The Right Time with Bomani Jones

Episode: Vinnie Goodwill on Chris Paul being sent home by Clippers, LeBron "going out sad", Thunder dynasty on deck
Date: December 3, 2025
Host: Bomani Jones
Guest: Vinny Goodwill (NBA reporter for ESPN)

Overview

This episode features Bomani Jones and Vinny Goodwill delving into three major NBA storylines: Chris Paul being sent home by the Clippers, LeBron James’ awkward adjustment to aging and team hierarchy, and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s burgeoning dynasty and dominance. Their lively, insightful, and often humorous conversation covers player legacies, team-building philosophies, the evolution and problems with modern basketball, and what the future holds for the NBA’s stars and franchises.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Chris Paul Gets Sent Home by the Clippers

[03:59 – 09:50]

• Clippers' Decision: The Clippers, deep in a disastrous, aging season (5–16), abruptly send Chris Paul home during a road trip. It's not a typical release—he's told to leave while they "figure the rest out."

  • Bomani on the unceremonious send-off:

    “They just want him out of there. They told him to call Tyrone and tell him, come on, help you get your shit.” (07:14)

• Franchise Icon Disrespected: Both Jones and Goodwill stress Paul’s critical role in legitimizing the franchise alongside Blake Griffin—the move is exceptional, given his place in Clipper history.

  • “He and Blake Griffin together are the most important players in the history of their franchise…they helped build this building that they’re playing in.” (05:50)

• Possible Causes:

  • Chris Paul’s exhausting personality, especially when losing, may have made him intolerable as his performance declined.
  • Never clear if he patched things up with James Harden (their Houston stint ended badly).
    • Vinny: “Were we ever sure that he and James Harden patched things up? …Those are two very acquired taste type of ball players.” (07:21)

• Legacy Assessment: Paul’s lack of a championship overshadows his exceptional career.

  • “There’s no way to answer…was Chris Paul wrong place, wrong time? Or was Chris Paul the common denominator of all the bad things that wound up happening?” (12:32)

2. The Challenge of Aging: LeBron James "Going Out Sad"

[20:14 – 28:13]

• LeBron's Recent Play:

  • Caught in an awkward spot. On a night when the Lakers have the game in hand, LeBron stays in to chase double-digit points for a streak; JJ Redick, now coaching, calls a timeout because of antics on the court.
  • Bomani: “Once you decide to come back at this age, every year, the odds of you going out sad get higher and higher and higher.” (20:26)

• Role on Team:

  • No longer the top option, maybe not even second or third—can he adapt?
  • Vinny: “No longer number one option. Yes. Let's see how long he's the number three option…” (23:20)

• LeBron’s Impact & Perception:

  • Despite jokes and internet memes, he remains impactful; his mere presence changes games, but usage and efficiency are in decline (notably poor free throw percentage).
  • Debate on whether the Lakers are truly as good as their record indicates, especially when compared to their net rating and with LeBron dialing back his usage.
  • Vinny gives LeBron a “15 games” grace period to see if he can “turn it up” after returning from injury.

3. The Thunder Ascendancy: "Dynasty on Deck"

[44:43 – 55:17]

• Are the Thunder On Dynasty Track?

  • Their blowout wins are “unimpressive” in the sense that they seem routine; just steadily outplay everyone quarter by quarter rather than overwhelming in bursts.
    • Vinny: “They beat you by four every quarter. Beat you by four, beat you by four, beat you by 4…wait, we lost by 20.” (45:45)
    • Bomani: “They’re winning by 15 points a night. And they did most of this without their second or third best player.” (45:49)

• Young Core and Draft Assets:

  • Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams (JDub), and especially Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are thriving; the Thunder own several future high lottery picks, enabling sustainable success or a superstar trade.

• Comparisons to NBA History:

  • Vinny likens this to the 1982 Lakers (winning and then drafting James Worthy) and the 1986 Celtics—teams that could reload while already at the top.
  • Bomani points out that unlike past teams, the Thunder’s core wasn’t built on high lottery picks but shrewd drafting and development.

• Roster Construction in the “Second Apron” Era:

  • Teams who get their drafts right reap huge structural advantages under new salary cap rules.
  • Houston, Detroit, and Oklahoma City are cited as young teams “getting it right” from within (draft) rather than via high-profile trades.

• Risks & Sustainability:

  • Even seemingly inevitable dynasties can get derailed—Boston and Denver cited as recent examples of “unbeatable” teams that fell short.
  • Thunder’s myriad assets would let them reload if injuries hit.

4. The Modern NBA: Style, Injuries, and Player Development

[31:15 – 43:46]

• Rampant Injuries & Overuse:

  • Bomani links the NBA’s relentless pace and physical demands to the rash of injuries—players are putting more miles on themselves from a younger age and there’s “no dialing it back.”
    • “Bodies are not meant to withstand that which we are discussing. But there is no dialing it back.”
  • Over-specialization (kids focusing on one sport) and excessive skill work, not live practice, are blamed for increased soft tissue injuries.
  • Training shoes are criticized as “just bad.” Low-tops shift stress to other parts of the leg (adductors, hamstrings).

• Fixes?

  • Calls for multi-sport youth training: “We need a new Bo Knows campaign.”
  • Vinny: “It creates better athletes, to be perfectly honest.” (38:01)
  • Cutting games from season is a constant debate, but “never going to happen”—teams won’t give up revenue, and rest days might only mean more solo training (not less wear).

• Cultural Change:

  • Andre Miller (retired NBA vet) is quoted as saying 5-on-5 “live” basketball remains the best training—versus today’s skill-dominated routine.
  • Young players are more robotic, less adaptive because they’re not playing “natural” basketball.
    • Vinny: “So much of hooping is just figuring it out…hooping against us and getting your ass kicked, going down the lane and getting knocked on your ass…”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Chris Paul's Exit

  “They just want him out of there. They told him to call Tyrone and tell him, come on, help you get your shit.” — Bomani Jones (07:14)

• On CP3's Legacy

  “You have to be a special type of ball player just to get to the NBA at six feet nothing. Then you have to be a different type of animal to be an excellent ballplayer…” — Vinny Goodwill (09:50)

• Aging and "Going Out Sad"

  “Once you decide to come back at this age, every year, the odds of you going out sad get higher and higher and higher.” — Bomani Jones (20:26)

• On Thunder's Success

  “If they want to. You know what? … It doesn't look impressive...they beat you by four every quarter…wait, we lost by 20.” — Vinny Goodwill (44:46–45:45)

• On Modern Player Development

  "It’s like watching a timing belt on your car wearing out…It’s only got so many, so many miles before the car starts fighting back." — Vinny Goodwill (34:08–35:23)

• On Solutions to Player Overuse

  “The cross train need a new Bo Knows campaign.” — Bomani Jones (38:01)

Important Timestamps

• 03:59–09:50: Chris Paul’s exile – mechanics, significance, legacy
• 20:14–28:13: LeBron’s role, legacy, statistical decline, Lakers’ prospects
• 31:15–43:46: Pace of play, injury crisis, problems with specialization, need for sports culture change
• 44:43–55:17: Oklahoma City Thunder – dynasty potential, historical comparisons, roster-building, league sustainability
• Throughout: Lively banter about the NBA’s evolution, player personalities, and witty asides about shoes, coaching, and classic basketball moments.

Closing Thoughts

This episode is a rich, entertaining, and thought-provoking tour of the NBA’s past, present, and future, filtered through Bomani Jones’ sharp analysis and Vinny Goodwill’s insider expertise. Together, they illuminate not just what’s happening on the court, but why it matters—and what it means for legacies being written in real time.