The Bill Simmons Podcast A Rare NBA Sea-Change Season, the Haliburton What-Ifs, and a 2020 Redraft With Ryen Russillo
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May 25, 2025 
Bill Simmons welcomes Ryen Russillo, an NBA analyst renowned for his insights on basketball dynamics. They dive into the shifting landscape of the NBA and analyze the surprising success of the Pacers and Thunder. The duo explores Tyrese Haliburton's overlooked potential from the 2020 draft, discussing how a redraft could change the league's hierarchy. They also engage in playful banter about the future of trades and players, offering bold predictions for the upcoming season. Don’t miss their hilarious take on sports culture!
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Indiana's Unique Team Blueprint
- Indiana Pacers exemplify a rare stable and flexible Eastern Conference contender without a top 10 NBA player.
- Their cost-effective roster construction and pace-driven style offers a unique blueprint for future success.
OKC’s Defense and Offensive Limits
- OKC Thunder’s defense is historically elite but their offense relies heavily on three-point shooting, which has been inconsistent.
- Their weakness is a psychological barrier in come-from-behind situations when trailing by large margins.
NBA's Season of Transformation
- This NBA season feels like a pivotal era shift similar to 2016 and 2010-11 seasons.
- Lacking dominant superstars and changing salary structures indicate a league-wide sea change.