Hour 2: The Ringer’s Howard Beck Talks NBA Playoffs, Giannis & LeBron with Suzy Shuster

Guest host Suzy Shuster and the guys debate how much is too much to pay for an NBA Finals ticket to watch the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The Ringer’s Howard Beck and Suzy break down the NBA Playoffs including the Cleveland Cavaliers’ next steps after their demoralizing sweep against the Knicks, if a long layoff could impact New York in the NBA Finals, how Spurs C Victor Wembanyama compare to the league’s all-time great big men, and what could be in store for Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James this offseason. Suzy plays the ‘NFL Win-Loss Game’ for the New Orleans Saints. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Guest host Suzy Shuster, Brockman and TJ react to the red-hot New York Knicks’ sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers to reach their first NBA Finals since 1999. Chris “Mad Dog” Russo and Suzy discuss where Jalen Brunson ranks among the Knicks’ all-time greats, New York’s chances to win an NBA title this season, the head-scratching comments by Cavaliers HC Kenny Atkinson about what analytics said about Cleveland’s rough series, James Harden’s future with the Cavs, if LeBron James should leave the Lakers or stay put in Los Angeles, and more. Suzy and the guys discuss how much the world has changed since the last time the Knick played in the NBA Finals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NBC Sports’ Jamal Crawford and Rich preview Game 3 of the Thunder vs Spurs Western Conference Finals, discuss the Cavaliers’ chances to claw back in their East Semi vs the Knicks, and more. NFL Insider Tom Pelissero and Rich discuss a possible timeline for the Philadelphia Eagles to trade WR AJ Brown, how Matthew Stafford’s contract extension impacts the Rams’ long-term QB plans, and Aaron Rodgers final season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rich ranks his ‘Top 5 NFL Burning Questions’ which includes 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk, the Browns, Falcons and Vikings’ QB competitions, Raiders DE Maxx Crosby and more. Rich plays the ‘NFL Win-Loss Game’ with a Patriots fan who one year ago predicted New England would go 0-17. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former NBA All-Star Jerry Stackhouse and Rich break down the NBA’s Eastern and Western Conference Finals, discuss his coaching future possibly with the Chicago Bulls or Portland Trail Blazers, what it was like playing with Rasheed Wallace at UNC, reveals what happened that time he played 1-on-1 vs Michael Jordan when he was still a Tar Heel, and more. In ‘What’s More Likely’ Rich weighs in on Matthew Stafford’s long-term playing future after re-upping with the Rams for two more seasons, if the Cleveland Browns could trade Myles Garrett, the Las Vegas Raiders’ Kirk Cousins vs Fernando Mendoza QB competition, who wins the AFC North, the NBA Playoffs, Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani, and more. Rich reacts to New York Giants QB Jaxson Dart saying he’s willing to run less next season in order to make less trips to the blue tent on the sideline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich reacts to his New York Knicks taking a 2-0 lead on the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. 49ers FB Kyle Juszczyk and Rich discuss his offseason prep for the upcoming season, the timeline for George Kittle’s return from his season-ending Achilles injury, why he’s already impressed by what he’s seen out of Niners’ draftees De’Zhaun Stribling and Kaelon Black, says why Kyle Shanahan and Brock Purdy are a match made in heaven, San Francisco’s season-opening game in Australia vs the Rams, and more. Rich weighs in on Matthew Stafford’s big Rams contract extension, and takes a call from a listener in Singapore who expertly trolls the 49ers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich reacts to the latest coming out of Browns’ OTAs on the Shedeur Sanders vs Deshaun Watson QB competition, and Brockman continues to stand by his “Shohei Ohtani Should Stick to Hitting” hot take. Two-time Super Bowl champion Osi Umenyiora joins Rich in-studio where he explains the importance of the NFL’s international games in growing the sport worldwide, why Africa could be the next rich source of talent for the league, reveals how Hall of Famer Michael Strahan immensely helped him stick in the league, and says why the 2007 Giants were supremely confident heading into Super Bowl XLII against the unbeaten New England Patriots. ‘Women’s Sports Now’ host Suzy Shuster drops by the studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Steelers Insider Gerry Dulac and Rich discuss Aaron Rodgers announcing the 2026 season will be his final one in the NFL, Pittsburgh’s expectation level under new head coach Mike McCarthy, the team’s long-term plan at quarterback after Rodgers retires, and more. Rich and the guys react to Joe Burrow casually predicting the Bengals will win the Super Bowl this season and play the ‘NFL Win-Loss Game’ with an optimistic Cincinnati fan, and weigh in on LeBron James complaining to Steve Nash about the level of talent on the Lakers’ roster compared to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Rich plays the ‘NFL Win-Loss Game’ with a distraught Washington Commanders fan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich and the guys react to the Oklahoma City Thunder evening up the Western Conference Finals with a Game 2 win over the San Antonio Spurs in a game that raised more eyebrows about the questionable officiating. WWE legend-turned-actor John Cena and Rich discuss his late-career heel turn, what to expect from his forthcoming ‘John Cena Classic’ event, shares his favorite stories from making ‘Trainwreck’ with Amy Schumer, ‘Ricky Stanicky,’ and more. Rich weighs in on Aaron Rodgers’ chances to lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Super Bowl in his final NFL season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Six-time World Champion and two-time WWE Hall of Fame inductee Booker T, joins O'Shea Jackson, Jr and T.J. Jefferson this week on No-Contest Wrestling. In this two-hour episode, Booker T shares insights into his legendary career, including how he got his start in wrestling, early life choices that led to trouble, closing out WCW as World Champion, his iconic grocery store brawl with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, the orgin of "Black Snow", the creation of Reality of Wrestling, and more. In addition, Booker chooses an almost unfair Bar Fight Crew! RESPECT!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania tells Rich that San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is out to prove MVP voters were wrong in handing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the award for a second consecutive season, if the already-stacked Oklahoma City Thunder could trade up in the NBA Draft and which player could be selected #1 overall, discusses the uncertain futures of Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers, and why the Dallas Mavericks fired head coach Jason Kidd. ‘No-Contest Wrestling’ host O’Shea Jackson Jr. stops by the studio where he, a die-hard Lakers fan, explains why he’s rooting for the Knicks to win the NBA Finals, weighs in on Brockman’s ‘Ohtani Shouldn’t Pitch Anymore’ hot take, and reacts to a Cowboys fan who predicts Dallas will go 14-3 this season. Rich and the guys react to Aaron Rodgers announcing that he plans to retire after playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices