The Ringer NBA Show Summary

Episode Title: Gordon’s 0.1-Second Miracle Dunk Saves Denver. Plus, a Steph Classic and Offseason War Rooms for the Grizzlies and Heat.
Release Date: April 27, 2025
Hosts: Justin Ferrier, Rob Mahoney, Big Waz
Format: Group Chat

1. Aaron Gordon’s 0.1-Second Miracle Dunk Saves Denver

Timestamp: [00:00] - [05:58]

The episode kicks off with an electrifying discussion about Aaron Gordon's incredible last-moment dunk that secured a victory for the Denver Nuggets against the Los Angeles Clippers in Game Four. Justin Ferrier sets the stage by recalling the awe-inspiring play:

Justin Ferrier [00:00]: “Two to three hours after one of the greatest buzzer-beating final shots that I have ever witnessed... Aaron Gordon's big bucket to win it against the Clippers in game four was that important.”

Rob Mahoney echoes the sentiment, highlighting the uniqueness of the moment:

Rob Mahoney [01:48]: “A two-handed putback dunk to beat the buzzer by, I have to say was... the slimmest margin I have ever seen any basket beat any buzzer in the entirety.”

Big Waz adds context about Nikola Jokic's attempt to secure the win:

Big Waz [02:02]: “The fact that Jokic, he took, he did a Sambo shuffle to try to win the game and it ended up being a Kobe assist instead. I know, which was just crazy man.”

The hosts delve into the intricacies of the play, analyzing the split-second decisions and the NBA's replay system that confirmed the dunk was valid:

Justin Ferrier [03:14]: “It was a really close game... within a split second it might be point one seconds... just off his fingertips, it goes through the nets.”

Rob Mahoney marvels at the technical aspects:

Rob Mahoney [03:54]: “The angle exists, a camera angle I've genuinely never seen before... Those lights technically are turning on before 00, so they can fully be on by the time they hit 00.”

2. Analysis of Denver Nuggets vs. Clippers Game

Timestamp: [05:28] - [14:43]

The conversation shifts to dissecting the Nuggets' overall performance and their defensive struggles against the Clippers' two-three zone. Justin Ferrier critiques the Nuggets' lack of defensive cohesion:

Justin Ferrier [05:28]: “Denver just literally is melting down turnovers, giving up wide-open layups. It was insane.”

Rob Mahoney praises Gordon's decision-making and athleticism:

Rob Mahoney [05:58]: “Aaron Gordon's presence of mind and sense of timing in that moment is some truly supernatural shit.”

Big Waz reflects on the unexpected nature of the dunk:

Big Waz [06:37]: “He just grabbed this thing with the hand of God and wins the game for these dudes at the end. That was crazy.”

The hosts discuss the implications of this play on the Nuggets' season and their reliance on Gordon and Jokic:

Justin Ferrier [07:24]: “This speaks to how important he [Gordon] is. There's a reason why he is Mr. Nugget. In addition to Jokic just being everything and anything for the Nuggets.”

3. Denver Nuggets’ Team Depth and Strategy

Timestamp: [08:15] - [19:19]

The discussion transitions to evaluating the Nuggets' roster depth and strategic vulnerabilities. Rob Mahoney points out the lack of a traditional second star:

Rob Mahoney [08:32]: “They don't have a definitive, traditional second star. They have a guy like Murray, but he's not consistently impactful.”

Big Waz emphasizes the inconsistency of role players:

Big Waz [10:44]: “Jamal Murray specifically is just not having a huge impact on this series.”

Justin Ferrier highlights the exhaustion of the starting lineup and the strain on key players:

Justin Ferrier [10:44]: “Once the elation of the Aaron Gordon game fades away, the Nuggets do not feel good about how their season almost imploded in their hands.”

The hosts consider the impact of defensive lapses and rebounding issues on Denver’s performance:

Rob Mahoney [12:54]: “Chris Dunn's shooting slump is a huge problem for the Clippers.”

4. Clippers’ Strategic Consistency and Clutch Stars

Timestamp: [19:19] - [26:44]

The focus shifts to the Los Angeles Clippers, analyzing their big three—Kawhi Leonard, Paul George (referred to as Zub), and James Harden—and their consistent performances. Big Waz questions the Nuggets' reliance on role players versus the Clippers' reliance on star power:

Big Waz [15:15]: “Kawhi, Zub, and Harden can be more reliably good to great than Jokic, Murray, Gordon.”

Rob Mahoney discusses the Clippers' ability to handle pressure and Clark their offensive and defensive strategies:

Rob Mahoney [19:25]: “As the series goes on, we're seeing more 44-minute nights from Kawhi and Harden... shifting from playmaking to being primary scorers.”

The conversation covers the psychological impact of clutch performances and the Clippers' postseason aspirations:

Justin Ferrier [20:21]: “This is the exact game you do not want to lose because that FATA starts to creep in.”

5. Warriors vs. Rockets Series: Steph Curry’s Classic Performance

Timestamp: [22:22] - [38:57]

The hosts briefly touch upon the ongoing Warriors vs. Rockets series, highlighting Steph Curry's exceptional performance despite the Rockets' offensive struggles. Justin Ferrier praises Curry's enduring skills:

Justin Ferrier [23:33]: “Steph Curry doing this at 37, still giving us these kind of performances... incredible.”

Rob Mahoney notes the Rockets' inability to compete offensively:

Rob Mahoney [23:33]: “Their offense was complete sludge... bottom of the tar pit fossilized in amber.”

Big Waz critiques the Rockets' roster and offensive strategy:

Big Waz [27:50]: “Amen Thompson just had, like, 30 of those moments in this game... the Rockets have no one to stabilize their offense.”

The discussion highlights the Rockets' lack of depth and reliance on young, inexperienced players:

Justin Ferrier [36:01]: “They lack talent in a way that I'm surprised by because they actually maintained a lot of the assets.”

6. Thunder vs. Grizzlies Series: Thunder’s Dominant Performance

Timestamp: [39:12] - [55:39]

The Thunder’s swift progression through the series against the Grizzlies garners attention. Justin Ferrier commends the Thunder's consistent scoring and defensive performances:

Justin Ferrier [42:40]: “Consistent scoring from J Dub, legitimate moments from Chet Holmgren, and solid defense.”

Rob Mahoney analyzes the Thunder's strategic depth and individual performances:

Rob Mahoney [43:14]: “Chad Holmgren came up with a huge crunch-time steal... demonstrates the team’s readiness for high-pressure situations.”

Big Waz expresses skepticism about the Grizzlies’ competitiveness without Ja Morant:

Big Waz [45:38]: “This series is a joke. Memphis isn't a serious outfit.”

The hosts discuss the Grizzlies' potential offseason moves, particularly the trade of Ja Morant, and the implications for team dynamics and future strategies:

Justin Ferrier [49:14]: “We're going to trade Ja Morant. We need someone to be there, a star to co-pilot the team.”

Rob Mahoney supports a strategic trade to strengthen the roster:

Rob Mahoney [50:57]: “If you want to trade Ja, I would go the first route... seeking a different kind of guard play.”

Big Waz debates potential trade targets, mentioning Trae Young and Zion Williamson, though concerns about their fit and availability are raised:

Big Waz [54:11]: “Would you trade Ja for Trae Young? No, I'm interested if I'm being honest.”

7. Heat vs. Cavaliers Series: Cavaliers’ Dominance

Timestamp: [56:57] - [74:04]

The Cavaliers' overwhelming sweep of the Miami Heat is a focal point, with the hosts lauding their offensive and defensive prowess. Rob Mahoney highlights key performances and strategic execution:

Rob Mahoney [58:32]: “Max Struz had 18 points, nine rebounds, five assists. That's a good Max Struz game.”

Justin Ferrier emphasizes the Cavaliers' superior ball movement and offensive efficiency:

Justin Ferrier [59:16]: “32 assists on 48 shots is nuts... Steph couldn't get a dribble off, yet the Cavs maintained control.”

Big Waz applauds the Cavaliers' ability to dominate without relying heavily on star players like James Harden:

Big Waz [62:53]: “We smoked them on their home floor... the Cavs are a championship contender type of team.”

The hosts discuss the Cavaliers' depth and the impact of players like Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, praising their consistent performances and team chemistry:

Rob Mahoney [62:57]: “Ty Jerome and DeAndre Hunter can keep applying pressure... Jared Allen carving up the backside.”

Justin Ferrier contemplates the Cavaliers' future in the playoffs, acknowledging their strength but also considering long-term strategies:

Justin Ferrier [64:21]: “Can you recommend getting KD would be a lot better than what they are right now.”

8. Offseason War Rooms: Grizzlies and Heat

Timestamp: [38:57] - [74:49]

The latter part of the podcast delves into the strategic planning for the offseason, focusing on the Grizzlies' potential trade of Ja Morant and the Heat's roster considerations. Justin Ferrier initiates a hypothetical war room discussion about trading Ja Morant:

Justin Ferrier [49:14]: “We’re going to trade Ja Morant. What’s the issue on the table here.”

Rob Mahoney advises on leveraging the Grizzlies' assets to strengthen the roster, suggesting targeted guard acquisitions:

Rob Mahoney [50:21]: “Look for a different kind of guard play... seeking someone who can go out and get you a bucket.”

Big Waz weighs in on potential trade targets, expressing doubts about acquiring high-caliber players like Trae Young or Zion Williamson due to their market dynamics:

Big Waz [52:29]: “There’s no shortage of the type of chicks Zion has shown himself to be into... we need to find someone viable.”

The discussion touches on the complexities of trading star players, the challenges of finding suitable replacements, and the importance of maintaining team chemistry and competitiveness:

Rob Mahoney [55:39]: “Kenny Atkinson-style coach or a more developmental approach with Tuomas Isolo...”

Justin Ferrier reflects on the Heat's draft strategy and the difficulty of finding impactful players beyond their current roster:

Justin Ferrier [71:01]: “The feeder system just isn’t there at this point... they lack the talent to sustain long-term success.”

Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

Timestamp: [73:02] - [74:49]

As the episode wraps up, the hosts share lighthearted banter about in-game promotions and humorous distractions, maintaining an engaging and relatable atmosphere. Justin Ferrier humorously critiques the Nuggets' experience with promotional items:

Justin Ferrier [73:11]: “Those horse heads aren't going to pay for themselves, you know.”

Rob Mahoney and Big Waz continue the playful exchange, reinforcing the camaraderie among the hosts. The episode concludes with standard sign-off messages and reminders about responsible gaming, ensuring compliance with content guidelines.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Justin Ferrier [00:00]: “Two to three hours after one of the greatest buzzer-beating final shots that I have ever witnessed... Aaron Gordon's big bucket to win it against the Clippers in game four was that important.”

• Rob Mahoney [01:48]: “A two-handed putback dunk to beat the buzzer by, I have to say was... the slimmest margin I have ever seen any basket beat any buzzer in the entirety.”

• Big Waz [02:02]: “The fact that Jokic, he took, he did a Sambo shuffle to try to win the game and it ended up being a Kobe assist instead. I know, which was just crazy man.”

• Justin Ferrier [03:14]: “It was a really close game... within a split second it might be point one seconds... just off his fingertips, it goes through the nets.”

• Rob Mahoney [05:58]: “Aaron Gordon's presence of mind and sense of timing in that moment is some truly supernatural shit.”

• Big Waz [06:37]: “He just grabbed this thing with the hand of God and wins the game for these dudes at the end. That was crazy.”

• Justin Ferrier [07:24]: “This speaks to how important he [Gordon] is. There's a reason why he is Mr. Nugget. In addition to Jokic just being everything and anything for the Nuggets.”

• Rob Mahoney [19:25]: “As the series goes on, we're seeing more 44-minute nights from Kawhi and Harden... shifting from playmaking to being primary scorers.”

• Justin Ferrier [20:21]: “This is the exact game you do not want to lose because that FATA starts to creep in.”

• Big Waz [26:44]: “They have to do something different.”

Conclusion

In this episode of The Ringer NBA Show, hosts Justin Ferrier, Rob Mahoney, and Big Waz provide an in-depth analysis of recent NBA playoff games, focusing on Aaron Gordon's miraculous dunk that saved the Denver Nuggets, Steph Curry's stellar performance against the Rockets, the Thunder's dominant sweep of the Grizzlies, and the Cavaliers' decisive victory over the Heat. The discussion extends into strategic offseason considerations for teams like the Grizzlies and Heat, contemplating potential trades and roster adjustments to enhance competitiveness. With a blend of technical analysis, player performance evaluations, and strategic foresight, the hosts deliver a comprehensive overview of the current NBA playoff landscape, enriched with notable quotes and insightful commentary.