The Bill Simmons Podcast An NBA Mini-Mailbag and All-Star Picks, Plus Kon Knueppel Stops By
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Jan 15, 2026 
Kon Knueppel, a rookie for the Charlotte Hornets, shares his exciting journey into the NBA, shedding light on his on-court experiences and family background. He discusses the dynamics within his team, especially how LaMelo Ball's style impacts their rhythm. Kon dives into his toughest matchups against stars like Giannis and Luka, and reflects on the camaraderie fostered through shared experiences, especially in the context of a talented rookie class. He also highlights the crucial role his family plays in his professional life, offering support and encouragement.
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Keep 65-Game Rule With Injury Exception
- Bill Simmons argues keeping the 65-game award minimum makes sense to discourage resting and preserve fan expectations.
- He proposes a 12-consecutive-game injury exemption to lower the threshold so seriously injured players remain eligible.
Local Announcers As Entertaining Alternate Casts
- Bill Simmons endorses alternate broadcasts that lean into local team announcers' bias as a fun, differentiated product.
- He suggests pairing home/away color commentators for alt-casts to create lively, opinionated rivalries.
Phoenix's Costanza-Like Turnaround
- Bill Simmons recounts the Suns' transformation from dysfunctional and slow to energetic and cohesive under new coaching.
- He credits hiring an analytics-minded young coach and better roster fit rather than pure contrarian luck.