The Ringer NBA Show

Dennis Smith Jr. is the latest high draft pick to become uncomfortable with the ball being taken out of his hands. What does that mean for him and Luka Doncic (18:00)? Then we run down our All-Star ballots for this season (28:18). To wrap up, Kevin interviews Matt Quinn from the band Mt. Joy—a lifelong Sixers fan—about his favorite Sixers-Celtics media conspiracies and the overlap between touring bands and NBA players (39:42).Hosts: Kevin O’Connor and Jonathan TjarksGuest: Matt Quinn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We diagnose the problems that the Celtics, the Lakers, and the Grizzlies will have to address at the upcoming NBA trade deadline (1:10). Then, we call up Scott Kushner, the 'New Orleans Advocate' Pelicans beat reporter, to give us the Pelicans side of the Anthony Davis story and dish out his best DeMarcus Cousins stories (28:19).Hosts: Justin Verrier, Paolo Uggetti, Haley O’ShaughnessyGuest: Scott Kushner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The fraying Boston Celtics slide even further (0:44), James Harden continues his historic scoring streak amid the Houston Rockets’ injury plague (23:04), and trade rumors pile up as the deadline approaches (34:42).Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Los Angeles Clippers host Blake Griffin for the first time since the controversial trade (3:27), the Boston Celtics falter despite their talent (15:26), the New York Knicks accelerate their tank (28:08), and rookies’ statistical comparisons encourage or discourage fans (49:32).Host: John GonzalezGuests: Joe House, Dan Devine, Zach Kram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We take a stab at clairvoyance by each trying to predict two headlines that will be written over the coming weeks (1:05). Then, we throw an outlet pass to the weekend’s best games (34:00).Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Danny Chau, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We award 2018-19 half-season awards for: Best Player, Most Surprising Team, Most Disappointing Team, Most Confusing Team, and League Pass Poison Teams (0:50). Then, Kings superfan Riley McAtee joins to talk about how he hopes the rest of Sacramento’s season unfolds (43:46).Hosts: Justin Verrier, Haley O’Shaughnessy, Paolo UggettiGuest: Riley McAtee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tom Thibodeau is out in Minnesota. So what does that mean for franchise cornerstone Karl-Anthony Towns (1:00)? Then we dive deep into how the Spurs have reinvented themselves by turning the clock forward and backward at the same time (18:25). Finally, we take stock of the upcoming “pre-agents” and what their franchises have to do to ensure they don’t walk (43:25).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Minnesota firing Tom Thibodeau after a win, who could replace him, Kawhi Leonard’s return to San Antonio, and the drama-filled Sixers.Host: John GonzalezGuests: Shea Serrano and Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

James Harden daggered the Golden State Warriors Thursday night in overtime (1:30), and Kawhi Leonard was showered with boos while the Raptors got throttled by the Spurs (29:12). Plus, NBA prospect Bol Bol’s college season is done after just nine games (45:30).Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Danny Chau, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Thunder beat the Lakers (sans LeBron) Wednesday night, but are we right to be concerned about Russell Westbrook’s continued shooting woes (1:30)? Plus, Chris spills his deepest, darkest concerns about the future of the Sixers as Ben Simmons still refuses to shoot jump shots (34:30).Hosts: Justin Verrier, Chris Ryan, Paolo Uggetti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices