Game Over with Max Kellerman & Rich Paul

Episode: Darnold Flips the Script, Melo vs. LeBron, and Paul vs. Joshua
Date: December 19, 2025
Host: The Ringer

Overview

In this episode, Max Kellerman and Rich Paul tackle some of the week’s hottest sports stories. The main themes are redemption stories in the NFL—highlighting Sam Darnold’s unexpected heroics—an in-depth discussion about whether LeBron and Carmelo Anthony were ever true rivals, and a look at the spectacle of Jake Paul fighting Anthony Joshua. True to form, the hosts’ debates are pointed, insightful, and often brought back to their personal sports philosophies and behind-the-scenes perspectives in sports and culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL Recap: Sam Darnold "Flips the Script"

[04:34–15:32]

• Max’s Take: It’s About Narrative & Redemption

  • Max is fascinated by moments in sports where outcomes defy established narratives—Sam Darnold’s performance for the Seahawks is one such moment.

    "To me, he just authored the first chapter in his own story. And Rich, that's what I love about sports, is these guys write their own stories." (08:44, Max)

  • He draws analogies to James Harden’s failures and Steph Curry’s eventual breakthrough, arguing that most players rarely escape the narrative built around them—Darnold did, at least for a night.

• Rich’s Response: Darnold’s Mental Fortitude & Culture of Growth

  • Rich lauds Darnold, emphasizing how quickly fans and media write off young athletes (10:00), stressing the importance of mental toughness and the ability to eventually build "equity and confidence."
  • He credits Seahawks coaching for “culture changing” moments like bold two-point conversions and amplifies how such wins become locker room touchstones and, potentially, season-defining (10:00–11:48).

• The Big Picture: The Making (and Breaking) of NFL Quarterbacks

  • Both agree modern QBs have shorter timeframes to change their label from “just a guy” to “the guy.”

    "Usually that script does not change, especially nowadays where people are less patient with quarterbacks than they used to." (11:48, Max)

  • Rich notes mental resilience is often the separator and underscores how crucial it is for organizations to foster accountability (17:57–18:14).

2. AFC Playoff Landscape & Team Identity

[15:32–22:29]

• Who’s For Real in the AFC?

  • Max’s power ranking puts the Bills and Texans a cut above, with special mention to the Broncos’ improvement under Sean Payton (15:47).
  • Rich dubs the Texans the “Hamburglar” of the AFC—a disruptive presence nobody wants to face (18:46), praises CJ Stroud’s poise, and details the importance of self-driven preparation for team success.

• Coaching & Player Development

  • Max reflects on Ryan Clark’s point about mobile quarterbacks putting stress on defenses, especially referencing Bo Nix (16:19).
  • Both agree coaching stability and the right QB make all the difference for a franchise—Sean Payton and the Broncos serving as a prime example.

3. The LeBron vs. Carmelo ‘Rivalry’ Debate: Myth or Missed Opportunity?

[38:50–54:35]

• Is it a Rivalry? The Brandon Jennings Take

  • Max asks Rich if the Bron vs. Melo narrative was ever real, referencing Brandon Jennings’ popular take (39:04).
  • Rich agrees with Jennings: the rivalry never fully materialized, mostly due to circumstances beyond Carmelo’s control.

    "The moment the Detroit Pistons decided to take Darko Milichek, the opportunity of a rivalry is dead." (40:09, Rich)

  • Had Carmelo gone to Detroit, Rich asserts, matchups with LeBron would have been frequent and meaningful.

• Drafts, Destiny, and Decision-Making

  • Both acknowledge that draft order—LeBron to Cleveland, Carmelo to Denver—erased the possibility of true rivalry.
  • Max suggests Carmelo’s later career decisions (Knicks over Heat, gutting the Knicks’ roster) further limited his championship potential, but Rich steers it back:

    "People think, oh, luxury is costing a lot of ... It's the way you think.... The mindset is the true luxury." (43:58, Rich)

• Carmelo’s Legacy: A Victim of Era and Circumstance?

  • Rich laments that Carmelo never won a title and highlights how the NBA’s shifting style—toward spacing and efficiency—reduced Melo’s effectiveness just as he peaked (53:05).

