2025-26 NBA Season Preview: The Wide-Open East, Can KD make a Difference With Houston, and Are the Warriors Any Good?

Verno and Jacoby are back after the first week of the NBA season. They go through Monday’s slate of games, discussing the Sixers' new window with Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe, the abundance of 40- and 50-point games to start the season, Verno’s reaction to watching Cedric Coward, Austin Reaves shining while playing without Luka Doncic, and more. Next, the guys share their possible overreactions from the first week of the season. (0:00) Welcome to The Mismatch!(0:58)The Sixers stay undefeated against the Magic(8:43) Lauri Markkanen drops 51 as the Jazz beat the Suns(10:45) Four Warriors score 20-plus points in the win against the Grizzlies(14:50) The Cedric Coward experience(23:42) Cooper Flagg injured in loss to Thunder(26:52) Austin Reaves shines without Luka Doncic(30:40) Victor Wembanyama continues his dominant play in a win against the Raptors(35:40) Possible overreaction no. 1: The Heat will be good(42:55) Possible overreaction no. 2: The Warriors are the 'Inside the NBA' of the NBA(49:15)) Possible overreaction no. 3: Overconsumed with consuming a scandal(55:10) Possible overreaction no. 4: The Nuggets' best offseason acquisition was Jamal Murray(58:00) Possible overreaction no. 5: Victor Wembanyama is already the most dominant player in the NBA(1:02:40) Possible overreaction no. 6: Jaylen Brown should be punished(1:07:40) Possible overreaction no. 7: Tyrese Maxey is the next superstar(1:09:12) Possible overreaction no. 8: Not worried about the Pacers(0:11:10) Possible overreaction no. 9: This will be the craziest scoring-output season of all time(1:15:25) Possible overreaction no. 10: Seeing Draymond Green struck by lightning will be awesome 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) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David JacobyProducers: Jessie Lopez, Stefan Anderson, and Tucker TashjianSocial: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby return to recap the absolutely amazing start of the NBA season. They also discuss Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, and Damon Jones getting arrested as a part of an investigation related to illegal sports betting and rigged poker games. Next, it's the return of Verno and Jacoby’s loves and loathes from the first week of the NBA season. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch(02:29) Thunder 2-0 after back-to-back double OT wins(09:20) Warriors survive OT thriller against Nuggets(20:16) Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, and the NBA gambling scandal(38:24) Verno and Jacoby’s loves(01:06:35) Verno and Jacoby’s loathes Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David JacobyProducer: Jessie LopezSocial: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The season is finally here! Verno and Jacoby give you their previews for the upcoming season by going through each conference to predict the final standings, awards, Finals matchups, and more! (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch(03:13) NBC announces Michael Jordan’s role for their NBA broadcast(06:00) Eastern Conference Preview: Top six teams(23:10) Eastern Conference Preview: Play-in and bottom teams(42:10) Western Conference Preview: Top six teams(01:01:17) Western Conference Preview: Play-in and bottom teams(01:10:30) Award Predictions: Who we want to win instead of who will actually win 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) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David JacobyProducers: Jessie Lopez and Stefan AndersonSocial: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby return to discuss Russell Westbrook signing with the Kings, as well as the team extending Keegan Murray. They also discuss Jaden Ivey’s disappointing injury setback, Malcolm Brogdon‘s sudden retirement, and Joe Tsai's unexpected comments about his expectations for the Nets this season. Next, the guys share their preseason takeaways before going through their most likelies before the season begins next week. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch!(00:57) Kings sign Russell Westbrook and extend Keegan Murray(07:25) Jaden Ivey and Paul George injury updates(09:56) Malcolm Brogdon suddenly retires(13:06)LeBron James out until mid-November(15:37) Did Joe Tsai admit the Nets will tank this season?(22:05) Preseason takeaway: Best rookie class in a long time(27:44) Preseason takeaway: Lonzo Ball could be exactly what the Cavs need(30:43) Preseason takeaway: Several players poised to take a big leap(36:26) Preseason takeaway: Absolutely tired of preseason basketball(39:15) Preseason takeaway: Hornets will be fun again(45:42) Preseason takeaway: Loving Season 2 of Netflix’s ‘Starting 5’(50:56) Most likely: Non-playoff team you’ll watch the most(51:44) Most likely: Player that’ll dominate the storylines this season(58:09) Most likely: Coach to be fired first(01:00:26) Most likely: Team to miss the play-in that made the play-in last season(01:03:44) Most likely: Team to have the biggest win improvement(01:06:48) Most likely: Player to make the biggest leap(01:12:40) Most likely: TV breakout star on new broadcasts(01:15:18) Most likely: Team to be this year's Suns (team that everyone likes that'll disappoint)(01:16:22) Most likely: Player to be traded midseason and make a real difference(01:19:23) Most likely: Person who will get suspended for saying something on a podcast 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) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David JacobyProducer: Jessie LopezSocial: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby are back to discuss the latest news on LeBron James's injury, the Giannis-Knicks rumors, GM survey reactions, preseason standouts, and more questions before the regular season begins. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch!(01:36) LeBron James to miss multiple weeks with sciatica(09:00) Giannis Antetokounmpo–New York Knicks rumors(16:55) NBA general manager survey reaction(32:36) Preseason standout: Jaylen Brown(36:08) Preseason standout: Ace Bailey(40:39) Preseason standout: Matas Buzelis(46:30) Preseason standout: Kel'el Ware(53:42) Preseason standout: Rookie class(57:00) Preseason standout: Alperen Sengun(59:06) Who do you think could be the third-best team in the East?(01:01:08) What the hell is going on with all the Grizzlies' injuries?(01:02:39) Which team do you feel you have no gauge on?(01:05:39) Is it a bad idea for Jayson Tatum to come back this year?(01:08:46) How do you feel after seeing Victor Wembanyama's preseason performance?(01:12:19) How do you feel about LeBron James’s "Second Decision"? Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David JacobyProducer: Jessie LopezSocial: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With media days underway and preseason basketball ramping up, Verno and Jacoby return to recap the first preseason game, debate the Sixers' championship window, discuss Wemby’s offseason, and more! (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch!(00:40) Question 1: How was Knicks-76ers in Abu Dhabi?(12:12) Question 2: How concerned are you with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence for Bucks media day?(19:48) Question 3: Has the 76ers’ window already closed?(24:42) Question 4: Which team/fan base is the most delusional right now?(33:42) Question 5: What do you make of Victor Wembanyama's offseason?(41:36) Question 6: How do you think the Warriors' season will play out?(45:57) Question 7: Which person you grew up watching would you most want a friendship with?(54:24) Question 8: Did Quentin Grimes make a huge mistake?(58:26) Question 9: Where does Cooper Flagg rank among players you will go out of your way to watch?(01:01:52) Question 10: Did you see Zion Williamson without his T-shirt? Leave us a message on our Mismatch voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David JacobyProducer: Jessie LopezSocial: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As we inch closer and closer to the regular season, Verno and Jacoby return with 10 questions about the upcoming season and more. (00:00) Welcome to the Mismatch!(02:24) Question 1: Is Victor Wembanyama the fifth-best player in the NBA?(10:34) Question 2: What are your thoughts on LeBron James potentially creating a rival basketball league to compete with the NBA?(18:13) Question 3: Is it time to believe in Zion Williamson again?(25:47) Question 4: How much does Fred VanVleet’s injury change the Rockets' expectations?(35:04) Question 5: What are your favorite teams that never made the Finals?(44:51) Question 6: What are your thoughts on Kyle Lowry joining Prime Video’s NBA coverage as an active player?(49:05) Question 7: Who is the most surprising free agent still available?(56:57) Question 8: Why has Pablo Torre gone quiet on Kawhi Leonard?(01:00:50) Question 9: Which non-All-Star acquisition will be most impactful?(01:05:36) Question 10: What have you been watching on TV? Leave us a message on our Mismatch voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David JacobyProducer: Jessie LopezSocial: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby are back as they continue to discuss the evolving story about Kawhi Leonard, Steve Ballmer, and Aspiration. Also, they detail how commissioner Adam Silver has mishandled the Clippers situation and his backtracking comments after calling the NBA a "highlights-based sport." Next, they discuss the latest with Jonathan Kuminga and debate whether he’ll start the season with the Warriors or somewhere else before shifting their attention to the latest war of words between Patrick Beverley and Trae Young. The guys finish out the episode with some rapid-fire news from around the league. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch!(00:48) Even more evidence surrounding Kawhi Leonard, Steve Ballmer, and Aspiration(18:15) Adam Silver on the Clippers mess and backtracking his "highlights" league comments(24:36) Latest on Jonathan Kuminga(35:58) Patrick Beverley vs. Trae Young(46:19) Confidence level of an in-shape Joel Embiid with the Sixers(48:09) Michael Malone full time at ESPN(49:05) NBC is placing sideline reporters closer to team benches(52:39) Should the Knicks retire Carmelo Anthony’s number?(56:30) How many movies do you think you’ve seen 10 times? Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David JacobyProducers: Jessie LopezSocial: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby return with 10 questions about the NBA Hall of Fame, Kawhi Leonard, biggest disappointments, the NFL, and more! (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch!(01:30) Question 1: Thoughts on the Kawhi Leonard, Steve Ballmer, Aspiration mess(16:00) Question 2: Are you watching EuroBasket?(19:15) Question 3: First thing you think of when mentioning Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard(33:15) Question 4: Which projected contending NBA team do you think will be a disappointment?(40:15) Question 5: Three players that would be hardest to root for if they played for your team(44:08) Question 6: What is the new Nike school in Memphis?(52:03) Question 7: Favorite movie or show you’ve enjoyed during the offseason(01:00:38) Question 8: What is something small that bothers you about the NBA?(01:03:47) Question 9: Do you care about the new All-Star format?(01:09:05) Question 10: Biggest takeaway from Week 1 in the NFL Leave us a message on our Mismatch voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David JacobyProducer: Jessie LopezSocial: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby return with five questions each about the upcoming season. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch!(00:52) Most exciting players to watch(14:50) Did last year’s terrible All-Star Game actually save the All-Star Game?(19:40) Who is the NBA’s Tommy Fleetwood? (Player that everyone would love to see win)(26:42) Which team are you not sold on that's expected to be good?(34:03) Which team has the best chance to become this season's Pistons?(38:40) Is it time to do something about the abundance of 3-point shooting?(47:04) Favorite New York sporting events(50:44) Learning more about Strahinja Jokic(55:28) Which video games were you best at?(01:03:19) Jacoby’s most contentious opinion Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David JacobyProducers: Jessie LopezSocial: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices