The Bill Simmons Podcast

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.

Joe House, a savvy sports analyst from The Ringer, teams up with Kevin O'Connor, J. Kyle Mann, and Wosny Lambre for a lively discussion packed with NBA insights. They dive into Deandre Ayton's game-winning alley-oop and analyze the intense playoff showdown between the Clippers and Suns. The group shares thoughts on the NBA draft lottery, potential trade scenarios, and player evaluations, while also offering predictions for upcoming playoff matchups. The camaraderie and expert commentary make for an entertaining listen!

Ryen Russillo, a sports analyst and co-host at The Ringer, joins the conversation to unpack the Philadelphia 76ers' crushing playoff exit against the Atlanta Hawks. They dissect Ben Simmons’ underwhelming performance and Trae Young’s unexpected impact. The duo explores why this postseason feels particularly strange, and delves into the dramatic Game 7 between the Nets and Bucks, highlighting Kevin Durant's heroics and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s influence. Humor and insights from unique playoff moments round out the discussion!

Ryen Russillo, a keen sports analyst, joins the discussion to dive into the Suns' explosive Game 1 win, highlighting Devin Booker's impressive shot-making. They speculate on Kawhi Leonard's injury status and its implications for the Clippers. The conversation shifts to a “playoffs apology” segment for players like Trae Young and Paul George. Lastly, they analyze the trade of Kemba Walker, examining its effects on the Celtics and the dynamics of NBA rosters moving forward.

Wosny Lambre, a contributor to The Ringer, and Marcus Thompson, a writer for The Athletic, join for a lively discussion on the NBA playoffs. They break down the Bucks' exhilarating Game 6 victory and Khris Middleton’s standout performance. The conversation shifts to the fallout from Rick Carlisle's departure, the tension surrounding unhappy stars Luka Doncic and Zion Williamson, and the upcoming coaching carousel. They also debate Ben Simmons' trade value and celebrate Trae Young’s impressive playoff consistency.

Chris Ryan, a Contributor to The Ringer, breaks down Kevin Durant's jaw-dropping 49-point performance in Game 5 against the Bucks, analyzing in-game adjustments and the impact of James Harden's injury. Jonathan Tjarks, a Writer for The Ringer, dives into the Mavericks' front office turmoil and the challenges surrounding Luka Doncic, while reflecting on the Clippers-Jazz matchup and Kristaps Porzingis's trade potential. The conversation is packed with insights on playoff dynamics and team strategies.