Podcast appearances and mentions of LaMelo Ball

In the final meeting of the regular season, the Hornets took care of business against the Hawks 110-107, despite missing Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges, who were suspended for four games earlier in the day. Sam Farber and Rob Longo break down the game and pick their favorite performances of the night, and also take a look at the standings and question how high Charlotte can climb after the All-Star Break.

Mac & Bone are joined by Grant Liffman of NBC Sports, as Grant talks about the league's reception to the Hornets in-season turnaround, why LaMelo Ball has changed the narrative around him as an individual, & when we could see the Hornets pull the trigger on a big trade See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Munaf Manji and Dave Essler recap Super Bowl LX and talk basketball and more. The Cash That Ticket Podcast on RJ Bell's Dream Preview returned the Monday after Super Bowl 60 with Munaf Manji and Dave Essler recapping Seattle's 29 to 13 win over New England and shifting focus to futures, NBA action, and college basketball. Seattle's defense dominated throughout the postseason and again in the Super Bowl, pressuring rookie quarterback Drake May, forcing turnovers, and controlling the game with a physical, run heavy approach. Kenneth Walker earned Super Bowl MVP honors with 135 rushing yards on 27 carries, becoming the first running back to win the award since Terrell Davis. Cooper Kupp led Seattle receivers with 61 yards, while A.J. Barner added 54 yards and a touchdown. New England struggled to protect May, who finished with 295 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, while the Seahawks recorded six sacks and won the turnover battle by three. Essler noted the outcome followed the same script as New England's playoff run, with elite defenses exposing the Patriots' young offensive line. Despite the loss, both hosts expressed optimism about New England's future, citing cap space, roster turnover, and the foundation of May, head coach Mike Vrabel, and a strong defense. Early Super Bowl odds for next season listed Seattle and the Rams as co favorites at plus 950, followed by Buffalo, Philadelphia, New England, and Baltimore. Essler highlighted Denver at 18 to one as a value play and mentioned Houston as intriguing but dependent on C.J. Stroud's development, while also floating the Giants at 70 to one as a long shot based on coaching and returning talent. Attention then turned to Monday's NBA slate, starting with Detroit at Charlotte, where both hosts discussed the Hornets' nine game winning streak driven by improved defense. Essler leaned toward LaMelo Ball over 18.5 points and suggested a live betting approach on the spread, while Manji favored the under based on recent defensive trends. In Cleveland at Denver, the focus was on a high total near 240 points, with both agreeing the over remained playable given Denver's season long scoring pace and defensive absences, along with Cleveland missing Evan Mobley. Manji also targeted Nikola Jokic rebounds and assists over 23.5, citing increased minutes and consistent production against the Cavaliers. Essler added a situational lean toward Cleveland with the All Star break approaching. For best bets, Essler selected Bradley as a home underdog against Belmont in college basketball, pointing to Belmont's road struggles and heavy public action failing to move the line. Manji closed with Jokic over rebounds and assists as his official play, emphasizing form, matchup history, and expected tempo. The episode concluded with reminders about bankroll discipline as football ends and basketball markets draw increased attention. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever since the calendar flipped to 2026, the Hornets keep on winning, making it nine in a row after a 126-119 win on the road in Atlanta, which is now tied for the second-longest winning streak in franchise history. Rob Longo and the lead writer of Hornets.com Sam Perley break down the game and pick their top performances of the contest, and also preview Charlotte's upcoming showdown against the Detroit Pistons.

Charlotte Hornets vs. Atlanta Hawks NBA Pick Prediction by Tony T. Hornets vs. Hawks Injuries Branham and White are out for Charlotte with Salaun questionable. Kuminga is out for Atlanta with Hield, Okongwu and Vincent questionable. Recent Box Score Key Stats Hornets at Hawks 7:30PM ET—Charlotte improved to 24-28 following their 109-99 road victory against Houston. Hornets shot 41% with 40% from three but 20 turnovers. Kon Knueppel led with 24 points with four rebounds. LaMelo Ball chipped in with 20 points and six rebounds. Charlotte allowed 46% shooting with 35% from three. Atlanta is 26-27 with their 121-119 home victory against Utah. Hawks hit 49% with 23% from three. Jock Landale scored 26 points with 11 rebounds. Nickeil Alexander Walker contributed 23 points with five assists. Atlanta allowed 47% shooting with 40% from three.

In this week's episode of the Big Shot Bob Pod, Robert 'Big Shot Bob' Horry and his co-hosts dive into a lively sports discussion. The episode kicks off with a debate on the NBA Rookie of the Year contenders, Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel, comparing the fierce competition to historic rookie races like LeBron vs. Carmelo, and Jason Kidd vs. Grant Hill. They lean towards Kon Knueppel due to his impressive performance and team impact, despite both rookies having similar records.   The conversation then shifts to the Charlotte Hornets' surprising season performance. The hosts analyze the unexpected success and contributions from players like Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel, focusing on how the team has exceeded expectations. They discuss the importance of veteran leadership and the challenges of maintaining consistency and seriousness on a young team. The potential for future growth and the cultural impact of the Hornets becoming a relevant NBA franchise again is evaluated.   The show wraps up with some fun Super Bowl prop bets, ranging from the color of the Gatorade bath to the length of the National Anthem and various game outcomes. The hosts also touch on personal anecdotes about going bald and maintaining appearances as they age. Join the Big Shot Bob Pod for this engaging mix of basketball insights and lighthearted banter.   00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:57 Rookie of the Year Debate: Flag vs. Knueppel 04:31 Charlotte Hornets: The Underdog Story 10:01 LaMelo Ball and Team Dynamics 12:23 Boxing Mishap: The Hairpiece Incident 13:25 The Balding Dilemma: To Shave or Not to Shave? 13:54 Exploring Hair Restoration Options 14:32 Personal Stories and Opinions on Baldness 16:49 Super Bowl Traditions and Plans 17:27 Super Bowl Prop Bets

The Charlotte Hornets erased a 22-point deficit to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 102–95, extending their winning streak to seven games. New Orleans dominated the first half but collapsed offensively in the fourth quarter. Trey Murphy III scored 27 for the Pelicans, while LaMelo Ball led Charlotte with 24 points despite an injury.The New Orleans Pelicans suffered a shocking second-half collapse as the Charlotte Hornets stormed back from a 22-point deficit to win 102–95 on Monday night. The Pelicans led 64–49 at halftime but went ice cold in the fourth quarter, opening the period with a six-minute scoring drought. LaMelo Ball powered Charlotte with 24 points despite an eye injury, while Trey Murphy III led New Orleans with 27. Big Q breaks down what went wrong, key performances, and what this loss means moving forward.

We continue diving deeper into one of Aussie hoops' fiercest rivalries — Sydney vs Illawarra — picking things up as LaMelo Ball and his rookie of the year season in 2019 that propelled the Hawks into the global spotlight, setting NBL viewership and attendance records, while the Kings reload under Will Weaver and push for a championship in a season that ends in chaos. Host Dan Boyce breaks down LaMelo's viral debut, his back-to-back triple-doubles, and the impact of the injury to Aaron Brooks to Illawarra playoff hopes, before diving into the record-setting 17,514 crowd that packed Qudos Bank Arena for Hawks v Kings — and the off-court collapse that followed. Then it's onto Sydney's rise to the top of the ladder, a Grand Final showdown with Perth, and how COVID ended it all. Finally, we trace the fallout in Wollongong — including liquidation, $2 million in debt, and the NBL's intervention — as Dorry Kordahi steps in to rescue the franchise and rebuild from the ground up. Featuring game and stat breakdowns from across the season, this episode blends rivalry flashpoints, behind-the-scenes turmoil, and the moment the rivalry took centre stage for the entire basketball world. Topics include: 2018 see's the arrival of Andrew Bogut (3:30) LaMelo Ball makes his NBL debut drives millions of eyeballs to the NBL (10:30) The record-breaking Qudos Bank Arena game (12:30) The Kings reload with Ware, Tate, Bogut and dominate the regular season at 20–8 (29:00) Sydney forfeit the Grand Final to Perth with COVID looming (29:00) Illawarra collapse due to over $2 million in debt and Dorry Kordahi and Brian Goorjian rebuild the Hawks (32:30) The NBL removes 'Illawarra' from the Hawks name (34:30) Brian Goorjian on swapping sides from the Kings to the Hawks (55:00) Spy-Gate - The Kings point the finger at Sydney for spying on their practices (1:13:00) Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Head to Aussie Hoopla to check out previous podcasts featuring: Australian Basketball Legends: Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, Glen Saville, Sam MacKinnon, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin, Brad Newley Current NBL Stars: Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Xavier Cooks, Tyler Harvey, Dejan Vasiljevic, Jordan Hunter, Flynn Cameron, Keli Leaupepe, Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Luke Travers, Sam Froling, Jesse Wagstaff Our Finest Coaching Minds: Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Adam Forde, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer NBA Stars Past & Present: Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Jack McVeigh, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Jack White, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton The NBL's Greatest Imports: Leroy Loggins, Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Cal Bruton, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Dwayne McClain, Darnell Mee, Shawn Redhage, Al Green, Steve Woodberry, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch The Men In Control: Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chris Pongrass, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner, Danny Mills Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at info@aussiehoopla.com

GP opens on the Grizzlies returning to action tonight taking on LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets. (20:00) Chris Vernon joins to continue the Grizzlies discussion (47:40) Belichick denied HOF entry, Nebraska's undefeated streak snapped, Jayson Tatum says he'd have a statue if in Memphis, Wemby speaks on the news out of Minneapolis. (1:17:40) GP's Carry Out with what we're watching tonight 

On this episode of Combo's Court, Combo and Pierre (Numbers On The Board) dive into one of the biggest questions surrounding the Warriors: will Steph Curry finish his career with the Golden State Warriors? The conversation breaks down Steph's legacy, Golden State's responsibility to maximize his remaining prime, and whether playing “meaningful basketball” matters more than chasing one more ring. From there, the discussion expands into a deeper NBA debate — do positions still matter, or has the league misunderstood what “positionless basketball” really means? Combo and Pierre unpack how stars like Trae Young, Ja Morant, LaMelo Ball, Zion Williamson, Anthony Edwards, and Giannis are valued in today's trade market, why role players may be getting overrated, and how salary caps, health, and playoff success shape real team-building decisions. The episode also touches on the Knicks' outlook, All-Star snubs, legacy narratives, and more! The show wraps with a hip-hop crossover debate on 50 Cent, Jay-Z, and classic album legacy. Listen to Combo's Court, available everywhere you get podcasts FOLLOW COMBO: YOUTUBE: COMBO TV IG: @onetwocombo X (Twitter): @itsonetwocombo

On this episode of the NBA Report, CP The Fanchise is joined by Andrew Salop, One Two Combo to react to the latest NBA trade news and rumors:Can the Warriors land Giannis?Jonathan Kuminga to the Miami Heat?What does the market look like for Ja Morant and LaMelo Ball?Sleeper teams in the East & West who could boost their championship odds with a trade.Subscribe to the Youtube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@TheNBAReportJoin TNR Discord to chat & call into the show https://bit.ly/nbarepSupport the show

We discuss the complicated, adventurous, talented LaMelo Ball and his play this season. Then we discuss the best on-ball offensive players this year (pick-and-roll and isolation), and the complexity of evaluating top offensive players comparing on-ball dominance versus the lone player an offense is built around. Use code THINKING BASKETBALL at www.sportsbusinessclassroom.com/all-star.Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

The Hornets continued to put up an impressive record on night two of back-to-backs this season following a 124-97 dominating performance against Orlando on the road. Rob Longo and the host of Hornets Postgame on the flagship radio station Sports Radio WFNZ Will Palaszczuk break down all the numbers, and also pick their top performances of the game. Plus, the two also preview Charlotte's next game against Washington after an updated start time was announced recently.

Fear the 'Fro celebrates a win over LaMelo Ball and the Hornets.  The Cavs dialed up the defense in an absolute rock fight.  Plus, a programming announcement, and Bob takes up for Lebron after ESPN platforms some Buss family whining.

Focus sur les Charlotte Hornets, de plus en plus consistants dans la Conférence Est malgré un bilan encore négatif. Les hommes de Charles Lee peuvent-ils devenir une équipe de Playoffs à court terme ? Et si oui, avec LaMelo Ball ?Jacques Monclar, Rémi Reverchon, Mary Patrux, Xavier Vaution, Fred Weis et Chris Singleton décryptent l'actualité de la NBA dans le Podcast NBA Extra, présenté par Nicolas Sarnak et Baptiste Denis.En complément de l'émission lancée en 2012, beIN SPORTS a créé, avec ce podcast, un nouveau format pour revenir en profondeur sur la ligue nord-américaine de basketball. Chaque semaine, les membres de l'émission débattent autour de trois thèmes majeurs, qui font l'actualité de la NBA.Un podcast à retrouver aussi sur Youtube : https://tinyurl.com/y4sabkns Hébergé par Audion. Visitez https://www.audion.fm/fr/privacy-policy pour plus d'informations.

As the Hornets closed out a five-game road swing in Denver on the second night of a back-to-back, Charlotte was the healthier team and took care of business in a 110-87 win over the Nuggets. Hornets Radio Network Manager Rob Longo and the host of Hornets Postgame on the flagship radio station Sports Radio WFNZ Will Palaszczuk recap the game and pick their stars of the night, and the two also take a deeper look at how impressive this winning road trip is for Charlotte considering recent history.

Charlotte redevient une équipe sérieuse, avec un groupe très jeune mais plein de talent. Avec LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges et Moussa Diabaté, les Hornets ont des arguments pour exploser dans les années à venir.Touché au genou, Kawhi Leonard repart à l'infirmerie et cela pourrait freiner le retour au premier plan des Clippers.La trade deadline approche et on fait le tour des joueurs qui pourraient bouger (Ja Morant, Jonathan Kuminga, Ja Morant, Jarrett Allen, Karl-Anthony Towns).La NBA célèbre ce lundi le MLK Day : on vous présente l'intégralité des rencontres, toutes à suivre en exclusivité sur beIN SPORTS.Avec Jacques Monclar et Nicolas Sarnak.Jacques Monclar, Rémi Reverchon, Mary Patrux, Xavier Vaution, Fred Weis et Chris Singleton décryptent l'actualité de la NBA dans le Podcast NBA Extra, présenté par Nicolas Sarnak et Baptiste Denis.En complément de l'émission lancée en 2012, beIN SPORTS a créé, avec ce podcast, un nouveau format pour revenir en profondeur sur la ligue nord-américaine de basketball. Chaque semaine, les membres de l'émission débattent autour de trois thèmes majeurs, qui font l'actualité de la NBA.Un podcast à retrouver aussi sur Youtube : https://tinyurl.com/y4sabkns Hébergé par Audion. Visitez https://www.audion.fm/fr/privacy-policy pour plus d'informations.

Charlotte Hornets vs. Golden St Warriors NBA Pick Prediction by Tony T. Hornets vs. Warriors Injuries Plumlee is out with Diabate questionable for Charlotte. Seth Curry and Santos are out for GSW. Recent Box Score Key Stats Hornets at Warriors 8:30PM ET—Charlotte improved to 15-26 following their 135-117 road victory against LA Lakers. Hornets shot 54% with 47% from three. LaMelo Ball led with 30 points with 11 assists. Brandon Miller contributed 26 points with five assists. Charlotte allowed 46% shooting with 37% from three. Golden St is 23-19 with their 126-113 home victory against NY Knicks. Warriors hit 54% with 44% from three. Jimmy Butler scored 32 points with eight rebounds. Steph Curry assisted with 27 points and seven assists. GSW allowed 46% shooting with 37% from three.

Verno and Jacoby return as they share the latest on Ja Morant and the Grizzlies before discussing their game against the Magic in Germany. They then go through the rest of the Thursday night slate of action as they discuss whether it's officially time to be concerned about the Rockets; the struggles of watching Karl-Anthony Towns on the Knicks; whether the Warriors will get anything in return for Jonathan Kuminga; the Pistons, who keep on rolling; Klay Thompson passing Damian Lillard on the all-time 3-point list; and more. Next, the guys dive into their loves and loathes from the past week in the NBA. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (01:05) Latest on Ja Morant (17:10) Magic beat Grizzlies in Germany (21:53) KD struggles in the Rockets' loss to the Thunder (28:31) LaMelo Ball and Hornets run out Lakers at home (30:46) The Warriors beat the Knicks at home. What can Golden State get for Jonathan Kuminga? (37:23) The Pistons overcome Cade Cunningham's struggles and rally to beat the Suns (39:25) The rest of Thursday night's action (47:55) Verno and Jacoby's no. 1 loves of the week (56:01) Verno and Jacoby's no. 1 loathes of the week (01:05:45) No. 2 loves of the week (01:13:41) No. 2 loathes of the week (01:18:38) No. 3 loves of the week (01:28:32) No. 3 loathes of the week The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Leave us a message on our Mismatch voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Jessie Lopez, Brian H. Waters, and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Hornets bounced back with a big win in LA against the Lakers, as LaMelo Ball made nine 3-pointers and Charlotte took a 135-117 win. Rob Longo and the lead writer of Hornets.com Sam Perley break down the game and pick their stars of the night, and the two also discuss the recent news of Dell Curry's number being retired by the franchise.

Mac & Bone start Friday's show, talking about the Hornets win over the Lakers last night, as LaMelo Ball shined in the second half, they review their interview with Panthers GM Dan Morgan from yesterday, & they dissect the bombshell report of a sports betting scandal in college basketballSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lakers on Thursday night looked to put some distance between themselves and the Suns and Rockets as they faced the Charlotte Hornets in the Crypt. And while getting off to a hot start (39 points in the first quarter-Luka with 19 of them) wasn't normal as of late, the bad defense against poor teams continued as the Lakers got lit up for 20 threes (9 by LaMelo Ball) as Charlotte with their shooting splits of 54-47-94 tore into the Lakers defense time and time again, and even with Luka Doncic (39 points) and LeBron James (29 points, 9 rebounds) making their share of the scoring, the rest of the roster could not slow down the Hornets as they pull away for an easy 135-117 win over LA. Tune in as the guys share thoughts on the game, hear Joe's thoughts on the Dodgers signing Kyle Tucker, and what's up ahead for the Lakers with nine of their next ten on the road as they continue to fight for a higher seed in the Western Conference. The Lakers and Hornets light it up on Thursday night, and we're here to cover it all on the Lakers Fast Break podcast!Check out Yaron Weitzman's book, "A Hollywood Ending: The Dreams and Drama of the LeBron Lakers," which you can buy today on Amazon at https://tinyurl.com/y344ckmjFollow @DripShowshop for some awesome sports or pop culture merchandise!The MVP Race is heating up, and Best League has got it covered on his site https://mvprace.top/ Joe's new game Coreupt is OUT NOW on Steam. Play it today! Lakers Fast Break now has YouTube memberships! Join today at / @lakersfastbreak and for just $2.99 a month, you get access to LFB badges and emojis, channel page recognition, and more! Check out Stone Hansen on Twitter @report_court, Alfred Ezman @alfredezman, and John Costa's channels: Clutch Talk- / @clutchtalkpod and Lakers Corner- / @lakerscorner and Legend350 on his new channel / @sportslegend2018 Special Deals today from our friends at #temu today at https://temu.to/m/u1samwbo8cc use code: aca785401 and you might save some $$$ at TEMU! Take a look at the line of Kinhank Mini PC's and retro game machines today at https://www.kinhank-retrogame.com?rs_ref=e8NA2Rm2 for some gaming and computing fun from Kinhank! Don't forget to watch the Lakers games with us LIVE at playback.tv/lakersfastbreak and our newest Lakers Fast Break merchandise site is now up at ⁠http://tinyurl.com/yerbtezk check it out! Please Like, Share, and Subscribe to our channel and our social media @lakersfastbreak on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Twitch, on BLUESKY at @lakersfastbreak.bsky.social, e-mail us lakersfastbreak@yahoo.com or catch our audio of the Lakers Fast Break today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://anchor.fm/lakers-fast-break⁠, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast outlet! The views and opinions expressed on the Lakers Fast Break are those of the panelists or guests themselves and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Lakers Fast Break or its owners. Any content or thoughts provided by our panelists or guests are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, anyone, or anything. Presented by our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lakerholics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lakersball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pop Culture Cosmos⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Inside Sports Fantasy Football⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lakers Corner, @DripShowshop, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SynBlades.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, I Got Next Sports Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Happy Hoarder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Retro City Games!

Charlotte Hornets vs. LA Lakers NBA Pick Prediction by Tony T. Hornets vs. Lakers Injuries Plumlee is out with Diabate and Sexton questionable for Charlotte. Reaves and Thiero are out for LA with Hayes questionable. Recent Box Score Key Stats Hornets at Lakers 10:30PM ET—Charlotte fell to 14-26 following their 117-109 road defeat against LA Clippers. Hornets shot 49% with 30% from three. LaMelo Ball led with 25 points with nine rebounds. Kon Knueppel contributed 18 points with five rebounds.

Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann are inspired by the Trae Young trade as they take a look at a few stars who could be on the move before the deadline and decide whether they're going to love the player and keep him, or list him on the trade block. (00:00) Intro (6:22) Ja Morant (22:22) Anthony Davis (35:56) LaMelo Ball (50:08) Zion Williamson (1:04:07) Domantas Sabonis Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann Audio Producer: Isaiah Blakely Video Producer: Victoria Valencia Production Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Additional Production Support: John Richter and Chris Wohlers Social: Isaiah Blakely and Keith Fujimoto The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠ www.rg-help.com⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Hornets kicked off a five-game road trip in impressive fashion, taking care of business rather easily in Utah by a final score of 150-95. The 55-point margin of victory marks the largest winning margin in franchise history on the road, as nine players reached double figures for the Hornets. Rob Longo and the lead writer of Hornets.com Sam Perley break down the game and pick their star performances of the night, and also tally up all the records and milestones achieved in this vicotry.

The Full Go returns as Jason welcomes The Ringer's own Howard Beck to the podcast! The two chat about the wide-open Eastern Conference, the risk/reward of giving Trae Young a max, and which team hasn't taken advantage of the weakened East. They dig into whether or not Ja Morant, LaMelo Ball, and Zion Williamson have met or performed below expectations. Then, Jason welcomes Yahoo Sports' Charles McDonald to the pod! The two chat about the backlash Charles got for his Shedeur Sanders criticism, how much pressure is on Josh Allen this playoff run, and why Caleb Williams's second-year improvements deserve more love. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.rg-help.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Voicemail line: ⁠708-550-3781⁠. Host: Jason Goff Guests: Howard Beck and Charles McDonald Producer: Kyle Williams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For the second straight night the Hornets came up short at home, this time in a 114-112 decision to the Indiana Pacers. Sam Farber and Rob Longo break down the game and pick their silver-lining performances, and also preview the first of five road games against Western Conference opponents, as Charlotte makes a stop in Utah to take on the Jazz.

Welcome to The Format Podcast! Today, we break down the official 2026 NFL Playoff bracket, analyzing Wild Card matchups like Bills vs. Jaguars and the Seahawks' road to Super Bowl LX. We also recap the CFP Semifinals, highlighting Indiana's historic run against Oregon. In the NBA, we dive into Kevin Durant's recent tweets attacking "ring culture" and media storytelling. Finally, we debate Bleacher Report's Most Overrated Players list, featuring LaMelo Ball. Is the criticism fair or out of line? Join the conversation!Time Stamps:16:05 - NFL Playoff Preview 1:06:35 - CFP Semi Finals1:31:24 - KD on Ring Culture 2:48:22 - Bleacher Report NBA Most OverratedIf you want to support, every little bit helps!We appreciate SuperChats, or you can donate:CashApp: $TheFormatPodcastVenmo: TheFormatPodcast

As the Hornets finished up a three-game road trip, Charlotte made sure to finish off on a high note by delivering the worst loss of the season to the defending NBA Champion Thunder by a final score of 124-97. Rob Longo and Sam Perley break down the game and pick their star players of the night, and also take a deeper look on if this game could mean more to the Hornets in the future.

Charlotte Hornets vs. Milwaukee Bucks NBA Pick Prediction by Tony T. Hornets vs. Bucks Injuries Kalkbrenner, Plumlee and Williams are out for Charlotte. Diabate is questionable with Bridges probable. Prince is out for Milwaukee. Recent Box Score Key Stats Hornets at Bucks 8PM ET—Charlotte fell to 11-22 following their 132-125 home defeat against Golden St. Hornets shot 52% with 40% from three. Brandon Miller scored 33 points with two assists. LaMelo Ball contributed 27 points with five assists.

The Hornets had one final home game of 2025 against Charlotte native Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors, but Buzz City came up short after a 132-125 decision. Sam Farber and Rob Longo break down the game and discuss their silver-lining performances.

After dropping a game on the first night of a back-to-back in Cleveland, the Hornets returned home and used a strong second half to defeat Washington, 126-109. Sam Farber and Sam Perley break down the win and pick their stars of the night, and Sam Farber sits down with Miles Bridges for an interview in front of a live audience following the victory.

(00:30) Optimism for the Charlotte Hornets  (07:00) LeBron & Christmas  (13:15) Kevin Durant & Bruce Brown's Altercation(15:30) Opportunity vs Player Development(24:30) Recapping T-Wolves vs Thunder(27:30) Tanking & a Star-Studded Draft Class(32:00) Pausha's Apology to AJ Dybantsa(37:30) Christmas Day Games(42:30) Rapid Fire: Christmas Edition  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Verno and Jacoby return to break down the wild Thursday-night slate in the NBA that saw multiple one-score games and overtime finishes. After, the guys dive into their loves and loathes from the past week in the league. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (01:48) Nikola Jokic breaks record in win vs. Magic (05:09) Pelicans storm back in OT win vs. Rockets (09:18) Mavs survive Pistons in OT (14:29) The Suns escape with win against the Warriors (18:18) Lamelo Ball, Hornets spoil Trae Young's return with win vs. Hawks (21:07) Luka's triple-double lifts Lakers past Jazz (25:14) Blazers outlast Kings in OT (30:31) Knicks steal a win vs. Pacers(33:02) Verno and Jacoby's no. 1 loves of the week (36:16) Verno and Jacoby's no. 1 loathes of the week (43:26) No. 2 loves of the week (51:13) No. 2 loathes of the week (55:42) No. 3 loves of the week (59:33) No. 3 loathes of the week The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Jessie Lopez and Brian Waters Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The NBA is in full chaos mode and Alley Oop Basketball Show is breaking it ALL down. On this episode of the Alley Oop basketball show on the DLS Hoops channel, Juju Gotti and Trysta Krick tap in to talk about: – Where could Giannis Antetokounmpo REALLY end up next? – Are the Boston Celtics actually elite… or just front-running frauds? – LaMelo Ball accidentally running out with the WRONG team and confusing everybody – Desmond Bane absolutely slamming the ball into OG Anunoby in a wild heated moment – LeBron James returning like he's 25 again and putting up ridiculous numbers  Hot takes, wild theories, and unfiltered NBA talk — you already know how it goes. Subscribe to DLS Hoops for more NBA debates, breakdowns, and comedy  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hawks — 3:36Should the Hawks trade Trae Young plus two juicy Bucks/Pels picks for Giannis, and how would that look from both teams' perspectives?If the Hawks keep Trae, re-sign him reasonably, and just add this incoming Pelicans pick, can that path ever realistically lead to a championship?Do you buy Onyeka Okongwu's three-point shooting, and if you do, is he a top-15 center in the league?Celtics — 13:20If you're the Celtics, how should you play out the rest of the season—go all out because there's no super-team in the East, or pull back at some point to protect health?How useful will their increased turnover forcing and more egalitarian offense be once Jayson Tatum returns, and which rotation guys could actually be part of a high-level playoff rotation?Is Jaylen Brown genuinely improved compared to prior years, or is it mostly that the mid-range is falling more; and if it's shot luck, how long would he have to sustain this for it to be “real”?Nets — 22:36Is Michael Porter more valuable to the Nets as an on-court player to get them back into the playoff mix, or as a trade asset?Can you do as deep a dive as possible on Noah Clowney's game and development?Were pundits too quick to call the Nets' draft a disaster given how much their rookies are now playing?Hornets — 31:06What has happened to LaMelo Ball—he was an All-Star before, so is this decline just injuries and lack of progression?What are some potential trades for Miles Bridges, Ball, and Sexton?Do you sense a shift in the Hornets' organizational philosophy under the new regime?Bulls — 39:10John Hollinger has said the Suns turned down the Pelicans/Hawks pick deal; do you know if that exact deal (or better) was offered to other teams like the Bulls or Blazers, or is that just logical inference?Should the Bulls go all-in and trade for Anthony Davis, and what could they realistically get for Coby White if Artūras Karnišovas canvassed the league?The Bulls are trying to make up for their talent deficit by running on everything—does that strategy backfire (more injuries, better teams separating with more possessions), or is it actually their best path?Cavs — 50:20How concerned are you about the Cavs' bad start, and in particular about Darius Garland's play and health?What are your thoughts on Jaylon Tyson's development so far?Should Cleveland start trying to get out of the second apron, and what would it take to do that?Pistons — 58:06Good or bad, what has been the most surprising thing about the Eastern Conference so far this season?Besides Giannis and Lauri Markkanen, what other players would be a good fit for the Pistons and actually gettable?Would Sam Hauser be a good target for the Pistons given his price point and role, and how does he fit relative to what they already have (e.g. Duncan Robinson–type shooters)? Join Dunc'd On Prime! It's the only place to get every episode with Nate & Danny, plus every pod with John Hollinger & Nate as well!Subscribe on YouTube to see our hilarious faces and, more importantly, see watch this free pod twice a week.Or, sign up for our FREE mailing list to get Dan Feldman's Daily Duncs with all the major topics around the league twice a week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of On The Ball, Ric Bucher delivers one of his most detailed breakdowns yet on the state of the Los Angeles Lakers, the viral moment that exposed LeBron James' disconnect, and why their chemistry is quietly fraying beneath the surface.Ric walks through the full context behind the clip of LeBron ignoring a play call, Luka Doncic's confusion, and JJ Redick's stunned timeout. He explains why LeBron's lack of energy, defensive effort, and off-ball engagement—despite sitting out the previous game—signal deeper structural issues for L.A.Then Ric breaks down the leaguewide blueprint emerging to stop the Lakers: force Luka to score while taking away his playmaking, a strategy that mirrors the Celtics' approach in the 2022 Finals and threatens to turn the Lakers' supporting cast into scapegoats.Ric also digs into the bombshell ESPN report that Ja Morant, LaMelo Ball, and Trae Young are all potentially available via trade—but that their value is so low they may only be tradable for each other. Ric explains why this marks a historic shift, which teams could realistically rehabilitate these stars, and why LaMelo may be the toughest sell of all.Additional topics include: • Why LeBron staying in games to protect scoring streaks hurts locker-room chemistry • The danger of star-centric offenses that don't produce wins • Why the broadcast's new “bench-level analysts” format causes awkward silences • How Luka's scoring-first nights may quietly divide the Lakers' roster • Which franchises actually have the infrastructure to revive Ja or TraeIf you want unfiltered NBA insight you won't hear on TV, you're in the right place.

En este episodio, nos vamos a fondo con el Heat y su sorpresivo arranque, debatimos los mejores destinos vía cambio para LaMelo Ball, hacemos el scouting de AJ Dybantsa y mucho más. Únete a la comunidad de Whatsapp de Los NBA Freaks:https;//chat.whatsapp.com/FmSCEFkbeLyGzwnzfpSEFJRedes sociales:Facebook, X, Instagram: @losnbafreaksEmail:losnbafreaks@gmail.com

Logan Murdock and Raja Bell discuss the latest drama in Laker land, as the team fired part owners Joey and Jesse Buss from their roles in the basketball operations department on Thursday morning. What does this mean with the new ownership group now in place, and what role might Jeanie Buss have played in this move? LeBron James also returned to the lineup on Tuesday. How did he look playing alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves? Plus, is LaMelo Ball's time ticking in Charlotte? And how realistic would it be for Tyrese Maxey to win a championship? (0:00) Intro (1:27) FanDuel ad break (2:53) The Lakers fire Joey and Jesse Buss from front office positions (16:07) LeBron's return to the Lakers lineup (28:17) FanDuel ad break (29:10) Amazon Prime ad break (29:50) LaMelo Ball clowns on reports that he's seeking a trade (45:32) Tyrese Maxey for MVP? (53:59) Real One of the Week Hit the mailbag! realonesmailbag@gmail.com https://www.theringer.com/2025/11/21/nba/lebron-james-kareem-abdul-jabbar-los-angeles-lakers-career The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out rg-help.com to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Producers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford Augustin Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Shopping. Streaming. Celebrating. It's on Prime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield of Lexicon Valley join to talk 23 skidoo, Massapequa, and why life, in fact, is a flat bagel. They trace the 6/7 meme from Skrilla's drill track "Doot Doot" through LaMelo Ball highlights and a middle-schooler named Maverick, and explain how a throwaway number became the meme stock of language. The conversation winds through rival "word of the year" contenders, then lands on the legal and French graveyard roots of "gist" and its Nigerian evolution into a verb meaning "to gossip." Plus, a Spiel on Trump's death-penalty bluster, Democratic senators telling troops "don't give up the ship," and why wild-man escalation keeps letting Trump win the exchange. Produced by Corey Wara Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠thegist@mikepesca.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ To advertise on the show, contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠ad-sales@libsyn.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to The Gist: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: ⁠⁠⁠⁠GIST INSTAGRAM⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow The Gist List at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pesca⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠

Kevin O'Connor is joined by Justin Termine to discuss Kawhi Leonard returning to the Los Angeles Clippers, James Harden continuing his legacy and whether the Clippers can revive their season.Next, they break down the heated moment between Klay Thompson and Ja Morant, Chris Paul's career after announcing his retirement and Norm Powell shining for the Heat. Later, Kelly Iko joins to discuss his report of LaMelo Ball growing frustrated with the Hornets' organization and being open to a trade. Where could he possibly land? KOC gives his pick. Then, they discuss how KD's absence will impact the Rockets, Jalen Johnson's All-Star potential and the state of the Chicago Bulls. Plus, Ricky O'Donnell joins to share his thoughts on the 2026 NBA draft class and key players and games to watch this week.(0:28) Kawhi returns, but Clippers still struggle(12:23) Chris Paul to retire after this season(16:19) Ja Morant vs. Klay Thompson(24:14) Norm Powell shines for Heat in Herro's absence(28:33) Suns comeback vs. Timberwolves(33:51) Kelly Iko on LaMelo Ball trade possibilities(43:28) Rockets without KD for 2 games(52:04) Jalen Johnson All-Star potential(55:27) Who is Pistons #24?(1:01:36) State of the Chicago Bulls(1:05:38) Draft Class with Ricky O'Donnell

Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser discuss Texans/Bills, Colts/Chiefs, LaMelo Ball/Hornets, Buccaneers/Rams, Ovechkin Hat Trick. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Denver and Houston was a fascinating tactical matchup between two of the three-best teams in the league with a lot of different pitches to throw. Phoenix's new identity helped them steal a game they had no business winning against the Wolves. 33:43Portland took control of their own destiny in the West Group of Death with an upset over Golden State. 46:24We look at the rest of the NBA Cup standings and scenarios, then discuss the latest news including LaMelo Ball and Anthony Davis potentially being on the block. 1:02:24 Join Dunc'd On Prime! It's the only place to get every episode with Nate & Danny, plus every pod with John Hollinger & Nate as well!Subscribe on YouTube to see our hilarious faces and, more importantly, see watch this free pod twice a week.Or, sign up for our FREE mailing list to get Dan Feldman's Daily Duncs with all the major topics around the league twice a week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Logan Murdock and Raja Bell discuss the latest drama in Laker land, as the team fired part owners Joey and Jesse Buss from their roles in the basketball operations department on Thursday morning. What does this mean with the new ownership group now in place, and what role might Jeanie Buss have played in this move? LeBron James also returned to the lineup on Tuesday. How did he look playing alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves? Plus, is LaMelo Ball's time ticking in Charlotte? And how realistic would it be for Tyrese Maxey to win a championship? (0:00) Intro (1:27) FanDuel ad break (2:53) The Lakers fire Joey and Jesse Buss from front office positions (16:07) LeBron's return to the Lakers lineup (28:17) FanDuel ad break (29:10) Amazon Prime ad break (29:50) LaMelo Ball clowns on reports that he's seeking a trade (45:32) Tyrese Maxey for MVP? (53:59) Real One of the Week Hit the mailbag! realonesmailbag@gmail.com https://www.theringer.com/2025/11/21/nba/lebron-james-kareem-abdul-jabbar-los-angeles-lakers-career The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out rg-help.com to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Producers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford Augustin Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Shopping. Streaming. Celebrating. It's on Prime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby return as they briefly discuss the Grizzlies completely dominating the Kings, Tyrese Maxey's continued ascension into superstardom, as well as how impressive the Spurs looked without their top players. Next, the guys dive into their loves and loathes from this past week in the NBA. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (00:35) What's next for the Kings after getting blown out by the Grizzlies? (08:13) Sixers beat Bucks as Maxey's ascension continues (14:48) Verno and Jacoby's no. 1 loves of the week (22:39) Verno and Jacoby's no. 1 loathes of the week (32:06) No. 2 loves of the week (38:43) No. 2 loathes of the week (46:19) No. 3 loves of the week (52:26) No. 3 loathes of the week (01:02:07) No. 4 loves of the week (01:05:36) No. 4 loathes of the week The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Jessie Lopez and Brian Waters Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Kevin Pelton to discuss the reports that LaMelo Ball is open to a trade and some major shakeups in the Lakers' front office. Then, we dive into our 2025-26 Small Sample-Size Theater to talk Houston's unique path to the best offense in the NBA, if the Thunder can win over 70 games, the Rookie of the Year race, which conference is better and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. A and Aaron Bruski break down Thursday night's NBA slate and look ahead into the weekend, including: Top 4 Must-Add Players and honorable mentions Dr. A “My Guys” of the Night & Bruski 150 Players of the Night Top Streamers for Friday and the weekend Drop Zone Alerts: who's close to the cut line, who to hold, who to drop Waiver Wire Decisions They also discuss breaking news impacting fantasy basketball, including Domantas Sabonis' knee injury, LaMelo Ball trade rumors and Darius Garland's return. Presented by FanDuel! Download the SportsEthos App on the APP Store and Google Play! FantasyPass now includes DAILY PROJECTIONS—perfect for DFS and head-to-head leagues. Join the Discussion on DISCORD for real-time advice and community support. Subscribe, Rate, and Review on Apple and Spotify for expert updates and tips! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rob and Kelvin debate whether the new Los Angeles Lakers owners made a mistake by not axing Jeanie Buss when they got rid of her two younger brothers, discuss all the scuttlebutt regarding Jalen Hurts and the floundering Philadelphia Eagles offense, explain why LaMelo Ball isn’t the ideal trade candidate that some think he is, and take a trip out to Shekel City for Rob’s nightly bets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones break down the season debut of LeBron James, discussing the positives, growth areas, and things to keep track of as the sample grows.Then, they react to the recent reporting surrounding LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets. How did we get here, how solvable is it, and who are some potential fits for LaMelo if the plug is pulled?Finally, the guys check in on the Sacramento Kings. The vibes are bad and the record is worse; they discuss the current state and how they should move forward.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.If you'd like to join our Dunker Spot Playoff watch parties — they're free, and easy to sign up for — you can do so here: https://www.playback.tv/thedunkerspot(1:20) — LeBron James' debut(22:51) — LaMelo Ball discussion(43:13) — Should the Sacramento Kings blow this up?

Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann are here to each give three first impressions from the first week of the NBA season. Intro (0:00:00) Austin Reaves (2:17) Milwaukee Bucks (13:11) Miami Heat (20:08) FanDuel ad break (28:59) LaMelo Ball (30:06) Jonathan Kuminga (37:42) Kyshawn George (47:11) Toronto Raptors (55:37) Ajay Mitchell (1:00:00) Cedric Coward (1:09:56) Also, be sure to check out Michael Pina's newest Ringer.com piece, 13 Overreactions to the First Week of the NBA Season. Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann Producers: Isaiah Blakely, Victoria Valencia and Ben Cruz The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices