The Ringer NBA Show

Logan Murdock and Howard Beck are back with the 2026 playoff edition of Real or Fake! They go through each team that’s made it through to the playoffs and figure out who the real contenders are and which teams have a slight chance to no chance. (02:12) Real or Fake: Detroit Pistons (10:06) Real or Fake: San Antonio Spurs (16:20) Real or Fake: Cleveland Cavaliers (20:39) Real or Fake: Toronto Raptors (23:17) Real or Fake: Houston Rockets (34:01) Real or Fake: New York Knicks (37:59) Real or Fake: Boston Celtics (44:35) Real or Fake: Atlanta Hawks (47:04) Real or Fake: Oklahoma City Thunder (53:36) Real or Fake: Denver Nuggets (56:32) Real or Fake: Minnesota Timberwolves (59:46) Real or Fake: Los Angeles Lakers (01:03:21) Real One of the Week: Warriors (01:12:07:22) Real One of the Week: Chris Paul Hit the mailbag! realonesmailbag@gmail.com The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out rg-help.com to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Hosts: Logan Murdock and Howard Beck Producers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford Augustin Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann open with a thought-provoking question about the NBA playoffs before jumping into the highly anticipated return of the Verriables ahead of all of the playoff excitement. This year, Justin’s playoff Verriables pose questions like: How many teams can realistically win the East? If not the Thunder in the West, then who? Who’s going to be the leap guy? Lastly, the guys predict every matchup on the board and make early Finals picks. (0:00) Intro (2:53 ) FanDuel ad break (3:30) Should the NBA move to a shorter series? (6:35) Verriables intro (10:10) How many teams can realistically win the East? (19:34) If not the Thunder in the West, then who? (34:46) Who’s going to be the leap guy? (44:35) FanDuel ad break (45:56) Amazon Prime ad break (46:27) Which player or team exec has the most riding on this postseason? (59:14) Playoff matchup predictions (1:26:52) Early Finals picks Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann Producers: Victoria Valencia and Isaiah Blakely Production Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Additional Production Support: John Richter and Chris Wohlers Social: Keith Fujimoto and Isaiah Blakely Verriables Music by: John Robison The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Order and it will come. Like today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan Murdock, Raja Bell and Howard Beck are back with another edition of Real Ones and react to the wild Tuesday night Play-In games. The Hornets defeated the Heat in OT thanks to LaMelo’s late game bucket. What are the chances of the Hornets taking a team deep in the first round? Plus, the Suns fell to the Blazers in the western conference play-in. Should they consider trading Devin Booker? Plus, the mailbag!(0:00) Intro (1:14) Fan Duel ad break (2:38) Hornets-Heat (3:52) Lamelo Controversy (28:14) Amazon Prime ad break (28:45) Fan Duel ad break (29:54) Blazers-Suns presented by Ferrero (45:58) Mailbag Hosts: Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard BeckProducers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford AugustinAdditional Production Support: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Hit the mailbag! ⁠realonesmailbag@gmail.com⁠The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out ⁠rg-help.com⁠ to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Order and it will come. Like today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The regular season is officially over and Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann are here to preview the play-in match-ups in each conference. Then they give some brief thoughts on the playoff match ups before giving final thoughts on any fall out from the final day of the regular season including Doc Rivers leaving the Bucks and they play a game 82 tradition of “Who He Tank For”. (00:00) Intro (2:50) Fan Duel ad break (3:26) Play-in preview (22:31) Men’s Wearhouse ad break (23:14) Initial playoff matchup thoughts (43:34) "Who He Tank For" (58:55) Doc Rivers out as Bucks head coach (1:04:56) Most intriguing off-season Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle MannProducers: Victoria Valencia and Isaiah BlakelyProduction Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor NevinsAdditional Production Support: John Richter and Chris Wohlers The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. When you need your fit to deliver, we’ve got you. Shop Men's Wearhouse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan Murdock and Howard Beck are back with another edition of Real Ones to discuss the future for the teams in the play-in tournament. How will the Clippers navigate the rest of the Kawhi Leonard era with a possible big punishment looming? Are the Sixers stuck in this position because of the Joel Embiid and Paul George contracts? Could Steph and the Warriors possibly get some help from another NBA legend?(0:00) Intro (1:13) Fan Duel ad break (2:29) Los Angeles Clippers (12:01) Philadelphia 76ers (19:44) Phoenix Suns (25:49) Portland Trail Blazers (31:30) Miami Heat (35:42) Orlando Magic (37:38) Golden State Warriors (46:35) Toronto Raptors (50:35) Atlanta Hawks (57:16) Charlotte Hornets (1:00:35) Howard’s Real One of the Week (1:03:21) Logan’s Real One of the Week Hosts: Logan Murdock and Howard BeckProducers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford AugustinAdditional Production Support: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Hit the mailbag! ⁠realonesmailbag@gmail.com⁠ The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out ⁠rg-help.com⁠ to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann open by recapping the 2026 NCAA men’s championship game and giving their thoughts on the evolution of college basketball. Then, they give their picks for MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, and Coach of the Year. (0:00) Intro (0:22) Michigan beats UConn, wins NCAA basketball title (4:03) Fan Duel ad break (7:58) Thoughts on this NBA season (15:21) J.V.’s garden update (18:09) Fan Duel ad break (19:44) Who will win MVP? (43:12) Will this be the last year Wemby isn’t the favorite? (49:09) Rookie of the Year (59:27) Most Improved (1:07:09) Mid-off tracker (1:09:39) Defensive Player of the Year (1:12:20) Sixth Man of the Year (1:17:48) Coach of the Year Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann Producers: Victoria Valencia and Stefan Anderson Production Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Additional Production Support: John Richter and Chris Wohlers The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck are back with another edition of Real Ones and take a deep dive into the Rookie of the Year debate. Kon Knueppel has had an outstanding season, but will Cooper Flagg’s late surge ultimately win him the award? NBA championship-winning head coach Michael Malone has taken the University of North Carolina’s head coaching job. How will he have to navigate the NIL waters to make UNC competitive again? Is there any hope for the Chicago Bulls after firing their front office? Plus, the mailbag! (0:00) Logan open (1:23) Fan Duel ad break (2:14) Rookie of the Year debate (27:34) Fan Duel ad break (28:21) Michael Malone headed to UNC (40:23) Is there any hope for the Chicago Bulls? (42:24) Mailbag! Hosts: Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck Producers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford Augustin Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out⁠ rg-help.com⁠ to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.Hit the mailbag! realonesmailbag@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann begin award season with the team awards. They start with their All-NBA team ballots. Then they move to the All-Defensive teams and wrap up with the All-Rookie teams. Then, right before the show wraps, the guys react to the news that former Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone has reportedly accepted the head coaching job at the University of North Carolina. (00:00) Intro (2:51) Fan Duel ad break (3:28) All-NBA teams (37:24) Men’s Wearhouse ad break (53:24) All-Defensive teams (1:08:02) All-Rookie teams (1:15:29) Michael Malone Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann Producers: Victoria Valencia and Isaiah Blakely Production Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Additional Production Support: John Richter and Chris Wohlers The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. When you need your fit to deliver, we’ve got you. Shop Men's Wearhouse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck are back with another edition of Real Ones, and get right into the Lakers getting blown out by OKC and losing Luka to a hamstring injury during the game. What did the game say about where both teams currently stand in the West? Plus, the Magic keep free-falling in the standings, which has star forward Paolo Banchero unhappy. What's the next steps for the franchise? And Real One of the Week!(00:00) Intro (1:39) Fan Duel ad break (2:55) Lakers-Thunder Recap (8:51) MVP Race (18:41) Luka’s injury (27:58) Paolo and the struggling Magic (44:57) Amar'e Stoudemire headed to the Hall of Fame (55:48) Real One of the Week Hit the mailbag! realonesmailbag@gmail.comThe Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out rg-help.com to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.Hosts: Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard BeckProducers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford AugustinAdditional Production Support: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin and Rob discuss the West’s bottom five teams and give us a positive outlook for each, but first, Victor Wembanyama went off for 41 points against the Warriors and keeps performing at a level that has him shooting up the MVP ladder. Did he put a stamp on his case on Wednesday?