The Bill Simmons Podcast Westbrook’s Slide, the Phoenix Fallout, Celtics Rumors, and Half-Baked Ideas With Jackie MacMullan and Kevin Wildes
Nov 10, 2021
Jackie MacMullan, a veteran sports journalist renowned for her NBA insights, joins Kevin Wildes, an FS1 personality and former contributor to ESPN, to dive into the NBA's latest controversies. They discuss Russell Westbrook's struggles with adapting to the Lakers, Ben Simmons' trade rumors, and the fallout from the scandal involving Suns owner Robert Sarver. The conversation also touches on the evolution of sports commentary and wraps up with a playful segment on whimsical ‘Half-Baked Ideas’ that entertain and spark creativity.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Westbrook's Decline
- Russell Westbrook is declining but refuses to acknowledge it, impacting his ability to adapt.
- He's struggling with turnovers and hasn't adjusted his playing style to compensate for declining athleticism.
Superstar Decline
- Jackie MacMullan recalls covering Michael Jordan's final days with the Wizards, highlighting the difficulty for superstars to accept decline.
- She compares Westbrook's situation to Jordan's, emphasizing the challenge of adapting to a lesser role.
Difficulty of Walking Away
- Few NBA players willingly retire while still capable of playing, making graceful exits rare.
- This reluctance to step back is common among top athletes, as seen with Dwyane Wade's eventual acceptance of a bench role.