.2021 What Are the Washington Wizards Capable of This Season? Plus More Ben Simmons Rumors. Free agency may be winding down, but you can’t stop NBA players from opening their mouths. Verno and KOC discuss Kyle Kuzma’s comments on ‘The No Chill Podcast’ that the Buddy Hield trade was basically in the books before the ...
09.03.2021 Listener Mailbag Part 2! Plus: Will Ben Simmons Be Playing in a 76ers Uniform in October? Before opening up the mailbag, Verno and KOC talk about the recent reports that Ben Simmons has informed the 76ers that he will not show up to training camp in September (0:30), as well as the news that LaMarcus Aldridge ...
08.31.2021 An NBA Offseason Game of "Do You Believe…?" It’s a tradition like no other. Verno and KOC play an NBA offseason edition of "Do You Believe…?" They definitely believe in life after love, but do they believe that there is a trade out there for Kevin Love (0:30)? ...
08.27.2021 Mismatch Mailbag! Plus: Lauri Markkanen Is Headed to the Cavaliers and Emoni Bates Commits to Memphis Up top, Verno and KOC chat about the stacked team the University of Memphis has put together for this upcoming season with Emoni Bates (0:30) and then react to the breaking news that Lauri Markkanen has finally been dealt in ...
08.24.2021 The Celtics Extend Josh Richardson and the Timberwolves Continue to Explore a Ben Simmons Trade. Plus: The Overtime Elite League Signals New Opportunities for High School Prospects. Verno and KOC first talk about some of the particulars of the NBA schedule that was released on Friday, including how the national games are spread around (0:30). Then they talk about the Josh Richardson extension in Boston and how ...
08.20.2021 Davion Mitchell Cements His Defensive Reputation in the Summer League Championship Game. Plus: How Can Patrick Beverley Help the Timberwolves? Verno and KOC start off the show by wrapping up their thoughts from summer league after Davion Mitchell shut the Celtics down with his lockdown defense and cemented his reputation as a fierce defender (0:45). Then they get into some ...
08.17.2021 Davion Mitchell, Payton Pritchard, and the Knicks Picks Shine at Summer League. Plus: Joel Embiid and Marcus Smart Sign Extensions and Memphis Sends Patrick Beverley to Minnesota. Verno and KOC start with all the news and movement around the league. First they dig into Joel Embiid’s supermax extension with the Philadelphia 76ers (0:30) and Marcus Smart’s four-year extension with the Celtics (11:30). Then they get into the ...
08.13.2021 Cam Thomas Looks Like an NBA Scoring Threat and More Summer League Observations. Plus: Mirin Fader on Her New Giannis Antetokounmpo Biography. Kevin O’Connor has landed in Las Vegas for summer league, so he and Chris dive into all of their observations, starting with how last year’s rookie class is faring and whether we underrated them because of the challenges created by ...
08.10.2021 First Impressions of This Year’s Rookie Class in Summer League Verno and KOC do a big summer league catchup after the first few days of play, starting with this year’s rookie class and why rookies are more able than ever to contribute to a winning team in the NBA (1:00). ...
08.06.2021 Andre Iguodala Returns to the Warriors and More Transactions Around the League Verno and KOC are back and full of anticipation for the Olympic gold-medal game between France and Team USA Friday night (0:30). They are also full of joy at Andre Iguodala’s return to the Warriors for what he says could ...
08.03.2021 Free Agency Shuffles, Surprise Contracts, and NBA Draft Reactions KOC and Verno rejoin after the draft and the first night of free agency to discuss the big trades and deals that went down. They start in Miami, where Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry got excellent deals (01:19), then move ...
07.28.2021 Memphis Trades Up to the Top 10, and Top Prospect Info As the NBA draft nears, Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor talk about all of the big moves the top teams are looking to make, including Memphis making a big trade to move to the top 10 in picks (01:46). Also ...
07.23.2021 Draft-Night Trade Conversations Reach a Crescendo and the Restricted Free Agency Market Is Hot First, Verno and KOC dive into all the action surrounding the upcoming draft, with Cleveland fielding trade offers for their pick and Collin Sexton, the Raptors trying to move up from the fourth pick, and so much more (0:30). Then ...
07.21.2021 Giannis Drops 50 Points and the Bucks are NBA Champions Verno and KOC start by breaking down Giannis' historic Game 6 (0:51) and everything else that helped push the Bucks past the Suns in the Finals (9:40). They also discuss what went wrong for the Suns (40:00) and which teams ...
07.16.2021 The Bucks' Adjustments, Kawhi Leonard Speculation, and Late First-Round Sleepers KOC and Verno start by discussing the adjustments the Bucks have made to tie the series (1:25). Then they discuss why they think Giannis doesn't appear to get the same hype from his peers that other players get (23:30). Then ...
07.14.2021 The Clippers’ Future Is Uncertain After Kawhi Leonard Undergoes Surgery to Repair a Partial ACL Tear. Plus: Team USA Struggles and the 76ers Make Ben Simmons Available. Chris and Kevin kick off the episode talking about Kawhi Leonard’s recently reported ACL repair surgery and what that means for him and for the Clippers’ next season (0:40). They talk a little bit about what they’ve taken away from ...
07.09.2021 The Suns Take Game 2 of the NBA Finals Chris and Kevin get together right after Game 2 of the NBA Finals to talk about the Suns going up 2-0 over the Bucks (0:40). Then they talk about Adam Silver saying that the play-in tournament will stick around next ...
07.07.2021 Giannis Plays but the Suns Take Game 1 of the Finals. Plus: Looking Forward to the Rest of the Series Immediately following Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Verno and KOC discuss Chris Paul taking over and pushing the Suns to a Game 1 win over the Bucks (2:18), how well Giannis played despite his injury (14:10), and how will ...
07.02.2021 The Bucks Win Game 5 Without Giannis. Plus: Chris Paul and the Suns are Headed to the Finals Late Thursday night, Verno and KOC talk about the Bucks winning Game 5 without Giannis (1:30), the Suns making it to the NBA Finals and what it means for Chris Paul (19:56), and the state of the Clippers (49:30). Plus, ...
06.30.2021 Hawks Take Game 4 and Giannis Gets Hurt. Plus: Chauncey Billups Controversy and Combine Talk Verno and KOC react to the Hawks' Game 4 win and Giannis' injury (0:43), the Clippers impressive Game 5 win over the Suns (13:45), and the controversy surrounding Portland's hiring of Chauncey Billups (40:30). Then they discuss some of the ...
06.25.2021 Clippers Cut the Series Deficit in Half with Game 3 Win. Plus: Trae Young Scores 48 in Game 1 and New NBA Coaching Hires. Late Thursday night, Verno and KOC get into the Clippers Game 3 win over the Suns and how big of a role injuries played (1:04), then give Trae Young the credit he deserves for his Game 1 performance (25:53), and ...
06.23.2021 The Suns Win a Crazy Game 2 Over the Clippers. Plus: Eastern Conference Finals Preview and Draft Lottery Recap Immediately following the Suns Game 2 win over the Clippers, Verno and KOC discuss the crazy final 2 minutes, plus Deandre Ayton and Cam Payne's big night (1:10). Then they talk about what's next for Ben Simmons and the Sixers ...
06.18.2021 The Bucks Force a Game 7. Plus: The Sixers Blow a 26-Point Lead and Major Coaching Changes Verno and KOC discuss Game 6 of the Bucks and Nets series and look forward to Game 7 (1:07), the Sixers blowing a 26 point lead to the Hawks (11:12) and Paul George stepping up for the Clippers (37:32). Then ...
06.16.2021 Kevin Durant's Dominant 49-Point Game Gives the Nets a 3-2 Series Lead. Plus: Chris Paul's Playoff Run with the Suns and Young Players Adjusting in the Playoffs Verno and KOC get together late Tuesday night to discuss the Nets win over the Bucks in which Kevin Durant played all 48 minutes and scored 49 points (1:08). Then they get into the adjustments Trae Young needs to make ...
06.11.2021 The Clippers Fall to 0-2 Against the Jazz and the Bucks Beat the Nets. Plus: How Many Games can the Nuggets Win Against the Suns? Late Thursday night, Verno & KOC talk about the Jazz taking care of business at home to go up 2-0 against the Clippers (0:42) and the Bucks winning a strange game against the Nets (21:27) Also, can the Hawks figure ...
06.09.2021 Donovan Mitchell Balls Out and 76ers Even Series. Plus, Notes on Nets, Suns, and Award Winners. Immediately following the Jazz’s Game 1 victory over the Clippers, Verno and KOC discuss Donovan Mitchell’s 45-point performance and whether the Jazz can win the series without Mike Conley (1:49). The guys then recap Joel Embiid and the Sixers' bounce-back ...
06.04.2021 The Suns and Nuggets Take Care of Business in Round 1 of the Playoffs. Plus: Looking Forward to Round 2 Matchups. Late Thursday night, Verno and KOC talk about the Suns beating the hobbled Lakers in the first round of the playoffs (0:30) and the Nuggets powering through Damian Lillard’s incredible performances to win their first-round series (22:47). Then they look ...
06.02.2021 Damian Lillard Puts Up Historic 55-Point Performance in Game 5 Loss to the Nuggets. Plus: The Lakers' Collapse and Looking Forward to Nets-Bucks. Verno and KOC first get into Damian Lillard’s unbelievable 55-point, 10-assist performance in a double-overtime loss to the Nuggets in a thrilling Game 5 (0:30). Then they talk about every Laker who isn’t LeBron’s utter collapse against the Suns to ...
05.28.2021 Bucks Beat Down the Heat in Third Straight Win. Plus: Lakers and Nuggets Win Their Game 3s, and the Clippers Are Wretched Verno and KOC get together after Thursday night’s slate of playoff games to discuss the Bucks’ beatdown of the Heat to go up 3-0 (0:30), the Lakers’ defeat of the overheated Suns to go up 2-1 (19:15), and the Nuggets’ ...
05.25.2021 Trae Young Is Becoming the NBA’s Next Great Villain. Plus: The Bucks Destroy the Heat in Game 2 and the Clippers and Lakers Disappoint. First things first, Chris shares a couple of voicemails he received from some very special people before he and KOC get into all the matchups in Round 1 of the NBA playoffs (0:24). They start out with the Grizzlies’ unexpected ...
05.21.2021 Previewing the First-Round NBA Playoff Matchups. Plus: Do the Grizzlies Have a Chance at Beating the Warriors? Verno and KOC are back this Friday to talk about the Pacers' embarrassing loss to the Wizards in the second round of the Eastern Conference play-in (0:24) and the matchup between the Wizards and 76ers in the first round of ...
05.18.2021 Previewing the First Round of the Play-in Tournament, Plus KOC's All-NBA Picks Verno and KOC are back this Tuesday morning previewing all the play-in matchups coming at you over the next couple of days (0:30). First up, in the first round of the Eastern Conference play-in, they talk about the Hornets-Pacers game ...
05.14.2021 Playoff Seeding Remains Uncertain With Three Days Left in the Regular Season. Plus: Udonis Haslem Plays Basketball, and Looking Forward to the Hall of Fame Ceremony. Verno and KOC are back talking about all the crazy matchups and movements in playoff seeding and the uncertainty going into the last three days of regular-season basketball, including the implications on the Western Conference play-in of the Suns' win ...
05.11.2021 Intriguing Lower Seeds, Jaylen Brown’s Injury, Russ Breaks the Record, and Discussing KOC’s NBA Awards Ballot KOC and Verno start by discussing which lower-seeded teams from each conference could pull an upset in the playoffs (2:35). Then they talk about Jaylen Brown’s season-ending wrist injury and recap the issues the Celtics have had all season (19:38). ...
05.07.2021 Play-in Matchups, Plus the Impact of the Mavericks Missing Porzingis, Nets Missing Harden, and Lakers Missing Davis Verno and KOC discuss the teams that are missing a vital player— the Mavericks and Kristaps Porzingis, the Nets and James Harden, and the Lakers and Anthony Davis (2:52)—then touch on their potential strategies heading into the playoffs. Later, they ...
05.04.2021 The Play-in Tournament Is Increasing Competition Down the Stretch. Plus: Redemption for Marc Gasol, Russell Westbrook, and Carmelo Anthony. This Tuesday, Verno and KOC discuss how, whatever players in danger of falling into it may say, the looming threat of the play-in tournament has indeed worked to increase competition between cusp teams and top teams for seeding down the ...
04.30.2021 The Ascent of Kevin Porter Jr. and Michael Porter Jr. Plus: The Phoenix Suns End Their Playoff Drought and the Trail Blazers Have a Heart-to-Heart. Verno and KOC are back this Friday covering the ascent of Kevin Porter Jr., who became the fourth youngest in history to score 50 points in an NBA game on Thursday night (6:51), and Michael Porter Jr., who has proved ...
04.27.2021 The Suns Could Nab the 1-seed in the West From the Jazz. Plus: The Timberwolves’ Future Remains Murky and the Trail Blazers’ Defense Is Historically Bad. Verno and KOC get into the odd phenomenon of the Minnesota Timberwolves sweeping the Utah Jazz this season and where the Timberwolves can go with their roster (0:30). Then they talk about Kevin Love phoning it in for $31 million ...

Older episodes

The Mismatch

What's The Mismatch about?

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The Mismatch episodes:

Ja Morant Is the Most Fun Player to Watch in the NBA. Plus, Rule Changes and the Bulls’ Possibly Unsustainable Success.

Ten First Impressions From the Opening Games. Plus, Issues With the NBA 75 List.

2021-22 NBA Season Preview and Predictions

Ten Questions About the Upcoming Season, Plus Zion Williamson’s Health and Kyrie Irving’s Instagram Live

Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons, and Zion Williamson Developments, Plus Eight People to Keep an Eye on for the Upcoming Season

Eight Intriguing Observations From Preseason and What Kevin Learned About the Brooklyn Nets

Evaluating the GM Survey and Preseason Overreactions

Unpacking Joel Embiid’s Recent Comments on Ben Simmons, Plus Evaluating NBA Player Rankings and Six Teams to Watch This Preseason

Media Day Revelations, From Zion Williamson to Ben Simmons and Beyond

Listener Mailbag Part 4! Plus: the Gersson Rosas Debacle in Minnesota

Picking New NBA Player Islands to Inhabit and Evaluating Old Choices

Listener Mailbag Part 3! Plus: a Bit of Football and a Bit of Ben Simmons.

What Are the Washington Wizards Capable of This Season? Plus More Ben Simmons Rumors.

Listener Mailbag Part 2! Plus: Will Ben Simmons Be Playing in a 76ers Uniform in October?

An NBA Offseason Game of "Do You Believe…?"

Mismatch Mailbag! Plus: Lauri Markkanen Is Headed to the Cavaliers and Emoni Bates Commits to Memphis

The Celtics Extend Josh Richardson and the Timberwolves Continue to Explore a Ben Simmons Trade. Plus: The Overtime Elite League Signals New Opportunities for High School Prospects.

Davion Mitchell Cements His Defensive Reputation in the Summer League Championship Game. Plus: How Can Patrick Beverley Help the Timberwolves?

Davion Mitchell, Payton Pritchard, and the Knicks Picks Shine at Summer League. Plus: Joel Embiid and Marcus Smart Sign Extensions and Memphis Sends Patrick Beverley to Minnesota.

Cam Thomas Looks Like an NBA Scoring Threat and More Summer League Observations. Plus: Mirin Fader on Her New Giannis Antetokounmpo Biography.

First Impressions of This Year’s Rookie Class in Summer League

Andre Iguodala Returns to the Warriors and More Transactions Around the League

Free Agency Shuffles, Surprise Contracts, and NBA Draft Reactions

Memphis Trades Up to the Top 10, and Top Prospect Info

Draft-Night Trade Conversations Reach a Crescendo and the Restricted Free Agency Market Is Hot

Giannis Drops 50 Points and the Bucks are NBA Champions

The Bucks' Adjustments, Kawhi Leonard Speculation, and Late First-Round Sleepers

The Clippers’ Future Is Uncertain After Kawhi Leonard Undergoes Surgery to Repair a Partial ACL Tear. Plus: Team USA Struggles and the 76ers Make Ben Simmons Available.

The Suns Take Game 2 of the NBA Finals

Giannis Plays but the Suns Take Game 1 of the Finals. Plus: Looking Forward to the Rest of the Series

The Bucks Win Game 5 Without Giannis. Plus: Chris Paul and the Suns are Headed to the Finals

Hawks Take Game 4 and Giannis Gets Hurt. Plus: Chauncey Billups Controversy and Combine Talk

Clippers Cut the Series Deficit in Half with Game 3 Win. Plus: Trae Young Scores 48 in Game 1 and New NBA Coaching Hires.

The Suns Win a Crazy Game 2 Over the Clippers. Plus: Eastern Conference Finals Preview and Draft Lottery Recap

The Bucks Force a Game 7. Plus: The Sixers Blow a 26-Point Lead and Major Coaching Changes

Kevin Durant's Dominant 49-Point Game Gives the Nets a 3-2 Series Lead. Plus: Chris Paul's Playoff Run with the Suns and Young Players Adjusting in the Playoffs

The Clippers Fall to 0-2 Against the Jazz and the Bucks Beat the Nets. Plus: How Many Games can the Nuggets Win Against the Suns?

Donovan Mitchell Balls Out and 76ers Even Series. Plus, Notes on Nets, Suns, and Award Winners.

The Suns and Nuggets Take Care of Business in Round 1 of the Playoffs. Plus: Looking Forward to Round 2 Matchups.

Damian Lillard Puts Up Historic 55-Point Performance in Game 5 Loss to the Nuggets. Plus: The Lakers' Collapse and Looking Forward to Nets-Bucks.

Bucks Beat Down the Heat in Third Straight Win. Plus: Lakers and Nuggets Win Their Game 3s, and the Clippers Are Wretched

Trae Young Is Becoming the NBA’s Next Great Villain. Plus: The Bucks Destroy the Heat in Game 2 and the Clippers and Lakers Disappoint.

Previewing the First-Round NBA Playoff Matchups. Plus: Do the Grizzlies Have a Chance at Beating the Warriors?

Previewing the First Round of the Play-in Tournament, Plus KOC's All-NBA Picks

Playoff Seeding Remains Uncertain With Three Days Left in the Regular Season. Plus: Udonis Haslem Plays Basketball, and Looking Forward to the Hall of Fame Ceremony.

Intriguing Lower Seeds, Jaylen Brown’s Injury, Russ Breaks the Record, and Discussing KOC’s NBA Awards Ballot

Play-in Matchups, Plus the Impact of the Mavericks Missing Porzingis, Nets Missing Harden, and Lakers Missing Davis

The Play-in Tournament Is Increasing Competition Down the Stretch. Plus: Redemption for Marc Gasol, Russell Westbrook, and Carmelo Anthony.

The Ascent of Kevin Porter Jr. and Michael Porter Jr. Plus: The Phoenix Suns End Their Playoff Drought and the Trail Blazers Have a Heart-to-Heart.

The Suns Could Nab the 1-seed in the West From the Jazz. Plus: The Timberwolves’ Future Remains Murky and the Trail Blazers’ Defense Is Historically Bad.

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