A Pistons Abyss, Scorching Purdy Takes, Must-See Holiday Movies, Ravens-Niners, and Million-Dollar Picks With Justin Termine, Kevin Wildes, and Sean Fennessey
Dec 22, 2023
auto_awesome
Guests Justin Termine, Kevin Wildes, and Sean Fennessey join Bill Simmons to discuss the Detroit Pistons' 25-game losing streak, their poor three-point shooting, and lack of talent. They also talk about recent NBA trades, offensive development, the NFL MVP contenders, and must-see new films.
The lack of accountability and commitment to representing the league in a positive way by the star player raises concerns about the future of the Pistons.
Joel Embiid's scoring abilities make him one of the best scoring centers in the league, but concerns arise regarding the team's defense and its reliance on him.
The trades involving Donovan Mitchell and Dejounte Murray have raised questions about their impact on their respective teams and future outcomes.
Derek White's performance has been instrumental in the Celtics' recent success, showcasing his skills as a scorer and a defensive player.
The Ravens' underdog status and Lamar Jackson's impressive record against NFC teams make their game against the 49ers an exciting matchup.
The Bills have a chance to solidify their playoff spot against a struggling Chargers team, providing an opportunity for success.
Deep dives
The Disappointing Pistons and the Unapologetic Attitude of Their Star Player
The Detroit Pistons have lost 25 consecutive games and there seems to be no end in sight. The team's star player, who was involved in a highly publicized off-court incident, lacks remorse and argues that his actions were not criminally wrong. He believes that other players have done worse without facing the same level of scrutiny. Furthermore, the player's inner circle remains unchanged, despite suggestions to change it. The lack of accountability and commitment to representing the league in a positive way is concerning and raises questions about the future of the Pistons.
The Impressive Scoring Abilities of Joel Embiid and the Inconsistent Defense of the Philadelphia 76ers
Joel Embiid's scoring abilities have been on display this season, making him one of the best scoring centers in the league. With the ability to score from various spots on the court, Embiid has shown his dominance in the offensive end. However, concerns arise when it comes to the team's defense, as inconsistencies and reliance on Embiid's scoring have been an ongoing issue. It remains to be seen how their defensive performance will translate in the postseason, where adjustments and strategic matchups become crucial.
The Dubious Trades Involving Donovan Mitchell and Dejounte Murray
Two trades that have come under scrutiny in recent years are the deals involving Donovan Mitchell and Dejounte Murray. The Utah Jazz gave up a significant amount for Mitchell, whereas the San Antonio Spurs traded for Murray, hoping to build around him and Trey Young. However, both players haven't progressed as expected, and the trades are being questioned. The impact of these deals on their respective teams and the future outcomes remain uncertain.
The Role of Derek White in the Success of the Boston Celtics
Derek White's performance has been a key factor in the Boston Celtics' success. White's contributions as a scorer and a defensive player have made him indispensable to the team. The Celtics' recent wins have showcased White's skills and his ability to elevate the team's play. His presence and impact on both ends of the court have been instrumental in the Celtics' positive performances.
Ravens vs Niners
The Ravens are known for being strong underdogs and Lamar Jackson has an impressive record against NFC teams. Meanwhile, the 49ers are touted as one of the best teams in the league with a strong defense and healthy roster. This game could be a tight matchup.
Bills vs Chargers
The Bills are looking to solidify their playoff spot and are facing a struggling Chargers team. With injuries and inconsistencies on the Chargers side, the Bills have an opportunity to come out on top.
Steelers vs Bengals
Both teams have had their ups and downs this season, but the Steelers have a history of success against the Bengals. Will Jake Browning have another solid performance or will the Steelers defense prove too much for the Bengals?
Colts vs Falcons
The Colts have been improving and are facing a struggling Falcons team with a porous defense. Will the Colts be able to take advantage of this matchup and come out with a win?
Panthers vs Packers
The Panthers are missing key offensive weapons, while the Packers have a struggling defense. Will the Panthers be able to put up a fight and take advantage of the Packers' vulnerabilities?
Browns vs Texans
The Browns have a strong defense and are facing a Texans team with a struggling offense. Can the Browns take control of the game and come out with a win against the Texans?
The Iron Claw
The Iron Claw is a must-see period sports movie that tells the tragic story of the Von Erich family. It is directed by Sean Durkin and features a powerful performance by Zac Efron.
American Fiction
American Fiction is a smart romantic comedy that explores the world of publishing and entertainment for black creatives. It is written and directed by Cord Jefferson and stars Sidney Sweeney and Glenn Powell.
Ferrari
Ferrari is a classic Michael Mann film about obsession, success, and the world of car racing in 1950s Italy. It features a compelling performance by Adam Driver.
Anyone But You
Anyone But You is a fun romantic comedy starring Sidney Sweeney and Glenn Powell. It pays homage to movies like My Best Friend's Wedding and features a reunion between Dermot Mulroney and Rachel Griffiths.
Godzilla Minus One
Godzilla Minus One is a Japanese-produced Godzilla movie that offers a unique post-World War II perspective and combines emotional drama with epic monster battles. It is a must-see blockbuster for fans of the genre.
The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Justin Termine of SiriusXM to discuss the Pistons' 25-game losing streak, how it got this bad, and where they can go from here (2:30). They also discuss Ja Morant's return, revisit the Rudy Gobert trade for the first-place Timberwolves, check in on the Celtics, talk about Suns concerns, and more (26:40). Then Bill talks with Kevin Wildes about the MVP of NFL TV show arguments before running through their favorite NFL Week 16 games and some Half-Baked Ideas (56:37). Next Bill makes his Million-Dollar Picks for NFL Week 16 (1:50:42). Finally Bill is joined by Sean Fennessey to discuss his five must-see new films (1:56:00).
Host: Bill Simmons
Guests: Justin Termine, Kevin Wildes, and Sean Fennessey
Producer: Kyle Crichton
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.
