Way Too Early 2026 NBA Player Awards

Howard Beck and Michael Pina have five burning questions across the league as teams prepare for training camp. First, they discuss the continued Kawhi Leonard–Clippers saga and how this could change people's views of the Clippers. Beck and Pina also discuss what Adam Silver might have meant when talking about the NBA being a highlights-based sport. Will LeBron and the Lakers separate after the season is over? Will Cooper Flagg be the Mavericks' point guard this season? Have we seen the last of Russell Westbrook and Ben Simmons in the NBA? Will the Oklahoma City Thunder visit the White House? Hosts: Howard Beck and Michael Pina Producers: Clifford Augustin, Kate Ahearn, and Belle Roman Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz and Victoria Valencia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin and Wos are back and they’re joined by Howard Beck to talk about his takeaways from Adam Silver’s latest press conference (2:33). Then, they get into their thoughts on the Kawhi Leonard–Clippers scandal. Lastly, they wrap up by talking about Josh Giddey’s contract extension (48:13), and the decision fellow restricted free agents Jonathan Kuminga and Quentin Grimes still have to make.Hosts: Justin Verrier and Wosny LambreGuest: Howard BeckProducer: Isaiah BlakelyAdditional Production Supervision: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s J. Kyle Mann is joined by Ben Taylor, author of ‘Thinking Basketball’ and creator of the Thinking Basketball YouTube channel to reflect back on the last 25 years of basketball, how the game has evolved since 2000, as well as the new series on Ben’s YouTube channel, "21st Century Peaks". They also discuss unique skill sets of players like Jason Kidd and James Harden while also speculating on the future of the game, including innovative offensive strategies and defensive adaptations.(00:00) Welcome to The Ringer NBA Show!(03:13) Ben’s YouTube series, "21st Century Peaks"(09:02) Reflecting on Jason Kidd’s career(20:03) Issues when discussing James Harden(28:45) Tracy McGrady’s decisive ranking(33:20) What made the 2008 Celtics team special on defense(41:00) Explaining how the Grizzlies were trying to set up their offense last season with Noah LaRoche(45:47) Are screen assists important now?(50:18) Will teams look to copy Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers' style of offense?(01:00:40) Franz Wagner’s importance to unlocking the Magic’s full potential(01:05:29) How will the 2024-25 Thunder be remembered 20 years from now?Host: J. Kyle MannGuest: Ben TaylorProducer: Jessie LopezAdditional Production Support: Ben CruzSocial: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Howard Beck and Michael Pina sit down to share their way too early spicy 2026 NBA player awards. They each share their spicy picks—ranked from jalapeño to Carolina Reaper heat—for MVP, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, Sixth Man, Most Improved, and Defensive Player of the Year. Hosts: Howard Beck and Michael PinaProducers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford AugustinAdditional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wosny Lambre is joined by The Athletic’s Fred Katz to talk about all things Knicks. They discuss the coaching search that led to the Mike Brown hire and what Brown can help the Knicks improve on from last season. They also discuss realistic expectations for the Knicks this season (54:40) and which dark-horse contenders could challenge the Knicks and Cavs in the East (1:01:40). Host: Wosny LambreGuest: Fred KatzProducer: Isaiah BlakelyAdditional Production: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s J. Kyle Mann and Tyler Parker get together to discuss the release of the 2025-26 NBA schedule, expectations for the opening night matchup between the Rockets and Thunder, and the weakened East. Plus, Kyle presents his NBA League Pass rankings for the upcoming season. (00:00) Welcome to The Ringer NBA Show!(04:33) Expectations for Rockets vs. Thunder on opening night(13:20) Honorable mention League Pass teams(17:25) Los Angeles Lakers(21:31) Washington Wizards(25:58) Orlando Magic(29:44) Denver Nuggets(33:23) Detroit Pistons(38:08) Atlanta Hawks(43:58) Dallas Mavericks(49:30) Houston Rockets(56:08) San Antonio Spurs Hosts: J. Kyle Mann and Tyler ParkerProducer: Jessie LopezAdditional Production Support: Ben CruzSocial: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howard Beck and Michael Pina assess the NBA landscape and give their current top five duos across the league. Who’s the top duo, and who gets an honorable mention? They also reminisce on the top duos of all time. Plus, did De’Aaron Fox's extension make things that much harder for the Hawks and Trae Young to find an agreement in the future? 0:08 Intro 1:58 Trae Young's frustration 6:00 Top Five Best NBA Duos 1:04:43 Honorable mentions Hosts: Howard Beck and Michael Pina Audio Producer: Clifford Augustin Video Producer: Victoria Valencia Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin and Rob are here to discuss some of the rumblings of the offseason and talk through what they think they know ahead of the 2025-26 season. They discuss Luka’s fitness (7:04), competitors in the West (19:29), Kuminga and the Warriors (34:12), the top of the East (53:23), and much more. Hosts: Justin Verrier and Rob MahoneyProducer: Isaiah BlakelySocial: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck put a bow on the 2024-25 NBA season with their fifth annual Realys Awards. Who will win the highly anticipated Crash Out of the Year Award? Later, Hall of Famer and friend of the show Sue Bird stops by to talk about WNBA All-Star Weekend, evolving as a podcast host, and much more! Show Start: (0:53) Newcomer of the Year (5:07) Worst Trade of the Year (9:54) Worst Take of the Year (17:33) Crash Out of the Year (22:44) Raja Bell Memorial Defender of the Year (31:52) A Message From Jomi Adeniran (36:33) Moment of the Year (37:31) Cliff’s Philly Sports Person of the Year (42:40) Real One of the Year (44:29) Sue Bird Interview (58:20) Hosts: Logan Murdock, Howard Beck, and Raja Bell Guest: Sue Bird Producers: Clifford Augustin and Victoria Valencia Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz and John Richter Social: Keith Fujimoto Hit the mailbag! [email protected] The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan and Howard play expert gamblers in predicting which teams will hit their over/unders for the 2025-26 season. Will the Hawks be soaring over 46.5 wins with their new additions and the East being seemingly wide open? Can Denver get back into title contention with 53.5 wins? What will it take for the Lakers to hit their o/u 48.5? Can Philly add 20 more wins for their abysmal 24-25 injury-filled campaign, assuming their stars are healthy? 0:00: Intro 0:30 Show Start 6:22 NBA Futures Over/Under Start Hosts: Logan Murdock and Howard Beck Audio/Producer: Clifford Augustin Video Producer: Victoria Valencia Hit the mailbag! ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit ⁠⁠www.rg-help.com⁠⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices