The Ringer NBA Show: Real Ones

Episode: "The Ewing Theory, Featuring Ja, Trae, and Paolo"

Date: December 9, 2025
Panel: Logan Murdock (host), Raja Bell, Howard Beck

Overview

This lively episode of "Real Ones" dives deep into the famous "Ewing Theory"—the idea that teams may sometimes perform better after losing a star player. Logan, Raja, and Howard explore how (and whether) the theory applies to three current NBA stars: Ja Morant, Trae Young, and Paolo Banchero. The conversation is rounded out by a wild Desmond Bane moment, a debate about East vs. West free agency, and a fun, nostalgic mailbag segment.

Main Discussion: The Ewing Theory in the Modern NBA

What is the Ewing Theory?

[02:27] Logan Murdoch

"It was made famous by our distinguished boss Bill Simmons and it suggests that a team performs better after a highly publicized star player leaves despite initial expectations of decline... the team stops relying on one individual and plays more cohesively."

Ja Morant & The Memphis Grizzlies

Key Points:

• Grizzlies' record is notably strong without Ja Morant going back several seasons.
• Discussion on whether the "Ewing Theory" truly applies or if other factors are at play (team culture, Ja's off-court issues, and contract/salary cap context).
• Advanced metrics show Ja's on-court impact is that of a solid starter—not elite max-level.

Quotes & Insights:
[06:10] Howard Beck:

"Sometimes a team, and maybe the Grizzlies are applicable here, if you've got enough talent otherwise and the ball moves more without your ball-dominant star, sometimes everybody's that much better a little bit percentage better."

[09:19] Logan Murdoch:

"Yes, Zach Edie is coming into the fold and he's balling out right now. Jaren Jackson is playing well... and they're defensively so much better with Ja off the court, but that is just enhanced by the fact of the off court stuff."

Timestamps:

• Ja Morant discussion kicks off: [02:27]
• Deep dive into impact and locker room dynamics: [06:10 - 11:01]
• Trade and long-term fit scenarios: [18:15 - 22:43]

Memorable Exchange:
[15:48] Howard Beck, on Ja’s Difficult Fit:

"Are they better off without Ja, Raja? Like I'm not saying this is a value judgment on Ja as a player. Overall, he's a good player. Is he great enough... or what the Grizzlies doing now—proof that they might be better in the long run without him?"

Trae Young & The Atlanta Hawks

Key Points:

• The Hawks have hovered around .500 with Trae, but recently found success with him out of the lineup.
• Defensive liability cited as a major reason for skepticism over his "star" impact.
• The rise of Jalen Johnson possibly reshaping the franchise’s direction.

Quotes & Insights:
[25:21] Howard Beck, on Jalen Johnson’s emergence:

"Jalen Johnson... is turning into a freaking star before our eyes...do we have too many North Stars? Can they function well together?"

[28:51] Howard Beck, comparing Trae to Ja:

"Trae has a better chance of meshing, and he's also been in the league longer...Maybe, again, benefit the doubt. Maybe he's willing to play a different way..."

[31:48] Raja Bell, on the importance of gaining teammate respect:

"For Trae Young to look at a situation and acknowledge, you know, that he needs to play a different kind of way... he has to in practice see Jalen Johnson in a way that—like, that's where you earn that respect..."

Timestamps:

• Trae Young case opens: [24:13]
• Defensive rating and advanced stats: [27:34]
• Chemistry discussion, Kobe/Wade/Lebron analogies: [29:54 - 31:48]
• Hypothetical Giannis trade debate: [34:44 - 38:52]

Memorable Moment:
[39:25] Logan Murdoch, on Atlanta’s potential celebration with Giannis:

"That celebration down Peachtree will be fucking [insane]."

Paolo Banchero & The Orlando Magic

Key Points:

• Magic show winning record without Paolo, leading to "Ewing Theory?" questions.
• On/off numbers suggest the team plays well with Franz Wagner at the helm.
• Consensus: Way too early to make any branding statements; Paolo is still developing his game.

Quotes & Insights:
[41:59] Raja Bell:

"Not finished enough of a product as a player for me to make that call... at this stage in someone's career it's not fair to kind of make that assessment."

[44:31] Howard Beck:

"Superstars have more of a responsibility to their team than simply putting up massive numbers... your efficiency matters, your defense matters, how you work with your teammates matters, your leadership matters..."

Timestamps:

• Paolo discussion: [39:31 - 45:49]

Sidebar: Desmond Bane & "The Dodgeball Play"

[46:00 - 54:13]

• Recap: Desmond Bane throws the ball at OG Anunoby in a game, earning a fine (and a "dodgeball" comparison).
• Raja, with experience in court altercations, is at a loss to explain the move:

  "I don't really know what happened there. It was like he short-circuited for a minute. It was, it was pretty bizarre..." [47:37 Raja Bell]

• OG’s quote: "I was confused at first, then it was funny. I like Desmond. He's a good dude." [48:41 Logan quoting OG Anunoby]
• Logan and Howard debate the level of aggression then vs. now in the league.

Mailbag Highlights

[54:47 - 72:57]

Why Don't Stars Want to Play in the East?

• Panel agrees weather, culture, and longstanding Western Conference front office dominance play a role, but most player movement is via trade, not free agency.
• Howard Beck:

  "When you look at where the stars are, most of them... it's, they're with the team that drafted them..." [60:09 - 62:13]

Players You Wish You Appreciated More

• Tyler from the mailbag asks about players they wish they’d appreciated more in the moment.
• Logan: Lamar Odom, Ron Artest.
• Raja: Jason "White Chocolate" Williams, Nick Van Exel, Vince Carter.
• Howard: Tracy McGrady (“just an aesthetically pleasing basketball player”), also mentions what-if with Grant Hill & T-Mac pairing in Orlando.
• Fun stories about covering/playing against these stars, and the surreal process of the panelists moving from fans to participants/journalists.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Ja Morant:

  "He's just not providing the impact you'd think he would based on his stature, his draft position, his salary." – Howard Beck [11:01]

• On Trae Young:

  "His best run was during the 2021 Eastern Conference finals... since then, he hasn't been good, and he's had the bug of a coach killer." – Logan Murdoch [31:48]

• About Paolo:

  "If we're not going to be seeing the improvement in terms of efficiency and shot selection and so on and so forth, I mean it would be fair in a couple years. But right now I don't think I'm ready to do that." – Raja Bell [42:31]

• Desmond Bane’s Dodgeball Play:

  "He didn't look like, like when my moments happen... you're ready to fight... Like, he didn't look like that." – Raja Bell [51:03]

• Giannis-to-Atlanta Hypothetical:

  "If I'm Atlanta right now. Let's fucking go." – Raja Bell [37:54]

Episode Structure / Important Segments

• Ewing Theory Introduction & Ja Morant Discussion:
  [02:11-23:00]

• Trae Young & Atlanta Hawks:
  [24:13-39:31]

• Paolo Banchero & Orlando Magic:
  [39:31-46:00]

• Desmond Bane's Dodgeball Moment:
  [46:00-54:13]

• Mailbag/NBA Geography/Player Appreciation:
  [54:47-72:57]

Tone & Style

Conversational, irreverent, directly critical but fair. Heavy on real-life NBA front office/locker room experience and storytelling. Listeners get a mix of inside strategy and lively, personality-driven banter.

Conclusion

This episode delivers hallmark "Real Ones" insight, blending big NBA ideas (like the Ewing Theory) with gritty, practical context. The hosts' experience, candor, and humor make for a stimulating listen—whether they're sizing up Ja's future in Memphis or reminiscing about players once taken for granted.

Contact:
Real Ones Mailbag: realonesmailbag@gmail.com – Send questions for future episodes!