Russell Westbrook and the Lakers at a Crossroads | Real Ones

Justin, Rob, and Wos take a look at every playoff series after two games and discuss their thoughts on what they’ve seen so far and their keys moving forward. Heat-Celtics: (1:29) Thunder-Pelicans: (20:43) Clippers-Mavericks: (36:05) Timberwolves-Suns: (44:02) Nuggets-Lakers: (50:39) Knicks-Sixers: (55:15) Bucks-Pacers: (1:00:18) Cavs-Magic: (1:03:55) The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre Producer: Isaiah Blakely Additional Production Supervision: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan, Howard, and Raja are back to help you digest a weekend of Game 1s and kick off the 2024 NBA playoffs. Along the way, the guys discuss the Pelicans and Thunder game, which came down to the wire (05:00); whether James Harden’s Game 1 against the Mavericks is fool's gold (12:00); a disappointing outing for Tyrese Haliburton (36:00); and much more. Later, producer Kerm reads your questions for Logan, Howard, and Raja to answer (57:00). Hosts: Logan Murdock, Howard Beck, and Raja Bell Guest: Jomi Adeniran Producer: Jonathan Kermah Production Assistant: Kai Grady Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and Wos bring their biggest takeaways from Saturday’s Game 1s, starting with Lakers-Nuggets (2:50). Then they discuss Knicks-Sixers (14:55) and Timberwolves-Suns (25:26), and they wrap up with Cavs-Magic (39:35). The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre Producers: Isaiah Blakely and Tucker Tashjian Additional Production Supervision: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan and Raja start the pod with former NBA player Jontay Porter getting banned for betting on games that he played in, and discuss why the league had to ban him (03:28). They then begin their playoff preview with the no. 7 Sixers facing the no. 2 Knicks. Is Joel Embiid healthy enough for the Sixers to upset the Knicks (16:09)? Can the no. 7 Lakers upset the no. 2 Denver Nuggets, even though they haven’t beaten them in their last eight contests (35:25)? Can the Clippers take care of the red-hot Mavericks, who’ve been on a roll since the All-Star break (45:38)? The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Producer: Cliff Augustin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and Wos start with their reactions to the two Eastern Conference play-in games, first with the Sixers beating the Heat, and then the Bulls beating the Hawks. They also briefly discuss their thoughts on Sixers-Knicks in the first round and how injuries will impact the Heat and Bulls moving forward. Then, they talk about Jontay Porter getting a lifetime ban from the NBA for betting. In the second part of the podcast, they debut a new segment called “The Verriables,” where they answer six questions about the first round of the playoffs, including first-round series predictions (25:32). The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre Producers: Isaiah Blakely, Chia Hao Tat, and Victoria Valencia Additional Production Supervision: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan, Raja, and Howard discuss the upcoming play-in tournament matchups, how teams should approach the opportunity to target specific outcomes, and how the pool of veteran superstars pitted against young talent will shake out (2:00). Next, they briefly talk about whether the Pacers can upset the Bucks in the first round (35:00). Finally, the guys close with Mailbag Monday (41:15). Email us questions for Mailbag Monday! [email protected] The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Hosts: Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck Producer: Jonathan Kermah Production Assistant: Kai Grady Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and Wos fire up the mics immediately after the conclusion of the 2023-24 NBA season to discuss the finale. They start with the Eastern Conference, discussing the final standings (2:07), the biggest winner of the day (10:39), and how the teams in the East make a case against the play-in games (23:03). Then they go over the Western Conference and discuss the biggest winners of the day (278:19), why Lakers fans should be rooting for them to lose their first play-in game to avoid the Nuggets (33:00), whether the seeding should shift so the top seed always plays the bottom seed (41:45), and more! Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howard and Raja react to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s calf injury, the Mavs' 50 wins behind Luka Doncic’s MVP-level play, and Lindsey Harding's interview for an NBA head-coaching position (2:35). Along the way, they discuss the competitive balance across the league during the Adam Silver era and whether they miss NBA dynasties (19:44). Later, they debate whether the tail end of the playoff race is really that open (33:52). Email us questions for Mailbag Monday! [email protected] The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Hosts: Howard Beck and Raja Bell Producer: Jonathan Kermah Production Assistant: Kai Grady Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and Wos are here to discuss what their All-NBA teams would look like (9:36). But first, they start with Justin’s UConn Huskies' victory at the national championship and their early thoughts on some of the top prospects from the game. Then, they pick their All-Defensive teams and All-Rookie teams (42:26). The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre Producers: Isaiah Blakely and Victoria Valencia Additional Production Supervision: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howard Beck and Raja Bell take a look at the recently announced Naismith Hall of Fame inductees and discuss some of their NBA careers, including Vince Carter and Chauncey Billups (02:00). Then, they dive into the MVP awards race and share their thoughts on who should come out on top (24:00). Later, producer Kerm joins to get your mailbag questions answered by Howard and Raja (38:00). Email us questions for Mailbag Monday! [email protected] Hosts: Howard Beck and Raja Bell Producer: Jonathan Kermah Production Assistant: Kai Grady Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices