The Bill Simmons Podcast

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons sits down with editor-at-large Bryan Curtis and New York Times best-selling author Jim Miller to discuss the shake-ups at ESPN (02:30), whether there is a business problem or a content problem (05:30), how the network has approached digital content (14:00), the deals with the NBA, MLB, and the NFL (25:30), the acquisition of Adrian Wojnarowski (40:30), 30 for 30 (54:30), and the demise of Grantland (66:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons answers the most pressing NBA summer mailbag questions. Topics include: LeBron on the Lakers (4:00), the best championship parade moment (12:30), CP3's Ewing Theory potential (16:00), Rookie of the Year odds (20:30), Paul George's trade value (30:40), Jamal Crawford's decline (35:00), Sidney Crosby's connection with Tim Duncan (46:00), the famous Monte Carlo scrimmage (51:00), Rob Pelinka's rise (1:01:00), San Diego's attractiveness to the NBA (1:13:00), and Russell Westbrook's style of play changing next season (1:20:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by John McEnroe to discuss the current state of the New York Knicks (5:00), the parallels between basketball and tennis (11:14), tennis at the collegiate level (24:44), McEnroe's first Wimbledon (27:03), the infamous tantrums (35:25), growing the game of tennis (49:40), and the 1980 Wimbledon men's singles final (1:05:05). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Chris Ryan to discuss NBA events from the past few days, including the Gordon Hayward signing (2:25), the Paul George trade and the best-case scenario for OKC (10:28), teams' challenges and advantages with regard to the salary cap (30:10), and the Point Blake L.A. Clippers (50:55). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Daryl Morey discusses Houston's monster acquisition of Chris Paul, his 12-year Rockets stint, free-agency stories, and ways the NBA should improve its game and yearly calendar. Then, music legend Jimmy Iovine (46:05) remembers his amazing career and talks about his new HBO documentary, 'The Defiant Ones.' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Joe House to discuss why the Clippers should hit the reset button (5:00), LeBron's L.A. suitors (14:00), the end of NBA tampering rules (18:00), Carmelo's fit in Houston (24:00), Blake Griffin on the Suns (29:00), Kyle Lowry on the Wolves (35:00), Andrew Wiggins's defensive problems (39:00), Gordon Hayward's chance to be a Celtic (44:00), Otto Porter Jr.'s market value (52:00), Paul Millsap on the Spurs (58:00), and Andre Iguodala's impact on the Warriors' future (1:04:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Judd Apatow to discuss the state of American politics (5:00), his attempt to humanize Muslim Americans in 'The Big Sick' (19:00), his return to the stand-up comedy circuit (24:00), the 'Freaks and Geeks' experience in today's TV landscape (30:30), the binge-watching culture and lack of conversation around shows (38:00), Garry Shandling's greatest comedic moments (44:00), LeBron's comedy chops (53:00), the forgotten art of DVD extras (1:02:00), and Ray Romano's role in 'The Big Sick' (1:09:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on longtime friend Joe House to break down the best and worst moments from the 2017 NBA draft. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Kevin O'Connor to discuss the Lakers' decision to cut ties with D'Angelo Russell (5:00), Brooklyn's best moves (8:00), Dwight Howard on the Hornets (11:00), Kristaps Porzingis's trade window (16:00), the Celtics' plan in free agency (21:00), Ben Simmons skipping summer league (27:00), and Josh Jackson declining workouts (30:00). Then, they go through all of the potential draft scenarios and select the best fit for each lottery team in the 2017 NBA draft (34:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Malcolm Gladwell to discuss the ridiculous rate of offseason story lines in the NBA (5:00), LeBron James's right to act in his own self-interest (13:00), dealing with juggernauts in the NBA (23:00), billionaire owners' spending habits (33:00), Tiger Woods's painkiller problem (36:00), trimming the NBA schedule (44:00), Tom Brady's concussions (53:00), solving the public-use problem for golf courses (1:02:00), and the Bill Maher controversy (1:06:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on staff writer Kevin O'Connor and executive editor Chris Ryan to make sense of why the Celtics traded back in the stacked 2017 draft. Then, Ringer staff writer Mark Titus joins to discuss who won the trade between the Sixers and Celtics (46:00), Jayson Tatum's rookie of the year potential (43:00), Luke Kennard's NBA fit (56:00), Josh Jackson's desire to win the dunk contest (1:02:00), and NBA draft diaries (1:05:00). Finally, Bill's dad calls in to give the final verdict on Danny Ainge's draft record and decide whether the Celtics made the right move to trade the no. 1 pick (1:08:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Will Ferrell to discuss the NBA Finals (4:00), the cable TV domination of 'Step Brothers' (13:00), the amount of denials before 'Anchorman' was made (19:00), working on 'Old School' while on 'SNL' (26:00), flubbing his first line on 'SNL' (34:00), his favorite 'SNL' sketch (40:00), the modern 'SNL' format with big-name actors (48:00), filming a Lifetime movie with Kristen Wiig (53:00), the way his kids act with Will Ferrell as their dad (1:01:00), Lonzo Ball on the Lakers (1:11:00), and the chance LeBron comes to L.A. (1:15:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons reports live from Oakland with 2017 NBA Champion and Finals MVP Kevin Durant to discuss the initial moment right after the confetti fell in Oracle (3:30), running the pick-and-roll with Curry (12:00), the shot in Game 3 (23:00), appreciating LeBron's journey (28:15), Curry's high-level play in the playoffs (33:30), Kyrie's "bag full of tricks" (34:00), Obama's congratulatory text (43:30), the Warriors free agents this offseason (49:30), building winning habits with the Warriors (58:00), the nonsense of comparing different eras (1:04:00), Rasheed Wallace's stretch five game (1:08:30), three-on-three in the Olympics (1:20:00), Iguodala's big Game 5 dunk (1:25:00), and Patrick McCaw's bright future (1:29:15). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons reports live from the road to discuss the NBA Finals with help from his old friend Joe House. Topics include: Cleveland's historic Game 4 (5:00), Kyrie's similarities with Isiah Thomas (9:00), Durant's place amongst the greatest forwards in history (14:00), the superteam misconcepcion (21:00), LeBron's long-term game plan (29:00), Kevin Love on the trade block (37:00), the NBA Finals officiating(42:00), Blake Griffin's fit in Boston (52:30), pre-draft NBA trades (58:00), the Bad Boy Pistons vs. 2017 Warriors (1:06:00), and whether the Cavs can come back down 3-0 (1:11:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor to discuss the many rumors and rumblings surrounding the NBA. Topics include: Jerry West's interest in the Clippers (5:00), CP3's no-trade clause (12:00), Lonzo and the Lakers (18:00), possible Kings trade packages (30:30), Isaiah Thomas's trade potential (39:30), the Paul George situation (47:00), LeBron to the Lakers (55:00), and adjustments for the Cavs in Game 3 (1:05:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on James Corden to discuss bringing 'The Late Late Show' to London (02:00), moving to America (12:30), starting his show as an unknown (21:30), the development of "Carpool Karaoke" (26:30), the logistics of success within today's media landscape (30:30), the time he spanked Donald Trump on Broadway (42:00), and improving the election process (45:00). Then they dive into the World Cup (55:00), the popularity of soccer in the U.S. (56:00), Bono's advice to Chris Martin regarding fame (01:03:00), the importance of television today (01:05:00), and James's friendship with Adele (01:12:30). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Kevin O'Connor to discuss their initial reactions from Game 1 of the NBA Finals (5:00), Kevin Durant's comfort level (13:00), Curry's Game 7 redemption (19:00), LeBron matching Durant (22:00), and Kevin Hart's nicknames for the Cavs (27:00). Then, JackO joins to discuss his and Bill's 25th college reunion this weekend (32:00), Aaron Judge's absurd upside (46:00), and ways to rekindle the Yankees–Red Sox rivalry (55:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons makes his 2017 NBA Finals prediction. Then, Ice Cube joins in the studio to discuss collaborating on the 30 for 30 documentary 'Straight Outta L.A.' (23:00), the Lakers-Celtics rivalry in the ’80s (31:00), the growth of N.W.A (40:00), the importance of 'Boyz n the Hood' (49:00), the reason 'Straight Outta Compton' worked (55:00), 'No Vaseline' vs. 'Hit 'Em Up' (1:05:00), and the Big 3 basketball league (1:11:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Joe House and Bryan Curtis to talk about Tiger Woods's latest media frenzy (01:30) and make NBA Finals predictions (23:00). Finally, Bill and Bryan take time to remember the late Frank Deford (44:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by author Chuck Klosterman to discuss the recent passing of Chris Cornell (03:00), the importance of film soundtracks (10:00), if super-teams hurt the NBA overall (26:00), LeBron's legacy (40:00), the NFL's rule change on celebrations (57:00), and the conspiracy theory on Michael Jordan's first retirement (65:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices