
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Each week, Ryen Russillo will break down the biggest topics in sports.
Latest episodes

Aug 27, 2020 • 1h 6min
Raja Bell on the NBA Playoffs Pause, Iverson Stories, and Round 2 Game Plans
Russillo is joined by The Ringer’s Raja Bell to discuss the NBA players' strike in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake, as well as the Lakers, Clippers, and Bucks seemingly finding their playoff groove, stories from Raja's time with the 76ers in 2001 and 2002, NBA playoff speculation, and more (5:37). Then Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (54:50). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 25, 2020 • 1h 16min
Craig Kilborn on Luka, the Timberwolves' No. 1 Pick, and Round 2 Playoff Matchups. Plus, Why the Process Isn’t Dead.
Russillo shares his thoughts on another early playoff exit for the 76ers, Sam Hinkie, and the Process (2:20), before he is joined by the one and only Craig Kilborn. They discuss Luka Doncic’s stellar playoff performance against the Clippers, Celtics vs. Raptors Round 2 speculations, what the Timberwolves should do with their 2021 no. 1 draft pick, Finals picks, and more. Then, Ryen pitches Craig some 1990s 'SportsCenter' one-liners (11:55). Finally, Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (1:00:25). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 20, 2020 • 1h
Michael Vick on His Career and Getting it Back After Prison. Plus, the “30/13 Theory.”
Russillo shares his thoughts on some of the early NBA playoff upsets (2:15) before talking with iconic former NFL QB and FOX NFL analyst Michael Vick about changes in the way coaches and executives view the mobile QB, some of today’s top mobile QBs, including Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray, and Patrick Mahomes, Vick’s time with the Atlanta Falcons, making good use of his time in prison, transitioning back into the NFL and earning his starting spot with the Philadelphia Eagles, and more (18:27). Finally, Ryen answers a listener-submitted Life Advice question (50:15). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 18, 2020 • 1h 6min
Why the NFL Draft Will Be Totally Different With Todd McShay, Plus: Seth Curry From the Dallas Mavericks
Russillo reacts to the start of the NBA playoffs, including Magic-Bucks, Celtics-76ers, Clippers-Mavericks, and more (1:32) before he is joined by ESPN's Todd McShay to discuss the uncertainty surrounding college football, the multiple reasons athletes might opt out, how the pandemic has affected NFL scouting, a potential solution for NFL teams looking to gather more information on 2021 draft prospects, and more (11:00). Then Ryen talks with Dallas Mavericks guard Seth Curry about being in the Orlando bubble, the Mavericks' playoff expectations, his basketball journey, and more (32:47). Finally Russillo answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (55:05). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 13, 2020 • 1h 15min
CFB Players vs. Media: Who’s Right?, NBA Ballot, Ohio State Men’s Basketball Head Coach Chris Holtmann on the (Hopefully) Upcoming Season
Russillo shares his thoughts on CFB media coverage and the new visitor rules for the NBA bubble in Orlando (1:15), before he is joined by Ohio State men’s basketball head coach Chris Holtmann to discuss whether the 2020 season will be canceled, Big Ten coaches’ plan for the 2021 season, recruiting at Ohio State, and more (18:14). Finally, Russillo shares his would-be NBA awards ballot, and brings back a rebranded segment, Stats to Impress Other People, before answering some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (48:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 11, 2020 • 1h 7min
College Football Watch 2020. Plus, a Look at the Lakers and Clippers With Mike Trudell and Jovan Buha
Russillo shares his thoughts on the dragged-out CFB verdict (1:33) before talking with Lakers beat reporter Mike Trudell about the Lakers' underwhelming restart in the Orlando bubble, the need to find their closing rotation, the ways teams are trying to stop Anthony Davis, the idea of "flipping the switch" for the playoffs, and more (14:37). Then Ryen talks with Jovan Buha, Clippers reporter for The Athletic, about the Clippers chasing consistency, the core player group when healthy, the effect Kawhi and Paul George have on each other, the team's potential defensive adjustments, particularly against the Lakers, and more (38:26). Finally Russillo answers a listener-submitted "Life Advice" question (58:10). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 6, 2020 • 1h 6min
Tales From the Couch: Lakers-Thunder and Sixers-Wizards. Plus, Bruce Feldman on CFB Power Five Scheduling Challenges.
Russillo shares his thoughts on the Lakers' loss to the Thunder on Wednesday night and on 76ers-Wizards (1:52) before talking with Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports and The Athletic about college football. The two discuss the new scheduling format for the Power Five conferences—the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and PAC-12—as well as the #WeAreUnited group of college players voicing their concerns, and who may or may not sit out this season (20:07). Finally, Ryen answers a listener-submitted "Life Advice" question (58:45). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 4, 2020 • 1h 4min
All the Bad Arguments Surrounding NCAA Athlete Compensation, Plus Duke Women's Basketball Head Coach Kara Lawson
Russillo shares his thoughts on the “We Are United” letter from a group of PAC-12 football players and on the bad arguments on both sides of the player compensation issue (4:20), before talking with the new head coach of Duke women’s basketball, Kara Lawson. The two discuss her journey from playing for legendary coach Pat Summitt at Tennessee, to winning a WNBA title with the Monarchs, to her time with ESPN and her coaching roles with USA Basketball and the Boston Celtics. She talks about working under Brad Stevens, forming bonds with Celtics players like Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Marcus Smart, her recruiting pitch for Duke women’s basketball, and more (18:15). Finally Ryen answers a listener-submitted "Life Advice" question (54:58). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 30, 2020 • 1h 38min
NBA Is Back, Officiating Stories With Monty McCutchen, and Chris Mannix Reports From the Orlando Bubble
Russillo shares his thoughts on “player lists," more specifically the NFL Top 100 (3:15), before he is joined by longtime NBA referee and head of referee and development training Monty McCutchen. McCutchen tells some stories from his long career as a referee, and the two get into the weeds on flops, charges, and blocking fouls, the values Monty tries to instill in NBA refs, and more (15:04). Then Ryen talks with SI’s Chris Mannix, who is currently in the Orlando bubble awaiting the NBA restart. They discuss some buzz around the Bucks, Clippers, Rockets, 76ers, Celtics, Thunder, and more (52:08). Finally, Ryen talks about Joe Kelly’s eight-game suspension for throwing at Alex Bregman, leading to a melee, before answering a listener-submitted “Life Advice” question (1:21:37). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 28, 2020 • 1h 16min
Mahomes and Wilson Surpass Rodgers and Brady in Mike Sando’s Yearly QB Tiers, Plus: Why Thibs to NY Is a Bad Fit
Russillo shares his thoughts on the Knicks bringing in Tom Thibodeau as head coach (3:03). Then Ryen talks with Mike Sando of ‘The Athletic’ about his 2020 QB tiers, the evaluation process, QBs who made a notable shift in tiers from years past, and more (13:12). Finally Russillo answers a listener-submitted Life Advice question (1:02:20). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices