The Ringer NBA Show: Preseason Power Rankings, Part 3 | Group Chat
Date: October 6, 2025
Hosts: Justin Verrier, Wosny "Big Waz" Lambre, Rob Mahoney
Overview
In this highly anticipated third installment of the 2025-26 NBA preseason Power Rankings, The Ringer NBA crew — Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Big Wos (Wosny Lambre) — gather in Los Angeles for an in-person "Group Chat" episode. Through a mixture of sharp analysis and banter, they delve into a range of teams ranked #16-20, beginning with some candid pre-show conversation, before digging deep into the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, and Milwaukee Bucks. The hosts discuss significant roster changes, the "existential questions" facing each franchise, and project who could surprise, disappoint, or define the upcoming NBA season.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Setting the Tone: Pre-Show Banter & Vulnerability (01:00–08:00)
- The crew warms up with some personality-based questions ("Do you ever rehearse what you're going to say before a phone call?"), highlighting their chemistry and contrasting temperaments.
- Big Waz describes getting in the right "vibe" (05:51), while Rob is "all about efficiency" in communication (06:52).
- Quote: “When I think about love and magazines... Elle magazine trying to teach us how to give a blowjob or something. Right. Like, this is a little bit different.” — Big Waz (02:25)
- The group jokes about their dynamic: “We are overprepared. That’s true.” — Justin Verrier (06:21)
- Segue into the NBA Power Rankings — “An annual tradition like none other.” — Justin Verrier (00:36)
Boston Celtics (#20): Year of Transition (08:46–23:10)
Offseason Turmoil & Roster Reshuffling
- Celtics lose major contributors (Porzingis, Holiday) due to cap constraints, signaling a step back for the franchise.
- Jaylen Brown steps into a leading role amidst significant roster turnover and a Tatum injury; the team vibe has shifted.
- Big Waz voices skepticism, suggesting management has set lowered expectations:
- Quote: “It took on the character of completely giving up on the season.” — Big Waz (10:41)
- The crew debates whether holdovers like Brown, White, and Missoula will allow a "tank", or if pride/experience will keep them competitive.
Existential Questions for the Celtics
- Is Jaylen Brown ready to be "the guy"?
- How will role players (Simons, Pritchard, Hauser, Boucher) fare with increased responsibility?
- Rob sees the floor as too high for a full collapse: "They're just not going to be as bad as the Utah Jazz and the Brooklyn Nets and the Charlotte Hornets..." (15:51)
- Quote: “Your management does not agree. They do not think you're the type of player that could have led them to respectability or else they wouldn't have treated the roster like this.” — Big Waz (16:34)
Notable Names & Role Players
- Chris Boucher and Luca Garza are pegged as "interesting flyer" frontcourt options.
- Debate over whether Simons should start or be a "Manu-style" sixth man (20:39).
- Sam Hauser receives praise as a glue guy who might stick through the rebuild.
Philadelphia 76ers (#19): The Fun-Low Stakes Era? (23:59–37:15)
State of Flux & Uncertainty
- The Sixers’ fate hinges once again on Joel Embiid’s health — neither host is confident about his return.
- Roster has intriguing, offensive-leaning youth (Maxey, BJ Edgecombe, Grimes, McCain), plus Paul George as a wild card.
- Rob’s Take: "A Sixers team without Joel Embiid might still be better than the Heat." (25:58)
- Big Waz is skeptical of the "talent" Rob credits to the supporting cast.
Existential Question: Is No-Joel More Fun?
- Possible low-stakes, high-fun scenario in which Embiid never returns and the young core gets to run, similar to the liberating (if low payoff) finish to last year.
Notable Role Players
- Trendon Watford, Jabari Walker, and especially undrafted wing Justin Edwards, are pegged as "do a little of everything" utility guys (32:19).
- Extended Paul George discourse: can he transition to a "Derrick White"/glue guy role, or is he stuck between being a star and “wallpaper”? (34:20)
Miami Heat (#18): Institutional Stability But a Low Ceiling? (37:15–49:55)
The Heat Culture vs. Talent Ceiling
- Heat are likened to the "Dion Waiters–James Johnson–Kelly Olynyk" era: solid, scrappy, but limited upside (37:48).
- Tyler Herro’s injury damps offensive firepower, though Norm Powell and Davion Mitchell offer some hope.
- Rob: "What is the upward mobility for the Heat?" (26:21)
Existential Questions
- Should the Heat consider a rebuild? Hosts agree it’s not in the franchise DNA, but suggest they may be “opportunistic” if the season sours.
- Bam Adebayo is debated — is he a “guy” or the “guy next to the guy”? (39:36)
- Quote: “If Tyler Herro is your primary offensive option, I can tell you where you're going and it's absolutely nowhere.” — Rob Mahoney (42:40)
- Rookie and recent first-rounders discussed: Jakashunas, Khalil Ware, Jovic, Jaquez — hopes that at least one “pops.”
Notable Names
- Khalil Ware as a possible Bam-adjacent big: “The person I get most excited about... a version of the things when people like Rob were going crazy about Bam Adebayo.” — Big Waz (44:41)
- Miami’s tradition of squeezing value out of unknowns/undrafted European players continues (40:19).
Indiana Pacers (#17): Life Without Haliburton (49:35–61:18)
The Finals Hangover & Pivotal Pivot
- Haliburton injury radically alters the outlook — the debate: do they bottom out, or hold the line with deep, versatile roster?
- Front office’s ill-timed pick swap trade spotlighted as unfortunate ("Incredibly weird timing... Pacers, you know." — Rob Mahoney 50:33)
- Rob and Waz spar over whether the Pacers can win 43-44 games or are more a 37-39 win “culture” team.
Existential Question: "Who Pops in the Gap Year?"
- Who steps up? Nembhard as starting PG “massively expanded” role, but can’t be everywhere as a defender.
- Siakam positioned as likely focal point; Matherin as a breakout candidate: “It's going to be cool to see him knowing that he's going to be more of a, you know, indie focal point...” — Big Waz (54:07)
Notable Names
- Center rotation (J. Huff, Isaiah Jackson, James Wiseman, Tony Bradley) described as precarious.
- Jairus Walker: "It literally has to be this time. He is going to get real rotation minutes as a backup wing. They're going to need him." — Rob Mahoney (60:10)
- TJ McConnell as a dark-horse Sixth Man candidate (61:00).
Milwaukee Bucks (#16): The Giannis Pressure Cooker (61:18–end)
Giannis, Now and the Future
- The Bucks made a major shift by swapping aging pieces for Miles Turner to bolster Giannis’ resolve (“Come, please stay with us.” — Justin Verrier, 62:01)
- Rob and Waz debate on how much solo Giannis can prop up this roster in a shallow East. Rob argues he’s a guaranteed 40+ wins: “Throw some people out there with Giannis and I think you're gonna win.” — (63:00)
Existential Question: When Does Giannis Demand Out?
- The group places bets/predicts when a trade request comes:
- Waz: “I think it's going to happen next off season. Yeah, for sure.” (63:59)
- Rob: “If it does happen [in season]... January 24th.” (65:16)
- All agree Giannis will try to hang on as long as he finds hope.
- Justin shares Giannis's quote on embracing pressure: “If I'm in an environment where there's no pressure and I don't think we can achieve something great. I don't want to be there. It doesn't make me happy as a person anymore.” — Giannis Antetokounmpo (66:31)
Notable Names & Depth Chart
- Bucks’ supporting cast includes Kuzma, Gary Harris, Amire Coffee (Rob: “He actually has upside overall.” 71:22), Gary Trent Jr., AJ Green, and Cole Anthony.
- Mild optimism about piecing together a playoff team, but doubts about meaningful advancement.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- “This is a, like, figure it out kind of year for them.” — Rob Mahoney (10:07, on Celtics)
- “Your management does not agree...if they thought you could get to respectability, they wouldn’t have torn it down to the studs.” — Big Waz (16:34, Celtics)
- “A Sixers team without Joel Embiid might still be better than the Heat.” — Rob Mahoney (25:58)
- “If Tyler Herro is your primary offensive option, I can tell you where you’re going and it’s absolutely nowhere.” — Rob Mahoney (42:40)
- “They're a team that's going to be in the playoffs.” — Big Waz (70:28, Bucks)
- “If I'm in an environment where there's no pressure and I don't think we can achieve something great. I don't want to be there.” — Giannis Antetokounmpo via Justin Verrier (66:31)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Pre-show personality questions/banter: 01:00–08:14
- Boston Celtics Overview: 08:46–23:11
- Porzingis/Hauser trade fallout — 12:04
- Boston's "existential question" — 13:52
- Philadelphia 76ers Deep Dive: 23:59–37:15
- Roster fun vs. high-stakes Embiid window — 28:33
- Paul George role debate — 34:20
- Miami Heat Analysis: 37:15–49:55
- Should Miami rebuild? — 41:10
- Bam Adebayo’s “guy” status — 39:36
- Heat draft picks/rookies — 43:21
- Indiana Pacers Post-Finals: 49:35–61:18
- Finals hangover, pick trade lament — 50:24
- Siakam/Matherin “pop” potential — 54:07
- Center rotation woes — 57:01
- Jairus Walker mention — 60:10
- Milwaukee Bucks & Giannis Future: 61:18–end
- Giannis existential question/pool — 63:47
- Giannis’s “pressure is the juice” quote — 66:31
Tone & Language
The episode is marked by friendly ribbing, candid NBA expertise, and the seasoned tones of three analysts who balance passionate opinions with wry humor and self-awareness. The hosts smoothly merge serious analysis with personal reflections and offbeat jokes (“The action is the juice... The action is the smoothie, perhaps.” — Justin Verrier, 67:02), often referencing running pod in-jokes and internet memes—making it accessible yet densely insightful for both hardcore and casual fans.
Useful for the Listener Who Missed the Show:
- Team strategies, player role changes, franchise philosophies, and existential crossroads for several key Eastern Conference teams are deftly unpacked.
- Notable quotes reveal internal narratives and external skepticism, offering context on management moves and player motivations.
- “Existential questions” section for each team highlight the stakes and unknowns heading into 2025-26.
- Hosts provide a throughline for each franchise’s “identity crisis” or transitional state, making the league’s broader landscape clear and compelling.