The Most Intriguing Teams, Players, and Takes of the First Week-ish | Group Chat

Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck are back with another edition of Real Ones! Who and what have been the biggest surprises and disappointments thus far in the 2026-27 season? Why are there so many injuries at the start of this season, and what can the league do to fix this problem? The great Ernie Johnson has announced that he will be retiring after the season. Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson from The Press Box join Logan to discuss his legacy and what’s next for 'Inside the NBA.' Plus, Real One of the Week. (01:31) - Surprises and disappointments (1:03:21) - Ernie Johnson announces retirement 1:40:07) - Real One of the Week The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines. The Club for every holiday club. Sam’s Club. Hit the mailbag: [email protected] Hosts: Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck Guests: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson Producers: Jeff Shearin, Victoria Valencia, and Clifford Augustin Production Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Additional Production Support: John Richter and Chris Wohlers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann were live in Minneapolis! They tiered the Western Conference after all the injury news involving some major stars, drafted some under-the-radar Wolves players, and answered questions from the audience. (0:00) Intro (5:48) A reassessment of the western conference (50:59) Wolves "That Guy" draft (1:12:32) Audience questions  And don’t forget, the Group Chat guys are doing a live show on Thursday December 10th, at Hi-Fi Indy in Indianapolis, IN. Buy your tickets here! Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann Producers: Victoria Valencia, Isaiah Blakely, and Ben Cruz The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines. The Club for every holiday club. Sam’s Club. 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! The Miami Heat still remain winless on the season. Has Bam Adebayo’s game been altered by the addition of Giannis Antetokounmpo? How can the costars mesh in the Heat's system? Plus, Thunder G/F Jalen Williams went down with a devastating leg injury that will likely keep him out for the season. How can the Thunder move forward without him, and how will his injury reshape the Western Conference? Plus, we unveil a new segment: Tales From the Road With Raja. *Editor’s note: This episode was prerecorded before the news of Anthony Edwards’ injury broke. (02:30) - Heat struggle early in the season (35:53) - Jalen Williams suffers leg injury (50:34) Knicks' rings conundrum (59:04) Tales From the Road With Raja The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines. The Club for every holiday club. Sam’s Club. Hit the mailbag: [email protected] Hosts: Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard BeckProducers: Oscar De La Luz, Victoria Valencia, and Clifford AugustinProduction Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor NevinsAdditional Production Support: John Richter and Chris Wohlers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

No J. Kyle Mann today, but Justin and Rob are here to talk about some of the most intriguing teams and players from around the league in this early part of the season. (00:00) Intro (8:05) Rockets (25:26) Raptors (34:10) Caleb Wilson (45:16) Tyrese Maxey (56:33) Thunder and live reaction to Jalen Williams's injury (1:04:56) Wizards Also, don’t forget, the Group Chat guys are doing a live show on Tuesday, October 27th at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis, MN! And a live show Thursday December 10th, at Hi-Fi Indy in Indianapolis, IN. Buy your tickets here! And finally, be sure to check out the debut episode of Justin's new YouTube show, "Basketball! Explained." Hosts: Justin Verrier and Rob Mahoney Producers: Victoria Valencia, Isaiah Blakely, and Ben Cruz The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines. The Club for every holiday club. Sam’s Club. 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 to dive into what impressed them in this first week of NBA action. LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards showed out in their season debuts. Are they the perfect match in Minnesota? Plus, Luka and the Lakers destroyed Steph and the Warriors in their openers while having a back-and-forth with rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. Are people sleeping on the Lakers, and should Steph seek his way out of Golden State? (01:13) - LaMelo and Ant ball out. Plus, Giannis is back. (28:47) - First impression of Luka and the Lakers. Plus, what’s next for the Warriors? (1:00:57) - Leftover impressions: Tyrese, Dame, and Fred VanVleet were impressive in their returns. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines. The Club for every holiday club. Sam’s Club. Read Logan’s interview with Warriors head coach Steve Kerr https://www.theringer.com/2026/10/21/nba/steve-kerr-golden-state-warriors-roster-trades-nba-season Hit the mailbag: [email protected] Hosts: Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck Producers: Jeff Shearin, Oscar De La Luz, Victoria Valencia, and Clifford Augustin Production Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Additional Production Support: John Richter and Chris Wohlers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J.Kyle Mann are back to discuss their top takeaways from the real opening night of the NBA. (0:00) Intro(6:36) Timberwolves-Heat(28:09) Grizzlies-Jazz(39:30) Blazers-Suns(51:16) Hawks-Magic(59:00) Lakers-Warriors(1:05:06) Pacers-Pelicans And don’t forget, the Group Chat guys are doing a live show on Tuesday, October 27, at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota! Plus, a live show Thursday, December 10, at HI-FI Indy in Indianapolis, Indiana. Buy your tickets here! Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J.Kyle MannProducers: Victoria Valencia, Stefan Anderson, and Ben CruzThe Club for every holiday club. Sam’s Club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck are back with their reactions to an exciting Opening Night to the NBA season. (0:00) Intro(1:16) Spurs-Thunder(23:04) Knicks-Sixers(42:51) Celtics-Pistons Hosts: Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard BeckProducers: Victoria Valencia and Isaiah BlakelyProduction Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines. The Club for every holiday club. Sam’s Club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann are back with the highly anticipated Verrierables! They talk about surprise teams and the best young players and make award and Finals predictions. (0:00) Intro (7:46) Surprise first Verrierable (34:19) Second Verrierable (1:06:17) Third Verrierable (1:26:56) Fourth Verrierable And don’t forget, the Group Chat guys are doing a live show on Tuesday, October 27, at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota! Plus, a live show Thursday, December 10, at HI-FI Indy in Indianapolis, Indiana. Buy your tickets here! Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann Guest: David Jacoby Producers: Victoria Valencia, Isaiah Blakely, and Ben Cruz Additional Production Support: Trevor Rabone Production Supervision: Jack Wilson The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines. The Club for every holiday club. Sam’s Club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann are here with the final edition of the preseason power rankings, Part 6. They reveal who they think are the top teams in the league ranked 5-1. (00:00) Intro (3:56) Timberwolves (32:00) Sixers (1:03:16) Knicks (1:19:40) Spurs (1:41:02) Thunder And don’t forget, the Group Chat guys are doing a live show on Tuesday, October 27th at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis, MN! Buy your tickets here! Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J.Kyle Mann Guest: Chris Ryan Producers: Victoria Valencia, Isaiah Blakely, and Ben Cruz Studio Production: Jeff Shearin, Kevin Cureghian, Chris Thomas, Chris Wohlers, and Jonathan Ratliff Production Supervision: Jack Wilson The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines. The Club for every holiday club. Sam’s Club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann are back with Part 5 of the preseason power rankings and they reveal the teams ranked 10-6. (00:00) Intro (5:51) Rockets (25:10) Lakers (42:58) Nuggets (1:03:15) Celtics (1:18:38) Cavaliers And don’t forget the Group Chat guys are doing a live show on Tuesday, October 27th, at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis, MN! Buy your tickets here! Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J.Kyle Mann Producers: Victoria Valencia, Isaiah Blakely, and Ben Cruz Studio Production: Jeff Shearin, Kevin Cureghian, Chris Thomas, Chris Wohlers, and Jonathan Ratliff Production Supervision: Jack Wilson The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines. The Club for every holiday club. Sam’s Club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices