The Mismatch

Verno and Jacoby return to give their most interesting players to watch heading into the 2026-27 NBA Season.

Welcome to The Mismatch!

(1:17) MISMATCH ALL-INTERESTING TEAM

(2:17) IMMANUEL QUICKLEY: KAWHI EFFECT

(9:02) FRED VANVLEET: BACK AND BOMBING

(14:14) STEVEN ADAMS: KING OF THE GLASS

(18:56) WALKER KESSLER: LAKERS’ BIG BET

(23:45) AUSTIN REAVES: BRIGHTER SPOTLIGHT

(29:43) VJ EDGECOMBE: SIXTH MAN SCORER?

(35:26) JAYLEN BROWN: LEADING MAN NO MORE

(40:23) CALEB WILSON: HIGHS AND LOWS

(43:54) GIANNIS: STILL ELITE WHEN HE PLAYS

(49:51) JALEN WILLIAMS: THUNDER’S X-FACTOR

(52:31) DYLAN HARPER: BENCH OR STARTER?

(57:07) DEMAR DEROZAN: ONE LAST RING CHASE

(1:00:11) KRISTAPS PORZINGIS: IF HE PLAYS

(1:04:30) ISAIAH JOE: LIFE OUTSIDE OF OKC

(1:07:37) BEEF STEW: GRIT AND GRIND 2.0

(1:13:28) MITCHELL ROBINSON: KNICK TO CELTIC

(1:17:05) KNICKS TABLE KAT EXTENSION TALKS

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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

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Verno and Jacoby return to give their early observations from this week’s preseason games. From LeBron’s rumored argument with Joel Embiid to Tyrese Haliburton’s return, they discuss it all.

Welcome to The Mismatch!

(01:32) Cam Boozer vs. Magic: 16 points, six rebounds in 22 minutes

(10:22) Aday Mara is 15-for-15 from the field in the preseason

(15:59) Joan Beringer didn't touch a basketball until 2021

(21:33) Mike Breen walks back story about LeBron scolding Embiid

(26:35) Sixers' Ariel Hukporti out indefinitely with torn Achilles

(27:45) LeBron is commuting to Sixers practice by helicopter

(29:41) Haliburton returns in Ames: seven points, six assists in 16 minutes

(36:21) Shams: KAT, Josh Hart unextended; trade deadline talk could heat up

(39:09) Nikola Jokic's behind-the-back dime: "One of one"

(44:33) Ja Morant starts Blazers debut: eight points, five assists in 19 minutes

(51:20) Caleb Wilson's debut: 15 points, but 0-for-4 from 3

(53:46) John Collins grabs Dillon Brooks by the throat

(58:11) Steve Kerr on Kristaps Porzingis: "I haven't seen him yet"

(1:06:52) Wemby skipped U.S. media this offseason, except '60 Minutes'

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

Verno and Jacoby run through every team's media day story line, so it's next question, next question. LeBron didn't leave his family to lose in the second round, Jay-Z hexed the Spurs, Giannis meets an iguana, and the young Nets want to golf shirtless. Plus, the Kings' hot mic, and Verno proves he's the opposite of a hypocrite.

Welcome to The Mismatch!

(1:51) Sixers: LeBron, Embiid and the Jaylen Brown "alpha" question

(15:33) Warriors: Porzingis out with "health issue" as Curry agrees to 2-year, $116M extension

(20:39) Pistons: Jalen Duren skips media day, still unsigned

(22:02) Nuggets: Nikola Jokic will re-sign "if they want me"

(25:29) Raptors: Kawhi won't discuss punishment, agrees to 2-year, $115M extension

(32:07) Heat: Giannis and Bam, Miami's new superstar duo

(36:58) Spurs: Harper and Castle's 'GQ' feature, bench talk, MSG and Jay-Z's hex

(55:09) Lakers: JJ Redick says roster makes sense for first time in three years

(59:05) Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards on life without Naz Reid and Julius Randle

(1:01:05) Nets: Julius Randle says young teammates tried to golf shirtless, broke a driver

(1:07:10) Pelicans: Entering Year 8, Zion says career "not where I want to be"

(1:12:48) Kings: Hot mic catches reporters rating Ben Simmons and Zach LaVine

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

Verno and Jacoby return to discuss some of the latest news around the league, including the contract extensions for Ausar Thompson and Keyonte George, Henri Veesaar's season-ending injury, and more. With the offseason coming to an end, media days around the corner, and preseason games coming soon, the guys dive into their full offseason loves and loathes.

(00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch!

(07:13) Ausar Thompson and Keyonte George sign contract extensions

(13:45) Doc Rivers to join NBC’s NBA broadcast

(15:52) The Hawks’ Henri Veesaar tears ACL, will miss the whole season

(17:05) Jalen Brunson set to host 'Saturday Night Live' this weekend

(22:06) Verno loves: How much stronger the teams in the East have gotten

(26:02) Jacoby loves: LaMelo Ball on the Timberwolves with Anthony Edwards

(28:25) Verno loathes: A weaker Western Conference

(33:41) Jacoby loathes: The Knicks' championship summer is coming to an end

(36:22) Verno loves: Rookie class

(39:57) Jacoby loves: The Cavs trading for Peyton Watson

(43:34) Verno loathes: Long-tenured players with new teams

(50:04) Jacoby loathes: The Pelicans' offseason

(50:39) Verno loves: New head coaches

(54:29) Jacoby loves: The Rockets have true point guards now

(55:59) Verno loathes: Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul retiring

(57:00) Jacoby loathes: Ja Morant with the Blazers

(1:01:04) Verno loves: The 76ers' offseason

(1:05:21) Jacoby loves: OG Alvarado

(1:07:03) Verno loathes: Blazers owner Tom Dundon being cheap

(1:10:36) Jacoby loathes: Kyle Lowry’s dinosaur statue

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

Verno and Jacoby return as they react to Steve Ballmer’s statement accepting his punishment for the NBA’s investigation into the Clippers. They discuss what the expectations are for the Clippers next season as well as what impact Kawhi Leonard will have with the Raptors now that the trade has been made official. Next, they discuss Mark Williams’s surgery, Jalen Brunson hosting 'Saturday Night Live,' and the ongoing contract negotiations between Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons. Lastly, the guys have three questions each, ranging from the impact of new head coaches to artificial intelligence.

(00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch!

(00:44) Steve Ballmer releases statement accepting his punishment for circumventing the salary cap

(9:41) Expectations for Raptors with Kawhi Leonard

(19:15) Mark Williams to miss several months after shoulder surgery

(21:01) Jalen Brunson hosting the season premiere of 'SNL'

(26:56) Jalen Duren and Detroit Pistons remain far apart in contract negotiations

(40:07) Are the Clippers wrong for giving Chris Paul’s no. 3 to Bradley Beal?

(44:25) Which team are you personally high on that probably won’t be good?

(48:48) Which new head coach will have a major impact next season?

(54:58) Reaction to Nikola Jokic’s comments about being a well known NBA player

(1:03:43) Which team do you know you will like more than the consensus?

(1:05:48) How long do we have until A.I. murders us all?

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