The Ringer NBA Show: Draymond’s Early Exit. Plus, Real Ones Christmas Day Preview. | Real Ones

Hosts: Logan Murdock, Howard Beck
Date: December 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives into two major topics:

1. The fallout from Draymond Green's dramatic argument and early exit during the Warriors' recent game against the Orlando Magic, dissecting its implications for Golden State's future.
2. A comprehensive preview of all five NBA Christmas Day matchups, with stocking-stuffer “gifts” offered for each participating team.

Throughout, hosts Logan Murdock and Howard Beck keep the tone candid, engaging, and occasionally irreverent. Plus, the episode closes with a lively mailbag segment addressing NBA trends, player disappointments, and what would fix the Chicago Bulls.

Draymond Green’s Warriors Blowup: What It Means (02:08–23:10)

What Happened?

• Recap: Draymond Green got into a heated argument with Steve Kerr during the game against the Magic, leading Green to walk off in the third quarter (02:08). He returned in the fourth but didn’t play again.
• Aftermath: The Warriors outscored the Magic 41–18 in Green’s absence and won the game. Both Kerr and Green were terse and reserved in postgame comments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Historical Cycles: This isn’t the first Kerr/Draymond blowup. Beck recalls the 2016 near-physical altercation and Kerr’s infamous “I’m so tired of Draymond’s shit” caught on camera (04:19).
• Pattern Fatigue: Murdock argues this pattern has grown toxic, especially with the Warriors no longer elite, missing locker room veterans, and with Draymond’s play declining (08:58).
• Franchise Fatigue: “A lot of people in that building are really fed up with Draymond's antics, right?” —Logan Murdock (11:14)
• Changing Tolerance: While Golden State overlooked Draymond’s behavior when winning, that calculus may be shifting as the team falls to mediocrity. (14:13, 16:36)
• No Easy Out: Green’s contract and declining value make trading or suspending him unlikely. “You’re not sending him home. So when we say breaking point...what is that at this stage?” —Howard Beck (16:19)
• Fan Sentiment Shift: Murdock states that after the Jordan Poole punch, “the sentiment from the fan base is completely different...they're really annoyed with him ... He's not putting up the production. His antics have overshadowed how great of a player he was and is.” (18:19)

Notable Quotes

• Logan Murdock (09:00): "It seems like Draymond quit. Like, it just seems like it."
• Howard Beck (04:19): "The irony is that Draymond’s struggles had been about his passing ... but the turnover that preceded the blow-up was his only turnover of the night. He was actually having a really good game all around."
• Logan Murdock (18:19): "I've seen Draymond's rise ... it's been a real 180 on how people see him in the Bay Area right now. ... This is a weekly occurrence, Beck, he continues to do this, right?"

Christmas Day NBA Preview: Matchups, Themes, & “Stocking Stuffers”

1. Warriors vs. Mavericks — The “Angsty Game” (23:10–31:04)

Talking Points

• Both teams are struggling: Golden State with internal, aging-core issues; Dallas lacking direction despite the arrival of rookie Cooper Flag.
• Forecast for the game is “depressing”—a possible low point for both franchises.
• "It's just sadness all around ... even Kyrie coming back just seems sad." —Logan (28:57)

Stocking Stuffers

• Mavericks: "A whole reset ... Trade everyone ... build around Cooper Flag." —Logan (28:35)
• Warriors: "Harmony ... Peace, love and understanding." —Logan (30:07); a Kumingatrade, but options are bleak.

2. Rockets vs. Lakers — “Aging Rivals Game” (32:45–40:11)

Talking Points

• KD vs. LeBron, “OGs” on teams of up-and-comers.
• Rockets are the West’s surprise: "Everything for the most part is working." —Howard (33:06)
• “One of the most LA fitness ass offenses I’ve ever seen, and it works.” —Logan (36:35)

Stocking Stuffers

• Rockets: A real point guard to bring playmaking stability; Dorian Finney-Smith returning from injury (39:53).
• Lakers: Not specified directly (more focus on Rockets).

3. Spurs vs. Thunder — “Game of the Day” (40:47–45:28)

Talking Points

• Budding rivalry: Wembanyama’s Spurs vs. Shai/Chet’s Thunder, a look at the NBA’s next decade of Western Conference powers.
• Wembanyama: “Proud to be part of a team that plays ethical basketball”—subtle dig at OKC’s perceived foul-baiting style. (41:54)
• Hosts agree: "I would watch these two teams play a hundred times in a row." —Howard (41:54)

Stocking Stuffers

• Spurs: Another 3-and-D wing, but very little truly needed.
• Thunder: “Their stocking is already, like, burst at the seams, right? … Everybody was giving them stocking stuffers of draft picks.” —Howard (45:22)

4. Timberwolves vs. Nuggets — "Red Bull Game of the Day" (47:18–52:26)

Talking Points

• Wolves are regular-season darlings, but questions linger about their playoff ceiling (“their offense is just gonna be Ant and he's gonna get defended very well.” —Logan (47:15)
• Nuggets are coasting even without key starters, led by a career-best Jamal Murray ("He's just ballin’. He's been fantastic ... everything gets overshadowed when you're in Jokic's universe." —Howard (48:34, 49:20)
• Historical Nuggets tidbit: Last 60-win season was in the ABA (48:19).

Stocking Stuffers

• Wolves: “Fountain of youth for Mike Conley … they need a point guard.” —Howard (50:11)
• Nuggets: “Red Bull and Xboxes. Something to keep them entertained for the next few months while they're waiting for the playoffs.” —Howard (51:06)

5. Knicks vs. Cavs — “Opening Presents Game” (52:42–60:41)

Talking Points

• The morning slot, low expectations for impact—“That’s the game that's on when you're opening presents.” —Logan (26:09)
• Cavs are “the epitome of meh,” hobbled by injuries and lost offense (54:01).
• Knicks, under Mike Brown, feel rejuvenated: more dynamic offense, deeper bench, “kindler, gentler” coaching style (58:33).

Stocking Stuffers

• Cavs: Health and perimeter shooting.
• Knicks: Continued offensive diversity and health.

Mailbag Highlights (61:05–72:48)

1. How to contextualize stats in a high-scoring era?

   • Context is king—compare stats relative to era pace and style. Howard wishes for a website to “normalize” and compare numbers across decades (62:18).

2. Players who never panned out (not due to injury):

   • Beck: Anthony Randolph (“he was supposed to be KG-lite, just never happened”). (65:14)
   • Cliff: Evan Turner (“came to the Sixers ... just never truly fit”).
   • Logan: Marcus Thornton (“would go on heaters and lead the Kings, but never consistent”). Tyreke Evans also discussed as a near-miss (66:47).

3. What will make the Bulls relevant again?

   • Both agree: Stop aiming for mediocrity and get lucky with a draft pick. Beck: "The first step to not being a perpetually mediocre team is to decide that it's okay to occasionally lose for the sake of winning later." (69:51)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Peace, love and understanding, man." —Logan’s dream for the Warriors (30:09)
• "They have a stocking of draft picks." —Howard on OKC's treasure chest (45:22)
• "I would watch these two teams play a hundred times in a row..." —Howard on Spurs/Thunder (41:54)
• "This may be the one bad game of the day. ... It's going to be sad." —Logan on Warriors/Mavericks (24:45)
• "Mike Brown ... a much kinder, gentler, jovial and communicative version [compared to Thibs]..." —Howard on Knicks’ new vibe (58:33)
• "Is he a Hall of Famer? I'm like, yes, he's a fucking Hall of Famer. But I think his antics have overshadowed how great of a player he was and is, because he's done so much of this stuff and really put his team at risk in the biggest moments." —Logan on Draymond (18:19)

Segment Timestamps

• 02:08 — Draymond Green incident analysis
• 23:10 — Warriors/Mavs Christmas Game Preview & Stocking Stuffers
• 32:45 — Rockets/Lakers Preview
• 40:47 — Spurs/Thunder Preview
• 47:18 — Timberwolves/Nuggets Preview
• 52:42 — Knicks/Cavs Preview
• 61:05 — Mailbag: Scoring Era Context
• 64:34 — Mailbag: Player Busts (Randolph, Turner, Thornton)
• 68:40 — Mailbag: Bulls’ Future

Conclusion

A punchy, thorough episode blending behind-the-scenes rumblings in Golden State with a playful, insightful look at each Christmas matchup. The hosts’ chemistry and willingness to tackle uncomfortable realities—especially about the Warriors’ unraveling—sets this apart, while Christmas “gifts” for underachieving and up-and-coming teams infuse the preview segment with holiday spirit and sharp NBA analysis.