The Bill Simmons Podcast

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by civil rights activist and podcaster DeRay Mckesson to discuss the great strides made by Campaign Zero in police reform, the NBA players’ decision to pause the playoffs in wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake, how NBA teams could make the greatest impact in their own cities, and more (5:50). Then Bill talks with Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated and DAZN about...

The Ringer’s Raja Bell and Logan Murdock react to the Clippers’ merciless win over the Mavericks, some heated exchanges on the court, Paul George’s postgame comments about being “checked out” in the bubble, the Nuggets pulling out a win vs. the Jazz, and more (2:18). Then Bill Simmons talks with The Ringer’s Jonathan Tjarks about the Thunder-Rockets Round 1 playoff series, what the 76ers should be...

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to discuss Luka Doncic and the Mavericks' win over the Clippers, tying the series at 2-2; the 76ers getting swept by the Celtics in another disappointing playoff exit; the Jazz working toward upsetting the Nuggets with another win; Round 2 speculations; teams that should be looking to trade in the offseason; Quarantine Corner; and more. Learn mo...

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Raja Bell, Ryen Russillo, and Kevin O’Connor discuss Tuesday first few days of NBA playoff basketball, and some of the top draft prospects, before reacting to the 2021 NBA Draft Lottery (4:35). Then talks with The Ringer’s Nora Princiotti about the approaching 2021 NFL season, how empty NFL stadiums could affect on field play, the “battle” for the Patriots st...

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Joe House fresh off of the Lakers' Round 1 loss to the Trail Blazers. They also discuss Bucks-Magic, Celtics-76ers, Heat-Pacers, Rockets-Thunder, Game 2 gambling odds, and more (1:55). Then Bill is joined by WWE legend turned executive, "The King of Kings" Triple H to discuss how the WWE adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic so quickly, the impact fans have on pro...

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to discuss the NBA’s delightful play-in game format for the bottom NBA playoff seeds (2:30). Then Bill shares his list of the 25 most intriguing people in the 2020 NBA playoffs (21:03). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Raja Bell to discuss the ferocity of Damian Lillard’s game, stories from playing with Allen Iverson and Steve Nash, what a Lakers–Trail Blazers Round 1 playoff series would look like, searching for consistency from Joel Embiid, and much more (3:43). Then Bill talks with his buddy JackO about the MLB, Giancarlo Stanton’s recent hamstring injury, Jose Altuve’s...

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Kevin Clark to discuss an unprecedented NFL season, the NFL draft, college coaches potentially signing on as consultants, the possibility of regular-season games during the week, a fundamental change to “home-field advantage,” and more (3:05). Then Bill is joined by actor and cannabis farmer Jim Belushi to discuss his new show on Discovery Channel, ‘Growing B...

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to discuss the increasingly grim outlook for college football in 2020 (2:20) and Collin Morikawa winning the PGA championship (18:10). They also discuss the excellent play of Luka Doncic, the red-hot Phoenix Suns, the unlucky 76ers, the Pelicans' breakdown, the Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard’s comments toward Paul George and Patrick Beverley, and...

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Joe House to discuss the surging Trail Blazers, who beat the Nuggets and Rockets in their last two games. They also discuss “wild-card guys,” including Michael Porter Jr., Fred VanVleet, Zach Collins, and Deandre Ayton; the disappointing Mavericks; the PGA Championship in San Francisco; and more (2:15). Finally Bill talks with comedian and actor Hannibal Bure...

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons talks with Warriors head coach Steve Kerr about the NBA restart, the evolution of basketball, the Warriors' (much needed) break from the NBA playoffs, scouting for the NBA draft during the pandemic, the NBA’s focus on social justice, reminiscing on his time with the Chicago Bulls after watching ‘The Last Dance,’ and more (5:00). Then Bill is joined by Nathan Hubbard to di...

The Ringer's Bill Simmons reunites with Ryen Russillo to talk NBA bubble basketball! They share some of the notable differences between traditional NBA games and bubble games; discuss Rockets-Bucks, Celtics–Trail Blazers, Pacers-76ers, and Lakers-Raptors; and answer the question "Who is the third-best team in the West?" Plus: the wild-card 76ers, the most fun playoffs matchups, sleeper teams, and...

The Ringer's Bill Simmons shares his thoughts on the NBA restart, including Lakers-Clippers, Pelicans-Jazz, the NBA broadcast, NBA awards, and more (4:40). Next he talks with NFL Network's Kyle Brandt about his new Ringer podcast '10 Questions With Kyle Brandt,' the seemingly precarious 2020 NFL season, Brandt's time on 'The Real World: Chicago,' the golden age of MTV's 'The Challenge,' the evolut...

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco of the ‘R2C2’ podcast to discuss MLB's shaky start to the season with multiple Miami Marlins players testing positive for COVID-19, how some of the concerns surrounding baseball can also be applied to the NFL, getting ready for the NBA restart, sports broadcasts during the pandemic, Ryan and CC’s dream podcast guests, and more (2:1...

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal and Joe House to preview the upcoming NBA season including NBA MVP, playoff seeding odds, underdogs to win the title, pandemic-specific prop bets, and championship favorites. Later, they get into the upcoming golf majors and break down their favorite players before closing the show with a new edition of Parent Corner. Learn more about your ad choic...

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by actor, comedian, and writer Andy Samberg to talk about his new movie ‘Palm Springs’ on Hulu, his time on ‘SNL,’ and the role YouTube played in The Lonely Island’s success. Later they talk about scary movies, Andy’s Bay Area sports allegiance, video games, and quarantine (3:02). Then Bill is joined by journalist James Andrew Miller to talk about the sixth chap...

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter to talk about the upcoming 2020 Celtics postseason, the Westbrook-Durant era in Oklahoma City, and his time on the Knicks and Trail Blazers (3:10) Later, Kanter opens up about fighting for freedom, democracy, and human rights in Turkey (49:55). Then Johnny Bananas joins the show fresh off establishing his legacy as 'The Chall...

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Yahoo senior NBA reporter Chris Haynes from inside the NBA bubble in Orlando to give us the scoop on how things are going. They discuss how the league has been administering the quarantine inside the bubble, why players decided it was in their best interest to play, Chris’s start in journalism, and covering the Cavaliers and Warriors during their rivalry (3:1...

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by ESPN’s Mina Kimes to discuss a new look for the Patriots with Cam Newton at the helm, some teams that probably should have tried to sign Newton, great NFL head coaches, uncertainty surrounding the 2020-21 NFL season, and more (2:54). Then Bill talks with his old friend JackO to discuss the MLB’s plans for a shortened 2020-21 season, the gripping reboot of ‘Un...

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by NBA insider Shams Charania to discuss the NBA restart, its implications for the 2021 salary cap, journalism in the Orlando bubble, and more (4:17). Then Bill talks with former editor in chief of The Hollywood Reporter, Matthew Belloni, about the short-form video platform Quibi, some of its missteps, and ways it could rally back (54:05). Learn more about your...

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by two-time NBA champion and sports commentator Kenny "The Jet" Smith to discuss what makes 'Inside the NBA' so authentic, stories from the 1994 and 1995 Finals runs, Hakeem Olajuwon, ESPN's 'The Last Dance,' and more (3:10). Next, Bill talks with actor, producer, and writer Will Ferrell about quarantine family time; youth soccer; HBO's 'Succession'; LAFC; his n...

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to discuss the Patriots signing QB Cam Newton to a one-year deal (2:09) before revisiting a defining moment in 2010: LeBron James and ‘The Decision’ (50:56). Finally they look at the 2010 NBA draft and discuss some of its subplots, draft comedy, and NBA legends before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks (1:16:09). Learn more about your ad choice...

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by actor Don Cheadle to discuss some of his iconic films, including 'Boogie Nights,' 'Out of Sight,' 'Crash,' and 'Hotel Rwanda,' playing Sammy Davis Jr. in HBO's 'The Rat Pack,' Black actors and storytellers in Hollywood, working on TV and films during the pandemic, his Showtime series 'Black Monday,' and more (6:00). Then Bill talks with actor Rob Lowe about j...

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to talk about their early years in podcasts and radio, respectively (3:10). Then they revisit the 2008 NBA draft and discuss some of its subplots, draft comedy, and NBA legends before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks (40:33). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by NBA veteran and New Orleans Pelican JJ Redick to discuss some of the challenges of staying NBA-ready during the pandemic, the benefits of regimented training and recovery, thoughts on the “Orlando bubble,” LeBron’s gravitas among NBA players, the playoffs format, and more (1:44). Then Bill talks with screenwriter and former entertainment journalist Cord Jeffe...