Charles Barkley’s NBA-NFL Summer Takes, Plus the Jewish Pop Culture Pantheon With Juliet Litman and Mallory Rubin
Aug 25, 2023
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Charles Barkley, a legendary NBA player turned media personality, shares his views on international basketball, USA's player development struggles, and NFL insights. Juliet Litman and Mallory Rubin dive into Jewish culture, discussing the new Netflix film about Bat Mitzvahs and highlighting major Jewish pop culture moments. They explore the evolving significance of Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, their representation in film, and the impact of iconic Jewish characters. The conversation balances sports analysis with cultural commentary, making for an engaging listen.
DeAndre Ayton's performance in rebounding and defense will heavily influence the Phoenix Suns' chances of winning the Western Conference.
James Harden's future with the Brooklyn Nets remains uncertain due to his low trade value and recent performance decline, potentially overshadowing his overall career.
Jimmy Butler's ability to elevate his game in playoff series sets him apart and makes him an invaluable asset to any team.
Deep dives
The Phoenix Suns' bold moves for the West
The Phoenix Suns, led by their owner, James Jones, have made bold moves in the offseason, assembling a team with an eye on winning the Western Conference. While some may have doubted their strategy, the addition of Eric Gordon as the final piece has changed the narrative. With Devin Booker as the focal point, the Suns have a legitimate chance at winning the West and securing a top seed. However, the success will heavily depend on the performance of DeAndre Ayton, who needs to excel in rebounding and defense. Overall, the West has become wide open, making the Suns a strong contender.
The James Harden dilemma
James Harden's future with the Brooklyn Nets remains uncertain as trade options have been limited due to his hefty contract and recent performance decline. While Harden may want to explore other teams, his trade value is low, and the Nets might be better off keeping him for at least one more season. However, it seems unlikely that he will return to peak form and regain his superstar status. History will likely remember Harden as a talented player, but his playoff shortcomings and recent behavior might overshadow his overall career.
The case of Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler has emerged as a late bloomer in the NBA, showcasing his ability to elevate his game in playoff series and hold his own against superstars. His impact goes beyond his regular season performance, as he has proven to be a key factor in leading teams deep into the postseason. While there may not be a direct comparison to Butler from previous eras, there have been players like Andrew Toney who thrived in playoff situations despite not being regarded as superstars. Butler's ability to shine on the big stage sets him apart and makes him an invaluable asset to any team.
Reflecting on Michael Jordan's greatness
Michael Jordan's greatness remains unmatched in the eyes of many, despite arguments made for other players like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. Those who witnessed Jordan play firsthand can attest to his dominance and ability to overcome physical challenges, as seen in the Last Dance documentary. While LeBron and Kobe have their own impressive careers, it is important for fans to acknowledge Jordan's impact and the level of physicality he faced during his era, making him one of the greatest players of all time.
Prominent Jewish Pop Culture Moments
1) Edward Norton's "Keeping the Faith" captures Jewish culture and comedy. 2) The Drake music video "HYFR" features a bar mitzvah celebration. 3) The movie "First Wives Club" includes a memorable bar mitzvah scene. 4) The entourage episode "Gold's Daughter's Bat Mitzvah" showcases Jewish culture and humor. 5) "Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" represents the Jewish stand-up comedy scene. 6) Woody Allen's "Annie Hall" pioneered the Jewish rom-com genre. 7) The Curb Your Enthusiasm episode "The Palestinian Chicken" explores Jewish and Palestinian cultures. 8) The White Shadow episode with the Jewish character Goldstein touches on Jewish identity. 9) The Seinfeld episode with the bar mitzvah and the Catholic conversion sparks a culture clash. 10) The movie "School Ties" delves into Jewish identity in a prep school setting. 11) "Dirty Dancing" portrays Jewish families in the Catskills. 12) The entourage episode "Bowls Over" features a Jewish funeral and showcases Jewish humor. 13) Ben Stiller in the movie "Meet the Parents" highlights Jewish-Catholic tensions. 14) The movie "Crossing Delancey" explores Jewish culture and relationships. 15) The crossover between Jewish and sports cultures in "The White Shadow", "90210", and "Sports Stocks".
The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Charles Barkley to discuss Nikola Jokic, USA falling behind in basketball player development, international basketball, a look at the West next season, Charles's favorite NFL story lines, and more (1:37). Then Bill talks with Mallory Rubin and Juliet Litman about the new Netflix film, 'You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah' (1:15:08), before hearing Juliet's list of major Jewish pop culture moments (1:34:21).
Host: Bill Simmons
Guests: Charles Barkley, Mallory Rubin, and Juliet Litman
Producer: Kyle Crichton
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