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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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 PinaProducers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford AugustinProduction Supervision: Ben CruzAdditional Production Support: John Richter and Chris Wohlers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 LeBronHosts: Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard BeckProducer: Victoria ValenciaProduction Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 BellProducers: Logan Murdock, Clifford Augustin, and Victoria ValenciaVideo: Victoria ValenciaAudio: Devon BaroldiShow Art: Matthew JamesProduction Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 MannProducers: Victoria Valencia and Stefan Anderson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 MannProducers: Victoria Valencia and Stefan AndersonProduction Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 matchmakerHosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle MannProducers: Isaiah Blakely, Jeff Shearin, Victoria Valencia, and Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 MannProducers: Victoria Valencia and Jessie LopezProduction Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor NevinsSocial: Jessie Lopez and Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices