Is the NBA Too Afraid of Football? Plus, Jets Dysfunction and Million-Dollar Picks With Wosny Lambre, Joe House, and Peter Schrager
Dec 20, 2024
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Wosny Lambre, a contributor at The Ringer, critiques the NBA Cup's execution and discusses whether Las Vegas is the right venue. He explores how the NBA could better compete for visibility against the NFL. Peter Schrager, a prominent NFL analyst, reflects on the Jets' dysfunction and the implications of coaching changes. He also touches on Patrick Mahomes' injury and the potential underestimated Ravens. Listeners get insights into the upcoming NFL matchups and the latest betting strategies for an eventful season.
The NBA Cup's effectiveness and potential for improvements were debated, highlighting successful aspects of its execution in Las Vegas.
The ongoing dysfunction within the New York Jets was scrutinized, underscoring how ownership styles impact team performance and decision-making.
Speculation around coaching changes this NFL season demonstrated the volatility of job security based on team performance and organizational expectations.
Calais Campbell's release raised discussions on the impact of seasoned players in the playoff race, with speculation about his future team prospects.
Aaron Rodgers' Netflix documentary was noted for its exploration of vulnerability, reflecting the personal struggles faced by athletes despite their success.
Deep dives
Podcast Overview
The Bill Simmons Podcast features discussions on various topics, including upcoming segments of The Rewatchables and the excitement of a Christmas movie rewatch. The hosts express enthusiasm for recent episodes and future content availability on platforms like Spotify and YouTube. The episode also highlights integration with FanDuel Sportsbook, showcasing promotional betting opportunities tied to the NBA and other sports. The tone is informal and engaging, encouraging listeners to explore content across different segments and platforms.
NBA Cup Discussions
The conversation shifts to the NBA Cup and its overall effectiveness, dissecting its execution and proposing improvements for future iterations. The hosts debate its viability, sharing experiences from recent games in Las Vegas, noting logistical successes like hosting multiple games at one location. Crowd engagement, atmosphere, and potential changes to weekend game scheduling are highlighted as key areas for enhancement. The discussion reflects overall frustrations with the NBA's current standing amidst the dominance of the NFL, emphasizing generational loyalty to high-stakes sports.
Coaching Changes and Predictions
The hosts delve into speculation about potential coaching changes at the end of the season, highlighting names such as Mike McDaniel and Shane Steichen. Attention is drawn towards ownership styles and decision-making impacts on teams like New York Jets and others facing disappointing seasons. The conversation emphasizes the importance of strong coaching leadership and the way ownership influences coaching tenure. Possible suitors for head coach positions and the unpredictable nature of offseason changes are explored.
Jets Ownership Dynamics
Woody Johnson’s ownership of the New York Jets is scrutinized, exemplifying tensions between ownership interests and team performance. The hosts emphasize how succession and generational transitions in ownership can lead to dysfunction within organizations. The article referenced highlights ongoing issues within the Jets, illustrating how management styles can hinder a team's success. The unhealthy relationship between the media and the organization reflects both public perception and internal strife.
Wild NFL Coaching Carousel
The potential for unexpected coaching changes in the NFL is highlighted, especially concerning the last few games affecting job security for coaches. The hosts discuss various candidates possibly on the hot seat, with attention given to the pressures young coaches face in their inaugural years. Speculation centers around whether certain coaches can withstand the performance demands of their organizations, particularly against the backdrop of playoff aspirations. The conversation emphasizes the stakes involved, with coaching stability directly linked to performance outcomes.
Calais Campbell's Future
Calais Campbell's release from the Falcons raises eyebrows around potential playoff-bound teams looking to boost their rosters. The hosts discuss where he might land, with speculation about teams like the Ravens and Bills emerging as top contenders. Campbell's vast experience and leadership skills are seen as assets any team would benefit from, increasing competition in the playoff landscape. The anticipated excitement surrounding his free agency could have significant implications for NFC and AFC playoff contenders.
Aaron Rodgers' Netflix Doc
The discussion turns to Aaron Rodgers' Netflix documentary, delving into themes of vulnerability and the search for meaning after fame and success. The hosts emphasize the show's focus on both personal and professional elements of Rodgers’ life, offering insights into his challenges feeling fulfilled despite accolades. Episode content is noted for blending vulnerable storytelling with aspects of football, with encouragement for fans to engage. The documentary serves as a reflection of not only Rodgers' journey but the complexities athletes face behind the scenes.
Coaching Trends and Future Implications
The hosts reflect on the propensity for NFL owners to meddle in coach and player decisions, contrasting this with the NBA's ownership model. The conversation navigates through the intricacies of family-inherited franchises in the NFL compared to newer owner dynamics in the NBA. The trend reveals how some teams lack the necessary long-term vision to thrive, possibly leading to coaching instability. This implies that franchises with strong leadership and less interference generally perform better in both leagues.
Emerging NFL Playoff Landscape
As the NFL postseason approaches, the conversation highlights the unpredictability of playoff matchups and emerging underdog teams capable of making deep runs. The hosts explore how certain teams have built momentum towards the playoffs, emphasizing the potential for lower-seed teams to surprise established contenders. In light of recent performances, the narrative around team identities and their ability to perform under pressure is examined. The reflective tone encourages a watchful eye on the playoffs as unexpected rivalries and storylines unfold.
The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Wosny Lambre and Joe House for an NBA Cup exit survey; they talk about what worked and what didn't, whether Las Vegas is the right place to hold this event, some proposed tweaks, and more (02:22). Then, Bill and House run through the weekend NFL slate before making their Million-Dollar Picks for NFL Week 16 (41:24). Finally, Bill talks with Peter Schrager of NFL Network and Fox Sports about a myriad of NFL topics, including a weird stretch of the NFL schedule, Patrick Mahomes’s injury, the possibly undervalued Ravens, COTY predictions, this year's "nobody believes in us" team (01:10:25), Jets dysfunction, the upcoming coaching carousel, Calais Campbell being released from the Dolphins amid a losing season, Netflix's new ‘Aaron Rodgers: Enigma’ documentary, and more (01:41:47).
