The Bill Simmons Podcast

Jackie MacMullan, a veteran sports journalist, joins Seerat Sohi, a writer for The Ringer, to dissect the NBA Finals. They weigh in on Chris Paul's struggles and the Bucks' supporting cast while highlighting Giannis Antetokounmpo's resilience and impact. The duo predicts unexpected heroes for the remaining games and reflects on how young stars are faring under pressure. The discussions blend basketball strategy with cultural insights, making for an enticing look at this year's Finals.

Ryen Russillo, a sports analyst and co-host at The Ringer, joins for a deep dive into the recent NBA Finals drama. They analyze the Bucks' Game 4 tying victory and debate Chris Middleton's inconsistent performance. Russillo unpacks the impacts of Kawhi Leonard's injury and Team USA's international struggles. The duo also discusses potential NBA draft prospects and trade scenarios, highlighting the excitement around young talents like Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley. Their insights reveal the unpredictable nature of playoff basketball and the ever-evolving strategies in the league.

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Kevin O’Connor to discuss the Bucks’ Game 3 Finals win over the Suns, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s dominance on the court, speculative Finals scenarios, Team USA’s startling loss to Nigeria, offseason trade buzz, and more (2:00). Then Bill talks with Chris Ryan about England’s loss to Italy in the Euro Final (1:16:00). Finally Bill talks to Kevin Clark about UFC 264, Conor McGregor’s fight-ending injury, exciting upcoming UFC fights, the postponed Wilder-Fury boxing match, and more (1:43:15).Host: Bill SimmonsGuests: Kevin O'Connor, Chris Ryan, and Kevin ClarkProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by business/tech analyst and massive Bucks fan Ben Thompson to discuss the Suns’ Game 2 Finals win and the silver linings for Game 3 in Milwaukee (1:45). Then Bill talks to MMA journalist Ariel Helwani about covering the UFC, the excitement of the pre-fight weigh-in, UFC competitors, the upcoming McGregor-Poirier fight at UFC 264, and more (32:35). Finally Bill talks to his old friend JackO about the Yankees and whether they missed their “title window” (1:31:50).Host: Bill SimmonsGuests: Ariel Helwani, JackO, and Ben ThompsonProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ryen Russillo, a seasoned sports analyst and co-host at The Ringer, dives into the NBA Finals, sharing insights on the Suns' impressive Game 1 victory and Giannis's recovery. They discuss the unique challenges of hosting the Finals in Phoenix's heat and evaluate the impact of Chris Paul's mentorship on rising stars like Deandre Ayton. The conversation also shifts to MLB, where they ponder why Shohei Ohtani's achievements aren't receiving the spotlight they deserve, tying it all together with a humorous look at draft prospects and sports fixes.

Bryan Curtis, Editor at large of The Ringer, shares insights on Marv Albert's retirement and the impact of instant replay on NBA broadcasts. He highlights the evolving landscape of sports commentary and how it influences viewership. Chris Mannix, a Sports Illustrated reporter, discusses Chris Paul's legacy as he leads the Suns to the Finals and the challenges faced by teams like the Trail Blazers and the Celtics. They explore potential player trades and the narrative arcs surrounding the upcoming Finals, making for a compelling conversation on basketball's current state.

Joining Bill Simmons are Wosny Lambre, an NBA fashion expert, and Chris Ryan, a savvy basketball analyst, who dissect Giannis Antetokounmpo's unfortunate injury and its impact on the Bucks' playoff journey. Matthew Belloni, a former Hollywood Reporter editor, shares insights on the struggles of theatrical movie releases in the streaming era. Meanwhile, Zoe Simmons, Bill's daughter, brings a fun twist with her half-year teen culture awards, spotlighting TikTok trends and notable disappointments from the youth scene.

In Part 2 of the two-part Sunday podcast, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to discuss the Bucks’ Game 3 win over the Hawks, Khris Middleton’s fourth quarter, Trae Young’s injury, series predictions, and more (2:00). They then wonder how this year's NBA champions will be remembered, before discussing news that Damian Lillard may be looking to move on from the Portland Trail Blazers (20:00). Finally Ryen and Bill draft the best two-man combos to build a team around in the NBA (48:00).Host: Bill SimmonsGuest: Ryen RussilloProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ryen Russillo, a savvy sports analyst known for his insightful NBA commentary, joins to discuss a captivating playoffs landscape. They dive into Deandre Ayton's pivotal role in the Suns' success, and the mysterious nature of Kawhi Leonard’s impact. The conversation flows into a thought-provoking redraft of the 2018 NBA class, evaluating star players like Luka Doncic and Trae Young. Adding layers, they tackle draft strategies for teams like the Warriors, highlighting the evolving dynamics in basketball.

Seerat Sohi, a talented writer for The Ringer, joins the discussion to analyze the Clippers' playoff dynamics and Trae Young's rise as a basketball star. They delve into how Young's team-oriented play has evolved, impacting the Atlanta Hawks. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by Ben Simmons and the coaching changes within the NBA, revealing how these factors intertwine with player relationships and team success. Additionally, they explore Kevin Durant's legacy in the context of player empowerment in modern basketball.