The Ringer NBA Show: Jeanie Beefing With LeBron? Plus, Drama Brewing on Broadway. | Real Ones

Date: January 23, 2026
Hosts: Logan Murdock (A), Raja Bell (D), Howard Beck (C)

Episode Overview

This episode of “Real Ones” dives into two major storylines: the ongoing tension within the Los Angeles Lakers involving owner Jeanie Buss and LeBron James (with the added subplot of Rich Paul), and the emerging drama surrounding the struggling New York Knicks. The hosts—Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and guest Howard Beck—unpack relationship dynamics, player empowerment, and organizational challenges, before shifting focus to the Knicks' internal struggles, the Warriors' Kaminga soap opera, and their weekly “Real One of the Week” award.

1. Lakers Drama: Jeanie Buss, LeBron James, and Rich Paul (00:05–27:17)

Setting the Stage

• The discussion is prompted by Baxter Holmes’ deep-dive ESPN article about the Buss family and reported behind-the-scenes drama with LeBron James, including claims that Jeanie Buss felt LeBron was ungrateful for the Lakers drafting Bronny James.
• Both Jeanie Buss and Rich Paul issued public statements, denying nothing outright but expressing frustration at being involved in the family’s drama.

Notable Statements

• Jeanie Buss to The Athletic:
  "It’s really not right, given all the great things LeBron has done for the Lakers that he has to be pulled into my family drama. To say that he wasn’t appreciated just is not true and completely unfair to him." (01:58)
• Rich Paul on Max Kellerman’s Podcast:
  "Look, there’s an article written every day. Who gives a shit? I don’t, right? ... There’s appreciation for guys like Michael Irvin. There should be for LeBron. ... Oftentimes people decide what not to do for reasons that don’t have substance." (02:59)

Key Discussion Points

Lack of Denial from Involved Parties (03:43)

Howard Beck notes that neither Buss nor Paul have actually denied the story’s claims:

• Howard Beck:
  “The thing that is most absent from both Jeanie Buss' statement and Rich Paul's reply ... is no one is denying anything. Y'all haven't denied a single thing or rebutted a single thing ... You have not refuted anything as of this recording.” (03:43)

Tension Is Not New

• The drama between LeBron and Lakers ownership is longstanding, notably since the Russell Westbrook trade debacle.
• The Lakers’ brand’s allure for stars conflicts with internal friction that accompanies “player empowerment.”

Managing Stars vs. Attracting Stars (07:47–10:48)

• Raja Bell reflects that the real challenge isn’t only to attract stars, but to manage them once they’re on board.
• LeBron and his camp have often leveraged their status to push organizational actions; this is not unique to the Lakers but consistent throughout LeBron’s career.
• "There's always a back and forth. There were always ... microaggressions and tensions." – Raja Bell (08:34)
• Raja also points out that things escalate when an agent (like Rich Paul) publicly discusses potential trades involving current players, potentially fracturing relationships inside the locker room.

Late Stage “LeBron Inc.” Power Dynamics (10:48–16:54)

• Logan suggests that LeBron (and by extension, Rich Paul) is seeing diminished organizational power as Luka Doncic becomes the Lakers’ future centerpiece.

• Howard Beck:
  “Whatever leverage they had, whatever power they were applying is gone for that organization. ... The era of LeBron as their centerpiece is already over.” (12:59)

• There’s a general feeling LeBron’s time with the Lakers is winding down, with both sides readying for a likely parting in the offseason.

The “Proper Send-Off” Dilemma (16:54–18:10)

• Logan and Raja debate whether LeBron will get the send-off he likely desires; consensus is no team, not even the Lakers, is so compelled.
• Raja points out that once a superstar’s impact wanes, the organization’s agenda naturally overtakes—and coexistence becomes tough.

Notable Quote:
“Once you're past that prime ... you have to seed some of the expectations that you have, and you have to start trying to figure out how to fit in more than dictate. And that's the situation that they're in right now.” – Raja Bell (18:10)

LeBron’s Legacy and the Next Generation (21:03–27:17)

• Howard Beck reflects on how LeBron will affect future player empowerment:
  “He’s credited for player empowerment, he’s blamed for player empowerment ... but are we seeing the young generation take up that mantle?” (22:22)
• Discussion about whether current and coming stars (e.g., Anthony Edwards, Tatum, Wembanyama) are leveraging power like LeBron once did. Beck notes they are wealthier but less overtly antagonistic.
• Raja adds context: younger stars have not yet had the leverage or organizational friction that typified much of LeBron’s career.

2. Knicks’ Players-Only Meeting and Coaching Disconnect (28:06–38:04)

The Knicks’ Slump and Players-Only Meeting

• Knicks snapped a losing streak in dominant fashion, but the key concern is Jalen Brunson calling a players-only meeting after a blowout loss.
• Raja Bell:
  “Players-only meetings don’t happen when shit’s going well. Those are called like dinners, you know, those are called nights out.” (29:07)

Nature and Impact of Players-Only Meetings

• Such meetings are typically a red flag; they suggest a disconnect between the head coach and the locker room, and leadership needs to step in.
• Raja draws on personal experience, relating that these meetings happen when team is not listening to the coaching staff, or the locker room has become fractious.

Coach-Player Communication Balance

• Logan references Mike Brown’s approach in Sacramento as emblematic of a coach reaching the end of his rope and calling players out publicly as a last resort.
• Raja Bell:
  On consistent messaging and balance:
  “You can’t let that pendulum swing too far one way to the other. Balance is key ... if you’re consistently on him about it, then you typically don’t get that knee jerk response.” (35:01)

Looming Problems

• The timing (January, first season with new coach) heightens concern.
• The Knicks’ best offensive players (Brunson, KAT) aren’t great defenders, placing the coach in a difficult position.

Logan Murdock:
“It used to be you go to Chase, you go to Oracle, it’s vibes, it’s awesome. Now it’s just like, I clearly don’t like you, you clearly don’t like me. What are we doing?” (45:36)

3. Warriors’ “Kaminga Soap Opera” and Franchise Dysfunction (40:23–47:42)

The Kaminga Dilemma

• Jonathan Kaminga got his first playing time in 16 games during a blowout; his strong play ignited the crowd and even owner Joe Lacob, highlighting disconnect with coach Steve Kerr.
• Raja and Logan see this as a clear example of internal infighting:
  “Feelings are in it. And that’s—it's personal.” – Raja Bell (42:14)

Management Tensions

• Joe Lacob refuses to trade Kaminga, clashing with basketball operations’ views (Steve Kerr, Mike Dunleavy).
• Steve Kerr’s authority reportedly waning; stress and toxicity pervade the organization.
• The dynamic mirrors the breakdowns seen at the end of many dynasties: layers of accumulated “small” problems result in dysfunction and, ultimately, decline.

Notable Quotes

• Raja Bell:
  “That’s a mess. ... If we were all on the same page and we were being run well, [it was] avoidable.” (45:36)
• Logan:
  “This is how dynasties end. It’s over a lot of just trivial shit that just adds up.” (46:07)

Sympathy for Steph Curry

• Both hosts express empathy for Steph, who continues to excel amidst organizational chaos.

4. Real One of the Week (47:42–52:31)

Raja Bell’s Picks

• Kurt Signetti (Indiana Hoosiers Football Coach):
  For winning the national championship after a long road through lower-tier college football.
• Fernando Mendoza:
  For persevering through limited recruitment and making a name for himself.

Logan Murdock’s Pick

• Naomi Osaka:
  For performing at the Australian Open amid public criticism about her attire and on-court behavior.
  “We riding for Naomi out here. They hating on her entrance ... we know what time it is, is all I’m saying. It ain’t even about the game.” (51:37)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Y’all haven’t denied a single thing ... You have not refuted anything.” – Howard Beck (03:43)
• “It rarely happens that you get everything you want on your way out the door ... I can’t think of a megastar whose ending played out like that.” – Raja Bell (18:10)
• “Players-only meetings don’t happen when shit’s going well. Those are called like dinners.” – Raja Bell (29:07)
• “This is how dynasties end. It’s over a lot of just trivial shit that just adds up.” – Logan Murdock (46:07)
• “We riding for Naomi out here. … We know what time it is, is all I’m saying. It ain’t even about the game.” – Logan Murdock (51:37)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:05 — Lakers family drama, Baxter Holmes article, Jeanie Buss/LeBron/Rich Paul statements
• 03:43 — Howard Beck’s analysis of public statements and lack of outright denials
• 10:48 — Transition to “late stage LeBron Inc.” dynamics, LeBron's declining Lakers influence
• 21:46 — Beck on LeBron’s player empowerment legacy and impact on the next NBA generation
• 28:06 — Knicks slump, players-only meeting, chemistry discussion
• 34:05 — Coach-player divide, public criticisms, internal messaging balance
• 40:23 — Warriors/Kaminga saga, internal infighting, dynasty decline
• 47:42 — “Real One of the Week” awards

Episode Vibe & Tone

Informal, candid, and packed with honest “NBA family talk.” The hosts interweave personal experiences, front-office insights, and light-hearted jabs—delivering both analysis and entertainment for real fans of the league.

Summary Takeaways

• The Lakers’ ongoing drama is both a product and an indictment of player empowerment at its peak; LeBron’s declining influence in LA signals a sea change for the organization.
• The Knicks' internal issues, as signaled by a players-only meeting, raise questions about buy-in, coaching communication, and future trajectory.
• Golden State’s Kaminga dilemma is emblematic of how dynasty-era teams unravel—more from accumulations of interpersonal and org-level strife than any one incident.
• LeBron’s legacy as an agent of change—both empowering and destabilizing—will be a defining lens for future NBA leadership and superstar-player team relations.
• The episode closes with poignant reminders of sportsmanship and perseverance, delivered through stories from both football and tennis.

For listeners who missed the episode, this summary offers context-rich insight into the complex interpersonal, organizational, and generational issues shaping today’s NBA.