Howard Beck
@howardbeck.bsky.social
Senior NBA Writer at TheRinger.com | Co-host, the Real Ones | #NBASky evangelist
Previously: SI.com, BleacherReport.com, NYTimes.com, DailyNews.com, VCStar.com, DavisEnterprise.com
https://www.theringer.com/authors/howard-beck
authory.com/howardbeck
Previously: SI.com, BleacherReport.com, NYTimes.com, DailyNews.com, VCStar.com, DavisEnterprise.com
https://www.theringer.com/authors/howard-beck
authory.com/howardbeck
Pinned
Howard Beck
@howardbeck.bsky.social
· Nov 17
Hey #NBASky: I made a Ringer NBA starter pack, including every Ringer colleague who writes, edits, produces or pods on the NBA. (If I've missed anyone, please let me know!)
go.bsky.app/FHrHSbx
go.bsky.app/FHrHSbx
Reposted by Howard Beck
yep. i can identify any number of structural issues but at the end of the day the basic problem is the republican party. this has been apparent for at least 20 years. it is also an incredibly unpopular observation to make among “serious” people.
Right.
If you want a good explanation of why the American system of government worked well enough for 200 years and then suddenly stopped, it's because Republicans in Congress suddenly started letting their partisan interests COMPLETELY override their institutional interests
If you want a good explanation of why the American system of government worked well enough for 200 years and then suddenly stopped, it's because Republicans in Congress suddenly started letting their partisan interests COMPLETELY override their institutional interests
a lot of problems wouldn't exist if we had a congress with even an ounce of self interest
January 4, 2026 at 11:52 PM
yep. i can identify any number of structural issues but at the end of the day the basic problem is the republican party. this has been apparent for at least 20 years. it is also an incredibly unpopular observation to make among “serious” people.
Re-posting from The Ringer:
From Brutus to Benedict Arnold to Judas to Anakin Skywalker, we’re determining the most notorious backstabber or double-crosser to ever do it.
Welcome to The Ringer’s Ultimate Traitor Bracket. Vote now!
(NBA figures include LeBron, KD and Pat Riley.)
From Brutus to Benedict Arnold to Judas to Anakin Skywalker, we’re determining the most notorious backstabber or double-crosser to ever do it.
Welcome to The Ringer’s Ultimate Traitor Bracket. Vote now!
(NBA figures include LeBron, KD and Pat Riley.)
The Ringer’s Ultimate Traitor Bracket: Round 1
It’s time to start the new year in the healthiest way possible: by determining the most dastardly backstabber or double-crosser to ever do it
www.theringer.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Re-posting from The Ringer:
From Brutus to Benedict Arnold to Judas to Anakin Skywalker, we’re determining the most notorious backstabber or double-crosser to ever do it.
Welcome to The Ringer’s Ultimate Traitor Bracket. Vote now!
(NBA figures include LeBron, KD and Pat Riley.)
From Brutus to Benedict Arnold to Judas to Anakin Skywalker, we’re determining the most notorious backstabber or double-crosser to ever do it.
Welcome to The Ringer’s Ultimate Traitor Bracket. Vote now!
(NBA figures include LeBron, KD and Pat Riley.)
Reposted by Howard Beck
The Trump administration, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and all his enablers and supporters are, straightforwardly, the largest purveyors of unnecessary child suffering and death in U.S. history.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/h...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/h...
Kennedy Scales Back the Number of Vaccines Recommended for Children
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:21 PM
The Trump administration, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and all his enablers and supporters are, straightforwardly, the largest purveyors of unnecessary child suffering and death in U.S. history.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/h...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/h...
Reposted by Howard Beck
Since the introduction of the NBA Cup, each in-season tournament champion has been embarrassed in the first round of the playoffs, winning just one playoff game.
January 5, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Since the introduction of the NBA Cup, each in-season tournament champion has been embarrassed in the first round of the playoffs, winning just one playoff game.
Mailbag time! Got a question for @bellraja19.bsky.social, @loganmmurdock.bsky.social and me?
Send them to
RealOnesMailbag@gmail.com
RealOnesMailbag@gmail.com
RealOnesMailbag@gmail.com
And we might answer on Tuesday’s show.
Send them to
RealOnesMailbag@gmail.com
RealOnesMailbag@gmail.com
RealOnesMailbag@gmail.com
And we might answer on Tuesday’s show.
January 5, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Mailbag time! Got a question for @bellraja19.bsky.social, @loganmmurdock.bsky.social and me?
Send them to
RealOnesMailbag@gmail.com
RealOnesMailbag@gmail.com
RealOnesMailbag@gmail.com
And we might answer on Tuesday’s show.
Send them to
RealOnesMailbag@gmail.com
RealOnesMailbag@gmail.com
RealOnesMailbag@gmail.com
And we might answer on Tuesday’s show.
Reposted by Howard Beck
Erik Spoelstra’s kids stole the show at last night’s postgame presser
January 5, 2026 at 4:18 PM
Erik Spoelstra’s kids stole the show at last night’s postgame presser
Reposted by Howard Beck
What X is allowing Grok to do is unlawful or regulatory-illegal in multiple jurisdictions, creates clear DSA violations, and continues despite regulator scrutiny. The images do not need to be pornographic, non-consensual sexualised or intimate depictions are enough.
Elon Musk chatbot repeatedly making CSAM on demand should be one of the single biggest stories right now and it's effectively a collective shrug instead
January 5, 2026 at 2:42 PM
What X is allowing Grok to do is unlawful or regulatory-illegal in multiple jurisdictions, creates clear DSA violations, and continues despite regulator scrutiny. The images do not need to be pornographic, non-consensual sexualised or intimate depictions are enough.
Reposted by Howard Beck
i wrote about 8 players who've taken some kind of a leap this season: www.theringer.com/2026/01/05/n...
Eight NBA Players Who Are Taking a Leap This Season
From stars breaking out to role players leveling up, these are the most significant glow-ups in the league
www.theringer.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:31 PM
i wrote about 8 players who've taken some kind of a leap this season: www.theringer.com/2026/01/05/n...
Reposted by Howard Beck
Endless Column, by Constantin Brâncuși, 1938, 📸 by @stephenmally
January 4, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Endless Column, by Constantin Brâncuși, 1938, 📸 by @stephenmally
Reposted by Howard Beck
🧵 — as Elon + others share A.I. slop videos of Venezuelans, polls show a split between Venezuelans at home (mostly AGAINST Trump’s attack and kidnapping of Maduro) and Venezuelans abroad (more are FOR it) —> x.com/dropsitenews...
A.I. = weapon of mass manufacturing consent
A.I. = weapon of mass manufacturing consent
January 4, 2026 at 3:13 PM
🧵 — as Elon + others share A.I. slop videos of Venezuelans, polls show a split between Venezuelans at home (mostly AGAINST Trump’s attack and kidnapping of Maduro) and Venezuelans abroad (more are FOR it) —> x.com/dropsitenews...
A.I. = weapon of mass manufacturing consent
A.I. = weapon of mass manufacturing consent
Reposted by Howard Beck
Raptors with RJ Barrett in the lineup this season:
14-6, 121.8 points, 119.2 offensive rating, 56.6 eFG%
Raptors with RJ Barrett OUT:
7-9, 105.2 points, 107.2 offensive rating, 0.508 eFG%
14-6, 121.8 points, 119.2 offensive rating, 56.6 eFG%
Raptors with RJ Barrett OUT:
7-9, 105.2 points, 107.2 offensive rating, 0.508 eFG%
January 4, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Raptors with RJ Barrett in the lineup this season:
14-6, 121.8 points, 119.2 offensive rating, 56.6 eFG%
Raptors with RJ Barrett OUT:
7-9, 105.2 points, 107.2 offensive rating, 0.508 eFG%
14-6, 121.8 points, 119.2 offensive rating, 56.6 eFG%
Raptors with RJ Barrett OUT:
7-9, 105.2 points, 107.2 offensive rating, 0.508 eFG%
Reposted by Howard Beck
Of all the competitive authoritarian developments of the past year I think the fall of CBS News is among the most chilling. That this can happen to easily and so quickly freaks me the fuck out.
Nightmarish. CBS News is now running straight state propaganda. They handed Hegseth all three segments and are now tweeting flattering sound bites.
January 4, 2026 at 2:24 AM
Of all the competitive authoritarian developments of the past year I think the fall of CBS News is among the most chilling. That this can happen to easily and so quickly freaks me the fuck out.
Reposted by Howard Beck
A CBS News staffer told me this after Tony Dokoupil kicked off his CBS Evening News tenure tonight with a lengthy Pete Hegseth interview:
"If this is what Bari and Tony’s CBS Evening News is going to look like, then the we may as well just call ourselves Trump Administration State TV. Pathetic."
"If this is what Bari and Tony’s CBS Evening News is going to look like, then the we may as well just call ourselves Trump Administration State TV. Pathetic."
January 4, 2026 at 1:52 AM
A CBS News staffer told me this after Tony Dokoupil kicked off his CBS Evening News tenure tonight with a lengthy Pete Hegseth interview:
"If this is what Bari and Tony’s CBS Evening News is going to look like, then the we may as well just call ourselves Trump Administration State TV. Pathetic."
"If this is what Bari and Tony’s CBS Evening News is going to look like, then the we may as well just call ourselves Trump Administration State TV. Pathetic."
Reposted by Howard Beck
It's unbelievable that people this dumb are in charge of the most powerful nation in human history
January 3, 2026 at 6:18 PM
It's unbelievable that people this dumb are in charge of the most powerful nation in human history
Reposted by Howard Beck
Is ICE going to kidnap Maduro and return him to Venezuela?
January 3, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Is ICE going to kidnap Maduro and return him to Venezuela?
Reposted by Howard Beck
More reaction to Maduro’s “arrest”
January 3, 2026 at 4:16 PM
More reaction to Maduro’s “arrest”
Reposted by Howard Beck
marco rubio says cuba is run by "incompetent, senile men" WHILE STANDING IN FRONT OF AN INCOMPETENT, SENILE MAN
January 3, 2026 at 5:30 PM
marco rubio says cuba is run by "incompetent, senile men" WHILE STANDING IN FRONT OF AN INCOMPETENT, SENILE MAN
Reposted by Howard Beck
So we’re just announcing foreign strikes and kidnappings of foreign leaders on social media now? No Congress. No explanation.
This is madness.
This is madness.
January 3, 2026 at 9:28 AM
So we’re just announcing foreign strikes and kidnappings of foreign leaders on social media now? No Congress. No explanation.
This is madness.
This is madness.
Reposted by Howard Beck
It’s darkly humorous he can’t even muster the ability to give some lip service to democracy or allowing the Venezuelan people to choose their leader.
FOX & FRIENDS: What do you think is next for the Venezuelan people now that you have removed Maduro so he can face American justice?
TRUMP: Well, we're making that decision now. We can't take a chance on letting somebody else run it, just take over where he left off. So we're making that decision
TRUMP: Well, we're making that decision now. We can't take a chance on letting somebody else run it, just take over where he left off. So we're making that decision
January 3, 2026 at 3:13 PM
It’s darkly humorous he can’t even muster the ability to give some lip service to democracy or allowing the Venezuelan people to choose their leader.
Reposted by Howard Beck
Feels like a bunch of folks had "Join Bluesky" as their New Years Resolution. And they pulled it off already!
If you're new (or been around) and looking for good NBA/WNBA/basketball accounts to follow, here's some. Just follow them all!
go.bsky.app/FGmgtea
If you're new (or been around) and looking for good NBA/WNBA/basketball accounts to follow, here's some. Just follow them all!
go.bsky.app/FGmgtea
January 2, 2026 at 8:48 PM
Feels like a bunch of folks had "Join Bluesky" as their New Years Resolution. And they pulled it off already!
If you're new (or been around) and looking for good NBA/WNBA/basketball accounts to follow, here's some. Just follow them all!
go.bsky.app/FGmgtea
If you're new (or been around) and looking for good NBA/WNBA/basketball accounts to follow, here's some. Just follow them all!
go.bsky.app/FGmgtea
Reposted by Howard Beck
Hi! If you're new to Bluesky or are looking for more NBA fans to follow, here's a humongous starter pack of more than 130 active accounts who frequently to occasionally post about the league.
October 12, 2024 at 1:14 PM
Hi! If you're new to Bluesky or are looking for more NBA fans to follow, here's a humongous starter pack of more than 130 active accounts who frequently to occasionally post about the league.
Reposted by Howard Beck
I've been tracking the spread of nonconsensual deepfakes on X for more than two years. Here's a timeline of how Musk's leadership allowed the practice to flourish from a once-underground market to a viral trend, with little recourse for victims or legal enforcement.
spitfirenews.com/p/grok-csam-...
spitfirenews.com/p/grok-csam-...
How Grok's sexual abuse hit a tipping point
Nonconsensual deepfakes on X are nothing new, but now it's built into the platform.
spitfirenews.com
January 2, 2026 at 7:47 PM
I've been tracking the spread of nonconsensual deepfakes on X for more than two years. Here's a timeline of how Musk's leadership allowed the practice to flourish from a once-underground market to a viral trend, with little recourse for victims or legal enforcement.
spitfirenews.com/p/grok-csam-...
spitfirenews.com/p/grok-csam-...
Reposted by Howard Beck
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been very candid in his postgame media sessions since he returned, and after the loss vs. Washington he was very pointed & outlined changes for Bucks to start winning.
“I don’t think we understand this could make us or break us.”
🔖 #NBASky
www.jsonline.com/story/sports...
“I don’t think we understand this could make us or break us.”
🔖 #NBASky
www.jsonline.com/story/sports...
Giannis Antetokounmpo outlined changes for Bucks to start winning
Giannis Antetokounmpo had strong words for the Bucks after a disappointing loss to Washington: 'This could make us or break us.'
www.jsonline.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been very candid in his postgame media sessions since he returned, and after the loss vs. Washington he was very pointed & outlined changes for Bucks to start winning.
“I don’t think we understand this could make us or break us.”
🔖 #NBASky
www.jsonline.com/story/sports...
“I don’t think we understand this could make us or break us.”
🔖 #NBASky
www.jsonline.com/story/sports...
Reposted by Howard Beck
Best players by quarter on a per-100 poss basis, no garbage time
- A lot of usual names
- Keldon Johnson is reasonable Most Improved candidate
- Goga not scoring a lot in Q3, but D is great and shooting 86%
- OT: DeRozan, SGA, Jokic, Keyonte George, Ant
- A lot of usual names
- Keldon Johnson is reasonable Most Improved candidate
- Goga not scoring a lot in Q3, but D is great and shooting 86%
- OT: DeRozan, SGA, Jokic, Keyonte George, Ant
January 2, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Best players by quarter on a per-100 poss basis, no garbage time
- A lot of usual names
- Keldon Johnson is reasonable Most Improved candidate
- Goga not scoring a lot in Q3, but D is great and shooting 86%
- OT: DeRozan, SGA, Jokic, Keyonte George, Ant
- A lot of usual names
- Keldon Johnson is reasonable Most Improved candidate
- Goga not scoring a lot in Q3, but D is great and shooting 86%
- OT: DeRozan, SGA, Jokic, Keyonte George, Ant