Zach is joined by Stan Van Gundy to answer six big questions, including how Tyler Herro’s return affects the Heat (4:06) and whether the Hawks are better without Trae Young (23:38). Plus, why Nikola Jokic might just be the greatest NBA player ever (55:38), and Stan reveals his updated NBA Finals pick (1:05:36).

Host: Zach Lowe

Guest: Stan Van Gundy

Producers: Mike Wargon, Jesse Aron, Jonathan Frias, and Billy Gil

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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

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What up, Beck (1:34)?! Howard joins Zach to see how the teams in Los Angeles are doing now  that Kawhi has returned and LeBron has two games under his belt (14:06). Next, to Florida to look at two rising teams: the Magic (30:59) and Heat. And then a look at two falling teams: the Warriors (51:30) and Wizards. Finally, Bill Simmons joins the show to talk about the career of Chris Paul (1:13:45): best years, worst moments, and his place in history. Plus, don’t miss Zach’s thoughts on parades and stories about high school chaperoning!

Host: Zach Lowe

Guests: Howard Beck and Bill Simmons

Producers: Mike Wargon, Jesse Aron, Jonathan Frias, and Billy Gil

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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

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Steve Jones Jr. joins Zach to first break down LeBron James's season debut (1:48). How’d the Lakers offense look? Any concerns on defense? And how far can they go in a loaded West? Next, a look at the red-hot Pistons (25:44) and what their ceiling can be. Then a quick detour to Zach’s Insights to Mediocrity (42:26) this week, featuring what to do about your ties! Lastly, the pair share some thoughts on the Cavs (44:12), Wolves (51:28), and Heat (1:02:26), as well as some court and jersey gripes to get off their chest!

Host: Zach Lowe

Guest: Steve Jones Jr.

Producers: Mike Wargon, Jesse Aron, Jonathan Frias, Billy Gil

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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

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Mo Dakhil joins Zach (1:54) to talk about the dominance of the Thunder and Nuggets and how they’ve separated themselves from the rest of the league. Next, they look toward the bottom of the standings to discuss five disasters happening out West (25:43). Who’s got the biggest issues right now? What about going forward? And is choosing the worst disaster worse than going on 'Fear Factor'? Finally, some happy surprises across the NBA, including the Raptors (56:37), Suns (01:04:12), and Hawks (01:10:42). Plus, some end-of-game coaching dilemmas, a classic “who says no” fake trade, and a whole lot more!

Host: Zach Lowe

Guest: Mo Dakhil

Producers: Mike Wargon, Jesse Aron, Jonathan Frias, and Billy Gil

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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

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Zach ventures to Minneapolis, Minnesota, for his FIRST live show ever (0:00), and he begins by power ranking the Western Conference with Rob Mahoney (2:23). Where did the hometown team come in? Next, The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski (20:18) hops onstage to go through the most pivotal moments in Timberwolves franchise history: everything from big draft picks to the big-balls dance. Then, Chris Finch (37:03) and Donte DiVincenzo (58:28) join the show before they close it out with some Q&A from the audience (1:14:25).

Host: Zach Lowe

Guests: Rob Mahoney, Jon Krawczynski, Chris Finch, and Donte DiVincenzo

Producers: Mike Wargon, Jesse Aron, Jonathan Frias, and Billy Gil

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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

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J. Kyle Mann joins Zach to react to today’s news of Nico Harrison’s firing (2:09) and sift through the wreckage of the Dallas Mavericks, going from the 2024 NBA Finals all the way to the present. What does it mean for the rest of the team, the front office, and the fans? All that, plus a slew of fake Anthony Davis trades (18:14) and much more.

Host: Zach Lowe

Guest: J. Kyle Mann

Producers: Mike Wargon, Jesse Aron, Jonathan Frias, and Billy Gil

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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

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Fred Katz of The Athletic joins the show to power-rank the entire Eastern Conference (1:50). Who’s last? Where did the surprising Bulls come in? How about the disappointing Magic (26:26)? Then, as the list goes on, an unexpected team cracks into the top five (48:35) and a consensus on no. 1 emerges (1:05:49). Lastly, some rapid-fire things out in the West, including issues for the Clippers (1:22:29) and incredible play from the Spurs (1:32:15). Come for the basketball breakdowns, stay for the story of Zach's date from Friendster!

Host: Zach Lowe

Guest: Fred Katz

Producers: Mike Wargon, Jesse Aron, Jonathan Frias, Billy Gil

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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

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What up, Beck (1:43)?! Howard joins Zach to first react to some of Wednesday’s notable action in the NBA, including Dallas losing its third straight, the Lakers taking down Wemby (16:03), the Thunder dropping their first game (24:05), and more. Next, they discuss some news and notes around the league (29:30) before they hit on some of the breakout role players (53:42) and disappointing starts (1:13:44). All that, plus a wild Trae Young trade idea, old movie jokes, and Zach’s insights into mediocrity!

Host: Zach Lowe

Guest: Howard Beck

Producers: Mike Wargon, Jesse Aron, Jonathan Frias

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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

This episode is sponsored by Anthropic, the team behind Claude. Try Claude for free today at Claude.ai/LOWE

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Zach begins by talking about the state of the Grizzlies with Chris Vernon (1:39): What does Ja Morant’s suspension mean for his future, and how much does he mean to the city of Memphis? Next, Michael Pina joins (25:23) to first discuss some fake trades involving Ja, as well as a potential disaster looming in New Orleans. Then, a trip around the Western Conference, with first impressions of Luka and the Lakers (44:12), the Nuggets (50:25), the Blazers (56:21), the Clippers (1:02:54), and the Wolves (1:10:44). All that plus some injury news, and where Game 7 of the World Series ranks among the all-time nerve-wracking games in sports (1:25:03)!

Host: Zach Lowe

Guests: Chris Vernon and Michael Pina

Producers: Mike Wargon, Jesse Aron, Jonathan Frias

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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

This episode is sponsored by Anthropic, the team behind Claude. Try Claude for free today at Claude.ai/LOWE.

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Chris Ryan joins Zach to start the show and revel in the good vibes around this 76ers team (1:51), talking about their young backcourt and what their new nickname should be! Then Mo Dakhil hops on to talk about who’s better or worse than we thought (22:31): The Bulls? The Bucks (44:55)? The Magic (50:24)? The Warriors (57:58)? Come for Noah Clowney’s gross highlight, and stay for Zach’s Oscar the Grouch costume!

Host: Zach Lowe

Guests: Chris Ryan and Mo Dakhil

Producers: Mike Wargon, Jesse Aron, and Jonathan Frias

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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

This episode is sponsored by Anthropic, the team behind Claude. Try Claude for free today at Claude.ai/LOWE

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