Early NBA Surprises With Doc Rivers, Plus Netflix’s Dominating 2023 With Matthew Belloni
Nov 14, 2023
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Bill Simmons is joined by Doc Rivers to discuss NBA surprises, including the new-look Clippers, Anthony Edwards, the exciting Rockets, and Bucks concerns. Then, Matthew Belloni talks about the dominance of Netflix in 2023 and the future of live sports.
Anthony Edwards is emerging as a leader for the Timberwolves with his competitiveness and impactful performances.
The Clippers are facing challenges integrating star players, concerning offensive system and lack of size against dominant big men.
Karl-Anthony Towns' positive start and paired emergence with Anthony Edwards could drive significant progress for the Timberwolves.
The Utah Jazz have become strong contenders in the Western Conference with Rudy Gobert's improved play and defensive prowess.
Deep dives
Anthony Edwards emerges as the leader of the Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards has taken over as the leader of the Timberwolves, showcasing his intense competitiveness and strong performances on both ends of the court. He is becoming a player who can take control of a game and make a significant impact.
The Los Angeles Clippers struggle to find their rhythm
The Clippers are facing challenges as they try to integrate their star players and find their chemistry on the court. The team's offensive system and the distribution of the ball among their talented players are areas of concern. Additionally, their lack of size and ability to defend against dominant big men could hinder their progress.
Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves show promise
Karl-Anthony Towns has had a positive start to the season, showing growth and playing within the team system. Paired with the emergence of Anthony Edwards as a leader, Towns' contributions could help the Timberwolves make significant progress this season.
Utah Jazz and Rudy Gobert bounce back after a disappointing season
The Utah Jazz have turned their fortunes around after a lackluster performance last season. Rudy Gobert's defensive prowess and improved play have helped the team establish themselves as a strong contender in the Western Conference.
Podcast Summary
In this podcast episode, the hosts discuss the current state of streaming platforms and their strategies. They analyze how the writer's strike in 2020 has affected the content landscape, leading to cost-cutting measures and fewer shows. They also discuss the vulnerability of HBO's Sunday night programming due to changing viewing habits. The hosts speculate on the future of streaming platforms like Amazon and Apple, with the former focusing on event-based programming and the latter aiming for prestige shows. They touch upon the challenges of finding the right audience for certain shows, using examples like the show 'The Curse'. The podcast ends with a conversation about the spending habits of different streaming platforms and their potential risks and rewards.
Netflix's Monoculture: Reigniting the Pop Culture Phenomenon
Netflix has brought back the concept of monoculture, similar to what the three major TV networks achieved in the past. With the splintering of content across platforms and channels, Netflix has managed to create a sense of unity by supercharging and rejuvenating shows from other networks. Through syndication, shows like 'Suits' have become massive hits on Netflix, breathing new life into older series. This ability to amplify and draw huge audiences to previously successful shows gives Netflix a significant edge in the streaming market. As they continue to dominate the streaming landscape, Netflix's control over content and their effective marketing strategies, represented by the appetizing squares on their platform, have solidified their position as the clear frontrunner in the industry.
The Inevitable Incorporation of Sports Content for Netflix
Although Netflix has denied interest in live sports, the platform's success with sports-related programming, such as 'Drive to Survive' and 'Qb1: Beyond the Lights,' suggests a different trajectory. By showcasing the potential and popularity of sports content, Netflix has the power to disrupt the sports broadcasting landscape. Their ability to elevate series like F1 racing and gain access to leagues and teams showcases their potential to secure live sports rights in the future. As traditional networks struggle to justify the high costs of sports rights, Netflix's financial strength, global reach, and proven ability to amplify shows make them an attractive and potentially dominant player in the sports broadcasting arena.
The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Doc Rivers to discuss the NBA In-Season Tournament, the teams atop the Eastern and Western Conferences, the new-look Clippers, Anthony Edwards, the exciting Rockets, Bucks concerns, and more (6:30). Then Bill is joined by Matthew Belloni to discuss Netflix in 2023, how it continues to rise as other major streamers fall, the future of live sports, and much more (1:21:27).
Host: Bill Simmons
Guests: Doc Rivers and Matthew Belloni
Producers: Kyle Crichton and Jessie Lopez
The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming, please checkout theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.
