2025-26 NBA Season Preview: The Wide-Open East, Can KD make a Difference With Houston, and Are the Warriors Any Good?
The season is finally here! Verno and Jacoby give you their previews for the upcoming season by going through each conference to predict the final standings, awards, Finals matchups, and more!
(00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch(03:13) NBC announces Michael Jordan’s role for their NBA broadcast(06:00) Eastern Conference Preview: Top six teams(23:10) Eastern Conference Preview: Play-in and bottom teams(42:10) Western Conference Preview: Top six teams(01:01:17) Western Conference Preview: Play-in and bottom teams(01:10:30) Award Predictions: Who we want to win instead of who will actually win
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Hosts: Chris Vernon and David JacobyProducers: Jessie Lopez and Stefan AndersonSocial: Keith Fujimoto
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1:31:42
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1:31:42
Final Preseason Takeaways, Most Likelies, Injury Updates, and Did the Nets Admit to Tanking?
Verno and Jacoby return to discuss Russell Westbrook signing with the Kings, as well as the team extending Keegan Murray. They also discuss Jaden Ivey’s disappointing injury setback, Malcolm Brogdon‘s sudden retirement, and Joe Tsai's unexpected comments about his expectations for the Nets this season. Next, the guys share their preseason takeaways before going through their most likelies before the season begins next week.
(00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch!(00:57) Kings sign Russell Westbrook and extend Keegan Murray(07:25) Jaden Ivey and Paul George injury updates(09:56) Malcolm Brogdon suddenly retires(13:06)LeBron James out until mid-November(15:37) Did Joe Tsai admit the Nets will tank this season?(22:05) Preseason takeaway: Best rookie class in a long time(27:44) Preseason takeaway: Lonzo Ball could be exactly what the Cavs need(30:43) Preseason takeaway: Several players poised to take a big leap(36:26) Preseason takeaway: Absolutely tired of preseason basketball(39:15) Preseason takeaway: Hornets will be fun again(45:42) Preseason takeaway: Loving Season 2 of Netflix’s ‘Starting 5’(50:56) Most likely: Non-playoff team you’ll watch the most(51:44) Most likely: Player that’ll dominate the storylines this season(58:09) Most likely: Coach to be fired first(01:00:26) Most likely: Team to miss the play-in that made the play-in last season(01:03:44) Most likely: Team to have the biggest win improvement(01:06:48) Most likely: Player to make the biggest leap(01:12:40) Most likely: TV breakout star on new broadcasts(01:15:18) Most likely: Team to be this year's Suns (team that everyone likes that'll disappoint)(01:16:22) Most likely: Player to be traded midseason and make a real difference(01:19:23) Most likely: Person who will get suspended for saying something on a podcast
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 JacobyProducer: Jessie LopezSocial: Keith Fujimoto
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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1:26:09
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1:26:09
LeBron to Miss Season Opener, Preseason Standouts, and Is Giannis Juggling His Future?
Verno and Jacoby are back to discuss the latest news on LeBron James's injury, the Giannis-Knicks rumors, GM survey reactions, preseason standouts, and more questions before the regular season begins.
(00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch!(01:36) LeBron James to miss multiple weeks with sciatica(09:00) Giannis Antetokounmpo–New York Knicks rumors(16:55) NBA general manager survey reaction(32:36) Preseason standout: Jaylen Brown(36:08) Preseason standout: Ace Bailey(40:39) Preseason standout: Matas Buzelis(46:30) Preseason standout: Kel'el Ware(53:42) Preseason standout: Rookie class(57:00) Preseason standout: Alperen Sengun(59:06) Who do you think could be the third-best team in the East?(01:01:08) What the hell is going on with all the Grizzlies' injuries?(01:02:39) Which team do you feel you have no gauge on?(01:05:39) Is it a bad idea for Jayson Tatum to come back this year?(01:08:46) How do you feel after seeing Victor Wembanyama's preseason performance?(01:12:19) How do you feel about LeBron James’s "Second Decision"?
Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091
Hosts: Chris Vernon and David JacobyProducer: Jessie LopezSocial: Keith Fujimoto
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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1:19:14
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1:19:14
The Warriors Are Finally Complete, the Sixers’ Only Hope, and the Cooper Flagg Hype Meter
With media days underway and preseason basketball ramping up, Verno and Jacoby return to recap the first preseason game, debate the Sixers' championship window, discuss Wemby’s offseason, and more!
(00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch!(00:40) Question 1: How was Knicks-76ers in Abu Dhabi?(12:12) Question 2: How concerned are you with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence for Bucks media day?(19:48) Question 3: Has the 76ers’ window already closed?(24:42) Question 4: Which team/fan base is the most delusional right now?(33:42) Question 5: What do you make of Victor Wembanyama's offseason?(41:36) Question 6: How do you think the Warriors' season will play out?(45:57) Question 7: Which person you grew up watching would you most want a friendship with?(54:24) Question 8: Did Quentin Grimes make a huge mistake?(58:26) Question 9: Where does Cooper Flagg rank among players you will go out of your way to watch?(01:01:52) Question 10: Did you see Zion Williamson without his T-shirt?
Leave us a message on our Mismatch voicemail line! (323) 389-5091
Hosts: Chris Vernon and David JacobyProducer: Jessie LopezSocial: Keith Fujimoto
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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1:10:10
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1:10:10
The Wemby Debate, Zion's Revival, Houston’s Hopes, and LeBron’s Leverage
As we inch closer and closer to the regular season, Verno and Jacoby return with 10 questions about the upcoming season and more.
(00:00) Welcome to the Mismatch!(02:24) Question 1: Is Victor Wembanyama the fifth-best player in the NBA?(10:34) Question 2: What are your thoughts on LeBron James potentially creating a rival basketball league to compete with the NBA?(18:13) Question 3: Is it time to believe in Zion Williamson again?(25:47) Question 4: How much does Fred VanVleet’s injury change the Rockets' expectations?(35:04) Question 5: What are your favorite teams that never made the Finals?(44:51) Question 6: What are your thoughts on Kyle Lowry joining Prime Video’s NBA coverage as an active player?(49:05) Question 7: Who is the most surprising free agent still available?(56:57) Question 8: Why has Pablo Torre gone quiet on Kawhi Leonard?(01:00:50) Question 9: Which non-All-Star acquisition will be most impactful?(01:05:36) Question 10: What have you been watching on TV?
Leave us a message on our Mismatch voicemail line! (323) 389-5091
Hosts: Chris Vernon and David JacobyProducer: Jessie LopezSocial: Keith Fujimoto
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Chris Vernon and David Jacoby discuss all the news, trends, and transactions happening in the NBA. They also offer their on-court analysis, and occasionally get into heated debates.
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