The Ringer NBA Show

LeBron’s Streak Ends. Plus, CP3’s Turbulent Ending With the Clippers.

·1 hr 14 min·5 clips
LeBron's 1,297-game scoring streak ends with a game-winning assist, while the Clippers dismiss Chris Paul in a 2:40 a.m. meeting.
The episode opens with Logan Murdoch introducing the topics: LeBron James's scoring streak ending, Chris Paul's exit from the Clippers, and Giannis Antetokounmpo's injury leading to a discussion on player workload. Murdoch and Bell first delve into LeBron's streak of 1,297 games, noting it ended with a game-winning assist to Rui Hachimura in an ugly game. They compare the streak to Michael Jordan's 866 and Kevin Durant's 267, calling it likely unbreakable. Bell praises LeBron's self-awareness in passing instead of forcing a shot to extend the streak. The conversation shifts to LeBron's role with the Lakers, debating if he can be a 'muted' version of himself alongside Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Next, the hosts address Chris Paul's dismissal from the Clippers, detailing a 2:40 a.m. meeting with Lawrence Frank. They cite reports that Paul was critical internally, leading to his removal. Bell shares a personal anecdote about being sent home in Utah for speaking out, sympathizing with Paul. Murdoch criticizes the Clippers' history of mistreating stars like Blake Griffin and Russell Westbrook, arguing it harms their reputation. The segment includes a satirical 'Pack Watch' skit mocking the Clippers. The final major topic is Giannis Antetokounmpo's calf injury and broader NBA workload trends. Murdoch cites a league memo showing players now miss 23.9 games per season on average, up from 10 in the 1980s. Bell attributes this to faster pace and year-round AAU basketball, where kids specialize early and over-train. They discuss the economic incentives of NIL deals and how parents push young athletes. Bell notes football coaches value multi-sport athletes, but basketball coaches do not. The episode closes with 'Real One of the Week' picks: Murdoch chooses LeBron James, and Bell selects Lane Kiffin for leaving Ole Miss.

As heard by us

LeBron's streak ends with an assist, while Chris Paul's Clippers situation points to a larger veteran-star problem.

LeBron James's 1,297-game run of double-digit scoring ends on a game-winning assist, and Logan Murdoch and Raja Bell use that turn neatly, opening into legacy, aging, and LeBron's fit with the Lakers.

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Why you'd press play

You get LeBron's 1,297-game scoring streak ending with a game-winning assist, the Clippers' sad Chris Paul exit, and a detour into NBA mileage and AAU-shaped bodies.

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