The Ringer NBA Show – "The Most Important Questions Going Into the Back Half of the Season" | Real Ones (Feb 17, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this jam-packed episode of "Real Ones," Logan Murdock is joined by Tyler Parker and Howard Beck live from Spotify Studios in Los Angeles. The trio dives deep into the pivotal questions and storylines shaping the NBA's back half of the 2025-26 season. They cover superstar injuries and returns, trade deadline impacts, playoff spoilers, expansion team names, and make bold predictions about which teams can surge (or collapse) down the stretch. The pod showcases signature Ringer banter, expert insight, and plenty of laughs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jason Tatum's Pending Return from Achilles Injury

• Main Question: Will Tatum return this season, how good will he be, and how does he fit with the retooled Celtics?
• Panel Consensus: Expect Tatum to come back, but nobody knows just how effective he can be. Both optimism and caution abound regarding Tatum’s chemistry and physical readiness.
• Comparisons: Kevin Durant’s Achilles comeback (excellent stats at 32) is cited as a positive precedent, with caveats about Tatum’s shorter rehab window (approx. 8 months, similar to Kobe Bryant’s attempted quick return).
• Integration Challenges: Logan discusses the team’s evolution during Tatum’s absence and possible growing pains as he reintegrates. He stresses social media’s impact on player legacy decisions.
• Panel Notes:
  • Tyler: Sees Tatum’s shooting as a skill that will ease transition; expects him to defer more and play a supporting offensive role.
  • Beck: Reiterates no one will risk Tatum’s long-term health; trusts the medical staff’s judgment and notes that Tatum’s even-keeled nature will help the process.

"I could see him making some big shots in the playoffs." – Tyler Parker (03:29)
"If that's the modern bar for being able to come back from Achilles in this age, that’s a pretty good sign for Tatum." – Howard Beck (06:10)

2. Second-Tier Playoff Teams Most Likely to Play Spoiler

• Question: Which lower-seeded teams (5th or lower) could crash the playoff party?
• Names Floated:
  • Minnesota Timberwolves (West) – Both Tyler and Howard laud their depth, bonafides, and perimeter defense, with particular appreciation for Jaden McDaniels’ offensive step-up and the addition of Ayo Dosunmu.
  • Philadelphia 76ers (East) – All three call Philly the scariest dark horse. The East is deemed "wide open," and a healthy Sixers squad could knock out any conference favorite.
• Other Mentions: Lakers’ and Dallas’ single-star volatility; dismissals of the Suns, Blazers, and Raptors as true threats.

"Any backcourt is going to have trouble with [Maxey and Edgecombe]. I just think the Sixers, when fully functional, are a threat to any of those top four current top four teams in the East." – Howard Beck (19:40)
"I think [the Wolves] are super frisky, very dangerous." – Tyler Parker (16:34)

3. James Harden’s Fit with the Cleveland Cavaliers

• Main Question: Fill in the blank: "James Harden will _____ with the Cavaliers."
• Howard: "Thrive? … He’s worked with other high-level guards. The key question is—can you trust him in the playoffs?"
• Logan: “Be inevitable… until proven otherwise.” Cites Harden’s career pattern of regular-season dominance but playoff inconsistency overshadowing co-stars’ efforts.
• Tyler: “Tease… I think he’ll have some great playoff games here and there, but won't deliver in the biggest moments. His defensive limitations will be targeted heavily.”

Memorable Exchange:

"He will be inevitable. Last question for you before we get to the next question. Do you think the lack of nightlife in Cleveland will help or hurt James?" – Logan Murdoch (31:28)
"I think it's a benefit. It can't be anything but." – Tyler Parker (31:38)

4. Charlotte Hornets’ Playoff Outlook

• Fill-in-the-blank: Hornets will win ___ playoff games this spring.
• Howard: 2 games, touting the achievement for a franchise that hasn’t won in years.
• Logan: Agrees; points out that against matchups like the Knicks or Cavs, they could steal more.
• Tyler: Optimistically says 3, citing their chaotic, offense-first, and hot-shooting style.

"They get hot in the best way possible by doing bullshit." – Logan Murdoch (35:55)

5. Most Impactful Trade Deadline Pickup

• Unanimous Pick: James Harden (Cavs) – for better or worse, he’s the highest-impact player on a contending team. His ceiling and unpredictability put the Cavs’ fate in his hands.
• Honorable Mentions:
  • Ayo Dosunmu (Wolves) – Tyler loves his defense and fit.
  • Jose Alvarado (Knicks) – Howard and Logan praise the energy and potential chaos factor for New York.

"He’ll make a mark in some way, I’m sure." – Tyler Parker (38:40)

6. Most Disappointing Team of the Season (So Far)

• Howard: Milwaukee Bucks—star injuries and a lack of joy or competitiveness: “It is a slow moving disaster.” (43:53)
• Tyler: Orlando Magic—offensive struggles, Banchero regression, and unfulfilled preseason expectations.
• Logan: LA Clippers—ongoing scandal, botched veteran treatment, and perpetual disappointment.

7. Vegas Expansion Team Naming Debate

• Fun Segment: (48:45–52:01)
  • Suggestions: Thumb Breakers, Wild Cards, Rap Pack, Snake Eyes, Jackpots, Roulettes, Desperados, Spades.
  • Most Popular:
    • Las Vegas Snake Eyes – Howard’s pick for its double meaning (dice and snakes), logo potential, and local flavor.
    • Thumb Breakers – Tyler’s humorous nod to organized crime.
    • Spades – Logan’s straightforward submission.

"The Las Vegas Thumb Breakers… we need to celebrate the organized crime." – Tyler Parker (49:04)
"Snake Eyes would be pretty badass." – Howard Beck (50:54)

8. Quick Hitters

• Who wins the East? All three pick Detroit Pistons—too deep and consistent for the rest of the “wide open” conference. (52:12)
• Who wins the West?
  • Logan: Spurs as a surging wild card
  • Tyler: Thunder (loyalty prevails, but acknowledges Nuggets and Spurs as threats)
  • Howard: Still likes Nuggets’ consistency
• Most likely to collapse:
  • Rockets—loss of core vets, injuries, predictable offense, heavy Durant reliance.
  • East teams: Cleveland has already weathered major struggles, but the Knicks are seen as under huge pressure and prone to volatility.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Tatum’s Return:
  “Jason Tatum at 80% with a team that's already thriving without him and Jaylen Brown having leveled up is going to be damn good.” – Howard Beck (05:20)
• On Sixers Spoiler Potential:
  “There’s no one in the East I trust as a favorite at all. They all have questions for me.” – Logan Murdoch (21:05)
• On Harden in Cleveland:
  “The next time I trust James Harden will be after he has shown that he can do it once.” – Tyler Parker (29:21)
• On Hornets' Playoff Chaos:
  "There’s a chaos factor with them… They are an offense-first team that's also weirdly kind of grimy." – Tyler Parker (35:58)
• On Most Disappointing Team:
  “No team with Yanis on it… you are obligated to the universe to be a top tier team. The Bucks… just, there’s no joy there.” – Howard Beck (43:53)
• On Vegas Expansion:
  “Snake Eyes would be pretty badass." – Howard Beck (50:54)
• On Potential Collapses:
  “There are times when [replacing Van Vleet and Adams] is backfiring on [the Rockets]… not enough in between.” – Howard Beck (56:16)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:15] Jason Tatum’s Recovery and Impact
• [13:44] Celtics’ gap year and approach
• [14:24] Spoiler Teams (Wolves, Sixers)
• [24:08] James Harden with Cavaliers Segment
• [32:16] Hornets' Playoff Potential Fill-In
• [38:12] Most Impactful Trade Deadline Acquisitions
• [42:54] Most Disappointing Teams
• [48:45] Las Vegas Expansion Team Names
• [52:12] Who Wins the East/West
• [55:56] Collapse Candidates (Rockets, Knicks, etc.)

Tone & Style

The episode features rapid-fire analysis interspersed with humor, pop culture nods, and the camaraderie The Ringer’s NBA crew is known for. Insightful, irreverent, and honest throughout, with a smart balance between stats talk and narrative storytelling.

For listeners and non-listeners alike, this episode delivers all the inside angles and context to enjoy the NBA’s second half and playoffs—with deep dives into big-picture questions, sharp player/team analysis, and trademark Ringer banter.