The Champs Get Tough in Spurs-Thunder IV. Plus, Tiering the West. | Group Chat

Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann reveal their All-Star ballot picks and break down the toughest decisions behind the process, from positional battles and league stipulations to international player considerations. They debate Jalen Brunson vs. Donovan Mitchell, spotlight rising and overlooked candidates like Jalen Johnson and Michael Porter Jr., and weigh Devin Booker’s case before ending with the big question: Will LeBron James make a late push into the All-Star race? (0:00:00) Intro (8:19) Eastern Conference picks (40:43) Western Conference picks (59:41) Devin Booker (1:12:53) Kawhi Leonard (1:19:32) LeBron James Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann Producers: Victoria Valencia and Devon Renaldo Production Supervision: Ben Cruz Social: Devon Renaldo and Keith Fujimoto The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan Murdock and Raja Bell are back with another Friday edition of Real Ones, starting off by discussing Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga demanding a trade. How does Steph Curry feel about the Warriors being in such disarray in the latter portion of his career? Then, Ja Morant was seen arguing with teammate Vince Williams Jr. at a shootaround prior to their game in Berlin, Germany. How quickly do the Grizzlies have to move on from Morant so this issue no longer will fester in the franchise? Plus, Real One of the Week! (0:00:00) Intro (1:30) Kuminga trade request (16:56) Ja Morant issues (33:20) Players being celebrated by franchises (45:39) Real One of the Week! Hit the mailbag! [email protected] Hosts: Raja Bell and Logan MurdockProducers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford Augustin The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out ⁠rg-help.com⁠ to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann check in on the West after the fourth installment of Spurs-Thunder and rank all of the teams in the Western Conference into tiers. (00:00) Intro (3:50) Spurs-Thunder (24:53:) Tier 1 (26:52) FanDuel ad break (34:46) Tiers 2 and 3(1:01:21) Bottom tiers Check out Rob's piece about the Spurs-Thunder rivalry here! Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann Audio Producer: Isaiah Blakely Video Producer: Victoria Valencia Production Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Additional Production Support: John Richter and Chris Wohlers Social: Isaiah Blakely and Keith Fujimoto| The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. theringer.com Wemby vs. the Machine The Spurs and Thunder have all the ingredients to become the next great NBA rivalry Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan, Howard, and Raja pick their midseason award winners as we approach the midway point of the NBA season. Find out who the guys picked for MVP and Crashout of the Year so far. Plus,  Anthony Davis will undergo hand surgery and is expected to miss several months. Will the Mavericks still be able to split from Davis before the deadline? (0:00:00) Intro (3:35) Midseason MVP(13:49) League Pass Player of the Year(24:52) Rookie of the Year(32:50) Crashout of the Year(42:09) Coach of the Year (48:38) Breaking news: Anthony Davis to undergo surgery Check out Logan Murdock’s new feature on Chet Holmgren:https://www.theringer.com/2026/01/13/nba/chet-holmgren-profile-oklahoma-city-thunder Hit the mailbag! [email protected] Hosts: Logan Murdock, Howard Beck, and Raja BellProducers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford AugustinAdditional Production Support: Ben Cruz, Conor Nevins, John Richter and Chris Wohlers The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out ⁠rg-help.com⁠ to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann are inspired by the Trae Young trade as they take a look at a few stars who could be on the move before the deadline and decide whether they’re going to love the player and keep him, or list him on the trade block. (00:00) Intro (6:22) Ja Morant (22:22) Anthony Davis (35:56) LaMelo Ball (50:08) Zion Williamson (1:04:07) Domantas Sabonis Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann Audio Producer: Isaiah Blakely Video Producer: Victoria Valencia Production Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Additional Production Support: John Richter and Chris Wohlers Social: Isaiah Blakely and Keith Fujimoto The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠ www.rg-help.com⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan Murdock and Howard Beck fire up the mics for an "Urgency Podcast" minutes after the Atlanta Hawks trade Trae Young to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. The guys give their immediate thoughts on the deal including their skepticism that Trae actually wanted to be traded to the Wizards, why the Hawks somehow got no draft picks in the deal and whether this move is the first of many for Atlanta. Hosts: Logan Murdock and Howard Beck Producer: Ben Cruz The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out rg-help.com to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann start by talking about the latest news on where Trae Young might be headed. Then they discuss the surging Hornets and their potential new Big Three. Finally, they chat about three players who have recently taken a leap. (00:00) Intro (3:07) Trae Young (14:57) Charlotte Hornets (29:28) Fan Duel ad break (30:56) Anthony Black (42:45) Keyonte George (50:31) Donovan Clingan Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann Audio Producer: Isaiah Blakely Video Producer: Victoria Valencia Production Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Additional Production Support: John Richter and Chris Wohlers Social: Isaiah Blakely and Keith Fujimoto The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠ www.rg-help.com⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck are back with another edition of Real Ones, and they dive right into the latest NBA drama between Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young and the franchise. It’s been reported that both sides have agreed to look for a trade partner. Where will Trae end up, and what will the cost be? The Thunder have been going through a little rough patch the past couple of weeks. Is there a problem in OKC, or will the team bounce back to championship form? Plus, Raja revisits AIlen Iverson’s famous step over Tyronn Lue. Hit the mailbag! [email protected] Hosts: Raja Bell, Logan Murdock, and Howard Beck Producers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford Augustin Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz, Conor Nevins, and John Richter The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out rg-help.com to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann are here after the holidays to answer six of the biggest questions to start 2026. (00:00) Intro (5:45) OKC title challenger rankings (22:23) Trae Young (37:23) Giannis Antetokounmpo (42:53) Clippers (53:47) Lakers (1:04:34) Rookie of the Year race (1:15:23) League Pass re-rankings Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann Audio Producer: Isaiah Blakely Video Producer: Victoria Valencia Production Supervision: Ben Cruz Social: Isaiah Blakely and Keith Fujimoto  The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howard Beck and Raja Bell are back with another edition of Real Ones to examine whether the league should do away with the 65-game minimum rule. But first: Anthony Edwards left the Minnesota bench, then the court, during a timeout late in the Timberwolves' 126-102 loss at the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday. Is there trouble brewing in Minnesota? Howard and Raja also discuss the hierarchy in the Eastern Conference and which teams haven’t lived up to their preseason hype. (0:00:00) Intro (2:56) Anthony Edwards leaves the bench (12:01) Examining 65-game rule (21:43) Resetting the eastern conference (27:14) Are the Celtics being slept on? (39:40) Cavaliers disappointment (44:56) Philly’s chances in the East (51:15) Knicks and Pistons headed for the conference finals? (59:44) Real One of the Week Hit the mailbag! [email protected] Hosts: Raja Bell and Howard BeckProducers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford AugustinAdditional Production Support: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out ⁠rg-help.com⁠ to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices