The Bill Simmons Podcast

Justin Verrier, a writer for The Ringer and former Pelicans beat reporter, shares insights on Zion Williamson's rocky relationship with the New Orleans Pelicans and the team's recent trades. He draws parallels to the Anthony Davis era, painting a picture of the franchise's uncertain future. Joining him, Kenny Smith, former NBA player, dives into the NBA draft, the prospects of Giannis vs. Hakeem, and the evolving trade rumors surrounding Ben Simmons—exploring how strategic decisions shape team dynamics in the league.

Kevin O’Connor, Jonathan Tjarks, and J. Kyle Mann, all writers for The Ringer with a keen eye for NBA analysis, dive deep into the upcoming NBA draft. They discuss top prospects like Cade Cunningham and Jalen Green, assessing their potential impacts on teams. The trio explores fake trades, international player dynamics, and the critical decision-making surrounding the second overall pick. With spirited debates on player versatility and team strategies, they highlight the intricacies of draft choices and their long-term implications.

Matt Damon, the beloved actor known for his roles in classics like Good Will Hunting and the Bourne series, chats about his latest film, Stillwater, and his love for sports. Mike Gioseffi dives into the sports card market, exploring the hype around Giannis Antetokounmpo's rookie card post-championship. Meanwhile, Derek Thompson provides a thought-provoking analysis on the COVID-19 Delta variant and the complexities of vaccine hesitancy today. From fascinating film insights to market trends and public health discussions, this conversation is a captivating mix!

Ryen Russillo, a sports analyst and writer for The Ringer, dives into the Milwaukee Bucks' stunning victory in the NBA Finals. He highlights Giannis Antetokounmpo's incredible 50-point game and his burgeoning legacy among basketball legends. They dissect coaching dynamics and key player contributions, particularly focusing on trades and team strategies that shaped the championship run. The discussion also teases upcoming NBA draft prospects and shifts to insights on 'The White Lotus,' blending sports with entertaining television analysis.

Joe House, a contributor to The Ringer and sports analysis expert, joins to dive into the intense Game 5 Finals where the Bucks triumphed over the Suns. They explore Giannis Antetokounmpo's remarkable playoff journey and his rising legacy among basketball legends. The conversation expands to discuss what the Suns need to clinch a Game 6 victory, as well as insights into NFL futures betting and Olympic basketball predictions. House also shares his thoughts on the evolving dynamics of the NFL season, making for an engaging mix of sports analysis.

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.