The Mismatch

SGA’s MVP Moment. Plus, Major, Minor, or Meh?

Verno and Jacoby return to recap last night’s matchup between the Thunder and Nuggets. Then they address their levels of concern for the Pistons, Rockets, and Knicks and the effects of Jayson Tatum returning from injury.  (00:43) SGA ties Wilt, then steals Nikola Jokic’s soul: OKC’s game of the year  (14:41) Verno “walks back” his Lu Dort take on his uncontrollable movements  (21:47) Jacoby and Verno’s level of concern: Major, minor, or meh  (22:33) Concern level for Knicks two games after losing streak in L.A.: Minor  (29:13) Concern level for the Pistons' losing streak: Major  (35:01) Concern level for the Rockets getting waxed: Major  (41:03) Concern level for the 76ers: Major  (44:56) Concern level for Michael Jordan’s concept of excellence: Meh  (51:05) Concern level for the East with Tatum back: Major  (56:08) Concern level for the Hornets being mediocre: Meh  (01:01:52) Concern level for Magic City Night being canceled: Minor  (01:09:48) Concern level for the lack of drama in the West: Meh  Leave us a message on our Mismatch voicemail line! ⁠(323) 389-5091⁠  Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby  Producers: Stefan Anderson and Jeff Shearin  Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Jayson Tatum’s Season Debut, SGA’s Coat, and Loves and Loathes

Verno and Jacoby discuss a couple of anticipated debuts as Jayson Tatum gets ready to suit up for the Celtics and Trae Young finally steps on the floor for the Wizards. They also get into SGA's fashion choice for a warm day in NYC. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (2:34) Thursday’s games: Spurs are great with 71 points in the first half (7:45) Loves and loathes (7:54) Verno loves: Tatum returns and makes his 2025-26 debut (15:14) Jacoby loves: Trae Young debuts with the Wizards (18:33) Verno loathes: Jokic’s dirty play (22:32) Jacoby loathes: Doc Rivers's retirement (24:19) Verno loves: NBC's throwback and storyteller era (31:23) Jacoby loves: The dangerous teams of the Eastern Conference (34:17) Verno loathes: Marcus Smart’s ugly shots at Memphis (38:29) Jacoby loathes: SGA covered in fur from the nose to the toes (41:31) Verno loves: Two-way success stories (47:21) Jacoby loves: The Hawks’ win streak heating up (50:33) Verno loathes: Scoot's struggles in the Grizzlies-Blazers game (56:19) Jacoby loathes: Sad-watching the Celtics lose with Bill Simmons The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit http://www.rg-help.com/www.rg-help.com [http://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 [tel:3233895091] Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers:  Brian H. Waters and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

The Haters Ball! Plus, Trae, Giannis, and Garland Return.

Verno and Jacoby return to discuss the things about the NBA season that have aggravated them, including Lu Dort, Wemby, and the gaudy schedule. They also talk about Trae Young, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Darius Garland all returning from their injuries. Welcome to The Mismatch! (1:05) The dog days of the NBA: Post All-Star slog (6:30) Verno: The conflicted feelings of winning (12:10) Jacoby: Jalen Brunson is enough to win a championship (17:00) Verno: The extinction of the small guard (24:45) Jacoby: Wouldn’t hold the door open for Wemby (30:55) Verno: Dirty Dort’s cheap-shot collection (36:10) Jacoby: Expects so much more from Cam Johnson (40:35) Verno: Trading Jared McCain to the Thunder (44:50) Jacoby: Diluted NBA; there are too many games! (47:04) Verno: Sparks fly between JJ and Luka on the sideline (58:21) Jacoby: California dreamin’ The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit http://www.rg-help.com/www.rg-help.com [http://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 [tel:3233895091] Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Stefan Anderson and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

SGA Returns, Spurs Make It 11 and Loves and Loathes

Verno and Jacoby return as they discuss the Suns bouncing back to win over the Lakers, the Spurs extending their win streak to 11 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returning from his injury. Then they discuss their loves and loathes for this past week. (0:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (00:31) Suns sink Lakers, Rockets stun Magic, Spurs Make it 11 Straight (11:03) Knueppel shatters rookie 3-point record with 207th triple (21:29) Jacoby and Verno’s Love and loathes (21:41) Verno loves: Mat Ishbia $1 Million prize for ASW Dunk Contest (27:34) Jacoby Loves: JK’s explosive new era in Atlanta (29:50) Verno Loathes: The NBA sending independent doctors to Utah (35:37) Jacoby Loathes: James Harden Injury (37:02) Verno Loves: Costas, Collins & Fratello Reunited for Spurs-Sixers on NBC (41:48) Jacoby Loves: Giannis less Bucks are on fire right now (44:19) Verno Loathes: Can I trust you Knicks? (49:53) Jacoby Loathes: Ayton Fires back “I’m not no Clint Capela” (53:02) Verno Loves: Taj Gibson signing with Grizzlies (57:03) Jacoby Loves: Magic City Monday in Atlanta (1:00:32) Verno Loathes: Vince Williams injury and perspective (1:06:37) Jacoby Loathes: Lakers aren’t even interesting anymore Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Jessie Lopez, Stefan Anderson, and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Spurs on the Rise, the NBA’s New Moneyball, and Is This LeBron’s Final Season with the Lakers?

Verno and Jacoby return as they discuss the Spurs win against the Pistons and their push towards the top seed in the West as well as the Kings finally ending their 16-game losing streak against the Grizzlies. They then set up their bit of the day, ‘talk me out of this’, where they attempt to change their minds on a specific take. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (02:04) Spurs continue to push for the one seed in a dominant win vs. Pistons (10:26) Kings snap 16-game losing streak with win vs. Grizzlies (18:15) Dillon Brooks was the one guy the Suns couldn’t lose (22:30) The Spurs will be NBA champions… Next year (28:10) This should be and will be LeBron James's last year with the Lakers (33:53) The 65 game rule is stupid and should not exist (43:35) Playing hard is the new moneyball for the league (47:33) The play-in games are fun, but entirely unnecessary (53:08) If Fred VanVleet and Jayson Tatum return, then the Rockets and Celtics are title contenders (1:01:34) No sport provides a better finish than hockey Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 [tel:3233895091] Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Jessie Lopez, Stefan Anderson, and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]