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The Mismatch

Latest episodes

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Sep 3, 2021 • 1h 12min

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 has been cleared to play in the NBA again and that Paul Millsap has signed with the Nets (17:12). Then they get into some listener questions, such as what the Kings should do with Buddy Hield (21:20), what the Rockets should do with John Wall (29:25), whether the Cavaliers’ small backcourt can work (39:45), and much more.Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorAssociate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Aug 31, 2021 • 1h 11min

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)? They hit on that and the likelihood of Ben Simmons wearing a 76ers uniform on opening night (15:30), whether ‘Donda’ is any good (21:00), and whether the Heat are a top-four team in the East now (29:05). Then they talk about whether the Clippers are going to be good without Kawhi Leonard (31:35), Kevin’s level of excitement about Patriots rookie Mac Jones (41:00), Luka’s chances at winning MVP this season (51:00), and more.Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorAssociate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Aug 27, 2021 • 1h 11min

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 a three-team trade to the Cavaliers, sending Larry Nance Jr. to the Blazers and Derrick Jones Jr. plus draft assets to the Bulls (9:10). Then we get into listener questions, starting with a couple on the Hornets and LaMelo Ball’s ascension (13:50), the Mavericks and Kristaps Porzingis’s decline (22:05), and quite a lot more!Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorAssociate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Aug 24, 2021 • 1h 8min

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 the Celtics are collecting strong assets for a potential trade for Bradley Beal (10:55). After that they discuss the new Overtime Elite league, which is backed by the likes of Drake, Kevin Durant, and Jeff Bezos, and how targeting high school prospects with big-money contracts threatens college basketball (19:12). Finally, they get into reporting from Jon Krawczynski that the Timberwolves are still pursuing a trade for Ben Simmons that could include a third team (40:18), the Celtics retiring Kevin Garnett’s number (46:40), and Klay Thompson’s potential return to the court around Christmas (56:05).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorAssociate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Aug 20, 2021 • 1h 2min

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 of the news from around the league like Terry Rozier’s extension with the Hornets (23:00), Patrick Beverley’s potential impact on the heretofore struggling Timberwolves team (25:35), and what they expect to see from the NBA 2021-2022 schedule that’s dropping later today (41:35).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorAssociate Producer: Sasha Ashall  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Aug 17, 2021 • 1h 4min

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 Grizzlies-Timberwolves trade, which sent Patrick Beverley to Minnesota and Jarrett Culver and Juancho Hernangomez to Memphis (21:23). Finally, Summer League is coming to a close, so Verno and KOC touch on the upcoming championship game between the Celtics and Kings (34:25), discuss the team they think should be the happiest coming out of Vegas, the Knicks (38:54), and examine Luka Garza’s two-way deal with the Pistons (47:18).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Associate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Aug 13, 2021 • 1h 1min

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 COVID-19 (1:00). Then they talk about Cam Thomas’s incredible scoring bonanza and his fit on the Nets (13:20), the contributions of a few undrafted players, like Isaiah Miller and Omer Yurtseven (21:18), Kevin finally seeing Alperen Sengun play in person (28:45), and which players people in Las Vegas are buzzing about (33:00). Finally, The Ringer’s Mirin Fader joins to talk about her new book, 'Giannis: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP' (37:05).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorGuest: Mirin FaderAssociate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Aug 10, 2021 • 1h 11min

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). They take a closer look at standout Kings rookie Davion Mitchell (34:00), Cade Cunningham’s leadership (43:00), and Alperen Sengun’s play for the Rockets (0:00). Then they talk about the sophomore players in summer league, including Desmond Bane, Obi Toppin, and Tyrese Maxey, as well as the veteran players who have popped up (44:40). Finally, a drop of news about where Dennis Schröder may end up has broken: the Celtics have offered a one-year, $5.6 million deal (1:00:45).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorAssociate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Aug 6, 2021 • 1h 11min

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 be his final years in the NBA, but they’re concerned that the Warriors haven’t done enough to maximize the end of Steph Curry’s prime (7:50). Then they are full of tidbits as they move through several of the other rumors and transactions from around the league (24:57), including where Lauri Markkanen could end up (27:40), Kemba Walker to the Knicks (28:36), the Wizards’ new and improved roster (34:12), Mike D’Antoni becoming a consultant in New Orleans (38:40), and much more.Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorAssociate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Aug 3, 2021 • 1h 17min

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 on to Chicago, which L.A. favorite Alex Caruso and Lonzo Ball will now call home (06:29). They also talk about their favorite surprise contracts out of the first night (19:50) as well as their reactions to the NBA draft (31:18).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O'ConnorProducer: Steve Ahlman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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