The Bill Simmons Podcast Why Can’t the NBA Actually Fix the NBA? Plus, Super Bowl Hangover Stuff With Nick Wright and Bill’s Dad.
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Feb 11, 2026 
Bill’s Dad, a lifelong Boston sports fan who reacts to Patriots and Celtics highs and lows. Nick Wright, Fox Sports commentator known for bold NFL and NBA takes. They spar over Super Bowl comparisons, Drake Maye’s playoff questions, radical fixes for NBA All-Star Weekend and league problems like tanking, schedule and commissioner enforcement.
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Edge-Based All-Star Games Could Work
- A contrast game built on cultural or stylistic edges (e.g., European stars vs. US stars) could restore competitive intensity.
- Nick Wright thinks clear, provocative team identities would make All-Star Games meaningful again.
Big Deals Don't Solve Structural Risks
- The NBA risks long-term decline despite record media deals because fan experience, star availability, and season length are deteriorating.
- Nick warns leagues can lose prominence; proactive rule changes matter more than short-term revenue.
Use Rules To Align Style And Spectacle
- Change incentives by rewarding different styles: let teams set home three-point arcs or give dunks extra value to prioritize athleticism.
- Use rule tweaks to align what wins with what grows the game's appeal.