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The Bill Simmons Podcast

SGA vs. Jokic, Celts-Lakers, and the State of NBA Media With Ryen Russillo and Bryan Curtis

Mar 10, 2025
Ryen Russillo, a sharp sports analyst, teams up with Bryan Curtis, the insightful editor at large of The Ringer. They dive into the Thunder's impressive victory over the Nuggets and highlight Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's rise as an MVP contender. The conversation shifts to the storied Lakers-Celtics rivalry, dissecting LeBron's injury and Al Horford's defensive prowess. Curtis then explores the evolving media landscape, touching on Stephen A. Smith, the future of ESPN, and the challenges athletes face under scrutiny, all while balancing humor and sports commentary.
02:10:23

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The Oklahoma City Thunder are often underappreciated in sports media despite significant successes, highlighting the challenges in generating compelling narratives.
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is emerging as one of the NBA's top guards, showcasing scoring versatility that positions him as a potential MVP candidate.

Deep dives

The Dynamics of Covering OKC

There is a noticeable trend in sports media where certain teams, like the Oklahoma City Thunder, don't receive the credit they deserve until lectured by commentators. This has been a recurring theme, especially after significant successes that go unnoticed for various reasons. Despite establishing themselves as a competitive force in the league, many still overlook them, often citing a lack of polarizing elements within their roster as a reason for this underappreciation. Ultimately, this leads to an ongoing struggle to generate compelling narratives around teams like the Thunder, who are fan-favorites but lack the controversy or tradition associated with larger franchises.

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