

The Bill Simmons Podcast
The Ringer
HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons hosts the most downloaded sports podcast of all time, with a rotating crew of celebrities, athletes, and media staples, as well as mainstays like Cousin Sal, Joe House, and a slew of other friends and family members who always happen to be suspiciously available.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 25, 2022 • 1h 23min
Part 2: The Frisky Pelicans, CP3 Demons, Trae’s Struggles and Favorite Flip-Flop Guys With Ryen Russillo
Ryen Russillo, a sports analyst known for his sharp basketball insights, joins the conversation to dissect the latest NBA playoff drama. He dives into the Suns' recent struggles against the Pelicans, particularly the impact of Devin Booker's hamstring injury. Russillo also shares intriguing thoughts on Zion Williamson's future with New Orleans, explores the evolving dynamics of team rosters, and reflects on the mental health aspects affecting players. Their witty banter adds a light touch to serious analyses of trades and playoff performances.

Apr 25, 2022 • 1h 20min
Part 1: Brooklyn Breaks, Boston’s Startling Ascent, Kyrie’s Bizarre Career, and Saving Denver Basketball With Ryen Russillo
Ryen Russillo, a prominent sports analyst known for his insights at ESPN and The Ringer, joins Bill Simmons to dive into the current playoff action. They discuss the Celtics' stunning 3-0 lead over the Nets, dissect Kyrie Irving's inconsistent performances, and tackle team dynamics in the league. The duo also analyzes the Nuggets' unexpected Game 4 win and the implications of star player performances on playoff outcomes. With a focus on strategy and player roles, this conversation is a must-listen for basketball fans.

Apr 22, 2022 • 1h 50min
A StruggleFest for Towns and Mitchell, an NFL Skill Position Draft, and a Netflix Crisis With Wosny Lambre, Danny Heifetz, Craig Horlbeck and Mathew Belloni
Big Waz, a passionate sports analyst, joins fantasy football guru Danny Heifetz in a lively discussion. They tackle the NBA playoffs, spotlighting the Grizzlies' thrilling comeback and the Timberwolves' struggles, while also debating Donovan Mitchell's performance. Switching gears, Heifetz reveals the drama behind Deebo Samuel's trade request and they draft the most valuable NFL skill position players. The conversation wraps up with a critical look at CNN Plus's failure and the shifting landscape of streaming services like Netflix.

Apr 20, 2022 • 1h 45min
A Suns-Warriors Flip-Flop, A Sneaky-Bad NFL Draft, and Utah Groundhog Day With Rob Mahoney, Danny Kelly, and Jonathan Tjarks
Rob Mahoney, a seasoned NBA writer for The Ringer, shares insights on the Pelicans' surprising playoff victory over the Suns and discusses Devin Booker's injury impact. Danny Kelly highlights concerns about the upcoming NFL draft, predicting a slide for quarterbacks and unpredictable team strategies. Jonathan Tjarks dives into the Jazz-Mavericks series, analyzing performance dynamics and the significance of Jalen Brunson's standout game. The trio also debates player contributions and playoff strategies, promising an engaging look at both the NBA and NFL landscapes.

Apr 18, 2022 • 1h 15min
Part 2: The Anthony Edwards Thing, 'Sota's Upset Potential, and Two Sides of Rudy Gobert With Ryen Russillo
In this lively discussion, Ryen Russillo, a seasoned sports analyst, dives into the excitement surrounding Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves' playoff potential. The conversation highlights standout performances from recent games, particularly how the Phoenix Suns dismantled the Pelicans. Ryen also critiques Rudy Gobert's defensive play, evaluates the Mavericks' challenges, and muses on historical parallels for rising stars. It's a rich blend of analysis, player insights, and the thrill of basketball playoff dynamics.

Apr 18, 2022 • 1h 9min
Part 1: An Epic Celtics Win, Kyrie the Perfect Villain, and Maxey’s Big Leap with Ryen Russillo
Ryen Russillo, a contributor at The Ringer known for his sharp sports insights, joins to dissect the thrilling highs and lows of recent playoff games. They analyze Jayson Tatum's buzzer-beater for the Celtics and Kyrie Irving's stellar 39-point performance, highlighting the intense rivalry with Boston fans. The focus shifts to the 76ers and Tyrese Maxey's evolution as a key player, along with strategic implications of the playoff dynamics and upcoming matchups. Their discussion cracks open the excitement and pressure of playoff basketball.

Apr 15, 2022 • 1h 46min
The Clippers Curse Vol. 47, Booker’s Evolution, and Round 1 Bets With Kevin Wildes and Eddie Johnson
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Kevin Wildes of Fox Sports to discuss Anthony Davis's comments on the Lakers’ flukey injuries, the Clippers' repeated bad luck, Bill’s favorite Round 1 bets, Half-Baked Ideas, and more (2:10). Then Bill talks with Phoenix Suns play-by-play analyst Eddie Johnson about Devin Booker’s MVP case and why he is nowhere near his ceiling as a player, advice Eddie would give to Ben Simmons, the obstacles that today's NBA stars face, stories from Eddie's 17-year NBA career, and more (1:01:37).Host Bill SimmonsGuests: Kevin Wildes and Eddie JohnsonProducers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 13, 2022 • 1h 35min
Ant Man Arrives, Towns Tumbles, Nets-Celts & “Now What?” Round 1 Disaster Scenarios With Kevin O’Connor and Wosny Lambre
Kevin O’Connor, an insightful NBA writer for The Ringer, and Wosny Lambre, a notable contributor, dive deep into the intense NBA play-in tournament. They analyze Karl Towns' evolving game, the Timberwolves' rise, and the uncertain future of the Lakers under Frank Vogel. Discussions heat up around Russell Westbrook's rocky contract and the potential consequences of early playoff exits for various teams. The duo also speculates on emerging talents and the significance of player adaptability amid fierce competition for championship glory.

Apr 11, 2022 • 1h 38min
Part Two: The 2022 Finals MVP Draft plus All-NBA Picks With Ryen Russillo
In Part 2 of a two-part podcast, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons and Ryen Russillo discuss the lackluster end of the NBA regular season, the playoff seeding, potential Finals MVPs, NBA awards, All-NBA picks, and more!Host: Bill SimmonsGuest: Ryen RussilloProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 11, 2022 • 1h 12min
Part One: A Masters Recap, MVP Picks + Everybody Ducks Brooklyn With Ryen Russillo
In this engaging discussion, sports analyst Ryen Russillo shares insights on Scottie Scheffler's impressive Masters win and the buzz surrounding Tiger Woods making the cut. They dive into the looming NBA playoffs, debating MVP candidates like Jokic, Embiid, and Giannis amidst playoff strategies. The conversation also touches on the importance of home-court advantage and how teams like the Nets are faring under pressure. With vivid anecdotes, they highlight the thrilling atmosphere of live sports and the narratives shaping this competitive season.