People were interested in these podcasts
Play Episode
84min
RealGM Radio
Thunder Take Control of NBA Finals, Desmond Bane Trade and Kevin Durant Destinations With Dave DuFour
OKC's defensive masterclass and Jalen Williams' breakout performance have the OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER on the brink of a championship. Wes Goldberg and Dave DuFour (The Athletic) analyze the THUNDER's path to success, dissecting their suffocating defense and the PACERS' struggles. The conversation shifts to blockbuster trade scenarios, including Desmond Bane's move to Orlando and potential Kevin Durant destinations. Charlotte's challenges with LaMelo Ball and roster construction strategies for struggling franchises round out this comprehensive NBA discussion. Timestamps 0:00 Intro 3:37 Thunder Defense 25:31 Exciting Finals for fans 34:00 Desmond Bane trade 50:14 Kevin Durant's next team 57:30 Trade Machine ideas RealGM Radio is powered in part by North Station Media (CLNS). For advertising or media inquiries, contact info@clnsmedia.com 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more NBA insights and analysis! Follow RealGM Twitter: https://x.com/RealGM Follow Wes Goldberg Twitter: https://x.com/wcgoldberg PrizePicks: PrizePicks is the best place to get real money sports action. With over 10 million members and billions of dollars in awarded winnings, PrizePicks has made daily fantasy sports accessible to all. You just pick MORE or LESS on at least two players for a shot to win up to 1000x your cash! Run Your Game all season long on PrizePicks. Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup! Gametime: Take the guesswork out of buying tickets with Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code CLNS for $20 off your first purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
RealGM Radio
Pacers Force Game 7
Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder to force the first Game 7 in the NBA Finals since 2016. Who has the edge to win the 2025 championship? Wes Goldberg breaks down a surprising Game 6 and what comes next. #indianapacers #nba #okcthunder #tyresehaliburton RealGM Radio is powered in part by North Station Media (CLNS). For advertising or media inquiries, contact info@clnsmedia.com 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more NBA insights and analysis! Follow RealGM Twitter: https://x.com/RealGM Follow Wes Goldberg Twitter: https://x.com/wcgoldberg PrizePicks: PrizePicks is the best place to get real money sports action. With over 10 million members and billions of dollars in awarded winnings, PrizePicks has made daily fantasy sports accessible to all. You just pick MORE or LESS on at least two players for a shot to win up to 1000x your cash! Run Your Game all season long on PrizePicks. Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup! Gametime: Take the guesswork out of buying tickets with Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code CLNS for $20 off your first purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
RealGM Radio
Reacting To Big NBA Offseason Moves With Jared Dubin
Catching up on the latest NBA offseason news, LeBron James' future and revisiting "The Decision" 15 years later. 0:00 Intro 5:03 Thunder's future with big three extensions 10:21 Jokic declines extension, future contract plans 17:21 Three-way trade: Heat, Clippers, Jazz analysis 26:52 Worst NBA offseasons 35:43 The Decision 15 years later 46:51 LeBron's future with Lakers RealGM Radio is powered in part by North Station Media (CLNS). For advertising or media inquiries, contact info@clnsmedia.com 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more NBA insights and analysis! Follow RealGM Twitter: https://x.com/RealGM Follow Wes Goldberg Twitter: https://x.com/wcgoldberg PrizePicks: PrizePicks is the best place to get real money sports action. With over 10 million members and billions of dollars in awarded winnings, PrizePicks has made daily fantasy sports accessible to all. You just pick MORE or LESS on at least two players for a shot to win up to 1000x your cash! Run Your Game all season long on PrizePicks. Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup! Gametime: Take the guesswork out of buying tickets with Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code CLNS for $20 off your first purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
RealGM Radio
NBA Contender Tiers with Matt Moore
Wes Goldberg and Matt Moore rank every NBA team in terms of whether or not they are a contender after the first wave of free agency. #nba 0:00 Intro 7:00 Thunder 9:51 Rockets 16:34 Nuggets 18:43 Cavs and Knicks 29:27 Spurs 32:00 Timberwolves 37:48 Magic 41:22 Pistons 49:02 Bucks 52:13 Lakers & LeBron trade ideas 1:00:47 Mavericks 1:03:59 Pacers 1:09:27 Heat 1:13:43 Pelicans 1:17:07 Bulls 1:20:54 Wizards and Hornets RealGM Radio is powered in part by North Station Media (CLNS). For advertising or media inquiries, contact info@clnsmedia.com 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more NBA insights and analysis! Follow RealGM Twitter: https://x.com/RealGM Follow Wes Goldberg Twitter: https://x.com/wcgoldberg PrizePicks: PrizePicks is the best place to get real money sports action. With over 10 million members and billions of dollars in awarded winnings, PrizePicks has made daily fantasy sports accessible to all. You just pick MORE or LESS on at least two players for a shot to win up to 1000x your cash! Run Your Game all season long on PrizePicks. Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup! Gametime: Take the guesswork out of buying tickets with Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code CLNS for $20 off your first purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How important is a ring?

Moderators: bwgood77, zimpy27, infinite11285, Clav, Domejandro, ken6199, bisme37, Dirk, KingDavid, cupcakesnake

Rainwater
RealGM
Posts: 12,101
And1: 7,270
Joined: Apr 02, 2017

How important is a ring? 

Post#1 » by Rainwater » Tue Jul 26, 2022 12:19 am



I know many don't like Gilbert as an analyst but he and jr brought up points about winning a title I found interesting when it comes to an individual player.

Some interesting points made is that nobody can win a title by themselves, it's far more a team accomplishment then a individual accomplishment.

Fans clown stars if they team up to win a title but also clown stars if they don't win a title.

Fans will rate a lesser player with lesser talent over a player with greater talent just because the former has a ring.

These are all points I found interesting.
User avatar
Bornstellar
General Manager
Posts: 9,478
And1: 22,618
Joined: Mar 05, 2018
 

Re: How important is a ring? 

Post#2 » by Bornstellar » Tue Jul 26, 2022 12:28 am

Hard to answer this with any real objectivity but they're generally viewed as fairly important when evaluating great players amongst one another with proper context. Becomes muddier when discussing role players. But really most people just use them to make pointless GOAT arguments about who is better than who and invoke them when they see that it fits their point (Jordan 6-0) and dismiss it when it doesn't (Russell's rings). Ring count is just a d*** measuring contest for fans

The reality imo is that they do hold a fair amount of weight when comparing the top tier players evaluated in the proper context. Yes basketball is a team sport but it's also a team sport where only 5 teammates can be on the floor at any given time so one player can have an enormous impact on winning on their own
User avatar
Sark
RealGM
Posts: 19,274
And1: 16,051
Joined: Sep 21, 2010
Location: Merry Pills
 

Re: How important is a ring? 

Post#3 » by Sark » Tue Jul 26, 2022 12:32 am

It varies, and depends on which side of the argument you are picking on a particular day.
JB2
Lead Assistant
Posts: 5,783
And1: 7,558
Joined: Mar 10, 2009

Re: How important is a ring? 

Post#4 » by JB2 » Tue Jul 26, 2022 12:33 am

Why's JR got a pumpkin on his head?
Tor_Raps
RealGM
Posts: 31,962
And1: 46,629
Joined: Oct 14, 2018

Re: How important is a ring? 

Post#5 » by Tor_Raps » Tue Jul 26, 2022 12:36 am

It's vastly important... we as fans don't allow things to hurt us anymore :)
User avatar
marson
Head Coach
Posts: 6,080
And1: 13,231
Joined: Jan 03, 2012
 

Re: How important is a ring? 

Post#6 » by marson » Tue Jul 26, 2022 12:36 am

Not as important for guys like Beal. Not gonna fault him, I'd sign that Supermax fast AF too.
User avatar
NO-KG-AI
Retired Mod
Retired Mod
Posts: 43,986
And1: 19,821
Joined: Jul 19, 2005
Location: The city of witch doctors, and good ol' pickpockets

Re: How important is a ring? 

Post#7 » by NO-KG-AI » Tue Jul 26, 2022 12:37 am

It's weird how it makes people think the team that won is like massively better than all the teams that year, or all teams that never won a title before. Most of the time they are just barely better than the other teams in the conference finals and real finals.
Doctor MJ wrote:I don't understand why people jump in a thread and say basically, "This thing you're all talking about. I'm too ignorant to know anything about it. Lollerskates!"
User avatar
DeBrick
Rookie
Posts: 1,011
And1: 1,088
Joined: Apr 10, 2014
       

Re: How important is a ring? 

Post#8 » by DeBrick » Tue Jul 26, 2022 12:37 am

JB2 wrote:Why's JR got a pumpkin on his head?

Image
Image
Blacksheep25
Rookie
Posts: 1,239
And1: 1,401
Joined: Jun 01, 2018

Re: How important is a ring? 

Post#9 » by Blacksheep25 » Tue Jul 26, 2022 12:38 am

When you’re talking Mt Rushmore, there is a feeling you should have been able to carry a team with little help at least once. Beyond that top 5-15 conversation, not as important.

You start the guys without a ring wherever you have Malone ranked. Most have him 15-25. His resume looks a lot better with a few rings, as the biggest knock on him is post season failures.
Big J
RealGM
Posts: 11,625
And1: 8,749
Joined: May 26, 2020

Re: How important is a ring? 

Post#10 » by Big J » Tue Jul 26, 2022 12:50 am

The greatest players make their teammates better, which leads to winning rings. That concept is hard for guys like Arenas & JR Smith to grasp because they only cared about their individual performances.
BlackThought
Sixth Man
Posts: 1,881
And1: 1,786
Joined: Jul 19, 2010
       

Re: How important is a ring? 

Post#11 » by BlackThought » Tue Jul 26, 2022 12:51 am

Depends how you win it. Rings are not made the same. Lebron's Cavs ring is worth more than the rest of his rings. Then you have KD's rings that are worthless.
ODanseTron
Ballboy
Posts: 36
And1: 33
Joined: Dec 07, 2017

Re: How important is a ring? 

Post#12 » by ODanseTron » Tue Jul 26, 2022 12:51 am

It’s definitely the most important thing, way more important than money. Even the 12th man benchwarmers make six figure wealth significantly beyond the average American’s median income. Any average role player will make tens of millions easily and if not spent foolishly has more money than they need if they were to live a few lifetimes. The stars and superstars have generational wealth that can last 50 lifetimes. However nobody remembers any of these guys for their money or what the details of their contract were. Everyone does remember titles and ring counts though. That’s what lives on in their legacy.
Stan
Veteran
Posts: 2,616
And1: 4,013
Joined: Oct 11, 2019

Re: How important is a ring? 

Post#13 » by Stan » Tue Jul 26, 2022 12:54 am

If we're judging players

Individual performance >>> winning a ring
Statlanta
RealGM
Posts: 13,834
And1: 10,486
Joined: Mar 06, 2016

Re: How important is a ring? 

Post#14 » by Statlanta » Tue Jul 26, 2022 1:08 am

How good is the player?

Nobody cares about Norris Cole's rings, some people care about K.C. Jones rings, everyone cares about Michael Jordan's rings.
Modern NBA footwork

GREY wrote: He steps back into another time zone
picko
Veteran
Posts: 2,573
And1: 3,686
Joined: May 17, 2018

Re: How important is a ring? 

Post#15 » by picko » Tue Jul 26, 2022 1:20 am

It's a team accomplishment but basketball is also a sport where a single superstar can have an outsized impact on the overall outcome of the game. That's why it is so common to have certain superstars dominate eras, whether that be Russell or Magic / KAJ or Jordan or LeBron.

Where 'rings' as a discussion frustrates me is that it largely strips the situation of context. It's the dumb person's idea of a strong argument. NBA history suggests, with surprisingly few exceptions, that the most talented team (players + coach) tends to win. It's surprisingly rare, even for the best players, to overcome clearly superior opposition. So really when people evoke 'rings' as their go-to argument what they are really evoking is that 'player x' was luckier to play with better teammates + coaching than 'player y'.

I think rings would be more useful in the context of 'who is the most accomplished player' rather than 'who is the best player'. Jordan is more accomplished that LeBron. It's less clear whether he was better since both enjoyed tremendously productive and successful careers. Similarly, Tom Brady is by far the most accomplished NFL player but it's less clear whether he was the best player given that he was outperformed by his peers for long stretches of his career.
User avatar
Ckay
Head Coach
Posts: 6,666
And1: 8,906
Joined: Feb 29, 2012
Location: going going, back back, to Cali Cali
 

Re: How important is a ring? 

Post#16 » by Ckay » Tue Jul 26, 2022 1:26 am

It depends on the player.
Ballerhogger
RealGM
Posts: 47,741
And1: 17,306
Joined: Jul 06, 2014
       

Re: How important is a ring? 

Post#17 » by Ballerhogger » Tue Jul 26, 2022 1:26 am

Depends on the player .Ike Chris Paul it’s the only thing that will cement his career . Harden on that same path.
User avatar
wojoaderge
Analyst
Posts: 3,092
And1: 1,677
Joined: Jul 27, 2015

Re: How important is a ring? 

Post#18 » by wojoaderge » Tue Jul 26, 2022 1:36 am

Only in my greatest players rankings. In my favorite players rankings, not even close
"Coach, why don't you just relax? We're not good enough to beat the Lakers. We've had a great year, why don't you just relax and cool down?"
User avatar
Childs
RealGM
Posts: 12,850
And1: 28,816
Joined: Jun 23, 2010
 

Re: How important is a ring? 

Post#19 » by Childs » Tue Jul 26, 2022 1:37 am

Image

Why does JR look like black raggedy ann?
User avatar
Johnny Bball
RealGM
Posts: 53,832
And1: 57,727
Joined: Feb 01, 2015
 

Re: How important is a ring? 

Post#20 » by Johnny Bball » Tue Jul 26, 2022 1:45 am

Big J wrote:The greatest players make their teammates better, which leads to winning rings. That concept is hard for guys like Arenas & JR Smith to grasp because they only cared about their individual performances.


:crazy:

What the actual ****... did you even watch the video and listen to JR Smith?? No chance you did, so best to not reply.

Return to The General Board