The Ringer NBA Show

The Indiana Pacers remain consistently among the Eastern Conference elite (2:59), the Denver Nuggets continue their dominant run atop the West (9:33), and James Harden’s propensity for drawing fouls fuels his scorching stretch of games (18:00). Plus, five questions for the NBA in 2019 (39:55).Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We ring in the new year by giving 2019 resolutions for every team in the league — from the lowly Knicks and Hawks to the high and mighty Warriors.Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Jonathan Tjarks, Danny Chau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Los Angeles Lakers handily defeat the Golden State Warriors despite LeBron James's groin injury (3:25), James Harden continues getting back to MVP form as his Houston Rockets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder (24:07), and more takeaways from the Christmas Day games (36:08).Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the NBA regular season nears its midpoint, we share our favorite guilty pleasures of this year thus far.Host: John GonzalezGuest: Chris Ryan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We try to temper our hype after Luka Doncic’s 32-point explosion in a loss to the Clippers, review Chris Paul’s nagging hamstring and the Rockets’ thin roster, and discuss the weird Buddy Hield age news (2:00). Then, we each choose the rebuilding franchise we think is best set up, or most intriguing, for the long term (18:45). Finally, we throw an outlet pass to the weekend’s best games (37:45).Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Danny Chau, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trade season dawns on the NBA as free-agency restrictions get lifted (0:54), the James Harden–led Houston Rockets surge up the standings (21:07), and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s stellar defense keeps them rolling (33:49).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A three-team trade centered on the Washington Wizards acquiring Trevor Ariza falls through in dramatic circumstance and is reincarnated in altered form (4:21): The Phoenix Suns receive Kelly Oubre Jr. and Austin Rivers while the Memphis Grizzlies keep the status quo (30:36).Host: John GonzalezGuest: Joe House, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Kings are our kings and we hope the trade market might heat up soon for guys like Kevin Love and Tim Hardaway Jr.. Plus, we throw an outlet pass to the games we’re looking forward to this weekend.Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Jonathan Tjarks, Danny Chau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We try to sift through the noise of the Raptors’ blowout win against the Warriors (1:45) and diagnose the state of the Pelicans after Anthony Davis’s big night against the Thunder (13:33). Then, we take a look at two teams whose stocks are up and two whose are down (24:06).Hosts: Justin Verrier, Paolo Uggetti, Haley O’Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

LeBron James comments on having considered the New York Knicks as a free-agent destination (1:17), the Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks continue to overperform behind their young stars (14:50), the Boston Celtics return to excellence after a slow start (34:10), and the Los Angeles Lakers look to add Trevor Ariza to an already wing-heavy roster (43:10).Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices