The Bill Simmons Podcast

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons reports live from the road to discuss the NBA Finals with help from his old friend Joe House. Topics include: Cleveland's historic Game 4 (5:00), Kyrie's similarities with Isiah Thomas (9:00), Durant's place amongst the greatest forwards in history (14:00), the superteam misconcepcion (21:00), LeBron's long-term game plan (29:00), Kevin Love on the trade block (37:00), the NBA Finals officiating(42:00), Blake Griffin's fit in Boston (52:30), pre-draft NBA trades (58:00), the Bad Boy Pistons vs. 2017 Warriors (1:06:00), and whether the Cavs can come back down 3-0 (1:11:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor to discuss the many rumors and rumblings surrounding the NBA. Topics include: Jerry West's interest in the Clippers (5:00), CP3's no-trade clause (12:00), Lonzo and the Lakers (18:00), possible Kings trade packages (30:30), Isaiah Thomas's trade potential (39:30), the Paul George situation (47:00), LeBron to the Lakers (55:00), and adjustments for the Cavs in Game 3 (1:05:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on James Corden to discuss bringing 'The Late Late Show' to London (02:00), moving to America (12:30), starting his show as an unknown (21:30), the development of "Carpool Karaoke" (26:30), the logistics of success within today's media landscape (30:30), the time he spanked Donald Trump on Broadway (42:00), and improving the election process (45:00). Then they dive into the World Cup (55:00), the popularity of soccer in the U.S. (56:00), Bono's advice to Chris Martin regarding fame (01:03:00), the importance of television today (01:05:00), and James's friendship with Adele (01:12:30). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Kevin O'Connor to discuss their initial reactions from Game 1 of the NBA Finals (5:00), Kevin Durant's comfort level (13:00), Curry's Game 7 redemption (19:00), LeBron matching Durant (22:00), and Kevin Hart's nicknames for the Cavs (27:00). Then, JackO joins to discuss his and Bill's 25th college reunion this weekend (32:00), Aaron Judge's absurd upside (46:00), and ways to rekindle the Yankees–Red Sox rivalry (55:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons makes his 2017 NBA Finals prediction. Then, Ice Cube joins in the studio to discuss collaborating on the 30 for 30 documentary 'Straight Outta L.A.' (23:00), the Lakers-Celtics rivalry in the ’80s (31:00), the growth of N.W.A (40:00), the importance of 'Boyz n the Hood' (49:00), the reason 'Straight Outta Compton' worked (55:00), 'No Vaseline' vs. 'Hit 'Em Up' (1:05:00), and the Big 3 basketball league (1:11:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Joe House and Bryan Curtis to talk about Tiger Woods's latest media frenzy (01:30) and make NBA Finals predictions (23:00). Finally, Bill and Bryan take time to remember the late Frank Deford (44:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by author Chuck Klosterman to discuss the recent passing of Chris Cornell (03:00), the importance of film soundtracks (10:00), if super-teams hurt the NBA overall (26:00), LeBron's legacy (40:00), the NFL's rule change on celebrations (57:00), and the conspiracy theory on Michael Jordan's first retirement (65:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by comedian Bill Burr to discuss his love for hockey (10:00), the great food in Winnipeg (15:00), the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry (23:00), the major changes at Fenway (34:00), the weirdness of hockey (41:00), Kelly Olynyk's Game 7 (53:00), Chris Farley's comedic intensity (1:02:00), the potential for R-rated sports channels (1:17:00), Paul Pierce's farewell (1:21:00), and Trump's international tour (1:25:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on his dad to discuss the Celtics' worse playoff losses (5:00), Isaiah Thomas's injury (12:00), the free throw differential in the Eastern Conference finals (17:00), Avery Bradley's magic (21:00), LeBron in Jordan territory (28:00), Kyrie's improved play vs. Curry (34:00), and Kevin Love's impact on the series (37:00). Then, 'Daily Show' correspondent Hasan Minhaj joins to give his thoughts on his new Netflix special (42:00), the innovation of comedy specials (50:00), hosting the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner (55:00), the 2002 Western Conference finals (1:00:00), Vivek's ownership (1:10:00), Kings fans losing Boogie Cousins (1:14:00), Jeremy Lin's run in New York (1:18:00), the Warriors bandwagon in the Bay (1:24:00), and the Cavs' lackluster defense (1:27:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is LeBron a baby? Could Boston trade for Anthony Davis? Is James Harden the Peyton Manning of basketball? Are the Lakers really taking Lonzo? What should Chargers fans do? Why are dogs allowed on airplanes? Earl Woods vs. LaVar? Did karma injure Kawhi? Who is 2017's Jerome James? Was the Boogie trade good for the Kings? How tall is Dom? What's the opening scene of a Clippers 30 for 30? Where will CP3's Clips statue go? Is it OK for Pop to be mean? Is CT one of the greatest Boston athletes ever? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Mark Titus to break down last night's draft lottery (02:00), if Markelle Fultz is definitely going to be a Celtic (11:30), what Lonzo Ball's draft declaration says about him (15:00), players who could be the second pick (28:00), and Malik Monk's stock (31:00). Then Titus shares stories about growing up with Gordon Hayward (36:00) and playing on the first team that Brad Stevens ever coached (38:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Joe House to discuss Game 7 of Celtics-Wizards (02:00), John Wall's performance in the series (07:00), who Scott Brooks trusted (15:00), a rested LeBron in the Eastern Conference finals (30:00), James Harden and the regular-season MVP vote (34:00), the Western Conference finals without Kawhi Leonard (41:00), and Tuesday night's fascinating NBA draft lottery (49:30). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Emmy Award–winning comedian Aziz Ansari to discuss shooting the second season of 'Master of None' in Italy (5:00), taking intense Italian lessons (15:00), directing modern Woody Allen moments (24:00), improvising scenes in auditions (29:30), hosting 'SNL' for the first time (33:00), stand-up at the Comedy Cellar (38:00), living outside the internet outrage cycle (43:00), working with Lorne Michaels (48:00), the untimely passing of Harris Wittels (53:45), shooting the 'Otis' video with Kanye and Jay Z (1:04:00), listening to Kanye albums before their release (1:08:00), Kanye and Jay's humorous side (1:12:00), the first time meeting Dave Chappelle (1:19:00), and the 'Girls' series finale internet controversy (1:25:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons celebrates 10 years of podcasting by bringing on 'B.S. Report' Hall of Famer Adam Carolla to discuss Sylvester Stallone's 1980s cop thriller 'Cobra' (9:00), the best '80s montages (14:00), the lifestyle of liking "bad movies" (28:00), Tom Hanks in 'Cast Away' (33:00), hanging out with Helen Hunt (39:00), the start of the 'Fast' franchise (44:00), the plot holes in 'Furious 7' (49:00), Vin Diesel's global lifestyle (1:02:00), Charlize Theron in 'Fate of the Furious' (1:11:00), and the perfect plot for the ninth 'Fast' movie (1:17:00). 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 the end of ESPN's 'The Sports Reporters' (5:00), LaVar Ball's impact on Lonzo Ball's draft stock (15:00), ESPN's priorities in today's media landscape (24:00), ESPN's attachment to live sports (34:00), the future of ESPN2 (39:00), Adrian Wojnarowski's rivalry with ESPN (48:00), the ESPN news ticker (55:00), the value of good writing in any medium (1:02:00), and parting shots on The Players' Tribune (1:07:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Michael Rapaport to discuss the uninspiring NBA playoffs (5:00), the upcoming 'NBA Awards' show (11:00), Kelly Olynyk's man bun (17:00), Phil Jackson's problems in New York (26:00), overhyping 'Hamilton' (33:30), Chris Paul's overrated status (38:00), Ty Lue complaining (41:00), reporter questions for Popovich and Belichick (44:00), LeBron's ability to avoid injury (49:00), A-Rod's stickman status (52:00), beefing with Dan Le Batard (1:02:00), and shooting 'True Romance' scenes with Christian Slater (1:13:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by 'South Park' cocreators Matt Stone and Trey Parker to discuss writing the show during the 2016 election (6:00), their show's similarities with 'SNL' (13:00), the NYT's 'Ghostbusters' review (19:00), the difference between humor and trolling (28:00), Bill Hader's increased involvement with the show (35:00), streaming 'South Park' (43:00), having creative free rein (47:00), the rivalry between Butters and Cartman (51:00), the sheer amount of powerful companies in the tech industry (55:00), beefing with Sean Penn (1:01:00), their desire to do another movie (1:06:00), and what's next on Season 21 of 'South Park.' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons welcomes longtime friend of the show Joe House to discuss the CP3 era in L.A. (5:00), sign-and-trade options for Blake Griffin (18:00), reasons to reassemble the Clippers' core (21:00), Stockton-CP3 comparisons (29:00), Wizards-Celtics (32:00), Ian Mahinmi's struggles (38:00), Al Horford’s impact (44:00), the odds of a Warriors sweep (48:00), Gordon Hayward's free agency (52:00), Raptors-Cavs (58:00), Harden's sloppiness (1:04:00), Aldridge's future with the Spurs (1:08:00), and series predictions (1:12:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Kevin O'Connor to break down the somewhat-uneventful first round of the NBA playoffs (01:00), Game 6 for Chris Paul (05:30), Golden State's chance at sweeping the playoffs (11:30), what's wrong with James Harden (15:30), a must-win game for the Celtics against the Bulls (22:00), and the Raptors eliminating the Bucks (30:00). Then, Mike Lombardi joins the show to talk about Mitchell Trubisky and the Bears (41:00), the Panthers taking Christian McCaffrey (57:30), the Texans taking Deshaun Watson (60:00), and Al Davis's eating schedule (1:11:30). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons welcomes back Cousin Sal to discuss potential NFL draft prop bets (4:00), the backup QB conundrum (10:00), the Pats' sneaky-good picks (16:00), a potential Jimmy G draft-day trade (19:30), the Warriors' 16-0 potential (28:00), Edmonton's Stanley Cup odds (32:55), and betting on the writers' strike (36:00). Then, two-weight world champion boxer Andre Ward joins (40:10) to discuss his Olympic gold medal in Athens (45:00), 12 rounds vs. 15 rounds (51:00), fighting Sergey Kovalev (58:00), contemplating retirement in 2014 (1:04:00), the rematch with Kovalev (1:14:00), the best Bay Area athletes (1:17:00), his favorite legendary fights (1:21:00), and the Raiders' exit from Oakland (1:25:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices