The Embiid Kerfuffle, OKC’s Defensive Dominance, and an Early West Survey With Kirk Goldsberry | Group Chat

The second NBA Cup begins Tuesday. However, are there concerns that the tournament could lead to injuries down the line (13:00)? Also, what is the ultimate significance to the NBA Cup? What is the league trying to accomplish and what’s in it for the fans (20:38)? Who has and what have been the biggest surprises for the NBA season thus far (30:31)? Plus, Raja tells a great Kobe story. 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: Clifford Augustin Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howard Beck and Raja Bell are joined by two-time NBA champion Shane Battier to discuss how he started his new podcast, 'Glue Guys,' what makes a good shooting coach, the importance of role players, and much more. Hosts: Howard Beck and Raja Bell Guest: Shane Battier Producer: Isaiah Blakely Additional Production Supervision: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and Wos are back to play a game of believe it or not with six trends from the early part of the season. They discuss Buddy Hield and the Warriors, the Brooklyn Nets, the Lakers, and much more. 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

Howard Beck and Raja Bell kick it with 11-year NBA veteran and 'Off Guard' podcast host Austin Rivers to discuss player and media relations following Joel Embiid’s altercation with a Philadelphia columnist. Austin and Raja speak on what should happen to Embiid, and whether his actions were warranted (03:07). How do teams handle player, fan, and media relations when issues arise (31:46)? Howard tells a story about how Kobe Bryant once had an issue with him and something he wrote (43:31). Plus, Vince Carter gets his jersey retired in Toronto, and Drake say’s he’ll take DeMar DeRozan’s jersey down if he ever gets honored by the Raptors (48:48) Hosts: Howard Beck and Raja Bell Guest: Austin Rivers Producer: Clifford Augustin Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin and Rob are joined by Kirk Goldsberry and they start by discussing all of the news about Joel Embiid and the Sixers from the weekend. Then, they take a look at the Western Conference and discuss some teams that have stood out. They also talk about whether anyone can catch the Oklahoma City Thunder (14:37). 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 and Rob Mahoney Guest: Kirk Goldsberry Producer: Isaiah Blakely Additional Production Supervision: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howard Beck and Raja Bell fire up the mics with ‘Ringer’ senior NBA writer Michael Pina to kick off the show by discussing the current disaster that is the Milwaukee Bucks and how other teams are preparing for a potential Giannis trade demand (6:45). Then, they get into Michael Pina’s piece on the Ringer dot com, Six Overreactions to the First Week of the NBA Season, pointing out the one Michael regrets most and the one Raja loves (27:32). Later, they talk of Joe Mazzulla’s wild quote that the NBA should allow players to fight again (36:31). Hosts: Howard Beck and Raja Bell Guest: Michael Pina Producer: Brian H. Waters Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and Wos take a look at four Eastern Conference teams' interesting starts and draw some early conclusions. 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

Howard and Raja are back to dive into a loaded start of the NBA regular season. They kick things off with a chat about Dwyane Wade’s Miami Heat statue and Joel Embiid’s continued absence (04:00). Then, they discuss Steph Curry’s ankle injury and where the Warriors go from here (22:00). They follow that up with a discussion of coaching impact on the hot starts of the Cavs and Lakers (38:00). Later, the guys answer your mailbag questions, read by producer Kerm (46:30). Email us your mailbag questions at [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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and Wos each have three first week impressions about players and teams that have stuck out to them. 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

Justin, Rob, and Wos were joined by J. Kyle Mann live on the Ringer NBA YouTube channel after the Bucks' comfortable win over the Sixers. The guys discuss any takeaways from the game and some of the other games that night, and they each try to sell Kyle Mann on a take related to the opening night games. Host: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, Wosny Lambre Guest: J. Kyle Mann Producers: Isaiah Blakely and John Richter Additional Production Supervision: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices