The Bill Simmons Podcast

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Celtics All-Star Isaiah Thomas to discuss his recent success (02:00), dealing with larger players' physicality (05:00), the polarizing Marcus Smart (14:00), his favorite NBA teams (16:30), the best players from Washington state (19:00), All-Star Weekend (25:30), meeting Tom Brady (29:00), Floyd Mayweather's fandom (32:00), Iverson comparisons (38:00), and the Celtics' title chances (46:00). Then, Ringer writer Shea Serrano joins to give his thoughts on 'John Wick: Chapter 2' (57:00), who owns the action hero championship belt (1:12:00), and Keanu Reeves's next chapter (1:17:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons sits down with Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton to discuss growing up in the Boston Garden (2:00), his father's reaction to Luke's getting a head coaching job with the Lakers (10:00), his rookie season with teammates Shaq, Kobe, Karl Malone, and Gary Payton (12:30), the chemistry of last year's Golden State Warriors (16:30), working with Magic Johnson (40:00), what he learned from Phil Jackson (52:00), and his 20-year, friendly rivalry with Richard Jefferson (59:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons ventures over to 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' to discuss the Oscars Best Picture mix-up (5:00), Ryan Gosling laughing (13:00), Cousin Sal's bad beats (16:00), Jimmy's near-death experience during rehearsal (25:00), behind-the-scenes Oscars insight (33:00), Jimmy's next hosting gig (44:00), and Jimmy's favorite fast food items (52:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on New York Times critic-at-large Wesley Morris and Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey to discuss the Best Picture fiasco (6:00), Casey Affleck's win (13:00), 'La La Land' losing (19:00), the Oscars voting process (24:00), and the 'Sully' snub (31:00). Then, they talk about 'Moonlight' moments (37:00), the 2012 Oscars (45:00), Netflix's model vs. traditional movies (54:00), and the best movies of 2017 so far (1:02:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Joe House, Chris Ryan, and Kevin O'Connor to discuss Boogie's impact on the Pelicans (8:00), Brandon Ingram's potential (12:00), Paul George vs. Jimmy Butler (18:00), GMs using the trade machine (28:00), the Nerlens Noel trade (34:00), Jrue Holiday's value (44:00), the top players in the 2017 draft (54:00), P.J. Tucker's impact on the Raptors (1:05:00), Finals scenarios (1:09:00), and Andrew Bogut's next destination (1:14:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Stratechery founder Ben Thompson to discuss the Apple–LeBron James comparison (6:00), Netflix's dominance (14:00), Hulu's handicap (21:00), Twitter's lack of evolution (27:00), Facebook and Google's advertising strategy (37:00), Slack's upside (43:00), and the perks of living in Taiwan (52:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Clippers guard J.J. Redick to discuss Doc Rivers's offense in L.A. (6:00), the 2009 Finals (14:00), is this the last dance for the Clippers? (19:00), the 3-point revolution (28:00), Bradley Beal's skill set (34:00), the UNC-Duke rivalry (39:00), Magic Johnson taking over the Lakers (48:00), the best non-Warriors team (55:00), ways to beat the Warriors (1:02:00), and the best unicorns in the NBA (1:08:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Malcolm Gladwell to discuss Dwight Howard's and Carmelo Anthony's main problem (6:00), the 3-point evolution (13:00), Jim Dolan's rich-son complex (24:00), Seattle SuperSonics–expansion-team scenarios (34:00), basketball in the center of culture (42:00), 'Battle of the Network Stars' (54:00), the need for candid athletes (1:03:00), Magic Johnson's new job (1:07:00), and the staleness of tennis (1:14:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Ringer staff writer Kevin Clark to discuss the trade of Serge Ibaka (5:00), Rob Hennigan's coaching hires (10:00), the only Magic players worth keeping (15:00), and Bill Belichick's draft-day trades (21:00). Then, Sean Grande, the voice of the Boston Celtics, joins to discuss potential Celtics deals (26:00), Isaiah Thomas's miraculous fourth quarters (31:30), Iverson vs. Isaiah (38:00), how playing style has changed in the NBA (45:00), Marcus Smart's value (53:00), Jaylen Brown's rookie season (57:00), and Andre the Giant at MSG (1:00:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on 'Billions' creator Brian Koppelman to discuss Jim Dolan's Fredo complex (5:00), Phil Jackson's influence on the Knicks (14:00), the greatest moment in Knicks history (20:00), Season 2 of 'Billions' (28:00), and the potential of a 'Rounders' sequel (38:00). Then, The Ringer's David Shoemaker joins to discuss the Andre the Giant documentary announcement (50:00) and preview 'WrestleMania 33' (1:02:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Warriors forward Kevin Durant to discuss his favorite thing about his new team (6:00), LeBron-Barkley beef (12:00), James Harden's leap (19:00), Durant's rivalry with LeBron (29:00), and what Thunder teammate he misses the most (38:00). Then, Roc Nation Sports agent Rich Kleiman joins to talk the 2012 Finals (54:00), "Waiters Island" (61:00), and his most comparable player (68:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr to discuss the "supervillains" narrative (5:00), back problems in 2015 (8:00), Pat Riley's "disease of more" after championship runs (11:30), Steph Curry's magic (15:00), and John Stockton's dirtiness (18:00). They also tackle Luke Walton's impact on the Warriors (23:00), Durant-Curry growing pains (27:00), chasing 73 wins last season (33:00), the dysfunctional "Jail Blazers" (40:00), and social awareness in the NBA (43:00). Last, they address the Michael Jordan–Tom Brady comparison (51:00), the Chargers leaving San Diego (56:00), and the Warriors' move to San Francisco (59:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Mike Lombardi to break down the Patriots' incredible comeback and pinpoint where the momentum shifted (01:50). Then, Cousin Sal calls in to discuss how some outrageous prop bets paid off (27:55). Finally, Bill calls his dad to describe just how important this victory is to Boston (59:50). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Ringer editor-at-large Bryan Curtis to discuss the emotional roller coaster of re-watching Super Bowls (6:00), Chris Berman's farewell (14:00), the end of the highlight era (21:00), Bill's first time meeting Berman (28:00), Berman's ESPN documentary (34:00), NFL Network's relationship with Berman (40:00), and the "stick to sports" audience in the current political climate (52:00). Then, Mike Lombardi hops on to give his final Super Bowl prediction (1:07:00), explain why the Falcons defense doesn't pose new problems for Brady (1:14:00), and the Falcons' "Nobody believes in us" card (1:20:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Chris Ryan and Rembert Browne to discuss ‘White Men Can’t Jump,’ the fourth inductee into the Sports Movie Hall of Fame. They cover Woody Harrelson’s hustling tactics (6:00), Wesley Snipes’s height (11:00), Rosie Perez’s polarizing character (17:00), the essence of pickup basketball (26:00), Woody’s fashion (30:00), Wesley Snipes’s career trajectory (37:00), the black actor championship belt (44:00), 'New Jack City' power rankings (48:00), and the premise of the remake (52:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Cousin Sal and Mike Lombardi to discuss all things prop bets for Super Bowl LI. Topics include: high-scoring teams' historical Super Bowl record (6:00), the origin of the "Matty Ice" nickname (12:00), Gatorade colors (15:00), Belichick's kickoff deferrals (21:00), first TD scored (27:00), Desmond Trufant's injury (34:00), Matt Ryan's passing yardage (38:00), Julio Jones's breakout potential (44:00), John Lynch's hiring (49:00), Tony Romo's likely release (54:00), the MVP race (57:00), and the Gary Russell prop bet of the year (68:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Joe House to discuss the Bulls meltdown (5:00), Bill's six best made-up Carmelo trades to the Clippers and Cavs (15:00), and Melo's sneaky-best dark horse destination (32:00). Then, former Grantlander Rembert Browne joins to discuss the greatest sports moments in Atlanta history (35:00), the goodwill of Gucci Mane's release (46:00), Matty Ice in the Super Bowl (50:00), Pats-Falcons fanbases (54:00), and Super Bowl predictions (1:02:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by comedian and fellow Bostonian Bill Burr to discuss the joys of parenthood (6:00), Wayne Gretzky's interview style (11:00), the "Big Bad Bruins" (15:00), NBA rivalries (20:00), the Mount Rushmore of TV actors (25:00), Lakers fans claiming Minneapolis titles (33:00), the Belichick-Brady era (37:00), Michael Jackson's impact on the Pats' ownership (45:00), PED usage in sports (49:00), Super Bowl LI (54:00), and Derek Jeter's majesty (1:02:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons calls on Cousin Sal to discuss the Pats-Falcons Super Bowl matchup (5:00), the disappointing NFL playoffs (13:00), whether Tom Brady is the best QB ever (18:00), Tony Romo's trade value (20:20), the Pats' continuity (25:00), Matt Ryan's MVP candidacy (28:00), the Super Bowl LI line (30:00), and Kansas-Kentucky this weekend (33:00). Then, Wesley Morris of The New York Times joins to discuss his Oscar nominations (40:25), the Best Picture buzz surrounding 'Deadpool' (53:50), Tom Ford's directorial taste (58:00), the category fallacies (1:01:00), O.J.'s best movie bid (1:05:00), subplots of the Oscars (1:14:00), and whether weird movies are on the way (1:17:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by ‘Late Night’ host Seth Meyers and ‘Good Place’ creator Michael Schur to discuss this weekend's AFC championship game between the Patriots and Steelers (3:00), the baseball Hall of Fame and MVP award debates (33:48), and working with Lorne Michaels on 'SNL' (42:20). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices