Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul

Big news! Have a question, comment, or idea for the show? Let the fellas hear it by emailing [email protected]! The show begins with today’s hottest NBA topic, tanking (4:58). However, Max and Rich's thoughts on the matter and how big of an issue it is may surprise you. There’s a recent quote from Pat Riley going around (36:24) that has the guys thinking about where the league is heading, some of its development issues, and competition in general. Finally, today’s Five-Minute Max (43:47) made Rich take some notes on science vs. religion, disproving a hypothesis, and the two recent Super Bowl QBs.

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Hosts: Max Kellerman and Rich Paul

Producers: Jesse Aron, Trevor Rabone, and Kevin Cureghian

Director of Photography: Neal Lett

Social: Alysha Tsuji, Keith Fujimoto, and Jomi Adeniran

The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.
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After a brief discussion of their weekend hobbies, the guys dive into the headlines from Super Bowl LX (9:06): Kenneth Walker won the MVP and the Seahawks had an unsung hero on the sidelines, but was there really a star-making performance? The fellas also go through some other takeaways from yesterday, including Sam Darnold’s status and Bad Bunny’s performance (19:58). Then, a discussion about Drake Maye unexpectedly pivots to a heated debate about Kevin Durant’s decision to join the Warriors in 2016 (39:37). Get your popcorn for this one!

Hosts: Max Kellerman and Rich Paul

Producers: Jesse Aron, Trevor Rabone, and Kevin Cureghian

Director of Photography: Neal Lett

Social: Alysha Tsuji, Keith Fujimoto, Jomi Adeniran
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich is relieved now that the NBA trade deadline has passed, and Max is alongside him to break down which teams were the most aggressive about improving now and for the future (4:53). Also, are the NBA’s soft cap and the NFL’s hard cap actually reversed, and does the NBA need to borrow some of the NFL’s salary flexibility structure? Then, can an injury lead to a dynasty like Steph Curry’s Warriors, and can a team’s drafting continue or end those dynasties (17:28)? Georgetown’s Ed Cooley lamented that kids don't know how to fail today, and Rich explains why this aligns with why he believes youth sports are broken (26:51). Max wonders whether the younger generation has become softer or whether things have just become better for them. Then, it’s on to the big game (35:04)! Max and Rich give their picks for Super Bowl LX, predict who’ll be the star coming out of the game, and talk about why turnovers are the key for the Patriots. Could Robert Kraft actually look better than either Tom Brady or Bill Belichick now that a new era of New England is making it to the Super Bowl? And could decades of that winning culture play a role in determining the winner?

Hosts: Max Kellerman and Rich Paul

Producers: David Jacoby, Trevor Rabone, Chris Thomas, and Devon Baroldi

Director of Photography: Neal Lett

Social: Alysha Tsuji, Keith Fujimoto, and Jomi Adeniran

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 NBA trade deadline buzz has escalated quickly since Monday’s show! Max and Rich are here to discuss the latest moves, starting with James Harden heading to Cleveland while Darius Garland heads west to the Clippers (4:55). Why does Max think the Clippers pulled off a heist in broad daylight? Or do both players win in this deal? Rich breaks down what happens behind the scenes leading up to the deadline and when the talks first started. Then, the fellas go around the association, starting with the Cavaliers’ outlook for the rest of the season and beyond, before touching on the Celtics and the Bulls (23:00). Does the NBA hurt when big markets like Chicago are down? Finally, we preview Super Bowl LX. While the lead-up may not have star power, is it a game where a star will be born (41:34)? All this, plus why Pro Football Hall of Fame voters should stop using their ballots to file complaints. And can Max be trusted with any of Rich’s basketball information before Thursday afternoon?

Hosts: Max Kellerman and Rich Paul

Producers: David Jacoby, Trevor Rabone, Chris Thomas, and Devon Baroldi

Director of Photography: Neal Lett

Social: Alysha Tsuji, Keith Fujimoto, and Jomi Adeniran

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

After a busy weekend, the guys get together on Monday for an even busier week ahead to discuss their first thoughts on Super Bowl LX (6:34) and the NBA trade deadline (11:52). Max breaks down who might need what, while Rich goes down the memory lane of acquisitions that made a difference. Next, a topic so hot that Rich needed to take his jacket off (28:26): The recent stories of players who’ve played in the NBA and are looking to go back to college. Max has a rant on it, while Rich is torn. Plus, the guys discuss what it would mean for the business of basketball to have a bona fide American star at the top of the league, as well the All-Star rosters (49:56): Who was snubbed, who should have been left off, and what do they think of the new format?

Hosts: Max Kellerman and Rich Paul

Producers: Jesse Aron, Trevor Rabone, and Devon Baroldi

Director of Photography: Neal Lett

Social: Alysha Tsuji, Keith Fujimoto, and Jomi Adeniran

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