The Mismatch

Latest Episodes:

Mavs Meltdown with Kirk Henderson and Sam Esfandiari, Plus: Mirin Fader on Keegan Murray and Jabari Smith Jr. | The Void May 22, 2022

Show notes

Hey, it’s Kevin, thank you for listening to 'The Void'. In this episode I briefly go over Game 3 between the Heat and Celtics before being joined by editor-in-chief of Mavs Moneyball, Kirk Henderson, and co-host of the 'Light Years' podcast, Sam Esfandiari, to recap Game 3 between the Mavs and Warriors. The Ringer’s Mirin Fader also joins the show to discuss her recent profile on prospect Keegan Murray. Here are today's timestamps:

Kirk Henderson and Sam Esfandiari

(04:25) - Kevon Looney’s impact

(06:15) - What happened to the Mavs?

(14:07) - On Jason Kidd not calling a timeout in the third quarter

(19:31) - Warriors seem like a different team against the Mavs

(25:32) - Warriors' depth outmatches the Mavs' depth

Mirin Fader

(36:51) - On Keegan Murray

(48:59) - Murray will be ready compete in the NBA

(01:03:35) - On Jabari Smith Jr. and what he learned from being a part of an NBA family

(01:13:26) - Smith’s projection as an NBA player

Host: Kevin O'Connor

Guest: Kirk Henderson, Sam Esfandiari, and Mirin Fader

Producers: Jessie Lopez and Benjamin Cruz

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Warriors Roll as Wiggins Finds His Role, Looney on the Boards, and Landing in the Perfect Spot May 19, 2022

Show notes

Verno and KOC recap last night’s Game 1 victory for the Warriors and focus their attention on Andrew Wiggins (00:45). Luka and the Mavs are going to have a hard time if the Warriors are playing this well on defense. They also give high praise to Kevon Looney for his massive rebounding game (20:53). The guys turn their focus on the Kings franchise: If they want to change their culture, it begins with Mike Brown (31:11). Next, why the Thunder are the most likely team to trade down in the draft and Chet Holmgren’s NBA potential (36:19). KOC highlights some of his favorite prospects in the draft (48:36) before the guys dive into the Heat-Celtics series (58:20).

Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor

Producer: Jessie Lopez

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Previewing the Conference Finals, Bleak Future Suns, and Tonight’s NBA Draft Lottery May 17, 2022

Show notes

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Heat and Celtics is tonight as KOC and Verno preview the series between the top two teams in the East (02:15). The guys debate who will step up alongside Jimmy Butler for the Heat. Next, they discuss their disbelief about the Suns getting blown out in a Game 7 at home to the Mavs (28:03). What's next for Phoenix? The guys are in agreement that Luka Doncic will continue to go off in his series against the Warriors (37:39). Lastly, they briefly go through tonight’s NBA draft lottery (57:50).

Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor

Producer: Jessie Lopez

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Tatum Explodes, Warriors Advance, and Game 7 Previews With Bill Simmons and Mo Dakhil | The Void May 14, 2022

Show notes

Hey, it’s Kevin. What a night of basketball with the Celtics beating the Bucks to force a Game 7 and the Warriors finishing the Grizzlies with a huge run to close the game. Bill Simmons joins to talk Celtics-Bucks, and then The Athletic's Mo Dakhil joins to break down every series. Here are today's timestamps:

Bill Simmons

(01:41) - Thoughts after Game 6

(08:47) - The East runs through Giannis

(15:29) - Bucks fans back to blaming Mike Budenholzer

Mo Dakhil

(29:07) - Turning point for Warriors in Game 6

(39:29) - Klay Thompson's play and Andrew Wiggins's improvement

(46:42) - Why the Warriors should root for the Suns

(01:02:56) - What's next for the Grizzlies?

Host: Kevin O'Connor

Guest: Bill Simmons and Mo Dakhil

Producers: Jessie Lopez & Ben Cruz

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Epic Comeback or Total Collapse? Plus: Griz Make a Statement and Jimmy’s That Guy in the Postseason. May 12, 2022

Show notes

Verno and KOC begin the show discussing Game 5 between the Bucks and Celtics (01:59). They debate if the Bucks win was a comeback or a collapse by the Celtics before discussing what happened in the fourth quarter. The Warriors missed their chance to close out their series against the Grizzlies after getting blown out by nearly 40 points, as the guys discuss what went wrong for Steph and crew (25:01). Also, they go through tonight’s Game 6 action between the Heat-76ers and Mavs-Suns (56:43).

Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor

Producer: Jessie Lopez

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Al Horford Balling Out, Stop With the Whining, and Embiid Makes All the Difference May 10, 2022

Show notes

Verno and KOC recap Monday night’s slate of playoff action, beginning with the Celtics' resilient win to tie their series against the Bucks (01:56). They also break down the Bucks' struggles and what Giannis needs to do differently. The Grizzlies drop Game 4 and are in a 3-1 hole in the series against the Warriors, and the guys break down what happened with the Griz (21:53). They last go though Tuesday night’s games between the Heat-76ers and Mavs-Suns. With Joel Embiid back, the Heat will have a tough battle to win the series (44:27). The Mavs won two in a row and tied up their series with the Suns, and the guys give major credit to Jason Kidd for the adjustments he's made since dropping the first two games (58:08).

Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor

Producer: Jessie Lopez

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Embiid Returns, Brunson Shines, And Celtics-Bucks Deep Dive | The Void May 07, 2022

Show notes

Hey it’s Kevin, thank you for listening to The Void. The Ringer’s Rob Mahoney joined first to recap Friday night’s games and previewed Game 3 of Grizzlies-Warriors. Then I brought on two friends from my days covering the Celtics to go deep on Boston-Milwaukee ahead of Game 3: Jay King and Jared Weiss from The Athletic. Here are today’s timestamps:

Rob Mahoney

(01:51) - Joel Embiid’s impact

(07:42) - Should the Heat be worried?

(13:03) - On Mavs-Suns

(22:05) - Grizzlies-Warriors preview

Jay King & Jared Weiss

(31:37) - Differences for Celtics in Game 1 and 2

(35:33) - Grant Williams and his defense

(50:41) - Can Giannis do anything differently?

(01:02:38) - Predictions for rest of series

Host: Kevin O'Connor

Guest: Rob Mahoney, Jay King, and Jared Weiss

Producer: Jessie Lopez

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76ers Falling Fast, Building Around Luka, and What Are You Watching Tonight? May 05, 2022

Show notes

James Harden has yet to show up and even if Joel Embiid returns, there’s little chance the 76ers can turn it around as Verno and KOC recap Game 2 between the Sixers and the Heat (01:42). The Suns go up 2-0 and the guys discuss how amazing it is that Chris Paul is still performing at the highest level and continues to bring out the best in his teammates (17:13). After dropping Game 1, the Celtics bounced back in Game 2 to tie their series with the Bucks (32:53). The Grizzlies also tied their series and the guys discuss the Warriors strategy when it comes to guarding Ja Morant (41:15). With no games on tonight, the guys discuss what they'll be watching (01:04:00).

Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor

Producer: Jessie Lopez

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Entering the Conference Semifinals, Hellacious Heat, and the Celtics' Cause for Pause May 03, 2022

Show notes

Verno and KOC recap the beginning of the conference semifinals, beginning with Heat-76ers (01:51). They question whether James Harden will ever return to peak form before giving the Heat credit for the defensive effort they've shown all postseason. They next recap the Suns' dominant Game 1 win over the Mavs and discuss Deandre Ayton’s performance (20:34). After sweeping the Nets, the Celtics drop Game 1 against the Bucks (33:32). The guys discuss what the Celtics need to do differently in Game 2 to win. They lastly go through the Warriors-Grizzlies series and discuss Jordan Poole's and Gary Payton II’s big performances in Game 1 (51:11).

Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor

Producer: Jessie Lopez

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Moving Into the Second Round, Zion and LaVine's Future, and Music Talk with Logan Murdock | The Void Apr 30, 2022

Show notes

Hey it’s Kevin, thanks for listening to The Void. Today’s guest is Ringer Staff writer and Real Ones co-host, Logan Murdock. He joins the show following the Grizzlies Game 6 win over the Timberwolves. You can hear Logan with Raja Bell Monday nights during the NBA playoffs on the NBA Ringer Show feed. Here are today’s timestamps:

(06:10) - Anthony Edwards needs to become the number one option with the T-Wolves

(12:13) - Grizzlies-Warriors preview

(18:52) - Zion Williamson and Zach LaVine’s comments

(29:43) - Joel Embiid’s injury and the 76ers-Heat preview

(36:18) - Music talk

Host: Kevin O'Connor

Guest: Logan Murdock

Producer: Jessie Lopez

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