The Ringer NBA Show The Ringer

As the NBA nears its return, we explore the benefits and drawbacks of adopting a World Cup–style group stage for the 2020 playoffs. Could this draw new fans? Could it be a precursor to future midseason tournaments or even playoffs? Does this shift the competitive balance in any way? 

Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor

Longtime Utah Jazz coach and NBA Hall of Famer Jerry Sloan died Tuesday morning. We remember his playing and coaching career and the legacy he leaves behind in the modern NBA (1:20). Then, we get into the nitty-gritty of Kevin’s reporting on the NBA’s COVID-19 testing plans in the event of a return this year (10:50), before answering more of your mailbag questions (27:19).

Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor

We run through the latest news around the NBA, including Tillman Fertitta’s comments to Donald Trump about the return of the NBA, Jazz wing Bojan Bogdanovic’s wrist surgery, and the Knicks’ new assistant GM, Frank Zanin (1:49). Then, we give our closing thoughts on ESPN’s Michael Jordan documentary ‘The Last Dance’ (35:30).

Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor

After the final two episodes of 'The Last Dance' premiered Sunday night, Chris Ryan and Sean Fennessey break down the key takeaways and share their overall thoughts on the popular sports documentary. They talk about how a document like this could be made for modern players and what this doc does to Michael Jordan's legacy as a whole.

Hosts: Chris Ryan and Sean Fennessey

News about the NBA’s potential return continues to trickle out. This week, we discuss whether NBA players would feel compelled to complete the regular season if it meant they'd make their full salaries, and the timeline for the league’s return (5:01). Then, we reach back into the mailbag to answer questions on Lonzo Ball’s basketball preference, our all-time 3-point shootout and dunk contest lineups, and our favorite seasons of covering the league (23:30).

Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor

We go through the news leaking out of the conference call between the National Basketball Players Association and commissioner Adam Silver (1:17). Kevin shares his insights and reporting into the return ideas the NBA thinks are most feasible. Then, we discuss the emotional impact of episodes 7-8 of ESPN’s ‘The Last Dance,’ the only stain on Scottie Pippen’s career, and Jordan as a baseball player (37:04).




Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor