The Ringer NBA Show – "Wemby Wants the MVP! | Real Ones"

Date: March 24, 2026
Hosts: Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, Howard Beck
Notable Guest/Producer: Cliff

Episode Overview

This episode of 'Real Ones' dives deep into Victor Wembanyama’s public campaign for league MVP, the evolving MVP criteria, and the cultural politics of NBA stardom. The hosts also examine the unraveling situation with the Houston Rockets, reflect on Cam Thomas’ NBA journey and what derails promising careers, discuss the emotional impact of NBA retirements, and answer a variety of thought-provoking mailbag questions about playoff sleeper contributors and player legacies.

The tone is candid, insightful, and sometimes tongue-in-cheek—as is Real Ones’ style.

Main Topics & Key Insights

1. Wembanyama Campaigns for MVP

Segment Start: [03:40]

Discussion Points:

• Victor Wembanyama publicly declares his MVP case after being asked, stating, “I have thought about it. I think right now there is a debate. There should be. Even though I think I should lead the race, I'm trying to make sure at the end of the season there's no debate… Defense is 50% of the game and that is undervalued so far in the MVPs. Right now I believe I'm the most impactful player defensively in the league."
• Howard notes coaches usually do the politicking, not players, calling Wemby’s approach bold but not egotistical:

  “This is what we should know about Wemby by now. He's going to talk the talk and walk the walk.” [04:52]

• Raja finds it “refreshing,” highlighting Wemby’s confidence as foundational to his potential as the NBA’s next face. He points out Wemby’s argument is slightly flawed but relevant, especially regarding defense’s MVP value:

  “He wants things like this… he’s not afraid to say and do things that historically… have kind of been a little taboo.” [07:15]

• Logan and Howard debate where confidence ends and ego begins; Logan calls it “definitely egotistical," Howard says it's a fine line.

  “There's a line between confidence and ego.” — Howard [07:06]

Memorable Quotes

• “We often overlook defense in this discussion… Wimby is awesome offensively, but he doesn’t have the gaudy stats…” — Howard Beck [05:48]
• “It doesn't come across like that [arrogant] when Wemby does it… that plays a big role in who the league chooses to champion moving forward.” — Raja Bell [08:30]

2. Playoff Expectations for Wemby and the Spurs

Segment Start: [10:06]

Discussion Points:

• Hosts discuss expectations for Wemby’s playoff debut; the Spurs are seen as ready, surpassing typical “young team” narratives.
• Howard confidently projects San Antonio reaching the Conference Finals:

  “I absolutely expect them to make the conference finals at minimum.” [12:39]

• Raja acknowledges their poise but warns about early adversity:

  “They could wind up being down 2-1 in an early series that we didn’t see… that puts you in a really precarious situation.” [14:37]

• Both agree playoffs present unique, unpredictable challenges for young teams.

3. What’s Gone Wrong for the Houston Rockets?

Segment Start: [15:34]

Discussion Points:

• The Rockets have stalled, with chemistry issues, lack of a true point guard, and a defensive identity "eroded."
• Raja says:

  "It's really, really difficult to play at a championship level without a proven, like, floor general point guard." [17:24]

• The KD trade “supercharged” Houston’s timeline but may have stunted the growth of young players like Amen Thompson.
• Howard sees value in rolling the dice for stars, but admits the team is “less than the sum of its parts” right now, citing lack of organization with VanVleet out. [19:44]
• Raja and Logan debate whether KD has limited Amen’s offensive progression; Raja’s take:

  “I’m okay with him just in this one year sample size, playing with KD… if you're going to have to learn from someone, maybe nobody better than KD.” [24:33]

4. Cam Thomas: NBA Cautionary Tale

Segment Start: [28:35]

Discussion Points:

• Cam Thomas waived by Milwaukee; hosts reflect on his career as a lesson in self-awareness and team contribution.
• Howard:

  “Talent is not everything … there is more to the game than scoring… when you go through coach after coach who does not believe in him, you need to start listening.” [29:37]

• Raja expands on “reading the room,” saying prolific scorers often neglect the bigger picture, limiting their NBA longevity:

  “It's almost always that guy that feels like he’s too good to not be the hub offensively… you have to buy into those things if you want to have a long NBA career.” [32:04]

• Both suggest Thomas could be a star overseas, but isn’t likely to find a home in the NBA unless he evolves.

5. The “Supporting Cast” Playoff X-Factor

Segment Start: [41:46]

Mailbag Q: Who are the most intriguing 8th-10th men who could swing playoff series?

Highlights:

• Howard and Raja note that while rotations tighten, bench players like Luke Kennard, Jose Alvarado, or Bones Hyland can change a game with a hot streak.
• Raja underscores the importance of playoff bench consistency:

  “Whoever gets the most solid performance out of that bench… you got a huge advantage in a series. That’s just facts.” [45:04]

6. Managing Offensive Stars: Detroit & Cade Cunningham

Segment Start: [45:36]

• The Pistons, moving the ball well despite Cade’s absence, prompt a discussion about integrating a dominant ball-handler into an otherwise fluid system.
• Logan:

  “It’s going to take a level of maturation from Cade… maybe I'll be a part of the ball movement… I’ll get my moments when I need to.” [46:54]

• Raja notes this is a classic dynamic for teams with a primary star.

7. LeBron’s New “Olympics Role”

Segment Start: [48:19]

Mailbag Q: Is LeBron in LA now similar to his facilitator role on Team USA?

Insights:

• Logan praises LeBron’s evolution, comparing his sacrifices to Wilt Chamberlain in the ‘72 Lakers:

  “Being the third option, Wilt Chamberlain… his scoring went down, but he did everything else right. LeBron is right there now." [50:34]

• Raja admits this team role shift echoes LeBron’s approach in Olympics:

  “He has done that. He has done that on Olympic teams. It didn’t even register in my brain.” [51:27]

8. Most Bittersweet NBA Retirements

Segment Start: [51:29]

Mailbag Q: Which recent or pending retirements hit hardest?

Reflections:

• Steph, LeBron, and KD’s looming retirements viewed as a seismic moment for fans and the league.
• Howard shares:

  “It’s hard to imagine the NBA without Steph… If all three of them [LeBron, KD, Steph] just decided… we’re all done—collectively we would feel that, spiritually.” [52:43]

• Raja speaks as both fan and player, recalling generational shifts and their emotional impact:

  “When my era’s really good ones retired… it highlighted mortality. Those hit you.” [56:15]

• Logan underscores not taking this generation for granted:

  “Feels like we took these three guys for granted… The good thing, though, is the league is in good hands.” [57:43]

• Raja's advice:

  “Just try to be present and enjoy it… It's the same thing I say to NBA fans as it relates to their favorite players. Enjoy it, don’t take it for granted.” [58:58]

Notable Quotes

• “Defense is 50% of the game and that is undervalued so far in the MVPs.” — Victor Wembanyama (quoted by hosts) [03:54]
• “Wemby’s an absolute legit MVP candidate right now, and I love that he is actually stumping for it in his kind of, like, confident, but somehow not egotistical way.” — Howard Beck [06:47]
• “The league is in a really good place. Just…enjoy all the moments with your favorite players, because it goes really, really fast.” — Raja Bell [58:58]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:40] — Wemby puts his MVP case forward
• [10:06] — What to expect from Wemby in the playoffs
• [15:34] — Houston Rockets unravel; missing a true point guard
• [28:35] — Cam Thomas waived; what goes wrong for talents who never stick
• [41:46] — The importance of the playoff sixth/seventh/eighth men
• [45:36] — Detroit Pistons’ offensive identity: can Cade fit in?
• [48:19] — LeBron’s Olympics role parallels
• [51:29] — Player retirements that hit hardest; the looming end of Steph/LeBron/KD era

Final Thoughts

The episode delivers captivating, often humorous, and deeply reflective analysis of NBA stardom, team-building, and legacy. Whether debating Wemby’s boldness, dissecting the Rockets’ quandary, or looking ahead to an NBA era beyond LeBron, Steph, and KD, the Real Ones crew brings the league’s present and future into sharp, heartfelt focus.

Recommended for:
Listeners seeking sharp, contemporary NBA analysis with a mix of storytelling, culture, and behind-the-scenes realism.