Podcast Summary: The Ringer NBA Show – "Divvying Up the Midseason Title Pie | Group Chat"

Release Date: January 28, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Ringer NBA Show, the Group Chat segment features hosts Justin Verrier, Wosny Lambre (Big Waz), and Rob Mahoney engaging in an in-depth analysis of the NBA's midseason title race. The trio introduces a unique "title pie" concept, allocating percentages to various teams based on their championship potential. This structured approach allows listeners to gain a clearer understanding of the competitive landscape as the season progresses.

Title Pie Allocation

Boston Celtics – Leading the Charge (25-26%)

Big Waz opens the discussion by allocating 25% of the title pie to the Boston Celtics, emphasizing their status as frontrunners. He states,

"I think they're still clearly the title favorites. They're healthy right now, which I think is going to be the most determinative in terms of how well they end up doing in the playoffs" ([07:04]).

Rob Mahoney concurs, assigning 20% to the Celtics, while Justin Verrier slightly increases his share to 26%, citing recent performance fluctuations and concerns over player consistency.

Oklahoma City Thunder – The Dark Horse (32%)

Justin Verrier designates the Oklahoma City Thunder as his top contender with a substantial 32% of the pie. Highlighting their impressive point differential and solid regular-season record, he remarks,

"They are an absolute buzzsaw. But the problem with the Thunder is statistically they profile as one of the best teams in history" ([10:09]).

While acknowledging their historical prowess, Big Waz expresses skepticism about their playoff resilience, particularly against seasoned teams like Dallas, citing,

"I just think their playoff situation is going to be tough" ([13:21]).

Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Dallas Mavericks – Solid Contenders (10-16%)

The conversation shifts to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Dallas Mavericks, each receiving between 10% to 16% of the pie. Big Waz assigns 10% to each of these teams, appreciating their depth and potential if key players remain healthy. Rob Mahoney and Justin Verrier further discuss the Cavaliers' defensive struggles and Memphis's reliance on second-chance points, respectively, acknowledging their threats but also their vulnerabilities.

Denver Nuggets – A Balanced Threat (6%)

Justin Verrier includes the Denver Nuggets with a 6% share, noting their improved chemistry and strategic roster moves. Big Waz highlights

"Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are carving out legitimate championship DNA" ([46:31]).

Despite their offensive strengths, concerns about defensive consistency remain, with Rob Mahoney pointing out potential pitfalls in high-pressure playoff scenarios.

Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers – Fringe Contenders (1-0.5%)

The Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers receive minimal portions of the pie, 1% and 0.5% respectively. Big Waz is particularly dismissive of the Clippers, likening their odds to mere crumbs:

"They're not even a crumb team even for me" ([70:35]).

Conversely, Rob Mahoney acknowledges the Clippers' potential if key players like Kawhi Leonard can maintain their performance and health, albeit assigning them a negligible chance.

Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets – Long Shots (4-5%)

The Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets are categorized as long shots with 4% and 3% respectively. Justin Verrier expresses optimism for the Bucks if Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard can synergize effectively, while the Rockets' physical playstyle is seen as a wildcard that could disrupt stronger teams but lacks the offensive prowess to secure a championship.

Phoenix Suns – Conditional Hope (0.5%)

Finally, the Phoenix Suns are allotted a 0.5% share, contingent on potential strategic acquisitions like Jimmy Butler:

"Jimmy Butler is a transformative player and the level of star that frankly could get you a whopping 0.5% of the title pie" ([75:06]).

This minimal allocation acknowledges their defensive strengths but underscores the improbability of them securing the championship without significant roster changes.

Trades and Roster Considerations

A substantial portion of the discussion revolves around potential trades and their impact on the title pie. Justin Verrier and Big Waz debate the feasibility and strategic value of acquiring key players such as Zach Lavine for the Lakers in response to Anthony Davis' demands for a versatile center. They explore how such moves could marginally shift a team's position in the title race but ultimately conclude that transformative trades are unlikely to drastically alter the standings.

Conclusion

The Group Chat effectively breaks down the midseason title race through the innovative lens of the title pie, providing listeners with a quantified perspective on each team's championship potential. While the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder dominate the conversation as top contenders, the analysis remains balanced by recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of other teams vying for the title. The discussion underscores the dynamic nature of the NBA season, where health, performance consistency, and strategic moves play pivotal roles in shaping the path to the championship.

Notable Quotes

• Big Waz on Celtics' dominance:

  "Boston Celtics are getting the big piece of chicken of this proverbial pie" ([07:04]).

• Justin Verrier on Thunder's statistical prowess:

  "They have the best point differential since the NBA merger and is also the second best in NBA history" ([10:16]).

• Rob Mahoney on Cleveland Cavaliers' defensive issues:

  "They've been one of the worst defenses in the league over the last couple weeks" ([25:03]).

• Big Waz expressing doubts about Clippers' title chances:

  "They're not even a crumb team even for me" ([70:35]).

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from "Divvying Up the Midseason Title Pie | Group Chat," providing a clear and structured overview for listeners and NBA enthusiasts alike.