The Bill Simmons Podcast

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by ESPN's Zach Lowe to discuss possible Chris Paul–Rockets contract decisions, Toronto's coaching situation, fixing the NBA playoffs, and the wildest NBA summer moves you'd actually believe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons talks with Jonathan Tjarks about the Eastern and Western Conference finals and NBA draft lottery candidates including Luka Doncic, Deandre Ayton, and Miles Bridges (3:00), Then Bill sits down with music legend and 45-plus-year Lakers season-ticket holder Lou Adler to talk about witnessing NBA history, the Roxy, some incredible Jack Nicholson stories, and more (38:30). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons gives his thoughts on the improbable Celtics run as he names the most improbable finals teams in NBA history (3:10). Then Bill calls up his dad to talk about Boston's victory in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals (24:38). Finally, Bill is joined by Shea Serrano to talk about YouTube Red's 'Cobra Kai,' liking Johnny Lawrence, '80s movies that need to be TV shows, and 'Den of Thieves' and other bank robbery films (58:45). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons calls up Cousin Sal to celebrate the Supreme Court's ruling on sports gambling in America. They talk about why this is so important, wonder what form sports gambling will take at places like 7-Eleven, and speculate on who the first person involved with a sports gambling scandal will be (2:50). Then, Bill sits down with actor Ethan Hawke to talk about the pre-internet era, sports movies, working with Robin Williams and Denzel Washington, quitting smoking, falling in love on set, and Ethan's new film, 'First Reformed,' written and directed by Paul Schrader. Then Ethan talks about how he lost his Knicks tickets, the progressiveness of the NBA, and accepting LeBron's greatness (23:05). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons calls Joe House to tell him that LeBron has jumped Bill Russell and is now no. 2 on his all-time list. They talk about today's conditioning and health knowledge versus other basketball eras, the 76ers-Celtics series, Raptors coach Dwane Casey getting fired, and fake trades for DeMar DeRozan (4:25). Finally, Bill connects with Boston Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck to talk about the franchise's strong roots, working with Danny Ainge, the Brooklyn trade, Boston's rookies, and more (58:55). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons connects with former Cleveland Cavaliers GM David Griffin to talk about the different levels of LeBron's game, the Kyrie Irving trade and its surrounding story lines, fixing the MVP award, LeBron's next move, and Kawhi Leonard (3:00). Then Bill calls up JackO to talk about the Red Sox–Yankees series, the NHL playoffs, Mike Francesa's return, and more (1:04:55). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons weighs in on Game 4 of Celtics-76ers and LeBron James's merciless play against the Raptors (3:15). Then Bill is joined by Ringer TV critic Alison Herman to talk about 'SNL,' its historic run, its recent seasons, and where it could go from here (21:35). Next he connects with staff writer Katie Baker to talk about the NHL playoffs, the Capitals beating the Penguins, the legacy of Alex Ovechkin, and the unlikelihood of a new expansion team taking a shot at the Stanley Cup (54:25). Finally he calls music critic Lindsay Zoladz to discuss Donald Glover's ascension to creative leader, Kanye West's legacy vs. his recent behavior, and more (116:15). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons connects with his dad to talk about the Celtics' second playoff win over the 76ers, how Philly can get back on track, the Red Sox, and (maybe) for the last time revisit the Patriots' 2018 draft picks (3:10). Then, Nathan Hubbard calls in to talk about his vision for next-gen ticket sales and his new company, Rival, as well as L.A. FC's new stadium, and being a sports parent (39:45), Finally, Bill talks with Mark Titus about the Rockets, the NBA's lackadaisical enforcement of traveling violations, the Pacers, the college basketball teams with the biggest persecution complexes, and Titus's bid to be head coach of the Chicago State men's basketball program (1:05:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons talks with ESPN's Brian Windhorst about how LeBron James seems to believe in this Cavs team once again, the different peaks of LeBron's career, the Celtics-76ers series, LeBron's "final act," Kawhi Leonard's future, and what a wild offseason the NBA is about to have. You can find the 'Melothon 2018' shirt at bit.ly/ringershop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Joe House to talk NBA playoffs, including the Wizards-Raptors series, and what the Bucks need to do in order to keep Giannis happy. The two also take a swing at how to fix OKC this summer, and talk about LeBron's superhuman performance in the Pacers-Cavs series (3:05). Then Bill connects with JackO to talk about the Yankees, Red Sox, the return of 'Jersey Shore', and the return of Mike Francesa to WFAN Sports Radio (1:00:55). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to talk about the first round of the NFL draft—from the quarterback selections to the merciless booing of Roger Goodell—and topics from the NBA playoffs, including: Jaylen Brown's potential, the Pelicans, Philly's chance to come out of the East, issues with the NBA lottery, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons talks about some NBA story lines, including the 76ers undoubtedly being playoff-ready, the Pacers-Cavs series, and Russell Westbrook's impact on the Thunder (6:25), Then Bill is joined by comedian and television star Jerrod Carmichael to talk about about music, Twitter, making TV shows, streaming services, and more (30:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons talks about a captivating NBA Playoffs first round (2:24) before sitting down with Viceland's Desus and Mero to discuss Yankees-Red Sox, Uber drivers, Kobe Bryant, The Knicks (of course), making TV shows, and getting to the bottom of the beef with The Breakfast Club's DJ Envy (18:50). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons connects with Chuck Klosterman to discuss Tiger Woods and his legacy through the lens of Jeff Benedict and Armen Keteyian's recent book 'Tiger Woods' (3:05); the NBA playoffs, including Anthony Davis and all five of Rajon Rondo's levels (42:20); and a quarterback-rich NFL draft (1:08:40). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons talks about the bleakest Patriots outlook in recent memory in the wake of Tom Brady's hesitation to sign a new contract (4:12). Then Bill is joined by colleague and Spurs fan Shea Serrano to further discuss the Kawhi Leonard situation (16:33) before talking about the best new action movies and sequel hopefuls (45:45). Warning: There is a lot of 'John Wick: Chapter 3' talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Joe House to talk NBA, including a breakout Giannis performance, the Knicks' hilarious coaching search, Kawhi Leonard and the Spurs, the 76ers-Heat series, and the Pacers' beatdown of the Cavs. Then they revisit the 'House of Carbs' NBA food cities pod with some feedback from the masses. You can find the official Ringer web store here: http://bit.ly/ringershop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to discuss the NBA playoff matchups. They talk gambling stay-aways, questionable coaching, and give their playoff predictions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's BIll Simmons is joined by Mike Francesa to talk about present and past Masters winners, the Yankees' slow start, the Red Sox's hot streak, other AL teams, NBA MVPs, the NBA playoffs, and what the first couple of picks in this year's NFL draft might look like (5:50). Then The Ringer's Alyssa Bereznak connects to talk about the Facebook scandal, Mark Zuckerberg's comments, and how to regulate the internet (1:08:20). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal to mull over the surprising success of the Philadelphia 76ers (03:30), Patrick Reed's win in Augusta (15:00), and 'WrestleMania 34' (21:00). Then, Bill and Sean Fennessey sit down with 'Andre the Giant' director Jason Hehir to discuss meeting with Vince McMahon (41:15), how important editing is to a documentary (01:07:45), Andre's sex life (01:15:00), interviewing Robin Wright (01:35:00), the use of narrators in documentaries (01:40:00), and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bill Simmons is joined by his dad and Joe House in Augusta, Georgia, after Round 1 of the Masters to talk about the remainder of the Celtics’ season without Kyrie Irving and the Eastern Conference playoffs before getting into their third day at Augusta National Golf Club (23:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices