Rob Mahoney
The Ringer NBA writer and co-host of The Ringer NBA Show
Rob Mahoney (The Ringer NBA writer and co-host of The Ringer NBA Show) has appeared as a guest on 2 episodes in TMT. Topics they speak about most include NBA draft lottery reform, Oklahoma City Thunder, 2026 NBA playoffs.
In their words
Positions and remarks grouped by topic, each with the exact quote and where it was said.
NBA draft lottery reform
Mahoney predicts the reform will reduce trade activity because mid-level teams will value their picks more.
“And I just think we're going to see fewer traits as a result of this”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Game 7 Fever in OKC, NBA Lottery Reform, and a Mega-Mailbag With Rob Mahoney, David Jacoby, and Joe House (May 29, 2026) · Listen from 35:40
Mahoney argues the immediate implementation of lottery reform unfairly hurts the Grizzlies, who hold the Jazz's pick.
“The Grizzlies in particular, they get such a raw deal because of the trade that they made with the Jazz”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Game 7 Fever in OKC, NBA Lottery Reform, and a Mega-Mailbag With Rob Mahoney, David Jacoby, and Joe House (May 29, 2026) · Listen from 33:00
Oklahoma City Thunder
- Didn’t happen
Mahoney predicts Oklahoma City will win Game 7 against the Spurs, though with little confidence.
“I think OKC will win. I don't feel great about it. Clearly, the line between these two teams is very thin”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Game 7 Fever in OKC, NBA Lottery Reform, and a Mega-Mailbag With Rob Mahoney, David Jacoby, and Joe House (May 29, 2026) · Listen from 29:17
Mahoney argues Lu Dort's minutes should be sharply reduced in Game 7 in favor of Alex Caruso.
“It needs to be like a Caruso playing 36 minutes and a Ludort playing 10 to 15 minutes”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Game 7 Fever in OKC, NBA Lottery Reform, and a Mega-Mailbag With Rob Mahoney, David Jacoby, and Joe House (May 29, 2026) · Listen from 26:49
2026 NBA playoffs
- Came true
Mahoney predicted the Lakers would beat the Rockets, citing distrust of Houston's execution.
“I do think the Lakers will win. I think it will be ugly”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Joker’s Out, and Boston Might Be Next. Plus, an MLB Cocktail Party and 'Survivor 50' With Rob Mahoney, Billy Gil, and Jason Concepcion. (May 1, 2026) · Listen from 59:47
Mahoney argued regular-season lessons still matter but are subtler and harder to detect than in the past.
“I just think the lessons of the regular season... require more and more of a magnifying glass to find”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Joker’s Out, and Boston Might Be Next. Plus, an MLB Cocktail Party and 'Survivor 50' With Rob Mahoney, Billy Gil, and Jason Concepcion. (May 1, 2026) · Listen from 48:00
Denver Nuggets
Mahoney noted that Denver's offense would finish with a worse offensive rating than the Houston Rockets despite having Jokić.
“this offense, with the Nuggets getting bounced, is going to go out with a worse offensive rating than the Houston Rockets this year”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Joker’s Out, and Boston Might Be Next. Plus, an MLB Cocktail Party and 'Survivor 50' With Rob Mahoney, Billy Gil, and Jason Concepcion. (May 1, 2026) · Listen from 8:07
Mahoney argued the Timberwolves outplayed Denver and the Nuggets had no excuses for losing the series.
“They like flat out played these guys and the Nuggets don't have any excuses for losing a series like this”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Joker’s Out, and Boston Might Be Next. Plus, an MLB Cocktail Party and 'Survivor 50' With Rob Mahoney, Billy Gil, and Jason Concepcion. (May 1, 2026) · Listen from 3:14
San Antonio Spurs
Mahoney notes the Spurs have been the most dominant third-quarter team of the postseason and credits coach Mitch Johnson.
“the Spurs have just been the single most dominant third quarter team in the entire postseason”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Game 7 Fever in OKC, NBA Lottery Reform, and a Mega-Mailbag With Rob Mahoney, David Jacoby, and Joe House (May 29, 2026) · Listen from 3:56
Philadelphia 76ers
Mahoney compared Paul George's all-around role for Philadelphia to Andre Iguodala with the Warriors.
“He's like a supercharged Warriors Andre Iguodala at this point”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Joker’s Out, and Boston Might Be Next. Plus, an MLB Cocktail Party and 'Survivor 50' With Rob Mahoney, Billy Gil, and Jason Concepcion. (May 1, 2026) · Listen from 1:02:08
Boston Celtics
Mahoney said he would still bet Boston's future on the Tatum-Brown core.
“I still would want to bet the future of my team on Tatum and Brown. Like that's still a core that I believe in”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Joker’s Out, and Boston Might Be Next. Plus, an MLB Cocktail Party and 'Survivor 50' With Rob Mahoney, Billy Gil, and Jason Concepcion. (May 1, 2026) · Listen from 53:41
Predictions
1 came true · 1 didn’t
- Didn’t happen
Mahoney predicts Oklahoma City will win Game 7 against the Spurs, though with little confidence.
“I think OKC will win. I don't feel great about it. Clearly, the line between these two teams is very thin”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Game 7 Fever in OKC, NBA Lottery Reform, and a Mega-Mailbag With Rob Mahoney, David Jacoby, and Joe House (May 29, 2026) · Listen from 29:17 · Oklahoma City Thunder
Mahoney picked Oklahoma City to win Game 7, but San Antonio won 111-103 on Saturday, May 30, 2026, and moved on to the NBA Finals. Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 22 points and Julian Champagnie added 20.
Sources: As it happened: Spurs beat Thunder in Game 7 of Western Conference finals · Who Won the 2026 NBA Western Conference Finals? Everything to Know
Checked Oct 6, 2026
- Came true
Mahoney predicted the Lakers would beat the Rockets, citing distrust of Houston's execution.
“I do think the Lakers will win. I think it will be ugly”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Joker’s Out, and Boston Might Be Next. Plus, an MLB Cocktail Party and 'Survivor 50' With Rob Mahoney, Billy Gil, and Jason Concepcion. (May 1, 2026) · Listen from 59:47 · 2026 NBA playoffs
The Lakers beat the Rockets 98-78 in Game 6 in Houston on May 1, 2026, winning the Western Conference first-round series 4-2 before the May 3 deadline. They did it without Luka Doncic, who missed the whole series.
Sources: Lakers 98-78 Rockets (May 1, 2026) Game Recap - ESPN · Lakers advance to second round, defeat Rockets in six games - Yahoo Sports · 2025–26 Houston Rockets season - Wikipedia · 2026 NBA Playoffs | First Round: Lakers vs. Rockets
Checked Sep 30, 2026
Appearances
Game 7 Fever in OKC, NBA Lottery Reform, and a Mega-Mailbag With Rob Mahoney, David Jacoby, and Joe HouseThe Bill Simmons Podcast · May 29, 2026 · 1 h 51 min
Bill Simmons and Rob Mahoney react to the Spurs forcing Game 7 against the Thunder, then Simmons, David Jacoby and Joe House discuss NBA lottery reform, Cavs losers and a mailbag.
- Joker’s Out, and Boston Might Be Next. Plus, an MLB Cocktail Party and 'Survivor 50' With Rob Mahoney, Billy Gil, and Jason Concepcion.
The Bill Simmons Podcast · May 1, 2026 · 2 h 17 min
Bill Simmons recaps a wild NBA playoff night with Rob Mahoney, runs through MLB's early storylines with Billy Gil, and dissects 'Survivor 50' with Jason Concepcion.
Often appears with
- Bill Simmons · 2 shared episodes
- David Jacoby · 1 shared episode
- Joe House · 1 shared episode
- Billy Gil · 1 shared episode
- Jason Concepcion · 1 shared episode