The Haters Ball! Plus, Trae, Giannis, and Garland Return.

Verno and Jacoby return to recap last night’s matchup between the Thunder and Nuggets. Then they address their levels of concern for the Pistons, Rockets, and Knicks and the effects of Jayson Tatum returning from injury.  (00:43) SGA ties Wilt, then steals Nikola Jokic’s soul: OKC’s game of the year  (14:41) Verno “walks back” his Lu Dort take on his uncontrollable movements  (21:47) Jacoby and Verno’s level of concern: Major, minor, or meh  (22:33) Concern level for Knicks two games after losing streak in L.A.: Minor  (29:13) Concern level for the Pistons' losing streak: Major  (35:01) Concern level for the Rockets getting waxed: Major  (41:03) Concern level for the 76ers: Major  (44:56) Concern level for Michael Jordan’s concept of excellence: Meh  (51:05) Concern level for the East with Tatum back: Major  (56:08) Concern level for the Hornets being mediocre: Meh  (01:01:52) Concern level for Magic City Night being canceled: Minor  (01:09:48) Concern level for the lack of drama in the West: Meh  Leave us a message on our Mismatch voicemail line! ⁠(323) 389-5091⁠  Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby  Producers: Stefan Anderson and Jeff Shearin  Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby discuss a couple of anticipated debuts as Jayson Tatum gets ready to suit up for the Celtics and Trae Young finally steps on the floor for the Wizards. They also get into SGA's fashion choice for a warm day in NYC.(00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch!(2:34) Thursday’s games: Spurs are great with 71 points in the first half(7:45) Loves and loathes(7:54) Verno loves: Tatum returns and makes his 2025-26 debut(15:14) Jacoby loves: Trae Young debuts with the Wizards(18:33) Verno loathes: Jokic’s dirty play(22:32) Jacoby loathes: Doc Rivers's retirement(24:19) Verno loves: NBC's throwback and storyteller era(31:23) Jacoby loves: The dangerous teams of the Eastern Conference(34:17) Verno loathes: Marcus Smart’s ugly shots at Memphis(38:29) Jacoby loathes: SGA covered in fur from the nose to the toes(41:31) Verno loves: Two-way success stories(47:21) Jacoby loves: The Hawks’ win streak heating up(50:33) Verno loathes: Scoot's struggles in the Grizzlies-Blazers game(56:19) Jacoby loathes: Sad-watching the Celtics lose with Bill SimmonsThe Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091Hosts: Chris Vernon and David JacobyProducers:  Brian H. Waters and Jeff ShearinSocial: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby return to discuss the things about the NBA season that have aggravated them, including Lu Dort, Wemby, and the gaudy schedule. They also talk about Trae Young, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Darius Garland all returning from their injuries.Welcome to The Mismatch!(1:05) The dog days of the NBA: Post All-Star slog(6:30) Verno: The conflicted feelings of winning(12:10) Jacoby: Jalen Brunson is enough to win a championship(17:00) Verno: The extinction of the small guard(24:45) Jacoby: Wouldn’t hold the door open for Wemby(30:55) Verno: Dirty Dort’s cheap-shot collection(36:10) Jacoby: Expects so much more from Cam Johnson(40:35) Verno: Trading Jared McCain to the Thunder(44:50) Jacoby: Diluted NBA; there are too many games!(47:04) Verno: Sparks fly between JJ and Luka on the sideline(58:21) Jacoby: California dreamin’The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091Hosts: Chris Vernon and David JacobyProducers: Stefan Anderson and Jeff ShearinSocial: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby return as they discuss the Suns bouncing back to win over the Lakers, the Spurs extending their win streak to 11 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returning from his injury. Then they discuss their loves and loathes for this past week. (0:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (00:31) Suns sink Lakers, Rockets stun Magic, Spurs Make it 11 Straight (11:03) Knueppel shatters rookie 3-point record with 207th triple (21:29) Jacoby and Verno’s Love and loathes (21:41) Verno loves: Mat Ishbia $1 Million prize for ASW Dunk Contest (27:34) Jacoby Loves: JK’s explosive new era in Atlanta (29:50) Verno Loathes: The NBA sending independent doctors to Utah (35:37) Jacoby Loathes: James Harden Injury (37:02) Verno Loves: Costas, Collins & Fratello Reunited for Spurs-Sixers on NBC (41:48) Jacoby Loves: Giannis less Bucks are on fire right now (44:19) Verno Loathes: Can I trust you Knicks? (49:53) Jacoby Loathes: Ayton Fires back “I’m not no Clint Capela” (53:02) Verno Loves: Taj Gibson signing with Grizzlies (57:03) Jacoby Loves: Magic City Monday in Atlanta (1:00:32) Verno Loathes: Vince Williams injury and perspective (1:06:37) Jacoby Loathes: Lakers aren’t even interesting anymore Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Jessie Lopez, Stefan Anderson, and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby return as they discuss the Spurs win against the Pistons and their push towards the top seed in the West as well as the Kings finally ending their 16-game losing streak against the Grizzlies. They then set up their bit of the day, ‘talk me out of this’, where they attempt to change their minds on a specific take.(00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch!(02:04) Spurs continue to push for the one seed in a dominant win vs. Pistons(10:26) Kings snap 16-game losing streak with win vs. Grizzlies(18:15) Dillon Brooks was the one guy the Suns couldn’t lose(22:30) The Spurs will be NBA champions… Next year(28:10) This should be and will be LeBron James's last year with the Lakers(33:53) The 65 game rule is stupid and should not exist(43:35) Playing hard is the new moneyball for the league(47:33) The play-in games are fun, but entirely unnecessary(53:08) If Fred VanVleet and Jayson Tatum return, then the Rockets and Celtics are title contenders(1:01:34) No sport provides a better finish than hockeyLeave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091Hosts: Chris Vernon and David JacobyProducers: Jessie Lopez, Stefan Anderson, and Jeff ShearinSocial: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby return as they discuss the Pistons' impressive win over the Knicks and Cade Cunningham’s MVP-level performance at MSG. They then discuss Kevin Durant’s alleged burner account, Bennedict Mathurin’s explosive Clippers home debut, and Adam Silver finally addressing the ongoing tanking issues across the league. Next, the guys share three things they are looking forward to for the rest of the season.(00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch!(06:19) The Pistons and Cade Cunningham shine at Madison Square Garden in win against the Knicks(14:56) Rockets survive against the Hornets(19:56) Kevin Durant’s alleged burner account(27:06) Bennedict Mathurin lifts the Clippers past the Nuggets(30:52) Adam Silver addresses the NBA's tanking issues(37:11) Potential new playoff teams(44:15) Cavs poised for a run in the East(49:27) Can the Spurs snag the no. 1 seed?(01:02:29) Which team can replicate the Pacers' title run last year?(01:07:36) Awards and All-NBA team turnover(01:16;45) What will happen with Darryn Peterson?Leave us a message on our Mismatch voicemail line! (323) 389-5091Hosts: Chris Vernon and David JacobyProducers: Jessie Lopez, Stefan Anderson, and Jeff ShearinSocial: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby return ahead of All-Star weekend as they discuss their fond memories of the All-Star Game and how the game is viewed in a completely different way now. They also debate whether or not Adam Silver will address the ongoing tanking issues across the league. Next, the guys dive into their loves and loathes from the season so far. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch!(35:00) All-Star Game memories(08:55) Will Adam Silver address the ongoing tanking in the league?(14:31) Verno and Jacoby’s no. 1 loves of the week(23:50) Verno and Jacoby’s no. 1 loathes of the week(31:32) No. 2 loves of the week(40:14) No. 2 loathes of the week(47:00) No. 3 loves of the week(51:26) No. 3 loathes of the week(1:01:05) No. 4 loves of the week(1:06:02) No. 4 loathes of the week Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David JacobyProducers: Jessie Lopez and Jeff ShearinSocial: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby are back as they discuss the fight that broke out in the Hornets-Pistons game and their hope for a potential playoff series between the two teams. Next, the guys ask 10 questions heading into All-Star weekend. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (00:37) Hornets-Pistons fight club (09:06) Which team would have the best chance vs. Pistons in a Royal Rumble-style match? (13:48) Will the NBA be forced to go after teams who are tanking? (22:36) Which bottom-five team in each conference is in the best position going forward? (26:24) Are the Wolves a good team? (29:33) Would the Celtics be favorites if Jayson Tatum returns? (31:54) What teams in the East can defeat the Cavs in a seven-game series? (35:31) Which team you could see yourself liking more come playoffs? (39:05) What minor trade-deadline move will be discussed more come playoffs? (44:04) Who is the celebrity to crash a player interview? (50:08) Was the Super Bowl boring? Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Jessie Lopez, Stefan Anderson, and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby recap a few trades made before the deadline and discuss how the Jazz, Pacers, and Wizards made trades that set up their future. They also discuss how Ja Morant and Giannis Antetokounmpo will remain with their respective teams and what their offseasons could look like. They also dive into how this trade deadline impacted the future of the NBA. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (03:33) Pacers get Ivica Zubac, a perfect fit for Tyrese Haliburton (11:04)The Wizards gave up nothing for Anthony Davis (17:18) Grizzlies in full rebuild by sending Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah Jazz (39:19)Jacoby feels the Warriors are fumbling Steph Curry’s twilight years (40:58)The East is a four-team race, and it’s close, plus Philly (49:48)Knicks acquire Jose Alvarado from the Pelicans (1:00:35)The only team that could alter the playoffs is Cleveland (1:07:00)Jacoby and Verno’s Super Bowl pick, prop bets, and the under The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visithttp://www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Leave us a message on our Mismatch voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Jessie Lopez, Brian H. Waters, and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby return ahead of the trade deadline to discuss the latest news and rumors around the league, beginning with the latest report that James Harden and the Clippers are working on a trade to send him out of Los Angeles. They then go through the latest surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo and debate which of the reported teams is most likely to acquire him. Next, the guys ask six questions ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch!(00:46) James Harden and the Clippers are reportedly working on a trade before the deadline(13:54) Giannis trade talks are heating up(24:10) What would you tell Jon Horst (Bucks GM) to prioritize in any Giannis trade?(33:11) Ja Morant's trade outlook(51:00) LeBron James, Lakers reportedly ready to move on from one another(46:23) Players with expiring contracts who could possibly be traded(53:35) Which player do you not want to see traded?(55:59) Which player do you want to see traded the most?(58:08) Which team that has no chance of contending needs a win-now move?(1:01:43) Best move to make for a team to contend next year(1:07:15) Realistic but hilarious trades that could happen(1:08:32) What non-NBA trade would you make? Leave us a message on our Mismatch voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David JacobyProducers: Jessie Lopez, Stefan Anderson, and Jeff ShearinSocial: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices