Got to meet Bill Simmons at Summer League a few years ago. Nice man. Told him I had been reading his articles for 15 years. My first one was when he took a trip to the Denver All-star Game and they screwed up his flight. High comedy

Love how Russillo lol'd at House unironically saying Memphis was gonna catch some bodies this year, then knew better to react when House continued on to say "Memphis has never had a shooter like Kennard." That's how you read a room, people

Love the Verno from Simmons 😂

First i listened to the 3 part podcast, now i get to watch the goat-podcast- trio in flash. What a treat! Best podcast pairing in my book, the banter is priceless. Greats from Munich, keep on the good work, guys!!

House said, "catch some bodies" he should've said no pun intended 🤣🤣

It's funny hearing Russillo's Memphis take considering the Steven Adams news two days after the pod came out.

The number 1 thing I took from this pod was "How can Bill be so wrong about the offer?! " Loved that show!

House and Rusillo obviously didn’t understand how important a team’s best player is. Thinking over despite losing Ja for 25 games is insane in hindsight and at the time.

As a Mavs fan I gave no idea what to expect from Kyrie and I don't know how they'll defend against these Frontcourts in the West with Lively developing for a few years.

I don’t think bill gives GMs enough credit. He consistently says they “lucked into trades.” You have to give these guys some credit for doing their job well on trades

i actually think memphis are going to win alot of games without JA, i think over is a safe bet, young teams are good for regular season wins bc they play hard and marcus smart actually a solid replacement for 25 games and some of his offensive stuff is quite underrated if you look at the point per possesion numbers

I’m always amazed at Bill Simmons’ lack of Memphis knowledge when he can get Chris Vernon on the phone.

I got the spurs at 40+ wins this year

Why Magic Look Like That In The Back 😂 Love The Work 💯

Lived in Memphis for the past 6 years, grew up in Pittsburgh a Knicks fan, have officially adopted the Griz. Homecourt advantage is real, never seen anybody in person quite like Ja. They've got the bad boys role out of their system, they now get to play the underdog role. Will win division, will win a playoff series.

was curious to hear their take on brandon clarke. i think hes a huge piece thats coming back that was out most of the year for memphis

6:05 😂😂😂😂😂

Rooting for Memphis feels like rooting for the cousin who's getting out of prison and trying to start over for the third time. You hope he gets along with his PO, realizes his potential and stops breaking into drug stores, but.

Predicting the Pelicans to have more wins than the Mavs.... LMAO

I dunno why you are all just assuming Stevem Adams is starting the year when he said at Media Day that he was not ready.

No throw away with Wemby.... SAS WANTED to lose last year, they could have won 2-8 more if they wanted to win. ZachC is like a 23 year old having missed 2 years of injury so has desire... Going to blast... They know they have to win as VWemby is not patient... and wants to play and win... Coach even consults with VW about some decisions... They will do anything to keep VW happy. Deep? SAS 2nd team scorch Houston's 1st team....

I think 55-60 games of Wemby is worth 7 more wins based largely on his defensive impact.

Two weeks later I think there are some regrets on these takes already.

While I largely agree with Simmons about Kyrie, he was very good in the 2020-21 season. Not saying he’s ever normal, but he was good that season and playoffs until he came down on a dude’s ankle.

What did Mark Cuban do to Bill to make him this bias against the Mavs. Or does he actually hate Kyrie that much

Much to be said abt Kyrie but the games he missed last year were due more to NYC vax mandates that have since been ruled unconstitutional and BKLYN ownership caring more abt the ADL than winning

We don't know where Zion is athletically yet either. He might not be the same but we don't know how much. His senior year of highschool, he wasn't jumping like he was at Duke either cause he was hurt his junior year. Still he gets hurt way to much.

I'm confused at the way Magic looks behind Bill. Has that late stage Mirza Teletovic build.

Ja, Simmons, harden, Zion, Kyrie too 5 get your shit together list

Man I dont get excited about the start of the NBA season like I used to a few years ago 😔

Steven Adams out for the season now

Petition to go back to using 'injured' as the master term instead of 'healthy.' Ryen saying 'unhealthy' to mean not injured is the nadir

The luka hate is crazy from Bill. I heard him say luka ball dosnt work in the playoffs. Luka has only had one playoff series he wasnt a massive underdog in (UTA '22) and they won that. They also beat a 62 win team with 'Luka ball.' The reason mavs arnt winning championships they were one of the worst teams in the league with no youth in 2017 luka was drafted in 2018 and mavs gave their 2019 pick to get him. His rookie year (2019) they were a lottery team but didnt have a pick. Then every other year they were to good and had late first round pick

Steven Adams being out again really sucks

25 games should get the point hammered home though. Kid didn't wanna listen before. Might listen now.

4:25 😂😂😂

Lets not forget memphis has a pretty easy schedule the first 25 games. I wouldnt be surprised if they are 14-11 when ja comes back. I also dont think they are weaker than last year. Aldama, ziaire and even bane will be better this year. I think the elephant in the room is the health of adams

This just tells me they aren’t Wembelievers

nobody talk about cj really make me mad want he become all star and shake this league this year

Jalen Brunson fits with Luka.

Only question that matters is if Zion healthy.

Different to everybody else I'm proud of Zion Williamson. When I saw him for the first time I thought there are two possibilities how his pro life is gonna look like. His skills compared with his ridiculous physic screamed all time great. But imo he had to overcome one big obstacle to fulfil that promise and that question would not be answered until he's at least 24 years old. Around that time an adult male grows into his manbod and I thought his body type is going towards eddy curry hard. If he can beat that the sky is the limit. And he did I don't care what anybody says. Also he was forced to mature over that pornstar debacle. I'm so fucking exited to see him ball as a man... He's gonna be in the mvp conversation and in three years from now they are going to try to slow him down like they did with shaq... cause by then he has reigned terror on each and everybody.

7 years for Kyrie. You are right. Can’t wait to see how it goes in January . Are the maverick done ?

The Offer was awesome. Bill not liking it was the worst take in this pod.

San Antonio might surprise a lot of people this season.

Houston gets 35 wins minimum and sniffs a play-in spot! Wemby is good but he is soft! In preseason Houston put Tate on him and Wemby didn't abuse that at all. Didn't shoot well. Got a Jordan like whistle from refs and lived at the line. Wemby is good but he's not gonna be this beast in year one unless he stops being so soft.

Jaren Jackson has to be the best player in this division for Memphis to win it. We have to see 22pts 11rebs 3blks per game this year from him

Steven Adams back to health….

Bill hit the nail in the coffin on the point about Zion… his Duke days as far as his playing weight is concerned, he’s not that same player cause he was leaner, more explosive, more agile, just could move better due to him being physically fit to play basketball! Zion looked lean and chiseled at Duke now he looks more like pillsbury doughboy… SMH it’s terrible! Zion naturally has the body type of someone who can easily put on weight whether that’s good weight muscle or bad weight fat. Some other folks can get away with eating not so well but they are naturally supper lean people so everybody’s metabolism is different! Crazy part is when Zion plays he’s phenomenal even being out of shape, he needs to get back to the weight he was at Duke.

I never understood the Zion hype

Memphis is winning 50 games again

Russillo annoyed with House

Vassel better than reaves why would we get him 🤣

Not bill thinking these divisions matter

Bill: “Until Ja comes back, guess what-Marcus Smart doesn’t have it” Uh, Bill… he led your team to the finals as their starting PG… does every player’s accomplishments just leave your mind when they leave Boston? Did Paul Pierce lose his Finals MVP in Brooklyn?

Marcus Smart def doesn't have it

Spurs and Houston are better than Dallas. Houston for sure, Spurs might just rest Wemby. Dallas have two isoplayers who cant defend mixed with "ok" Grant Williams and a bunch of scrubs. This team isnt winning 30 games.

Adams out for the year

Bill hating

Grizzlies winning this division easy and finishing 2nd again in the West with 52 wins. Book it, kiddos

Boy, this hasn't aged well

29-41 with wemby is crazy delete this, and pop already said he wants wins now

First beeeoch

This was clearly before Steven Adams announced out for the year. Why did he opt to nonsurgical therapy? Bad advice...

Memphis will win this division again. Yall are so down on them but they are too talented to lose

NBA isn't even close to the NFL or NHL.

Simmons is a garbage better, big mouth small bankroll

Ever noticed how Ryan just talks in circles with his soy metaphors. I see Ryan I don't watch. He's terrible