The Ryen Russillo Show (Barstool Sports)

Episode: Horrifying OKC & Ja Morant’s Trade Value w/ Frank Isola, Plus Predicting the CFB Coaching Carousel w/ Bruce Feldman
Date: November 14, 2025

Overview

This episode delivers a deep dive into a dynamic NBA landscape with special focus on the Oklahoma City Thunder's shocking ascendancy, the evolving trade value of Ja Morant, and a check-in on perennial NBA storylines like the Warriors’ woes, Durant’s career, Pistons’ resurgence, and the ever-churning College Football (CFB) coaching carousel. Ryen is joined by Frank Isola (NBA Radio, YES Network) and Bruce Feldman (The Athletic, Fox Sports), who both provide lively, expert perspective and signature candor. The show seamlessly marries insight, debate, and humor, concluding with a thoughtful round of “Life Advice” from listeners.

Key Sections & Timestamps

1. NBA Deep Dive with Frank Isola

Begins: 04:21

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s Meteoric Rise

• Ryen marvels at OKC’s depth, talent identification, and Sam Presti’s ongoing hands-on scouting—highlighted by their dominant start despite not having any “top-15” player active:

  “OKC's horrifying… you watch and keep asking yourself, ‘Wait, who's that guy? Is he also really good?’ …They don't even have a top 15 player playing right now.” (05:23) – Ryen Russillo

• Frank adds context, noting the rarity and quality of their depth and ability to blow out opponents so handily SGA isn’t even required for fourth quarters:

  “First 13 games, Shai has sat out the 4th quarter in seven of them. That’s how far out front they've been.” (06:27) – Frank Isola

• Both agree Denver remains the big threat, largely because of Jokic:

  “Denver took them to seven last year… There’s just something about Denver. I'm a big Cam Johnson fan, but SGA and the Thunder—the way they've started is really impressive.” (07:05) – Frank Isola

Jokic and the New Normal of Superstardom

• Jokic’s astonishing efficiency (e.g., 55 points on 23 shots) sets a new standard; Ryen and Frank reflect on desensitization to his statistical mastery.

  “You almost get disappointed if Jokic doesn’t have a triple double… That’s the standard; it’s ridiculous how good he is.” (09:04) – Frank Isola

Warriors in Decline: Offensive Issues & Roster Questions

• Ryen notes Golden State’s non-Steph minutes continue to be a problem; Frank suggests aging and the mix of youth/veterans is off.
• Discussion pivots to Draymond’s open criticism and possible Kaminga trade as a necessary next step:

  “They needed a virtuoso from Steph—he had 29 in the second half just to win against the Spurs. I don’t see that as sustainable. Something (isn’t) right there.” (14:07) – Frank Isola

Trade Retrospectives & Misfires

• A sharp critique of the Luka/Anthony Davis trade, with both hosts lambasting Dallas for squandering a young superstar for a shaky, oft-injured AD:

  “To me, I can’t believe they actually sat there and thought… this is what could happen. How do you not look at the other side and say what could realistically happen?” (16:37) – Frank Isola

2. Around the NBA: Pistons, Knicks, Sixers, Heat & Ja Morant

Timestamps cover 18:49–46:41

Detroit Pistons: Culture and Cade Cunningham

• Both hosts praise Cade’s leadership, willingness to play through pain, and his “do everything” mentality, linking it to Detroit’s surprising start:

  “When your best player does that…It’s going out on the court and doing it. Cade is so impressive.” (19:28) – Frank Isola

Knicks’ Overreaction & Fan Expectations

• Frank rails against New York’s hasty firing of their coach after a conference finals appearance:

  “People in New York, all they did was experience losing and dysfunction… They get to their first conference final in 25 years and treat it like, ‘Oh, we should’ve done better.’ Total overreaction.” (26:46) – Frank Isola

Miami’s Steady Excellence …and Ja Morant Trade Rumors

• Ryen wonders if Heat benefit by not adding Lillard or George, allowing flexibility and limiting risk.

• Frank asks if Miami should target Ja Morant. Ryen is skeptical, citing Ja’s injuries, shooting, and maturity:

  “Is this really the guy you want to give the keys to? If he was making 33% on his threes or dunking on everyone maybe… GMs just can’t help themselves with guys who were top-10 talents.” (34:26) – Ryen Russillo

• They both question Ja’s mindset and sense self-awareness, referencing his awkward sit-down interview after incidents:

  “Watching Ja, none of this is kicking in—like, you’re at kind of a crossroads, but you still think anyone that messes with you is the moron.” (36:01) – Ryen Russillo

Clippers & Kawhi: Diminishing Returns

• Ryen and Frank agree Kawhi’s unreliability as a partner has hamstrung LAC:

  “He’s a terrible partner. Shows up when he wants, plays when he wants… Incredible bad partner for a franchise on top of being never healthy.” (39:21) – Ryen Russillo

• Frank notes OKC’s future is even brighter with LAC’s unprotected picks.

76ers: Paul George Addition and Maxi’s Emergence

• Frank sees Philly as an “interesting” question mark but underscores that Maxey is their real engine now while Embiid’s durability is a worry:

  “Maxey’s the real deal. Plays 40 minutes, plays for joy, such an easy player to root for.” (44:50) – Frank Isola

Reflections on Athlete Media & Player Podcasts

• Ryen and Frank celebrate the directness of today’s player-podcasts, sometimes nostalgic for prior eras when players “hated you privately”. Great stories of Patrick Ewing, Stephon Marbury, and Draymond Green’s postgame podcasts:

  “Draymond went on his pod after the Finals game and said, ‘They were never giving me the second technical foul.’ Steve Kerr and Bob Myers must have gone nuts.” (49:25) – Frank Isola

3. College Football Coaching Carousel with Bruce Feldman

Begins: 52:12

LSU and the Perils of the “Big Name” Hire

• LSU’s failed “lottery ticket” hire with Brian Kelly—fit was always wrong, and he never engaged players or recruiting:

  “Anyone paying attention knew this was a bad fit… Players said, ‘I had no relationship with him, he didn’t even try to get to know me.’” (56:46) – Bruce Feldman

• In today’s landscape, inexperienced, motivated coaches (like Kalen DeBoer, Marcus Freeman, or, in CFB, Curt Cignetti at Indiana) outperform recycled splash hires.

“Dream Job” Realities, Coaching Attrition & the NFL Exodus

• Many college coaches are reaching out to Bruce privately, desperate to move to the NFL for a more stable, less relentless lifestyle:

  “Multiple coaches a week call and are like, ‘I gotta get to the NFL. This sucks…’ The new landscape is nuts.” (63:37) – Bruce Feldman

Curt Cignetti’s Breakthrough at Indiana

• Indiana has gone from three wins to playoff contenders behind Cignetti, fueling “excuses are out the window” among fanbases:

  “Excuses are out the window because look at what they did at Indiana. They were a three-win team. He talked big, then backed it up.” (67:10) – Bruce Feldman

• The portal means expectations have risen everywhere—no more “year zero” hand-waving.

Open Jobs: LSU, Auburn, Penn State, Florida, Virginia Tech

• Candidates named: Eli Drinkwitz (LSU), John Sumrall (Auburn), Jed Fisch (Florida), and the curious case of James Franklin (possibly Virginia Tech or Florida State).

The Pressure Cooker: Fan and Booster Demands Escalated

• Russillo and Feldman note intense, sometimes irrational pressure on coaches due to the portal, NIL, and social media, affecting even Ohio State and Penn State:

  “(Boosters) are being asked for buyouts, then for the next coach, and now the portal; there’s a limit… but pressure is at an all-time high almost everywhere.” (86:06) – Ryen Russillo

• Bruce: “People can't get past ‘these guys are getting paid, I’d do it for nothing,’ and can’t see how much harder it is now.” (87:41)

4. Life Advice

Begins: 93:34

Best Friend’s Sister Dilemma

• Listener asks for advice on whether he should spring for a hotel for his best friend’s sister, whom he is now dating, as she’ll be visiting his fraternity formal.
• Great banter about brotherly protection, “cover” strategies, and the inevitable autonomy of sisters:

  “Sisters are going to do whatever they want… This whole rule thing, the sisters don’t care. You can do the hotel for the optics, but don’t kid yourself.” (105:47) – Ryen Russillo

Dreams vs. Stability: The Musician’s Forklift Question

• Listener weighing whether to go “full dream” (pursue music with all resources—at the cost of financial security) or hedge with a stable job and chase music on the side.
• The crew shares empathetic, practical advice: It’s about which regret you can live with—not fully chasing the dream, or struggling with material setbacks.
• Ryen: “You have to ask yourself: will you be more bothered that you didn’t really give it everything, or more by getting older and always being broke?” (111:49)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Ryen, on OKC's seamless rotation depth:

  “They’re horrifying, and they don’t even have a top 15 player.” (05:23)

• Frank, on SGA’s minimal 4th quarter workload:

  “First 13 games, Shai’s sat out the 4th in 7 of them.” (06:27)

• Frank, on the Pistons:

  “When your best player does that… When Cade plays, you feel it. That guy is so impressive.” (19:28)

• On Ja Morant:

  “Watching Ja, none of this is kicking in—like, you’re at a crossroads here and still think anyone who messes with you is the moron.” (36:01) – Ryen Russillo

• On coaching pressure and fan expectations:

  “Excuses are out the window because look at Indiana.” (67:10) – Bruce Feldman
  “Pressure’s at an all-time high everywhere… You can flip your roster, but the (fan) anger is just cranked up.” (86:06) – Ryen Russillo

Overall Tone and Style

Ryen keeps the show brisk, irreverent, and open-ended, encouraging guests to take the conversation in new directions. Frank Isola is breezy, direct, and leavened with wry humor; Feldman is thoughtful, comprehensive, and unafraid to call out home-truths about coaching culture and booster pressures. The blend of inside media stories, coaching philosophy, and player psychology is signature Russillo—well-informed, opinionated, and entertaining throughout.

For Listeners: Why This Episode Matters

If you missed this episode, you’ll get up to speed on:

• The seismic NBA power shift as OKC ascends (and how they did it).
• Honest takes on Ja Morant's real value and future.
• The pitfalls of star-centric NBA trades and franchise-altering decisions.
• How NIL, the transfer portal, and social media reshaping college football’s hierarchy and coaching jobs.
• The enduring drama of fan/booster expectations and the precarious nature of big-time sports careers.

Highly recommended for fans who crave both basketball and CFB insight with authenticity and humor.

Listen for:

• NBA: 04:21–51:53
• CFB & Coaching Carousel: 52:12–91:30
• Life Advice: 93:34–end