Welcome to another episode of Ringer NBA Lore, where we remember iconic teams and moments in NBA history. Today, Logan Murdock is joined by Joel Anderson and Bomani Jones, both of whom are Houston natives and followed the Rockets closely during their mid-’90s championship run. Joel and Bomani examine the multiple heartbreaks that Houston fans endured leading up to Hakeem Olajuwon and the Rockets finally breaking through and winning back-to-back championships.

Host: Logan Murdock

Guests: Joel Anderson and Bomani Jones

Producers: Logan Murdock, Ben Cruz, and Conor Nevins

Video Producer: Victoria Valencia

Audio Producer: Clifford Augustin

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Welcome to a Real Ones special edition series we’re calling Ringer NBA Lore, where we remember iconic teams and moments in NBA history. Today, Logan Murdock is joined by Howard Beck and Tim Kawakami to dive deep into the first championship run of the Lakers' 2000s three-peat. Howard and Tim both covered the team that season, so they share their stories and behind-the-scenes insights on the friction between Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, Phil Jackson’s mind games, Jerry West’s influence, and how this team defined the NBA at the turn of the century.

(00:00) Intro

(7:56) Lakers trade for Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal

(18:56) Phil Jackson arrives

(28:44) Regular season

(38:56) Media wars

(50:44) Playoffs and Shaq wins MVP

(54:46) Lakers-Blazers playoff series

(1:11:28) Finals

(1:24:03) Covering the championship

(1:30:26) Biggest what-ifs

Hosts: Logan Murdock and Howard Beck

Guest: Tim Kawakami

Producers: Logan Murdock, Conor Nevins, and Ben Cruz

Video Producer: Victoria Valencia

Audio Producer: Clifford Augustin

Social: Abou Kamara

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Now that the dust has settled on the major offseason moves and key acquisitions, J. Kyle Mann and Michael Pina have decided to come up with their hierarchy for the Eastern Conference and rank where they think each team stands right now. Following their championship run, have the Knicks solidified their standing as top dog in the East? Now that Giannis has been traded from Milwaukee to Miami, have the Heat shot up their rankings? Where do the guys have the Sixers now that LeBron is headed to Philly?

(00:00) Intro

(6:30) 15-10

(55:00) 9-5

(1:19:00) 4-1

Hosts: J. Kyle Mann and Michael Pina

Producers: Victoria Valencia, Clifford Augustin, and Ben Cruz

Additional Production Support: John Richter and Chris Wohlers

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Howard Beck and Michael Pina have their way-too-early NBA player awards for the 2026-2027 season. Find out their jalapeño and reaper picks for Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, and Most Valuable Player. The takes definitely get spicy!

(6:45) Defensive Player of the Year

(16:36) Sixth Man of the Year

(32:25) Most Improved Player-

(45:33) Rookie of the Year 

(56:35) Coach of the Year

(1:10:01) Most Valuable  Player

Hosts: Howard Beck and Michael Pina
Producers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford Augustin
Production Supervision: Ben Cruz
Additional Production Support: John Richter and Chris Wohlers

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That's right! LeBron James is headed to Philly and joining the Sixers on a two-year deal. Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck discuss the move, which is likely to be the last of his career. Why did LeBron choose Philly? How does he fit with the star-studded roster? What does this mean for the teams that he didn’t choose?

(5:00) - LeBron's Fit in Philly
(14:24) - Joel Embiid’s role
(29:28) - LeBron and the Philly fanbase
(42:40) - The teams that missed out on LeBron
Hosts: Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck
Producer: Victoria Valencia
Production Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins

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Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck put a bow on the 2025-26 NBA season with their sixth annual Realys Awards. Find out who wins the highly anticipated Real One of the Year award, who Raja crowns as the Raja Bell Memorial Defender of the Year, and much more!

(00:00) Intro 

(1:50) OG of the Year 

(10:23) Newcomer of the Year 

(17:25) Worst Trade of the Year 

(24:41) Crashout of the Year 

(30:50) Moment of the Year 

(35:13) Who won the year? 

(38:24) Who lost the year? 

(41:24) Raja Bell Memorial Defender award 

(45:20) Real One of the Year

(52:30) Outro Blooper

Hosts: Logan Murdock, Howard Beck, and Raja Bell
Producers: Logan Murdock, Clifford Augustin, and Victoria Valencia
Video: Victoria Valencia
Audio: Devon Baroldi
Show Art: Matthew James
Production Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins

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Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann return to recap what they’ve seen so far during summer league and answer some mailbag questions.

Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann
Producers: Victoria Valencia and Stefan Anderson

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Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann return to discuss which teams and players have made the most and least of the offseason.

(00:00) Intro

(3:52) Best Moves

(16:11) Worst Moves

(36:52) Biggest Questions

(47:08) Biggest Winner

(54:14) Biggest Loser

Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann
Producers: Victoria Valencia and Stefan Anderson
Production Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins

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Logan is joined by Michael Pina in the latest edition of Real Ones, and they dive right into LeBron’s free agency. Where might the King take his talents? Where do we want to see him end up? What place does analytics have in the NBA following the Jaylen Brown trade and the discussion of Brown not being an analytics darling? How will the Jaylen Brown trade play out for both the Celtics and Sixers?

(00:00) Intro

(1:33) Should the Lakers have kept Lebron?

(12:30) Jaylen Brown and analytics across the NBA
(24:43) Ja Morant's resurgence
(33:26) Potential disaster for the Sixers?
(43:02) Predictions

Host: Logan Murdock

Guest: Michael Pina

Producers: Logan Murdock, Clifford Augustin, Conor Nevins, and Ben Cruz

Video Producer: Victoria Valencia

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Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann start by reacting to the Celtics press conference with GM Brad Stevens and owner Bill Chisholm explaining the Jaylen Brown trade. Then, they each rank the best destinations for LeBron, and play matchmaker for a few remaining free agents.
(00:00) Intro
(1:56) Celtics press conference
(18:25) Best fits for LeBron
(1:13:20) Free agency matchmaker
Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann
Producers: Isaiah Blakely, Jeff Shearin, Victoria Valencia, and Ben Cruz

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Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann react to the blockbuster trade that will send Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers and Paul George to the Boston Celtics. They break down the fit for Brown in Philly and debate why this move was made at this exact moment. Next, they go through some of the major moves made since the start of free agency, including the Lakers acquiring Walker Kessler from the Jazz, Kawhi Leonard’s return to Toronto, and Ja Morant’s trade to the Blazers. They also discuss some of the smaller moves made, including Norman Powell signing with the Bulls, Tobias Harris signing with the Spurs, and more.
(00:00) Intro
(2:45) Jaylen Brown traded to the Sixers for Paul George and draft picks
(14:43) Brown’s potential fit with the Sixers
(25:34) Paul George’s role with the Celtics
(34:15) Jazz get massive draft haul from Lakers for Walker Kessler
(53:22) Kawhi Leonard returns to the Raptors
(59:22) Grizzlies trade Ja Morant to the Blazers
(1:11:17) Tobias Harris signs with the Spurs, Norman Powell signs with the Bulls, and other free agency moves

Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann
Producers: Victoria Valencia and Jessie Lopez
Production Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins
Social: Jessie Lopez and Keith Fujimoto

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