Transcript

Max Kellerman (0:00)

This episode's brought to you by ZipRecruiter. It feels like hiring can take an absurd amount of time and effort, right? Like trying to get drafted into the big leagues or spending months, years training to build up your speed and strength and agility. Or you know how some commercial breaks feel like they take forever. The hiring process can feel just as agonizing. But good news for you, when it comes to hiring, you have the equivalent of a fast forward button. You have ZipRecruiter. Try it free@ziprecruiter.com gameover. ZipRecruiter is ranked the number one hiring site based on G2, most likely. Because ZipRecruiter is so good at what it does, you can find qualified candidates for your role in minutes. And if one really stands out, you can get access to their contact info to reach out and connect. Use ZipRecruiter and save time hiring four out of five employers who post on ZipRecruiter get a quality candidate. Listen to this. Within the first day. And if you go to ZipRecruiter.com gameover right now, you can try it for free. It's the best price there is. Again, that's ziprecruiter.com gameover ziprecruiter the smartest way to hire.

Richard Paul (1:24)

Max. Yeah.

Max Kellerman (1:26)

First of all, look at, look at us, the Yankees Twins over here. Opening day, Opening day, Yankees fans. I got, you got the bear. You got the bear and the Yankees.

Richard Paul (1:34)

Gotta go with the bear.

Max Kellerman (1:36)

Yeah.

Richard Paul (1:36)

I actually have that jacket in a different style, though. It's not a New York Yankees jacket, it's just a Ralph jacket.

Max Kellerman (1:42)

But yeah, I know I always say I love baseball. I do, but I really love the Yankees. I don't, you know, like if, hey, how do you think, you know, the Twins or the Braves are going to do. I'm not that interested, but the Yankees, I'm interested.

Richard Paul (1:55)

Yeah, you have a lot of beefs with. We're in la, so you have to, you know, like Dodgers.

Max Kellerman (2:00)

Well, you know what? I'm going to do a five minute max about that later actually. I'll get into the Yankees and Dodgers.

Richard Paul (2:06)

Yes. Yankees, Dodgers, New York, Louisiana. But speaking of that, speaking of beefs.

Max Kellerman (2:11)

Yeah.

Summary

Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul

Episode: NBA Expansion, Best Players in Basketball, and MLB Opening Day!
Date: March 25, 2026
Host: The Ringer

Episode Overview

Max Kellerman and super-agent Rich Paul dive into the major storylines in sports and culture this week—from the NBA’s planned expansion (Vegas, Seattle) and an in-depth debate ranking basketball’s “best player alive” throughout the modern era, to MLB Opening Day and baseball’s cultural shifts. Along the way, they riff on rap beef and youth culture, team ownership, the evolution of MVP selections, and organizational excellence from the Spurs and Knicks to the Celtics and Heat. The show is animated, deeply knowledgeable, and peppered with personal stories and playful banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. MLB Opening Day and Baseball Fandom

Timestamps: 01:24–02:06; 57:36–66:12

Max and Rich discuss their baseball fandom—Max passionately for the Yankees, Rich with Dodger sympathies as well.
Max laments the Yankees' inability to outdo rivals like the Dodgers and Red Sox in the 21st century and critiques Yankees’ management passivity.
They reminisce about an earlier era with more prominent African American representation in MLB and call for increased outreach to Black youth.
Quote (Max, 58:33):
“As a Yankees fan, 27 championships, by far the most in the history of American team sports, I insist that they win the World Series more than their arch rivals.”
Notable: Max’s belief, on paper, the 2026 Yankees could match up with the Dodgers—if stars like Gerrit Cole get healthy.
Quote (Richard, 65:14):
“No, we need more Black kids playing baseball. That's the reason that's important beyond like any sociological thing, is it's a reflection of youth culture oftentimes.”

2. Rap Beef & Social Media Culture

Timestamps: 02:11–11:15

Sparked by Jay-Z’s recent GQ interview, Max and Rich reflect on how rap “beef”/conflict has changed:
- Max grounds rap’s origins in competition, but agrees "there should be some unwritten rules" about personal attacks.
- Rich sees social media intensifying and amplifying beefs—often with non-artists getting caught up in actual violence, shifting from “battle” to real street issues.
- The morality and boundaries of public call-outs are compared to “Geneva Convention” rules for hip-hop (Max, 07:24):
  “Jay is actually arguing for a Geneva convention for hip hop. Like, there are rules in war… there should be some battle crimes.”
The duo nostalgically references classic battles (Ether, Takeover), noting how the culture’s tone and stakes have changed.

3. NBA Expansion: Vegas & Seattle

Timestamps: 12:27–18:18

The NBA Board of Governors will vote on expansion teams in Las Vegas and Seattle; projected franchise price tag: $7–10 billion.
Rich and Max both would choose to own Seattle—citing its basketball pedigree and untapped, eager fanbase.
Vegas offers unique tourist-driven revenue, but poses stiffer entertainment competition.
Insight into how Vegas’ gambling infrastructure and city evolution factor into potential NBA success.
Quote (Rich, 15:00):
“Seattle is just based upon all the guys that play the game there. It's a basketball city...that place is starving for a basketball team.”

4. Who is the Best Player in Modern NBA History?

Timestamps: 18:23–41:07

Max embarks on a sweeping debate: “Since the ABA-NBA merger, how many players have been the best in basketball—ever, even for a single year?”
- Argues Jokic has claimed the ‘best player’ title for at least three years (“possibly four or five”) and is part of an ultra-exclusive tier alongside Bird, MJ, Shaq, Kobe, LeBron.
- Methodically breaks down these rare “best player” years, including one-year wonders like Dirk, KG, Steph, and more multi-year dominators (Bird, MJ, Shaq, Kobe, LeBron, Jokic).
- Apologies to Duncan—citing Kobe’s era dominance until LeBron’s ascendance.
- Lighthearted quibbling about other possible inclusions (Isaiah Thomas, Barkley) and the greatest NBA/NFL draft classes.
Quote (Max, 27:31):
“Jokic is on that list with Bird, MJ, Shaq, Kobe, and LeBron...most guys stop at three [years], but LeBron and MJ...there are at least seven years...the best player in the world.”

5. MVP Race & The Future: Wemby Ascends?

Timestamps: 33:16–43:58

Who should win MVP? Max believes Wemby (Victor Wembanyama) is not just a legit MVP candidate—he may be about to take over as the best player in the world, perhaps supplanting Jokic.
Rich: “I would not. He would have my vote.” (34:36)
Both discuss Wemby’s unprecedented two-way impact (“offensively, he’s close to the others; defensively, he dominates like Jokic does on offense”).
The MVP tends to underweight defense because “it’s harder to quantify” and fans often chase “style points.”
Argument for why long-term best player status comes from postseason dominance:
“If you are always the best player on either team throughout the playoffs and you make a deep run, you’re the best player in the game.” (Max, 36:20)

6. Spurs’ Organizational Mastery & Roster Building

Timestamps: 40:47–44:28

Spurs are portrayed as a model of draft acumen (“drafted Castle at 4, should have been #1…picked up Wemby, Harper, Fox, Carter, kept Keldon Johnson, traded for De’Aaron Fox”).
The transition from Popovich to an internal hire is praised—a testament to Spurs’ organizational culture.
Quote (Rich, 44:22):
“They didn’t go outside their culture to get the coach…So when you’re evaluating these things, all these things matter.”

7. Knicks, Lakers, and Playoff Prospects

Timestamps: 45:22–49:48

Max breaks down the Knicks’ recent surge (and compares OG Anunoby’s role to Draymond’s for the Warriors).
Rich: “Do you think the Knicks can win a championship this year?”
Max: “They’d have to get the right matchup and that might be the Spurs.”
Special praise for Knicks’ role players, especially Mitchell Robinson (“x-factor”) and the “Brunson contract.”
Both see “the others” (role players) as the key to championship runs.

8. Perspective: Personal Reflections & Life Lessons

Timestamps: 49:52–56:14

Rich shares a heartfelt story about a client’s reaction to injury and how perspective shapes resilience and success.
“The most important thing you can have is perspective…having a better perspective helped me get through my most challenging moments as a kid.” (Rich, 52:18)
Rich and Max discuss the value of entrepreneurial spirit, community influence, and seeing the big picture, drawing on family role models and street-smart business lessons.

9. NBA’s 65-Game Rule & Shoedeal Implications

Timestamps: 70:29–74:13

Debates on the fairness and unintended consequences of the “65-game rule” for awards and all-NBA teams.
Rich breaks down shoe contract thresholds—reaching All-Star or games played triggers bonuses, but “not all that money’s real: a lot of that’s fluff, you have to hit the triggers.”
“It’s hard to legislate stuff like load management…some of the best players just get hurt.” (Max, 73:43)

10. Listener Mailbag

Timestamps: 74:18–78:36

How did Rich land courtside Lakers tickets? (“Pretty straightforward. Called, asked, bought.”)
What did Jerry Maguire get right/wrong about agents?
Right: “This paranoia, going out on your own.”
Wrong: “He was reactive…Agents aren’t all transactional—at least the good ones.”
“Best draft classes ever” discussion: NBA—1984, 1996, 2003. NFL—1983 quarterback draft (“Marino, Elway, Jim Kelly”).

Memorable Quotes & Moments

“Rap is essentially competitive. That's how it started. DJs telling you why you should come to their spot... That DNA is never going away.”
– Max Kellerman, (05:01)
“I just have no interest in rap beef—I've seen where it leads, and it's never good for the community.”
– Rich Paul, (08:02)
“If you go to the Bronx, Yankees fans think they're supposed to win the World Series every year...I do insist, however, that they win the World Series more than anyone else.”
– Max Kellerman (58:33)
“Seattle is just ... a basketball city. That place is starving for a basketball team.”
– Rich Paul, (15:00)
“Jokic is on that list with Bird, MJ, Shaq, Kobe and LeBron.”
– Max Kellerman, (27:31)
“The MVP doesn't normally honor defense as much as it should. It's about style points, not always impact.”
– Rich Paul, (36:40)
“Some nights Luka looks like the best player. Sometimes it's Wemby, sometimes Joker...I'm just a fan of the game.”
– Rich Paul, (39:10)
“The most important thing you can have is perspective...it helps everything else.”
– Rich Paul, (55:24)

Notable Segments & Timestamps

Rap Beef & Social Media: 02:11–11:15
NBA Expansion (Vegas, Seattle): 12:27–18:18
Best NBA Players, Year-by-Year Debate: 18:23–41:07
MVP Race & Wemby Discussion: 33:16–43:58
Spurs' Organizational Success: 40:47–44:28
Knicks’ Prospects & Playoffs: 45:22–49:48
Perspective & Personal Growth: 49:52–56:14
MLB Opening Day/State of Baseball: 57:36–68:13
NBA’s 65-Game Rule: 70:29–74:13
Mailbag (Agent Life, Draft Classes): 74:18–78:36

Style & Tone

Lively and off-the-cuff, the hosts balance deep sports knowledge with humor, friendship, and a willingness to digress into pop culture and personal philosophy. Both challenge each other, riffing on the uncertainties and mythologies around sport, competition, and business. The entire show is shaped by a blend of nostalgia, expertise, and unfiltered banter.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

You’ll come away from this episode with a sharper view of:

NBA’s looming expansion and what makes a city “basketball ready”
How the mantle of “best player on Earth” shifts through NBA history and where Jokic, LeBron, and Wemby fit
The evolving role of culture, competition, and social media in rap, sports, and life
How perspective—not just talent or opportunity—shapes careers, both on and off the court
How the economics of player contracts and league rules really work, from shoes to superstars

This episode is a can’t-miss for sports fans who love smart, layered discussion and big-picture thinking about the games and cultures they love.