Logan Murdock and Howard are back with another edition of Real Ones and jump right into the way-too-early MVP race for this season so far. Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs are off to a 5-0 start for the first time ever in franchise history. If the Spurs end the season atop of the West, is Wemby a lock for MVP? Who are the other candidates Logan and Howard are keeping an eye on this season? With Austin Reaves playing at an extreme, dark-horse MVP level, what does the future hold for him in a contract season? Plus, the GOAT has spoken in an exclusive interview with Mike Tirico on NBC about load management, but is he correct in his assessment with today’s players utilizing load management more? (0:00:00) Intro (1:42) Wemby and the Spurs contending in the West (14:14) Are Giannis and the Bucks threats in the East? (24:38) FanDuel ad break (26:22) Can Tyrese Maxey keep up his MVP pace when Joel Embiid is fully healthy and Paul George returns? (34:44) Is Nikola Jokic still the best player in the NBA? (40:08) Will Austin Reaves be a Laker next season? (57:10) Michael Jordan’s comments on load management (1:16:55) Real One of the Week Hit the mailbag! realonesmailbag@gmail.com The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out rg-help.com to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Hosts: Logan Murdock and Howard BeckProducers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford AugustinAdditional Production Support: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann are back to take a look at some early-season trends and decide whether they are something or nothing. Intro (0:00:00) Sixers (2:40) Scoring boom (15:01) Jamal Murray (22:26) Bulls (31:51) Knicks (48:46) Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann Producers: Isaiah Blakely, Victoria Valencia and Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Week 1 of the NBA season is officially in the books, and Victor Wembanyama continues to wow with his MVP-like play so far this season. Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard mf’in Beck discuss whether it’s possible that we’re seeing the first player since Giannis who can win MVP and DPOY. The rookie class has shown up and shown out in their first week as professionals. Who’s in the very, very early lead for Rookie of the Year? The Sixers are 3-0 even though Joel Embiid's seen limited action. Is it time for the Sixers to keep their focus on Tyrese Maxey and rookie sensation V.J. Edgecombe? Plus, the mailbag returns! (0:00:00) Intro (2:15) Real or Not: Is Victor Wembanyama a lock for MVP, as Logan has predicted? (16:10) How realistic is it for San Antonio to seek to trade De’Aaron Fox? (21:22) Who’s been the best rookie so far this season? (30:06) Are the Sixers better off not relying on Joel Embiid? (43:12) Will LaMelo Ball keep up the efficiency this season? (49:58) Mailbag: We talk about the Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga and why Mike Brown is playing everyone on the Knicks. Hit the mailbag! ⁠realonesmailbag@gmail.com⁠ The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out ⁠rg-help.com⁠ to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Hosts: Logan Murdock, Howard Beck, and Raja Bell Video Producer: Victoria Valencia Audio ProducerClifford Augustin Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann are here to each give three first impressions from the first week of the NBA season. Intro (0:00:00) Austin Reaves (2:17) Milwaukee Bucks (13:11) Miami Heat (20:08) FanDuel ad break (28:59) LaMelo Ball (30:06) Jonathan Kuminga (37:42) Kyshawn George (47:11) Toronto Raptors (55:37) Ajay Mitchell (1:00:00) Cedric Coward (1:09:56) Also, be sure to check out Michael Pina's newest Ringer.com piece, 13 Overreactions to the First Week of the NBA Season. Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann Producers: Isaiah Blakely, Victoria Valencia and Ben Cruz 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 Murdock, Raja Bell and Howard MF’in Beck are back with another edition and dive right into the latest on the NBA probe. How will this define commissioner Adam Silver’s legacy? Logan’s MVP pick Victor Wembanyama had a stellar opening night. Just how terrified should the league be of his rapid development? (0:00:00) Intro (0:57) Welcome (0:3:22) Latest on the NBA Gambling probe. (22:00) How long until Victor Wembanyama is the best player in the NBA? (39:51)Did the Rockets put too much on Amen Thompson’s plate? Hit the mailbag! realonesmailbag@gmail.com The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out rg-help.com to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Hosts: Logan Murdock, Howard Beck, and Raja Bell Producers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford Augustin Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin and Rob are back to talk about the start of this new NBA season, but first they address some news surrounding the podcast. They then welcome their newest cohost, J. Kyle Mann, and begin the show with talk of the arrests of Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier. Later, they go over their takeaways from the opening nights of the season. And finally: the debut of Name That Take, where Kyle and Rob are given clues and have to guess Justin’s take on a particular subject. Intro: (0:00:00)Podcast News: (7:00)Gambling Arrests: (7:25)Opening Night Thoughts (21:14)Name That Take: (59:30) Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle MannProducers: Ben Cruz, Isaiah Blakely, and Victoria Valencia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin and Rob start by discussing some of the notable rookie extension contracts that got signed today. Then they look back at their power rankings and discuss whether any news or injuries have changed their opinion of a team. To wrap, they run through some news and notes from the preseason before they give their award predictions and a finals pick. Intro: (0:00:11) Rookie Extensions: (2:08) Power Rankings Mulligans: (29:32) Preseason News and Notes: (43:58) Predictions: (49:24) Hosts: Justin Verrier and Rob MahoneyProducers: Ben Cruz, Isaiah Blakely, and Victoria Valencia 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 Murdock and Howard Mf’n Beck are back with another edition of Real Ones fresh off a visit to Crypto.com for the Warriors-Lakers season opener. OKC also began their championship title defense with a double OT victory over the Houston Rockets. Plus, Michael Jordan makes a resurgence into the basketball hemisphere. Hosts: Logan Murdock, Howard Beck, and Raja Bell Producers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford Augustin Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Hit the mailbag! realonesmailbag@gmail.comThe Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out rg-help.com to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome back to Real Ones! Logan is officially back from leave and hype to pod with Howard and Raja. The NBA season tips off next week, which means that the Real Ones have to do a season preview and of course talk about LeBron James. Who’s the best team in the Eastern Conference? Who’s your Eastern Conference sleeper? Who’s your Western Conference sleeper? Are we confident that the Rockets will perform well this season? Should this be LeBron’s final season or final season with the Lakers? Does the possibility of the Thunder winning back-to-back titles conflict with the NBA’s commitment to parity? MVP picks! Hosts: Logan Murdock, Howard Beck, and Raja BellProducers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford AugustinAdditional Production Support: Ben Cruz Hit the mailbag! ⁠realonesmailbag@gmail.com⁠The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out ⁠rg-help.com⁠ to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and Wos are here for the finale of their preseason power rankings. The guys reveal the top five teams in the NBA. Intro: (0:00:00)Team no. 5: (8:59)Team no. 4: (25:57)Team no. 3: (41:47)Team no. 2: (54:35)Team no. 1: (1:11:19)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 LambreProducers: Ben Cruz, Isaiah Blakely, and Victoria Valencia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and Wos are back for Part 5 of their preseason power rankings. But first, Justin and Wos address LeBron James’s injury and how it will impact the Lakers. The guys then reveal the teams they ranked 10 through 6. Intro: (0:00:00)Team no. 10: (16:03)Team no. 9: (29:56)Team no. 8: (46:25)Team no. 7: (58:35)Team no. 6: (1:15:33) Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny LambreProducers: Ben Cruz, Isaiah Blakely, and Victoria Valencia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howard Beck and Raja Bell are back with another edition of Real Ones, and open the pod with Raja's notable absence on The Ringer’s list of all-time best NBA names. Plus, who are the best teams in NBA history to never win a championship? Is it the 2018 Rockets team with James Harden and CP3? Could it be the early 2000’s Kings teams that ran into the Lakers, or perhaps one of Raja’s Suns teams? For the first time in his career, LeBron James will not play in the season opener due to sciatica. How will this impact the Lakers out the gate, and was LeBron’s “second decision” an error in judgement? Plus, the annual NBA GM’s survey has been released. Some of the results might surprise you. Hit the mailbag! realonesmailbag@gmail.com The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out rg-help.com to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Hosts: Howard Beck and Raja Bell Producers: Clifford Augustin Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and Wos are back for Part 4 of their preseason power rankings. This time, they reveal the teams they ranked 15 through 11. Intro: (0:00:00)Team no.15: (5:44)Team no.14: (20:09)Team no.13: (32:55)Team no.12: (45:46)Team no.11: (56:05) Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny LambreProducers: Ben Cruz, Isaiah Blakely, and Victoria Valencia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and Wos are here for Part 3 of their preseason power rankings. This time, they are revealing the teams they ranked 20 through 16. Intro: (0:00:00) Team no. 20: (8:33) Team no. 19: (28:13) Team no. 18: (36:55) Team no. 17: (48:48) Team no. 16: (1:05:20) Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre Producers: Ben Cruz, Isaiah Blakely, and Victoria Valencia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howard Beck and Raja Bell are back with another edition of Real Ones! The Warriors have re-signed Jonathan Kuminga to a two-year, $48.5 million contract that has a team option on the second year. Howard and Raja discuss how Kuminga will navigate the upcoming season on the court as he seeks to get a longer term deal and more opportunity to showcase his talents. Is Giannis Antetokounmpo quietly looking for a way out of Milwaukee? Will LeBron be a Laker beyond this season? Plus, agent Todd Ramasar joins the show to discuss representing players in the pros and college. Todd also represents Andrew Nembhard and Pascale Siakam and discusses the Pacers upcoming season without Tyrese Haliburton Hit the mailbag! realonesmailbag@gmail.com The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out rg-help.com to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Hosts: Howard Beck and Raja Bell Guest: Todd Ramasar Producers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford Augustin Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and Wos are back for the second installment of the preseason power rankings. This time, they are revealing the teams they ranked 25 through 21. Intro: (0:00:00)Team no. 25: (4:39)Team no. 24: (25:03)Team no. 23: (41:22)Team no. 22: (51:57)Team no. 21: (1:05:06) Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny LambreProducers: Ben Cruz, Isaiah Blakely, and Victoria Valencia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and Wos are officially back to preview the 2025-26 season with their annual preseason power rankings. Part 1 is about the bottom five in their rankings. Intro: (0:00:00) Team no. 30: (4:32)Team no. 29: (18:46)Team no. 28: (30:14)Team no. 27: (39:25)Team no. 26: (54:46) Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny LambreProducers: Ben Cruz, Isaiah Blakely, John Richter, and Victoria Valencia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The NBA is back in just under a month, which means that teams are holding their media days before heading off to training camp. Howard Beck and Raja Bell discuss the most interesting quotes from media days and the new-look Zion Williamson. The Rockets were hit with the unfortunate news that Fred VanVleet will be out for the season after suffering an ACL tear. How important is FVV to the Rockets, and what potential replacements should the team pursue to fill that void? Hit the mailbag! realonesmailbag@gmail.com The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out rg-help.com to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Hosts: Howard Beck and Raja Bell Producers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford Augustin Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz (5:32): Fred VanVleet injury (16:12): What's next for Russell Westbrook? (26:28): Kawhi/Clippers Situation (28:27): Media Day Cliches (31:32): Zion Williamson’s new look (35:38): Ishbia and the Suns (41:19): Jayson Tatum media day comments (45:26): Jordan Poole’s media day comments (46:34) Mikal Bridges media day comments Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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