The Bill Simmons Podcast

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons breaks down the reasons why the NBA playoff format needs to be dramatically different (5:00). Then, Cousin Sal hops on the line to give his thoughts on the Winter Olympics (27:00), the NBA All-Star Game (34:00), and early Oscars picks (42:00). Finally, Rockets GM Daryl Morey joins to detail his journey through the NBA ranks and the importance of analytics in his life (56:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Nuggets forward Richard Jefferson to discuss his new life in Denver (6:00), Jamal Murray's potential (12:00), Luke Walton vs. LaVar Ball (22:00), the most impressive rookie in the NBA (30:00), the LeBron GM narrative (38:00), Kyrie Irving's ability to lead (46:00), the IT situation in Cleveland (56:00), and the best NBA teammates (1:04:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by talent manager Scooter Braun, who discusses his upbringing around basketball (6:00), the cyclical nature of music (16:00), the decision to roast Justin Bieber (23:00), Kanye's creativity (30:00), the narcissistic nature of superstardom (48:00), the best basketball players in music (1:08:00), and the struggles of safety on tour (1:18:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Fox Sports host Rob Stone to discuss the new U.S. Soccer president (6:00). Then, JackO joins to give a full update on all the happenings of the Winter Olympics (26:00). Then, Bill's dad hops on the line to give his takeaways from Paul Pierce's jersey retirement in Boston (45:00). And finally, Boston radio host Kirk Minihane runs through the hottest story lines and the shifting culture in Boston sports (1:01:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by his old ESPN buddy Ryen Russillo to discuss Isaiah Thomas's value in the NBA today (6:00), OKC's positive outlook for keeping Paul George (13:00), the pitfalls of the NBA salary spike (20:00), LeBron's new teammates (34:00), LeBron's next move (54:00), and the impressive upcoming 2018 NBA draft (1:06:00). Then, another former ESPNer, Tom Haberstroh, offers his thoughts on who won the trade deadline and the one trade that didn't happen that should have. Finally, Joe House hops on the line to give his opinion on what it would take for the Wizards to give up John Wall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Wall Street Journal sports columnist Jason Gay and Ringer editor-at-large Bryan Curtis to discuss new media's impact on Super Bowl LII coverage (8:00), broadcast experimentation in the NBA (22:00), the best announcing teams (38:00), Chris Berman's return (52:00), and reasons to not care about the 2018 Winter Olympics (1:01:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal to discuss the bad matchups for the Pats (5:00), Doug Pederson's MVP coaching (12:00), the strip sack on Brady (18:00), the Malcolm Butler mystery (24:00), the future of the Pats defense (32:00), Nick Foles's next move (41:00), the Super Bowl odds for next season (52:00), and another edition of "Parent Corner" (1:02:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Mike Francesa to discuss the latest 30 for 30, on Bill Belichick and Bill Parcells (7:00), the Mount Rushmore of NFL coaches (18:00), the media coverage of Super Bowls (28:00), Eli Manning's fourth-quarter magic (34:00), and picks for Sunday's final showdown (58:00). Then, Vince Staples joins to give his thoughts on the Blake Griffin trade and the state of Clippers fandom (1:04:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by 'Black on the Air' host Larry Wilmore to discuss the young L.A. Lakers under Luke Walton (6:00), George Gervin's playground game (15:00), Blake Griffin's goodbye (25:00), N.Y. traffic vs. L.A. traffic (34:00), the age of "agreement culture" (42:00), the power of differing opinions (50:00), and Kendrick Lamar's accessibility (1:05:00). Then The Ringer's Juliet Litman joins to discuss all things 'Bachelor' (1:11:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal to discuss surefire Super Bowl prop bets (10:00), LeBron's Lakers odds (20:00), Ronda Rousey at Royal Rumble (34:00), and another edition of "Parent Corner" (38:00). Then, Oscar-winning actor J.K. Simmons joins to discuss HBO's first great drama, 'Oz' (54:00), Kevin Costner's magical arm in 'For Love of the Game,' and the making of 'Whiplash' (1:24:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices