The Ringer NBA Show: Real Ones

Episode: The Annual NBA GM Survey Results. Plus, LeBron’s Injury and “Second Decision”
Date: October 10, 2025
Hosts: Howard Beck & Raja Bell | Producer: Cliff

EPISODE OVERVIEW

This episode unpacks the results of the 2025 NBA GM Survey, dives into the ramifications of LeBron James’ injury and his much-teased "Second Decision," and discusses Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee. Along the way, Howard Beck and Raja Bell reflect on the most memorable teams of the last 25 years that never won a title, debate NBA fan culture, and examine what the GM survey does—and doesn’t—reveal about the league.

HIGHLIGHTS & KEY DISCUSSION POINTS

Quarter Century NBA Week and Best Team Names

[02:42–06:51]

• Beck plugs the Ringer’s “Quarter Century” NBA week content, mentioning various fun lists and analysis.
• Tyler Parker’s list of best NBA names is discussed. There are laughs over names like Von Tego Cummings, Mookie Blaylock, Tabo Sefolosha, Bilal Koulibaly, Quindary Weatherspoon, and more.
  • “Von Tego’s not only a great name, but that’s a great cat. That’s a phenomenal dude.” – Raja Bell [04:22]
• Discussion of the rules for inclusion (no nicknames unless they are the sole identifier, e.g., Bimbo Coles).
• Beck notes Raja’s name didn’t make the cut, but as the “only Raja,” that’s “not nothing.”

The Best Teams That Didn’t Make the Finals

[06:05–16:16]

• Beck: The 2018 Houston Rockets were ranked by Michael Pina as top recent team not to make the Finals.
• Raja highlights various teams: early 2000s Kings, ‘03 Mavs, Portland Trail Blazers, and his own “Seven Seconds or Less” Suns.
• Beck: The 1999-2000 Blazers as personal pick, praising depth and legends even in the twilight.
  • “That team was fricking awesome…They had basically two starting lineups and it was like legends.” – Howard Beck [07:41]
• Both hosts discuss what makes a “best non-Finals” team: talent, roster construction, playoff heartbreak.
• Sliding Doors Moments: Beck’s piece—Cuban not re-signing Steve Nash in Dallas—“changed basketball” (Nash + D’Antoni in Phoenix gun an NBA revolution).
• Raja jokes: “He didn’t f***ing sign me, that’s right.” [14:55] Serious tone later: “Even my career arc … would have been completely different had Cubes signed Steve back.” [15:26]

LeBron’s “Second Decision”

[16:56–22:30]

• LeBron teased the “Second Decision” in a hugely hyped social media video (with familiar imagery). Fans and media speculated it was announcing retirement, but it was an ad for an alcohol brand.
  • Beck: “At this stage of your career … just don’t mess with people’s emotions.” [19:12]
  • Raja: “I’m just not that kind of fan anymore. Like, I don’t care what him or anybody else is really doing … I just don’t care.” [19:34]
• Beck notes it successfully manipulated NBA media/fandom for buzz.

LeBron Injury & Lakers Season Outlook

[22:30–24:39]

• LeBron diagnosed with sciatica, missing the start of the season for the first time in his career; at least five games.
• Questions arise on Lakers’ viability without him; symbolically significant transitional moment as Luka Doncic becomes the focal point.
• Raja’s athlete perspective: As players age, new physical issues always “pop up each year.”
  • “You can pencil in, you know, a certain amount of missed games, that’s happening.” – Raja Bell [24:27]
• Beck: If LeBron drops below All-NBA level, the Lakers’ contention window could radically change.

Giannis’ Future and the Bucks’ Outlook

[24:39–34:42]

• Giannis confirms his “committed but watch this space” posture; not closing door on leaving.
  • Beck: “He effectively confirmed everything he’s already been saying for the last few years anyway.” [25:00]
• Discussion about Bucks’ slim title window; East’s wide-open state except Cleveland and New York.
• Raja doubts the Bucks’ roster can convince Giannis to stay unless “championship or bust.”
• Teams best positioned to trade for Giannis: Nets, Rockets (“could be interesting”), Spurs (imagine Giannis + Wemby), Thunder (have assets, but why trade if you’re OKC?), Miami.
• Both agree: in today’s NBA, it’s less reasonable to expect stars to stay for loyalty’s sake if contention isn’t realistic.

Modern Fan Culture & Social Media

[37:41–44:48]

• Tangent on MLB’s Phillies and broad sports fandom: modern fans are more impatient, extreme, and less empathetic.
  • Raja: “A win or a loss is an indictment on who you are as a player … There’s no patience for anyone … I would not want to play in this culture.” [38:11]
  • Beck: “So much of fandom now, instead of it being about the joys of sports … the heartbreak doesn’t have to be anger or vitriol… It just seems so extreme.” [41:16]
• Both connect rising toxicity to the rise of social media and gambling.

NBA GM SURVEY – 2025 HIGHLIGHTS

“What GMs Really Think”

[44:48–47:17]

• Beck and Bell wish the GM survey included spicy questions, like “Which owner do you least want to work for?” or “Worst star to deal with?” but recognize it’s too official.
  • “You just want tea, dog!” – Raja [46:26]

Major Survey Results

Who’s the Favorite to Win the Title?

[47:17–51:49]

• Oklahoma City Thunder picked by 80% of GMs to repeat as champions; no team has repeated since 2017-18.
  • Bell: “I’m out on that limb with [them].”
• Thunder also chosen for “most promising young core” (50%), ahead of San Antonio, Detroit, Houston.
  • “They lost absolutely nothing… There are a lot of reasons why.” – Bell [48:19]
• Both hosts note the Thunder’s youth, depth, and high-character roster reduce “complacency” and “individual goals” risk.
  • “Character … how much they care about the game and each other…” – Beck [50:25]

Other Conference Faves & Surprises

[54:01–55:18]

• East: Cleveland Cavs picked by 63% to finish atop the conference, far ahead of Knicks.
• Orlando received 7%—surprisingly high.
• West: Consistent mix behind Thunder: Denver, Houston, Minnesota, etc.

Coach Rankings

[55:14–57:59]

• Best coach: Erik Spoelstra wins (52%); Mark Daigneault (OKC) is second, then Ty Lue.
• Best motivator: Spoelstra wins, then Ime Udoka, Kerr, Missoula.
• Best in-game adjustments: Ty Lue (40%).
• Best assistant coach: Mike Anori (Minnesota). Notably, Jeff Van Gundy gets second.

Additional Nuggets

[61:05–63:25]

• Best home court advantage: Thunder and Nuggets tie (43%), Knicks a surprising afterthought.
  • Raja: “It always felt like the Garden, everybody wants to play well… not like the crowd was my enemy.” [63:02]
• Toughest team to predict: 76ers (47%). Both Beck and Bell are bullish: “I see them being better than people think.”

GMs’ Wish List

[65:07–67:53]

• Most popular desire: “Let us pay our own drafted guys without severe cap penalty” (e.g. lessen the impact of the apron for homegrown players).
  • Beck: “I’ve always philosophically favored that… but I understand why the league isn’t carving out those exceptions.”
  • Raja: “Anything that makes it easier for us to keep that together… I’m for.”

NOTABLE QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS

• On the “Second Decision” LeBron tease:
  “Of course, of course, of course, this was never going to be about basketball… just don’t mess with people’s emotions.” – Beck [19:12]

• On best teams to never make the finals:
  “I don’t know, there are a lot of teams. Those, those Portland teams maybe.” – Raja [06:51]

• On NBA fan culture:
  “A win or a loss is an indictment on who you are as a player. There’s no patience for anyone.” – Raja [38:11]
  “So much of fandom now… It just seems so extreme and so grievance-driven.” – Beck [41:16]

• On the Thunder’s culture:
  “Character…how much they care about the game and about each other and about playing selflessly. …I don’t see these guys as being driven by individual goals.” – Beck [50:25]

• On future player movement:
  “Giannis, hamstring them, dog. Tell them where you want to go. …How are we going to approach that negotiation?” – Raja [34:11]

• On the roster-building dilemma:
  “The second you start to [let teams go over the cap for homegrown players], then you get the Warriors… [who] max out all the guys they drafted…The league wants talent dispersed as well as possible.” – Beck [66:32]

TIMESTAMPS FOR IMPORTANT SEGMENTS

• Quarter Century fun, best names and teams not to make Finals – [02:42–16:16]
• LeBron’s “Second Decision” and injury – [16:56–24:39]
• Giannis & Bucks future, big-picture star movement – [24:39–34:42]
• Fan culture and social media rants – [37:41–44:48]
• NBA GM Survey: best teams, coaches, and more – [44:48–66:32]
• Final reflections and preview for next week – [67:53–end]

TONE, STYLE & ATMOSPHERE

The discussion is loose, irreverent, and honest, sprinkled with both humor and insider perspective. The rapport is friendly and occasionally self-deprecating; Raja is especially candid with his “I’m too old for this” energy while Beck steers the NBA analysis. The producer gets in on Philly sports misery, creating a communal, “real ones” feel.

FOR LISTENERS WHO MISSED THE EPISODE

This episode delivers classic Real Ones: deep dives into NBA dynamics, genuine athlete insight, hot takes from recent news (LeBron, Giannis), and behind-the-curtain thoughts on league culture. The NBA GM Survey serves as a backbone, but much of the value is in the hosts’ perspective, ranging from basketball orthodoxy to “what no one’s allowed to put on the survey.”

If you missed it, you’ll come away with a rich understanding of the season’s storylines, what the league’s decision-makers are thinking, and what’s on the minds of those who cover and live the NBA every day.