(0:00) Intro (1:05) Wemby (13:09) Dallas Mavericks(26:42) Memphis Grizzlies(37:13) New Orleans Pelicans(46:07) Utah Jazz(56:34) Sacramento KingsHosts: Justin Verrier and Rob MahoneyProducers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford AugustinProduction Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor NevinsAdditional Production Support: John Richter and Chris WohlersThe Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck are back with another edition of Real Ones to discuss the teams that are tanking and assign a tier to each team. There’s a tier of joy, a tier of hope, and a tier of sorrow. Find out where the guys slotted each of the 10 tanking teams. Plus, a loaded mailbag. Which teams can make a surprise run in the playoffs? (1:28) Tier of joy(10:53) Tier of hope(28:25) Fan Duel Ad break (29:36) Tommy Hilfiger ad break (30:11) Tier of sorrow(46:15) Mailbag Hosts: Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard BeckProducers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford AugustinAdditional Production Support: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Explore more at Hit the mailbag! ⁠realonesmailbag@gmail.com The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out ⁠rg-help.com⁠ to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin is back and joined by Rob and J. Kyle Mann and they start by talking about Justin’s alma mater UConn’s shocking comeback win to clinch a spot in the Final Four. Then they get to the NBA where they say goodbye to the bottom 5 teams in the East by saying one nice thing about them. (00:00) Intro (1:08) UConn's victory over Duke (24:21) Men’s Wearhouse ad break (29:11) Indiana Pacers (38:06) Washington Wizards (46:26) Brooklyn Netsl (1:03:20) Chicago Bulls (1:10:25) Milwaukee Bucks Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann Producers: Victoria Valencia and Isaiah Blakely Production Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Additional Production Support: John Richter and Chris Wohlers When you need your fit to deliver, we’ve got you. Shop Men's Wearhouse. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck are back with another edition of Real Ones and discuss the NBA Board of Governors meeting that touched on a variety of hot-button issues throughout the NBA. The NBA has proposed a few draft-lottery methods to circumvent tanking, but will any of the proposed methods work? Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are at odds as the star forward would like to resume playing, but the team is preventing him from doing so. How should the NBA be handling his situation? Plus, Real One of the Week! (00:00) Intro (1:27) The NBA’s Anti-Tanking Proposal (18:25) Adam Silver Addresses Numerous Topics in NBA Board of Governors Meeting (20:46) Men’s Wearhouse ad break (21:22) NBPA Chastises Bucks Over Giannis's Playing Status (48:32) Real One of the Week Hosts: Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck Producers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford Augustin Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Hit the mailbag! realonesmailbag@gmail.com When you need your fit to deliver, we’ve got you. Shop Men's Wearhouse. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out rg-help.com to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob and J. Kyle Mann answer your listener questions about the Most Improved Player award, postseason narratives, how teams are defending Jokic, and much more! (00:00) Intro (3:18) FanDuel title pie (12:16) Most Improved Player (21:12) 3-point shooting (27:15) Mount Rushmore of aughts indie rock (33:00) Fan Duel ad break (33:46) Tommy Hilfiger ad break (34:19) All-time Kentucky alumni lineup (39:33) The Pelicans' future (46:23) Playoff matchups (48:17) Watching every game (55:23) Best playoff narratives (1:01:58) The music artist who compares to Steph (1:06:19) Life lessons from basketball (1:18:23) Defensive strategy against Jokic (1:23:29) Teams that could win their first NBA title Send your questions to ⁠ringergroupchat@gmail.com⁠! Hosts: Rob Mahoney and J. Kyle Mann Producers: Isaiah Blakely, Victoria Valencia, and Carlos Chiriboga Production Supervision: Ben Cruz Social: Carlos Chiriboga and Keith Fujimoto Explore more at The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠ ⁠⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck are back with another edition of Real Ones and jump right into Victor Wembanyama’s comments about his MVP candidacy following the Spurs victory over the Miami Heat on Monday night. Just how close is the race between Wemby and the other candidates, and did he purposely mention beating the Thunder during the regular season to send them a message with the playoffs coming up? Plus, Houston has a problem that hasn’t been solved all season. Can their issues be resolved, or is it too late? (0:00) Intro (2:28) Wemby makes MVP case (14:26) What’s up with the Rockets? (24:58) Fan Duel ad break (26:15) Mens Wearhouse ad break (26:50) Bucks waive G Cam Thomas (38:34) Mailbag Hosts: Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck Producers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford Augustin Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Hit the mailbag! realonesmailbag@gmail.com When you need your fit to deliver, we’ve got you. Shop Men's Wearhouse. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out rg-help.com to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

No Justin this week, so Rob and J. Kyle Mann are here with a to-do list of what they want to see and learn down the stretch of the regular season. They talk about what else the Lakers can prove, if the Cavs can go on a run in the East, whether the Rockets can get it together in time for the playoffs, and more. (00:00) Intro (4:15) Lakers (26:22) Cavaliers (38:40) Rockets (51:05) All-NBA (59:50) The race for the 7th and 8th seeds in the East Hosts: Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann Producers: Victoria Valencia and Isaiah Blakely Production Supervision: Ben Cruz, Conor Nevins, and John Richter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck are back with another edition of Real Ones to discuss the Lakers recent hot streak winning nine of their last ten games. How far can Luka and LeBron lead the Lakers in the playoffs with the Spurs and Thunder atop of the conference? Giannis and the Bucks are at odds about letting him play because he’ll most likely find a new home in the offseason. Plus, Pistons guard Cade Cunningham suffered a collapsed lung and will be out indefinitely as he recovers. How will Detroit stay afloat with the MVP candidate set to miss significant time? (01:30) Luka and the Lakers Are Red Hot! (22:01) Should LeBron Stay in L.A. After the Season? (30:11) Major Injuries Across the NBA (31:12) Should Giannis Be Allowed to Keep Playing? (48:58) Cade Cunningham Out Indefinitely With a Collapsed Lung (55:17) Real One of the Week Realonesmailbag@gmail.com Hit the mailbag! realonesmailbag@gmail.com The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out rg-help.com to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Hosts: Logan Murdock, Raja Bell and Howard Beck Producers: Cameron Dinwiddie and Clifford Augustin Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann redraft who would be the top five picks in the past five drafts. Before they start with the 2021 draft, they talk about the news of Cade Cunningham's collapsed lung and what that means for him and the Pistons. (00:00) Intro (05:05) Cunningham injury news (11:36) 2021 redraft (30:19) 2022 redraft (46:35) 2023 redraft (58:38) 2024 redraft (75:00) 2025 redraft Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann Producers: Victoria Valencia, Isaiah Blakely, and Jamie Yukich Production Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Additional Production Support: John Richter and Chris Wohlers The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Explore more at Tommy Hilfiger Tommy Hilfiger USA offers modern, sophisticated styles for women and men including apparel, handbags, footwear, underwear, fragrance and home furnishings with free shipping available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan Murdock and Howard Beck are back with another edition of Real Ones and dive right into the NBA's desire to expand with two new teams, with a possible return to Seattle and a fresh start in Las Vegas. Is this good for the league in the current climate given the problems with tanking, the style of play, and gambling? Plus, the Rockets fell to the Lakers on Monday night, after which Kevin Durant voiced his frustration with the outcome. Where do the Rockets stand as contenders with the season coming to a close? (3:30) NBA Seeking Expansion to Seattle and Las Vegas (5:33) Is Expansion Good for the League? (24:15) What Is Adam Silver’s Current Reputation? (39:14) Kevin Durant Voices Frustration After Rockets Fall to the Lakers (55:24) Realonesmailbag@gmail.com Hit the mailbag! realonesmailbag@gmail.com The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out rg-help.com to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Hosts: Logan Murdock and Howard Beck Producers: Stefano Sanchez and Clifford Augustin Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann start with their reactions to the news of NBA expansion to Seattle and Las Vegas almost becoming a reality. Then they get into our yearly March Madness primer. The guys take a look at the top prospects playing in the tournament this year, then Kyle talks about a few other guys to keep an eye on who could get picked in the first round.(00:00) Intro(6:08) Expansion news(16:02) March Madness primer(25:13) Darryn Peterson(37:34) Cam Boozer(44:18) AJ Dybantsa(54:42) Caleb Wilson(56:20) Kingston Flemings(59:23) Darius Acuff Jr.(01:07:15) Keaton Wagler(01:01:44) Other guys to watch(01:13:37) Mikel Brown Jr.Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle MannProducers: Victoria Valencia, Isaiah Blakely, and Cameron DinwiddieProduction Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor NevinsAdditional Production Support: John Richter and Chris Wohlers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices