The Ringer NBA Show – "Way-Too-Early MVP Race. Plus, Reaves Island in Full Effect."

Date: November 1, 2025
Hosts: Logan Murdock, Howard Beck, Cliff
Episode Overview:
The Real Ones crew dives into the way-too-early NBA MVP race, discusses Victor Wembanyama’s potential league dominance, unpacks Giannis’ path in Milwaukee, debates the rising value of Austin Reaves, and debates load management with reflections on Michael Jordan’s recent comments.

Main Theme

The episode offers a highly-spirited, sometimes overreactive, but always thoughtful discussion of the league’s top early-season MVP candidates, the emergence of young talent and role players, and the ongoing debate around load management—with insights into how today’s game compares to past eras.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Victor Wembanyama: Transformative Force and Early MVP Front-runner

[02:29–13:24]

• Wemby's Early Dominance: Spurs open 5-0 for the first time ever; Wemby averaging 30/14/3 and nearly 5 blocks per game.
• Logan’s Take: “I think he's right there at number one...I’m really overreacting at this point, but every time I see him I’m like, this is the greatest player in the league right now." (03:05, Logan)
• Howard's Perspective: Warns against premature MVP crowns, but agrees that Wemby is already the league’s “must-watch” player and unlocks both offense and defense in unique ways. “It opens up the discussion…he makes our imaginations run wild every time we watch him.” (04:53, Howard)
• Wemby’s Evolution: Not settling for as many threes, embracing physicality, versatility on both ends. Cited as a “point center” and defensive game-changer, scaring opponents from the paint to the perimeter.
• Team Impact: Dylan Harper and Stefan Castle’s breakout seasons are attributed in part to playing alongside Wemby.

Notable Quotes:

• “He is the best player in the league at this very moment…he is the next ‘IT’ guy.” (12:03, Logan)
• “Wemby is the undisputed must-watch player in the NBA now." (11:16, Howard)

2. Giannis & The Bucks: Strong Start, Uncertain Sustainability

[13:43–25:11]

• Supporting Cast Overachieving: Unexpected scoring outbursts from Ryan Rollins; Bucks’ young players stepping up in absence of established co-stars.
• MVP Candidacy: Giannis averaging 36/14/7, second in basketball-reference tracker behind Wemby.
• Team Construction Woes: Deep dives into Bucks’ limited flexibility (due to cap, limited trade assets). Howard and Logan agree Giannis’ MVP campaign is strong early, but unlikely to be sustainable if the supporting cast regresses.
• Giannis’ Long-Term Future: Ongoing speculation about where Giannis might end up if he ever requests a trade; Lakers and other big-market teams are “on Giannis watch.”

Notable Quotes:

• “Giannis raises all boats and that’s what he has to do...But if Ryan Rollins goes back to where he's supposed to go...this is an average basketball team even with Giannis playing at this level.” (22:27, Logan)
• “This is an inflection point for the Bucks, and this season matters.” (24:53, Howard)

3. Tyrese Maxey & the Sixers: Sustainable Success?

[29:08–37:36]

• Cliff’s Homer Pick: Maxey averaging 37 points, 47% from 3, 8 assists—“absolutely crazy, playing damn near all game.” (29:26, Cliff)
• Logan’s Skepticism: Questions sustainability of Maxey’s stats once Embiid and Paul George are fully reintegrated; chemistry and offensive hierarchy may shift.
• Howard’s Nuance: Embiid letting Maxey take the lead is a “luxury,” but health and basketball chemistry with PG/Embiid is still uncertain.
• Future Concerns: Worries about rookie wall for Edgecomb, injury risk for all-out players like Maxey.
• Fun Side Topic: The “VJ Max” nickname and a tangent about discount clothing stores.

Notable Quotes:

• “I think my concern with Maxey is…he’s throwing himself in there among the trees in the paint.” (32:50, Howard)
• “There’s going to be a seasonal reckoning…” (30:40, Logan)

4. Nikola Jokic: The Perpetual MVP and Nuggets’ Steady Ascent

[37:40–42:11]

• Algorithm Disrespect: Jokic currently at just 7.6% on MVP tracker, but panel agrees he’s still "the best player in the NBA".
• Nuggets’ Consistency: Still top 5 in offensive and defensive rating; concerns about staying focused during the grind of the regular season.
• Jokic Fatigue: His greatness risks being taken for granted.

Notable Quotes:

• “Jokic is still the best player in the NBA. I’m not passing that to Wemby just yet.” (38:23, Howard)
• “…he was my preseason pick for MVP and…there’s a pretty damn good chance that's where we end up.” (40:03, Howard)

5. Austin Reeves: Real Deal or Salary Trap?

[42:11–54:34]

• Breakout Streak: Last 5 games sans LeBron/Luka: 40/10/6, 50/40/90 splits.
• Short-Term Star? Likely regression with LeBron and Luka’s return, but his value as a homegrown, late-blooming player rising.
• Upcoming Free Agency: Estimated to command $35–40M/year; discussion on whether that’s wise in the new salary cap era.
• Roster Building Dilemmas: Paying Reeves like a franchise player may preclude acquiring a true championship-level co-star for Luka in the future.
• Team Planning: The Lakers are focused on whether to go all in for Giannis as the next “face” or sidekick for Luka.

Notable Quotes:

• “He’s not the running mate. So figuring out, figuring out Austin Reeves…is a real inflection point...for the Lakers.” (49:33, Howard)
• “Are these players actually going to get [those salaries] if they aren’t actually franchise-level guys?” (46:38, Logan)
• “This is a win for the Lakers on several levels. Homegrown, undrafted...[but] you don’t expect a ton more growth or evolution by the time a guy’s hit this age.” (43:29, Howard)

6. Michael Jordan, Load Management & the Evolution of the NBA

[57:34–80:04]

• NBC's Coverage: Hosts praise NBC's return to the NBA, nostalgic intros, new studio.
• MJ on Load Management: In interview with Tirico, MJ insists “I never wanted to miss a game because it was an opportunity to prove I want to impress that guy way up in the top who worked his ass off to come watch me.” (60:53, cited by Cliff)
• Howard’s Rant: Pushback on 90s/00s stars critiquing modern rest—today’s players cover more ground, face more injury risk, come into the NBA with more wear and tear (due to AAU culture). “The game is in great shape. It is different than the game you played. And that's OK. The game evolves, deal with it.” (62:16, Howard)
• Carmelo & TMAC’s Perspective: Their injuries make them wish load management had existed; they offer a more nuanced view than MJ.
• Logan’s Fan Perspective: Load management remains a league problem—fans shell out for rare games only to be disappointed by DNPs.
• NBA Policy Responses: 65-game rule, new player participation policies emerging as the league looks for balance.

Notable Quotes:

• “What I don’t need to hear…is why today’s game isn’t as great as the 90s…the game evolves, deal with it.” (62:16, Howard)
• “I do agree with Michael…more games means it’s going to be the norm…that you’re not going to see your favorite player when you want…” (69:34, Logan)
• “This is an NBA-specific problem…tickets are more expensive than they ever been…to watch these stars…” (69:34, Logan)

Memorable Moments & Tangents

• [15:02] Logan and Howard roast each other about Warriors fandom and the “night night” celebration.
• [34:08] TJ Maxx and Ross Dress for Less get unexpectedly discussed during the Sixers nickname tangent.
• [81:05] Howard wonders where the Twinkies plant is, leading to laughter and final clarification.
• [57:52 & 58:59] Both hosts go full nostalgia over NBC's NBA return and “Coast to Coast” segments.

Timestamps & Segment Highlights

• Wemby MVP case and impact: 02:29–13:24
• Giannis/Bucks & early MVP tracker: 13:43–25:11
• Maxey’s MVP-level hot streak and Sixers’ hopes: 29:08–37:36
• Nikola Jokic and the steady Nuggets: 37:40–42:11
• Austin Reaves breakout and future salary dilemmas: 42:11–54:34
• Load management, MJ’s comments & era comparison: 57:34–80:04

Notable Quotes (with Attribution & Timestamps)

• “This is the greatest player in the league right now.” —Logan, on Wemby [03:05]
• “He makes our imaginations run wild every time we watch him.” —Howard, on Wemby [04:53]
• “Giannis raises all boats and that’s what he has to do. But…but if Ryan Rollins regresses…this is an average basketball team even with Giannis playing at this level.” —Logan [22:27]
• “This is an inflection point for the Bucks…how the next couple months go matters.” —Howard [24:53]
• “My concern with Maxey is…he’s throwing himself in there among the trees in the paint.” —Howard [32:50]
• "Jokic is still the best player in the NBA. I’m not passing that to Wemby just yet.” —Howard [38:23]
• “He’s not the running mate. So figuring out…Austin Reeves…is a real inflection point for the Lakers.” —Howard [49:33]
• “I never wanted to miss a game because it was an opportunity to prove…I want to impress that guy…in the top who worked his ass off to come watch me.” — Michael Jordan, cited by Cliff [60:53]
• “The game is in great shape…it is different…deal with it.” —Howard, refuting 90s nostalgia [62:16]
• “More games means it’s going to be the norm…that you’re not going to see your favorite player when you want…” —Logan [69:34]

Real One of the Week

[80:49–end]

• Howard: Dikembe Mutombo and director Dina Crino for the "Mount Mutombo" documentary.
• Logan: Caribou (rapper), a personal favorite, for dropping new music.

Conclusion

This lively, fast-moving edition of the Real Ones pod captures both the fun and the nuance of the NBA’s early narratives—celebrating breakout performances, interrogating the sustainability of hot starts, forecasting seismic moves, and comparing eras without self-seriousness. The panel’s blend of serious basketball analysis, hyperbolic “fan” takes, and candid cultural tangents makes this episode an essential catch-up for any NBA fan, especially those missing the context and heated discord of Real Ones’ signature group chats.

[TIP: For a full experience, jump to these highlights:

• Wemby hype (02:29),
• Giannis dilemma (13:43),
• Sixers optimism (29:08),
• Jokic respect (37:40),
• Reaves' price debate (42:11),
• Load management/MJ takes (57:34)]**