The Bill Simmons Podcast Most Surprising NBA Player Leaps With Tim Legler, Plus NFL Holiday Picks With Joe House
92 snips
Dec 23, 2025 
Tim Legler, a former NBA player and savvy analyst, shares insights on surprising team performances, spotlighting the Celtics' similarities to last year's Pacers. He evaluates standout players and discusses the pressures of the trade deadline. Joe House, a sports writer and betting expert, joins to offer his Ringer 107 NFL holiday picks, emphasizing matchups like Panthers vs. Seahawks. The duo dives into festive betting strategies and speculates on players’ impacts in the ongoing seasons.
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Use Warm Road Trips To Reset
- Prioritize rest and manage travel during winter road trips to avoid midseason performance drops.
- Legler points out warm-city road trips (Miami, Orlando) can recharge players and improve on-court feel.
Don't Panic During The Dog Days
- Expect midseason lulls and fatigue from the dog days; front offices often overreact with trades during this stretch.
- Tim Legler advises teams to avoid panicked roster changes during the 15–20 game winter stretch.
Jalen Johnson's Rapid Rise
- Tim Legler's first pick for underrated leaps is Jalen Johnson, noting he now looks like the team's primary creator.
- Legler compares Johnson's recent stat-stretches to elite stat nights reminiscent of Luka or Jokic.