The Bill Simmons Podcast A Loaded NBA Draft Debate, Wemby’s Finals Shadow, and Fun MLB Story Lines With Tate Frazier, J. Kyle Mann, and Billy Gil
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Feb 25, 2026 
J. Kyle Mann, basketball reporter who breaks down prospects, and Tate Frazier, college scout and podcaster, debate a chaotic top-four draft and whether elite hopefuls match their high school tape. Billy Gil, baseball writer and fantasy analyst, walks through spring training quirks, ABS replay impacts, and fun MLB storylines to fake baseball savvy this season.
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Unusually Tight Top Of 2026 Draft
- This draft class has an unusually tight top cluster where AJ DeBansa, Darren Peterson, and Cam Boozer each offer distinct high-ceiling profiles.
- Scouts saw all four (including Cooper) together at McDonald's All‑American and noted unique strengths and competitiveness that keep them all in top‑three debates.
Why Darren Peterson Became A Polarizing Prospect
- Darren Peterson's college season is polarizing because his high school dominance hasn't consistently shown at Kansas, sparking injury, motivation, and destination theories.
- Observers note flashes (18‑point first half) and long stretches of low activity, plus family/agent dynamics creating fog around his true status.
How Kansas Changed Peterson's Shot Profile
- Peterson's shot profile at Kansas shifted dramatically: only 14% rim shots and ~41% above‑the‑break threes, turning him into a movement shooter unlike his high‑school downhill profile.
- That statistical change explains perceived loss of explosiveness and why Kansas fits (playing off the ball) alter scouts' reads.
