Podcast Summary: The Ringer NBA Show – “The Luke Cornet Game Saves the Celtics. Plus, Wolves March On, and Next Questions After the Draft Lottery” | Group Chat

Release Date: May 15, 2025
Hosts: Justin Barrier, Rob Mahoney, Big Watts
Duration: Approximately 74 minutes

Introduction

In this episode of The Ringer NBA Show, the Group Chat segment features Justin Barrier, Rob Mahoney, and Big Watts delving into pivotal NBA developments. The discussion centers around Luke Cornet's unexpected heroics for the Boston Celtics, the Minnesota Timberwolves securing a spot in the Western Conference Finals, and the ramifications of the recent NBA Draft Lottery.

Celtics vs. Knicks Series Analysis

1. Luke Cornet’s Impact Saves the Celtics

Justin Barrier opens the conversation by spotlighting Luke Cornet's critical role in the Celtics' recent victory over the Knicks.

• Justin Barrier [02:03]:
  “We drafted him in the last round of our White Americans draft... Did you know at the time that you were galvanizing him to the point where he was going to save Boston season in this crucial game?”

Big Watts shares his surprise at Cornet’s late draft pick turning out to be a game-changer.

• Big Watts [02:03]:
  “I did not. ... he kind of became a forgotten man... But Cornet added on top of that.”

2. Kristaps Porzingis’ Struggles

The hosts discuss the challenges faced by Kristaps Porzingis, whose performance has been underwhelming this postseason.

• Rob Mahoney [02:32]:
  “Kristaps Porzingis has not been good in this series. ... he can't breathe. ... there's just not really a place for him in the series.”

3. Jaylen Brown’s Leadership and Performance

Jaylen Brown emerges as a pivotal figure for the Celtics, showcasing exceptional leadership and versatility.

• Rob Mahoney [08:18]:
  “This is an amazing Jaylen Brown game. ... career high 12 assists. ... he was really, really sensational.”

• Big Watts [09:59]:
  “Jaylen Brown is just way bigger than this dude [Josh Hart]. ... his patience was very telling.”

4. Jayson Tatum’s Injury and Future Implications

The conversation shifts to the impact of Jayson Tatum's injury, questioning the Celtics' championship defense and future strategies.

• Justin Barrier [18:10]:
  “It was odd in a good way that when they announced that Tatum was out, they announced that he had surgery... he's just a maniac worker.”

• Rob Mahoney [20:42]:
  “Al Horford is 38 years old. Jrue Holiday is 34 years old... how you navigate that is quite thorny.”

Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals

1. Wolves’ Performance and Potential

The hosts congratulate the Minnesota Timberwolves on clinching a spot in the Western Conference Finals and discuss their prospects.

• Big Watts [28:42]:
  “You can't trust these guys over the course of a damn conference finals.”

• Rob Mahoney [30:10]:
  “Mike Conley had an exceptional scoring game. ... Jade McDaniel's help was tremendous.”

2. Challenges Ahead

They analyze potential matchups, particularly against the Oklahoma City Thunder, highlighting both strengths and vulnerabilities.

• Justin Barrier [32:01]:
  “Ant superstar... seventh turnover for him... this is what they...”

• Rob Mahoney [33:08]:
  “They are a tough team to bet on in the conference finals. ... all from one aspect.”

NBA Draft Lottery Highlights and Implications

1. Dallas Mavericks’ Lottery Win

The podcast delves into the Dallas Mavericks securing the top pick in the draft lottery and its significant impact.

• Rob Mahoney [51:29]:
  “The Mavs win the lottery... there is no righteousness in the world.”

• Big Watts [53:07]:
  “Cooper is a maniac. He’s going to fit exactly what they would need.”

2. Potential Trades and Team-Building Strategies

Discussion revolves around the Mavericks' potential trades, particularly targeting guard positions to complement their new assets.

• Justin Barrier [56:21]:
  “If I have a list... I’m going to wonder if Brown is actually the guy that you can't trade...”

• Rob Mahoney [58:16]:
  “They need to be very careful... you need to be very careful next regular season...”

3. Broader Conference Implications

The hosts contemplate how the draft lottery reshapes the balance between the Eastern and Western Conferences.

• Justin Barrier [71:07]:
  “Victor Wembanyama would be the face of the league...”

• Big Watts [65:18]:
  “Menace in Nike commercials...”

Future Team-Building and Trades Discussion

The group examines potential future trades, focusing on specific players and their fit within teams’ strategies.

• Justin Barrier [45:22]:
  “Can I Interest you in a former Warriors combatant?...”

• Rob Mahoney [47:36]:
  “They need the new Lisa...”

• Big Watts [58:37]:
  “Nico Harrison is a genius...”

Conclusion

Wrapping up, the hosts reflect on the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of the NBA, emphasizing the importance of strategic team-building post-draft and the evolving landscape of both conferences.

• Justin Barrier [74:29]:
  “Let’s keep track of that. I’m sure we’ll talk about this 90 billion times...”

• Rob Mahoney [73:13]:
  “Victor Wembanyama is uniquely positioned...”

Notable Quotes

• Justin Barrier [02:03]:
  “Did you know at the time that you were galvanizing him to the point where he was going to save Boston season in this crucial game?”

• Rob Mahoney [08:18]:
  “This is an amazing Jaylen Brown game... career high 12 assists.”

• Justin Barrier [18:10]:
  “He's just a maniac worker... there’s just going to be such a void because he’s just not going to be out there.”

• Rob Mahoney [51:29]:
  “The Mavs win the lottery... this is a series of events as you can imagine any team going through in about a three to four month span.”

• Justin Barrier [56:21]:
  “I would be trying to extract Fred Van Vliet...”

Insights and Analysis

1. Undervalued Players Can Shift Outcomes: Luke Cornet's unexpected performance underscores the importance of depth and the potential impact of late draft picks.

2. Leadership in Adversity: Jaylen Brown's leadership becomes crucial, especially in the absence of key players like Jayson Tatum.

3. Strategic Team-Building Post-Injury: The Celtics face significant challenges in rebuilding and maintaining competitiveness without their star players.

4. Draft Lottery's Long-Term Impact: The Mavericks’ top pick can reshape their future, emphasizing the significance of lottery outcomes in team strategies.

5. Conference Balance and Competitiveness: The shift in team strengths between conferences raises questions about the overall balance and future playoff dynamics in the NBA.

6. Trade Dynamics and Player Fit: Effective team-building requires not just acquiring talent but ensuring that players fit strategically within the team’s system and future plans.

Conclusion

This episode provides an in-depth analysis of recent NBA events, highlighting how unforeseen performances and strategic decisions influence team success and the broader league dynamics. The hosts emphasize the intricate balance between player development, team chemistry, and strategic foresight in navigating the competitive landscape of the NBA.