The Right Time with Bomani Jones

Bomani Jones is joined by Spencer Hall for a Time Machine Tuesday edition of The Right Time to revisit some of the most chaotic, controversial, and unforgettable WTF moments in World Cup history. Bo and Spencer break down Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal against England in the 1986 World Cup, the geopolitical weight behind Argentina vs. England, and why Maradona followed one of soccer’s most blatant acts of cheating with one of the greatest goals the sport has ever seen. Then, they jump to the 2006 World Cup Final and Zinedine Zidane’s stunning headbutt against Italy, discussing how trash talk, pressure, and Italian defensive dark arts helped create one of the most shocking exits in sports history. Plus, Bo and Spencer look ahead to the 2026 World Cup in North America, from brutal summer heat to public transportation problems, stadium naming chaos, and why international fans may not be ready for how big — and inconvenient — the United States really is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bomani Jones reacts to one of the wildest NBA playoff endings in recent memory as the New York Knicks storm back against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. After the Spurs dominated the first half and looked ready to take control of the series, everything fell apart late — from rushed shots and questionable coaching decisions to De’Aaron Fox’s brutal second-half execution. Bomani breaks down why this collapse reminded him of infamous football meltdowns like the Houston Oilers blowing a 35-3 lead and the Atlanta Falcons’ 28-3 Super Bowl disaster. He explains why San Antonio’s inability to slow the game down, manage the clock, and protect a massive lead turned a dominant performance into an all-time choke. The conversation also gets into Wemby’s missed free throws, OG Anunoby’s incredible game-winning tip-in, Jalen Brunson’s late-game shot-making, Josh Hart nearly becoming the story for the wrong reason, and why Madison Square Garden’s nervous energy makes Knicks playoff games feel different. Bomani also questions whether the Knicks’ comeback was more about their resilience or San Antonio completely losing control. Plus, Bomani discusses the NBA’s ongoing officiating discourse, why ref talk takes over every playoff conversation, how social media fuels conspiracy theories, and what to expect in Game 5 as the Spurs try to avoid letting one loss beat them twice. Apple: Stay closer to the game. Download the Apple Sports app for free in the app store. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/apple-sports/id6446788829 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bomani Jones reacts to Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs flipping the NBA Finals with a physical Game 3 win over the Knicks, including why New York looked rattled, why Jalen Brunson got baited into ISO ball, and why Wemby set the tone in a hostile environment. Later, Bomani breaks down Brendan Sorsby’s NCAA gambling case, the temporary injunction that let him play this season, and why the bigger story is about zero-tolerance policies, addiction, and the NCAA’s athlete-first standard. Plus, Bomani gets to a few voicemails and stories on Ray Allen, Scott Skiles, and White Keisha. Apple: Stay closer to the game. Download the Apple Sports app for free in the app store. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/apple-sports/id6446788829 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Right Time, Bomani Jones and Danny Parkins break down why Karl-Anthony Towns might be the real key to a New York Knicks title run. Bomani argues that KAT has been the Knicks' best player in the postseason and explains why New York looks its most dangerous when the offense runs through Towns instead of falling into heavy Jalen Brunson isolation ball. They also get into how Towns' aggressiveness has changed the way people see him, why his effort level has been the biggest difference, and what this kind of playoff run could mean for his long-term legacy if the Knicks finish the job. Later in the episode, Bomani and Danny debate Russell Wilson's Hall of Fame case, including how much his Pro Bowls matter, how his resume compares to Matthew Stafford, and whether public opinion has swung too far against him after the Denver years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bomani Jones and Vinnie Goodwill go back to the two NBA Finals that defined Dirk Nowitzki’s career: 2006 and 2011. They break down how Dirk changed the league, why the “soft” label followed him for years, how the We Believe Warriors loss stuck to him, and why that 2011 championship run completely changed the way we talk about his legacy. If you remember Dwyane Wade living at the line, the fake cough, the Heatles pressure cooker, and Dallas finally getting its revenge, this is the full Dirk story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bomani Jones is joined by Shannon Penn to break down why this New York Knicks playoff run feels different, how Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns have changed the ceiling for this team, and why Knicks fans are finally starting to believe this could be a real NBA Finals moment. They dig into what makes this Knicks team more likable than past versions, how Brunson became the guy, why KAT’s fit has improved, and what this run means for New York basketball right now. Bomani and Shannon also talk Oklahoma City Thunder basketball, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and why the Thunder can look elite while still feeling like the team NBA fans love to argue about. And yes, they get into the wild Trump-at-the-Knicks-game possibility, what that would mean inside Madison Square Garden, and why it would instantly become part of the story if it actually happened. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bomani Jones reacts to a jam-packed weekend of NBA playoff action. First, he discusses James Harden and the Cleveland Cavaliers' loser behavior & why the Knicks suddenly look like the most locked-in team in basketball. Later, he breaks down why OKC’s style has earned them the “Blue Devils” label, and why Jackson Dart’s Trump rally appearance was such a brutal self-own. Finally, Bomani digs into the CBC vs. SCORE Act fight and explains why using college athletes as political bargaining chips misses the point entirely. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bomani Jones is joined by The Ringer's Joel Anderson to break down Victor Wembanyama’s monster playoff performance and why it felt like one of those rare sports moments where you realize you’re watching the future. Bo and Joel compare Wemby’s arrival to LeBron, Allen Iverson, Randy Moss, Michael Vick, Usain Bolt and Shaq, then ask what the Thunder can possibly do next.Later, Bomani and Joel discuss the NAACP urging Black athletes and fans to withhold support from public universities in states attacking Black voting representation, and whether it’s fair to ask young athletes to carry that kind of burden. Plus, they react to Stephen A. Smith’s response to Jaylen Brown & the limits of athlete-run media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bomani Jones reacts to a wild NBA playoff weekend, from James Harden somehow escaping slander despite a rough stat line to the Knicks, Cavaliers, and the fascinating Donovan Mitchell vs. Jalen Brunson subplot. Bo also breaks down why Karl-Anthony Towns may be quietly changing the Knicks’ ceiling, and why one bad game could flip the conversation all over again. Then, Bomani turns to the matchup he’s been waiting for all year: Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the defending champion Thunder. Bo explains why Wemby’s defensive dominance already feels historic, why the MVP presentation could add even more juice to the series, and why OKC’s style of play gets under his skin. Plus, Bomani discusses Aaron Rodgers signing with the Steelers, Waffle House workers rallying for better pay and safer working conditions, the fake-feeling internet age of stealth marketing campaigns, and listener voicemails. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bomani Jones is joined by Nick Wright to break down the biggest NBA Playoffs questions right now, including LeBron James’ future, whether the Knicks make any sense for him, and what the Lakers do next. They also get into the Victor Wembanyama controversy, why the reaction to his ejection felt off, and whether Wemby is already getting a different kind of treatment from the media. Plus, Bomani and Nick talk about LeBron’s Lakers era, why it may be getting judged too harshly, and what the end of LeBron’s career could actually look like if he keeps playing at this level. If you’re looking for NBA analysis on LeBron James, Victor Wembanyama, the Los Angeles Lakers, the New York Knicks, and the latest NBA Playoffs storylines, this episode of The Right Time with Bomani Jones has you covered. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bomani Jones reacts to a packed week in sports, starting with Victor Wembanyama’s flagrant 2 ejection after elbowing Naz Reid and what it says about the Spurs needing a true “goon.” Bo and Ryan also break down a surprisingly fascinating NBA Draft Lottery, the Wizards landing the No. 1 pick, Utah’s AJ Dybantsa intrigue, and Kevin Pritchard’s wild “due some luck” explanation. Later, Bomani shares his thoughts on Skip Bayless returning to First Take with Stephen A. Smith, why their chemistry still works, and why the criticism of First Take has always been more complicated than people admit. Plus, Bo remembers legendary Braves manager Bobby Cox and what the 1990s Braves meant to him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices