The Mismatch

Verno and Jacoby are back as they recap the start of the NBA season with the return of Loves and Loathes!

(00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch!(01:26) Historic Thursday night for LeBron James and the 76ers(08:43) Thunder drop Nuggets, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 20-point streak ends at 141 games(11:50) Verno loves: Ty Jerome(16:39) Jacoby loves: Walker Kessler’s shot chart in Lakers debut(18:57) Verno loathes: The Miami Heat backcourt(21:05) Jacoby loathes: People who are trying to rationalize LaMelo Ball’s obvious no-call travel(25:07) Verno and Jacoby’s love: Damian Lillard’s return and Ja Morant’s debut for the Portland Trail Blazers(26:25) Verno loathes: Phoenix Suns terrible start against the Blazers(28:04) Jacoby loathes: Yaxel Lendeborg’s post-game comments after losing to the Lakers(30:42) Verno loves: Ausar Thompson(33:57) Jacoby loves: Jabari Smith Jr.(35:55) Verno and Jacoby’s loathes: Darius Acuff and Caleb Wilson’s NBA debuts(39:21) Verno loves: Good impressions from new additions(45:06) Jacoby loves: Tyrese Haliburton’s return and the Pacers are the Pacers again(49:43) Verno loathes: Everything about the Brooklyn Nets(54:17) Jacoby loathes: People practicing their golf swing in random places

The Club for every holiday club. Sam’s Club.

Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091

Hosts: Chris Vernon and David JacobyProducers: Jessie Lopez, Stefan Anderson, and Liz JerrySocial: Keith Fujimoto
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The NBA season is finally here, as Verno and Jacoby preview the upcoming season by debating where the teams in each conference will finish, which teams will be better (and worse) than we all think, Finals predictions, bold takes, and so much more.

(00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch!

(01:42) Cason Wallace and Brandon Miller get rookie contract extensions

(06:15) Players who were waived

(12:53) Jaylen Brown’s golden harp

(18:41) Ben Simmons tears Achilles tendon, will miss entire season

(22:46) Western Conference

(39:07) Eastern Conference

(56:53) Finals predictions and bold takes

The Club for every holiday club. Sam’s Club.

The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines.

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 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

The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines.

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 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