The Ringer NBA Show: "How Far Can the Spurs Go This Season? Plus, the Mighty Trail Blazers, Ja Morant’s Future, and More"

Date: November 3, 2025
Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, Kyle Mann

EPISODE OVERVIEW

This episode of "Group Chat" on The Ringer NBA Show takes a deep dive into:

• The early (and perhaps overzealous) hype around the surging San Antonio Spurs led by Victor Wembanyama
• Tactical analysis of their humbling loss to the Suns
• The woes and bleak outlook in New Orleans with the 0-6 Pelicans
• A focused discussion on Ja Morant’s troubling relationship with the Grizzlies and his uncertain market value
• An in-depth look at the unexpectedly tough Portland Trail Blazers The hosts blend sharp analysis, irreverent humor, and plenty of NBA insider detail across a packed show.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS AND INSIGHTS

1. San Antonio Spurs—Hype Check and Growing Pains

[02:44]-[05:54]

• The hosts dissect the Spurs’ “come to earth moment” after a 6-0 run is snapped by a blowout loss to the Suns.
• The game was a “reality check” for anyone believing the Spurs are already top contenders; they’re still firmly in a development year.
• On Victor Wembanyama:
  • Teams are now taking Wemby seriously; the Suns’ double-teams and crowding disrupted him.
  • “Wemby is not catching anyone by surprise at this point. This was the most bothered I think we’ve seen him in any game this season.” — Kyle Mann [03:23]
  • Young Spurs are still learning how to play off Wemby and counter elite, playoff-style defensive schemes.
  • Wemby “can be sped up, pushed off his spot ... he may look like an unstoppable force on some nights, but he is but a mere player, Justin.” — Mann [05:24]
• Loss of key contributors (like Dylan Harper due to injury) exposed depth and cohesion issues.
• Suns’ physical, veteran wings and Devin Booker's irritant persona flustered the young Spurs, exposing lack of emotional composure.
  • “This is overall an extremely young team that can get lured into those sorts of pissing contests.” — Verrier [06:56]

Notable Moment:

• Stefan Castle racks up three fouls and gets into tech-inciting shoving matches, a "real young team stuff” moment.

2. Injuries, Role Players, and Team Dynamics

[08:14]-[13:51]

• Dylan Harper's early season impresses (“slinkiest drivers in the league” per Mann [08:53]), but his calf injury stings; Fox’s absence as steadying force is noted.
• Devin Vassell’s evolving but still inconsistent role; lack of a true secondary star is magnified.
• Spurs’ defensive dominance with Wemby and (when healthy) Luke Kornet, but depth issues without them explored.
• “With Wemby on the floor, they are astoundingly good on defense ... all-time exceptional levels” — Mann [13:16]

3. Where Do the Spurs Stand in the West’s Chaos?

[13:51]-[16:10]

• The West is wide open with heavyweights struggling (Nuggets, Warriors, Clippers, Wolves, etc.).
• “Spurs seem very much, dare I say, in the mix for the top six.” — Verrier [14:38]
• The hosts see the Spurs as having moved out of "play-in fodder," but urge caution after the blowout by Phoenix.

4. Bad Vibes in the West: Warriors & Pelicans

[17:34]-[27:53]

Warriors:

• “Draymond Green ... is so annoying. ... He's a tough watch.” — Verrier [17:41]
• Steph Curry’s patience with Draymond’s antics discussed.
• West's top teams "are having to do their soul searching pretty early in the year ... an opportunity for the Spurs.” — Mann [15:09]

Pelicans:

• Pelicans are branded a “disaster in every possible respect” after three 30+ point losses in six games.
• “Not only half their games, just in half of the 30 point losses in the entire NBA this season belong to the New Orleans Pelicans.” — Mann [19:24]
• “Zion looks like he would rather be anywhere else than participating with this team at this time. ... They cannot guard literally anybody.” — Mann [20:10]
• The Pelicans’ asset mismanagement is skewered—trading away lottery picks for Derek Queen, who barely plays.
• Trey Murphy is one of few bright spots, but is slipping into “Breaking Bad” mode: “What did you expect me to roll over and die?” [26:19]
• Pelicans’ -18 point differential is the NBA’s worst. “The Pelicans are better at being bad than the best teams are at being good.” — Mann [27:15]
• “Never trust the Pelicans.” — Mann [27:53]

5. Ja Morant & the Grizzlies: Suspensions, Drama, and Trade Value

[30:10]-[64:44]

• Ja Morant is suspended for “malicious compliance” and publicly sulking—accused of “quiet quitting” during a recent game.
  • “It really is a unique thing to see a star float for an entire half and not once break the three point line, not once take an active step on defense.” — Mann [30:27]
  • "He has lost all benefit of the doubt, at least with the public." — Verrier [38:33]
• Discussion traces the evolution of Ja’s game from passing-focused floor-raiser to iso-first star, and how that clashes with his current limitations (size, shooting, injuries).
• “He has made one All-NBA team. He’s made two All-Star teams in his entire career. He has won a single playoff series. ... What ground does he have to stand on?” — Mann [38:04]
• Grizzlies’ patient but “bending over backwards” approach to Ja is wearing thin; the suspension may be an inflection point.
• Ja’s trade market is debated:
  • “This event is just so terrible because ... the market’s going to be tough. ... Jaws’ number one [trade candidate on Fanspo].” — Mahoney [46:14]
  • Milwaukee, Phoenix, Miami, Toronto, Sacramento, Houston, Brooklyn, Portland, and Minnesota discussed as possible but mostly unappealing or risky destinations.
  • “It’s hard to be a serious team and want John Morant the leader ... and even be a rebuilding team and want him guiding your young guards along.” — Mann [59:06]
• “How many turning points does a guy get? ... How many opportunities does he have to have accountability?” — Mann [64:04]
• The segment connects Ja’s arc to a “sped-up” Allen Iverson trajectory and questions the concept of superstar-driven franchises in the current NBA context.

6. Portland Trail Blazers — The “Mighty” Blazers and Their Blueprint

[65:12]-[80:54]

• The show ends with an enthusiastic look at the surging Blazers, particularly their defensive identity and wing depth.
• “They look absolutely ferocious defensively ... They’ve just got something.” — Mann [65:52]
• Despite drafting centers, it’s the “smallball” wing lineups that form Portland’s identity. Credit to Kamaru Usman, Deni Avdija, and Drew Holiday (“a fucking brick out there” [73:11]) for their toughness.
• “Their best lineups ... are these smallball lineups where they're just putting a bunch of wings guarding the full length of the floor.” — Verrier [66:28]
• Chris Murray and other “fringy” wings shine. The listless starters are often outplayed by energetic, defensive second units.
• On Drew Holiday: “He just has this steadying presence ... so calm in chaos.” — Verrier [75:00]
• Some skepticism or caution about Jeremy Grant (“He woke up from a two-year-long nap.” — Mann [76:38]) and the sustainability of their transition-heavy offense.
• Blazers’ depth could be tested if injuries hit again; backcourt already looks thin after losing Matisse Thybulle and other reserves.
• “They're leading the league in threes generated in transition ... depending on that as flex-seal.” — Mahoney [79:58]
• “You really need to be two-deep to make this all work ... I worry that they just might not have that.” — Verrier [78:52]

MEMORABLE QUOTES & MOMENTS

• “[Wemby] may look like an unstoppable force on some nights, but he is but a mere player, Justin.” — Mann [05:24]
• “It's real young team stuff that you don't want to see from your super sharp title contender.” — Verrier [07:05]
• “[Pelicans:] The worst shooting team in basketball ... they're better at being bad than the best teams are at being good.” — Mann [19:24, 27:15]
• “Ja Morant, if you're the alleged leader of a team ... what ground does he have to stand on ... dictating terms in terms of what doesn't frustrate me in this moment?” — Mann [38:04]
• “How many turning points does a guy get? ... How many opportunities does he have to have accountability?” — Mann [64:04]
• “It’s baffling to watch Jeremy Grant, NBA center, kind of work.” — Mann [68:46]
• “He just has this steadying presence ... so calm in chaos.” — Verrier on Jrue Holiday [75:00]

TIMESTAMPS FOR MAJOR SEGMENTS

| Segment | Start | Key Topics Covered | |-----------------------------|----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Spurs Reality Check | 02:44 | Wemby hype, loss to Suns, young team moments | | Spurs Injuries & Rotation | 08:14 | Dylan Harper, Fox, Vassell, non-Wemby minutes, Kornet | | Where Spurs Fit in the West | 13:51 | Western Conference parity, Spurs playoff ceiling | | Warriors & Bad Vibes | 17:34 | Draymond Green, off-court drama | | The Pelicans Disaster | 18:59 | 0-6 start, asset mismanagement, ownership, Trey Murphy bright spot | | Ja Morant & the Grizzlies | 30:10 | Suspension, effort, trade value, superstar scrutiny, possible trade fits | | Blazers’ Defensive Identity | 65:12 | Wing depth, smallball lineups, crunch time defense, Drew Holiday’s impact, sustainability worries |

CONCLUSION

The hosts balance skepticism about early-season hype (especially with the Spurs and Blazers) against reasons for cautious optimism. They’re unvarnished in their criticism of the Pelicans and frank about the Grizzlies' leadership crisis with Ja Morant. Portland’s rise is celebrated, but the panel acknowledges looming offensive and depth concerns. Throughout, the conversation weaves in league-wide themes—development vs. impatience, youth vs. experience, and the evolving meaning of “superstar” in the NBA—delivered in a candid, group chat vibe with plenty of laughs.

Listen if you want:

• A veteran, nuanced look at young teams in the NBA
• Insider talk on how stars, egos, and team culture are shaping the 2025-26 season
• Unfiltered, funny, and sharp NBA banter on the season’s hottest (and coldest) teams