Mailbag: Old Cores, Harden vs. Wade, Basketball Books, and More | Group Chat

Mailbag: Old Cores, Harden vs. Wade, Basketball Books, and More | Group Chat

Author: The Ringer December 29, 2025 Duration: 1:45:51
Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann are here to wrap up 2025 with an end-of-year mailbag. They answer your listener questions about how to change late-game fouling, old cores in the NBA, James Harden vs. Dwyane Wade, and much more! (00:00) Intro (2:30) FanDuel ad break (3:16) Figuring out a listener’s favorite player (9:55) Spurs playoff outlook (18:16) Fouling late in games (24:18) Old cores (29:43) Player development (42:55) Houston Rockets (54:47) Difficult players/teams to talk about (1:02:18) Hugo González (1:09:21) Harden vs. Wade  (1:19:48) Favorite announcers (1:27:26) Roster-building exercise (1:35:22) Favorite basketball books Send your questions to ringergroupchat@gmail.com! Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann Producers: Isaiah Blakely and Victoria Valencia Production Supervision: Ben Cruz Social: Isaiah Blakely and Keith Fujimoto 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

For a deep dive into the league's intricate storylines, The Ringer NBA Show is your essential audio companion. This podcast delivers more than just scores and highlights; it's a blend of sharp analysis, insider reporting, and thoughtful conversation that captures the true texture of the professional basketball season. The schedule is built around distinct voices and formats to keep the perspective fresh. Listeners will find 'Group Chat' episodes airing on Sundays and Wednesdays, featuring the analytical trio of Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann as they break down the biggest games, emerging trends, and strategic nuances. Then, on Tuesdays and Fridays, the feed switches to 'Real Ones' hosted by Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck, offering a grounded, often candid look at the culture, personalities, and behind-the-scenes dynamics that define the NBA. Whether you're a casual fan or a die-hard, this podcast provides the context and expertise to fully appreciate the ongoing drama on and off the court, all delivered with the signature style of The Ringer's basketball coverage.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 101

The Ringer NBA Show
Podcast Episodes
A Magical Collapse. Plus, LeBron and Lakers Advance | Real Ones [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:06
Logan Murdock, Raja Bell and Howard Beck are back with another edition of Real Ones and get right into the Orlando Magic historically bad second half against the Detroit Pistons in Game 6 of their series. What impressed…
Hitting the Panic Button on the Pistons | Real Ones [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:19
Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck are back with another edition of Real Ones, and they get right into the playoff action. Are the Wolves in trouble now that Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo have been ruled ou…
Rockets Late Game Woes Continue. | Real Ones [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:42
The Rockets fell to the Lakers in game three of the first round due to some late game blunders that had Logan Murdock, Raja Bell and Howard Beck puzzled. Why has the theme for the Rockets all season been the inability to…
Real or Fake: Playoff Edition! | Real Ones [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:34
Logan Murdock and Howard Beck are back with the 2026 playoff edition of Real or Fake! They go through each team that’s made it through to the playoffs and figure out who the real contenders are and which teams have a sli…