    "His game was built on a certain kind of NBA ... And then out from under his feet, the league changed." (53:06, Max) "When you can shoot the ball the way that Carmelo Anthony could shoot the ball, you'll always, there is no game changing shooting." (54:27, Rich)

4. Boxing: Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua—A Carnival or a Real Fight?

[54:44–58:34]

• Max’s Analysis: Jake Paul’s Calculated Climb

  • Max outlines Jake Paul’s strategy: take incremental, headline-grabbing steps to build his boxing résumé (55:00–56:38).

    "If Jake Paul makes it to the third round, that's the same thing as winning." (58:25, Max)

• Rich’s Take: Props for Daring, But the Odds Are Real

  • Rich tips his hat (“I tip my hat to the brother,” 57:50) but is clear: against Joshua—bigger, stronger, vastly more accomplished—survival is the goal.
  • They both marvel at how Mike Tyson, even at almost 60, remains a top draw (56:38).

5. Personal Anecdotes, Locker Room Insights, & Basketball Draft Redos

[22:29–38:50, 25:43–30:19]

• On Work Ethic and Independence

  • Rich: True excellence comes from what you do off the field. He shares stories of Tyrese Maxey’s relentless drive and training through COVID (27:06), urging young athletes to focus on habits, not hype.

    "Tyrese Maxey, during Covid was doing two a days. During Covid sometimes three a days. He was never late and never complained." (27:06, Rich)

• Basketball "What Ifs": Tyrese Maxey, Halliburton, and Redrafts

  • The hosts muse about how different drafts would look with the benefit of hindsight, with Maxey and Halliburton climbing up the boards (29:49–30:19).
  • Rich recounts actively lobbying for Maxey to go higher—his behind-the-scenes dealings with teams like Philly (28:18–28:39).

6. Miscellaneous & Memorable Moments

• Hot Bath Comedy

  • Rich spins a story about never understanding why the women in his family prefer scorching hot baths, leading to playful banter with Max (58:33–60:40).

    "When my mother used to run the bathwater ... the water is so hot I can't get in so now I'm on the clock." (59:34, Rich)

• College Football Quick Picks

  • Both hosts throw out quick college football picks for Alabama vs. Oklahoma and Miami vs. Texas A&M, with a general “home team advantage” slant (61:02–61:35).

Notable Quotes

• On Athlete Narratives:

  "The greatest moment in sports to me is when you learn something new, is when you think it's one way, but it turns out to be ... another way." (05:12, Max Kellerman)

• On Mike Tomlin’s Universal Appeal:

  "I just think all athletes need what Mike Tomlin has to offer in some capacity. Some may need, like, a sippy cup of it. And some may need a 40 ounce of it, but you need what Mike Tomlin has to offer as a coach." (02:27, Rich Paul)

• On Carmelo’s Missed Detroit Opportunity:

  "The moment the Detroit Pistons decided to take Darko Milichek, the opportunity of a rivalry is dead." (40:09, Rich Paul)

• On Jake Paul’s Boxing Strategy:

  "Jake Paul takes the sport seriously ... and he has developed himself into a solid like eight round cruiserweight puncher... If Jake Paul makes it to the third round, that's the same thing as winning." (54:49 & 58:25, Max Kellerman)

• On Player Independence:

  "...It's not at the facility, it's at home. That is a player who has a strong degree of independence, actually, and the kind of guy you want on your team because ... his independence is exercised in a way to make himself the best he can be." (24:35–25:03, Max Kellerman)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Sam Darnold’s Breakout and NFL Redemption Stories —— 04:34–15:32
• AFC Contenders & the Power of Coaching —— 15:32–22:29
• Athlete Habits, Independence, and Work Ethic —— 22:29–27:06
• NBA Redraft: Tyrese Maxey, Halliburton, and More —— 27:06–30:19
• LeBron vs. Melo: Rivalry or Myth? —— 38:50–54:35
• Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua: Why Bother? —— 54:44–58:34
• Comic Bathwater Tangent —— 58:33–60:48
• College Football Quick Picks —— 61:02–61:40

Final Notes

This episode is an excellent snapshot of why “Game Over” works: Max and Rich alternate between deeply reasoned analysis, personal anecdotes from inside the sports world, and refreshingly candid takes on sports myths. The hosts’ chemistry shines as both spar respectfully and laugh heartily, making it a must-listen for those looking to understand the stories behind the headlines.

Perfect for: Fans wanting detailed breakdowns of recent games, thoughtful debates on legacy and narrative in sports, and a side of behind-the-scenes wisdom from both media and agent perspectives.