The Ringer NBA Show – “NBA Season Preview Pod! Are the Rockets Ready to Win the West?” | Real Ones

Date: October 18, 2025
Hosts: Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, Howard Beck, Cliff (producer), Victoria (video)
Key Theme: In-depth preview and analysis of the upcoming NBA season, focusing on team expectations, sleepers, and the biggest storylines, with a special spotlight on the Houston Rockets’ prospects post-offseason.

Main Theme:

This episode dives deep into the major questions of the 2025-26 NBA season. The Real Ones crew debates top contenders in both conferences, considers which teams are poised to surprise, and scrutinizes the Houston Rockets’ chances after a flashy offseason and key injuries. The episode sets the tone for the year by blending sharp basketball insight with trademark banter.

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

1. Season Preview / Roundtable Banter

• The crew reunites, welcomes back Logan, and jokes about technical difficulties and the upcoming move to Netflix video podcasting.
• [02:55] Netflix Move: Howard breaks the news: The Ringer NBA Show will be on Netflix for video, moving away from YouTube.
  • Notable Quote: “The world is not ready for us in 4K Ultra HD. Certainly not ready for me in 4K. Please, listeners...do not put me on your, like, fucking 60 inch flat screen TV.” – Howard [03:31]

2. Who Will Be the Best Team in the Eastern Conference?

• Contenders Named: Knicks, Cavs, and Sixers discussed in detail ([07:46]–[13:33])
  • Logan’s Pick: Knicks – “If your two top players are Joel Embiid and Paul George, I just don’t trust them...I’m not high on the Sixers and I’m not going to fall for that narcotic this season.” – Logan [09:01]
  • Howard’s Pick: Cavs – “It’s a two-team race in the East...Cleveland better across the board: defense, two-way bigs, more shot creation.” [10:10]
  • Raja’s Take: “I would lean Cleveland...but I would also acknowledge [the Knicks] toughness. The Sixers, if healthy...could be really dangerous, but you just can’t count on any of that.” [12:20]
• Sixers’ Outlook: All agree the Sixers are dangerous but too volatile and injury-prone to count on.

3. Eastern Conference Sleeper Teams

([14:35]–[19:32])

• Contestants: Sixers, Hawks, Orlando, Detroit
  • Raja likes the Hawks: “I like the addition of Kristaps...building teams around a small guard...you’ve got to get the right recipe.” [15:12]
  • Howard picks Sixers by default: “If they’re healthy. Sixers could finish top four in the East. I don’t think that’s a crazy statement.” [13:32]
  • Logan agrees the East is broad after the favorites: “It’s hard...whether it’s a four-team race, I do like Orlando...prime year to come out and be a factor.” [17:12]

4. Western Conference Sleeper Teams

([22:24]–[30:04])

• Main Sleeper: New Orleans Pelicans (unanimous surprise pick)
  • Howard: “They’ve got a bunch of good players...if Zion figures it out and plays 82 games, that team could win 49.” [23:17]
  • Logan: “I get a little Brooklyn Nets vibes from 2019...just a bunch of dudes I like. If Zion gets right, this could hit.” [24:23]
  • Raja’s Wildcard: Portland, for Jrue Holiday’s impact, but consensus is their talent is too unproven.

5. The Houston Rockets: Contenders or Pretenders?

([31:14]–[45:29])

Framing the Hype:

• Key Additions: Kevin Durant to Houston, loss of Fred VanVleet to injury
• Central Debate: Can their ceiling still be championship-level after losing VanVleet?
  • Raja: “They have the bones to be a high-floor team...I don’t see falling apart as a real thing for them.” [31:47]
  • Howard: “They were a top-3 team and a potential threat to Oklahoma...without VanVleet, they’re probably not, unless someone pops at point guard: Reed Sheppard or Amen Thompson.” [32:33]
  • Logan (Critical): “I have a lot of questions...KD has to galvanize the locker room, which he hasn’t done over the last five, six years. Amen’s not a lock to make the leap this season...this feels like ‘significant step forward year,’ not a ‘title year.’” [35:57], [41:21]
  • Howard’s Bottom-Line: “Once you make a trade for a superstar in his twilight, you have just made yourself a win-now team...You did this to win now.” [43:21]
  • Consensus: Rockets are a clear playoff team with upside, but an unproven point guard situation and KD’s health/leadership are concerns. Playoff ceiling probably capped at 6-seed without further moves.

6. The LeBron Question: Final Season in LA or the League?

([46:38]–[58:36])

• Cliff: “Should this be LeBron’s last season or his last with the Lakers?”
• Raja: “It should be whatever LeBron wants. He’s earned the right to have this be a decision on his terms.” [47:24]
• Howard: “If he’s still playing next year, hard to see it being with the Lakers. They’re pivoting to Luka’s timeline...He’s not their future co-star.” [49:07]
• Logan (spicy): “For the most calculated star we’ve ever seen, [LeBron] is going to have a miscalculation. He’s not a top 20 beloved Laker. He needs to ‘bite the bullet’ and let the Lakers transition.” [52:07], [54:01]
• Interesting: Howard floats remote possibility LeBron finishes his career overseas, but all doubt it would happen. [51:02]

7. OKC and NBA Parity / Dynasty Question

([59:05]–[63:25])

• If OKC goes back-to-back, is it good or bad for the league’s parity?
  • Logan: “The league does best when there are dynasties...I want to see OKC run it up.” [59:19]
  • Howard: “Seven champions in seven years...parity is here and it will endure even if Thunder go back-to-back. But having a ‘big bad’ is good for the league.” [61:12]
  • Consensus: Parity is great, but dynasties drive ratings and conversation.

8. MVP Picks / Season Predictions

([63:26]–[71:33])

• Logan: Wemby (Victor Wembanyama) – “Why not? He’s got the talent. Had DPOY numbers last year if not for the 65-game rule.” [30:18, 63:35]
• Howard and Raja: Jokic – “The stats are going to be just stupid, otherworldly...The table is set for him, unless Denver tries to limit his minutes.” [64:45]
• Narrative Watch: Discussion on voter fatigue, the importance of team wins, and how narratives shape the vote. Howard adamant that team record matters as much as individual brilliance.
  • Notable Quote: “He’s won three of the last five. If he wins this one, it’s four of six. If he wins four of six, how is that voter fatigue?” – Howard [70:43]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the Rocket’s pressure: “Once you have [Durant], you are able to touch something you otherwise weren’t close to touching...If there’s a trade to make, do it.” – Raja [45:36]
• On LeBron’s time in LA: “I don’t think he’s a beloved Laker. He’s not a top 20 beloved Laker. Not in that conversation. He’s going to overplay his coverage and for the most calculated star ever, it’s a miscalculation.” – Logan [52:07]
• On KD’s leadership: “He has to galvanize the locker room, which is something he hasn’t done over the last five, six years when he’s had the responsibility.” – Logan [35:57]
• On the nature of MVP voting: “The Thunder won 18 more games than the Nuggets last year. That was the deciding factor as much as anything. 18 games is a fucking huge amount.” – Howard [71:33]
• On NBA parity vs. dynasties: “The last time we had this much parity was the 70s and they were playing on tape delay. We ain’t trying to have that.” – Logan [60:04]

Section Timestamps

• Opening & Banter / Netflix Move: [00:00]–[04:43]
• Preview/Intro of Topics: [04:43]–[07:25]
• Best in East: [07:46]–[13:33]
• Eastern Sleepers: [14:35]–[19:32]
• Western Sleepers: [22:24]–[30:04]
• Houston Rockets Deep Dive: [31:14]–[45:29]
• LeBron’s Future: [46:38]–[58:36]
• OKC/Dynasty/Parity: [59:05]–[63:25]
• MVP Picks / End of Content: [63:26]–[71:33]

Summary Takeaways

• East: Knicks and Cavs are consensus favorites, but neither inspires complete confidence. Philly remains highest-variance team.
• West: OKC and Denver are clear tier-1, but sleeper potential in New Orleans; the Rockets are a huge wild card but have obvious depth/chemistry challenges.
• Houston’s Candidacy: Can’t ignore the loss of VanVleet. KD’s health and leadership are paramount. Their “win now” window is open but likely not fully realized yet.
• LeBron: All agree it should be his decision, but the Lakers’ organizational focus is pivoting. His legendary status complicates the expected endgame.
• League-Wide: While parity dominates, a new OKC dynasty would be welcome for storylines and ratings.
• MVP Race: Wemby is the bold pick; Jokic remains the odds-on favorite unless narrative shifts take hold. Voter fatigue is overstated—wins and timing matter most.

Listen if you want: A wide-ranging, candid, and energetic look at the new NBA season—peppered with sharp analysis, hilarious asides, and no-nonsense takes on the league’s biggest questions.