Bill and Ryen’s NBA Defenders Draft | The Bill Simmons Podcast

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons and Ryen Russillo draft the best defenders in the NBA right now.
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[@damion1011]

Bills take on Caruso being a swing player is all time status.” He can play guard or slide over into the white guy soot .”😂

[@kam_12_]

😂😂

[@carltonrudolph]

that drafting a white guy is so underrated for humor bill funny as hell

[@user-vq8lk8ul4l]

I think the two of them are hilarious together

[@lilhyena7534]

yea its very original these days

[@davidhensley7422]

Y not draft a mexican a European ect...oh yeh that would be considered racist smh

[@aron.gortman]

@@lilhyena7534 Bill is an obama supporter, what else would you expect.

[@user-vq8lk8ul4l]

@@davidhensley7422 get over yourself if just harmless humor with no malicious intent. White people can't talk about other races like that because we don't have the right to like that on this kinda platform. Years of ignorance from white people messed it up for the rest of us that have good intentions... that's reality.

[@skylergreathouse2319]

“The depth for our people is not great right now defensively” lmao Ryen

[@ronaldclark3128]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@mackmulhall7595]

he snubbed Chet

[@SpizzieNizzie]

So happy to see Herb Jones is finally getting sustained national recognition for his defensive proficiency. He does stuff every game that it seems like only Herb and Herb alone is capable of doing right now.

[@trevinalger]

I love the silent moments, Bill, grind those gears

[@zhongsense]

Isaac has been a monster while on the court. Hopefully his minutes keep goin up.

[@cskard8289]

"TBD ... we'll see. One of the values of Caruso is that he's a swing guy. You can swing him at guard. You can swing him into the white-guy spot"

[@Majlo21]

OG should have been drafted

[@DeeJay_VII]

Yea Dort over OG is ridiculous

[@tbirdbrad3210]

@@DeeJay_VII completely. Even Isaac’s over OG, Derek white too.

[@slightexag]

@@tbirdbrad3210White was the best guard defender drafted

[@ronmexico7256]

I figured OG would get more recognition in NewYork, nope still getting passed over for worse defenders 😂

[@deanoss777]

stopped watching now, thanks for saving me time lmao

[@dominic64tblightning24]

Bill sold with the SGA pick otherwise he would've won

[@Shortballa11]

Shoudlve been OG

[@samhartje723]

Yeah Shai contributes, but he’s propped up by steals and a really good defensive scheme.

[@Jippa_33]

The way Bill said, “I love him” when talking about Jrue Holiday was beautiful. I really felt that. I love him too ☘️

[@coreyhansen9711]

Ryen "I just said it" Russillo

[@MrOneanddone91]

"You see it and you're like whaaaat? What is this guy doing?"

[@rylan7238]

@@MrOneanddone91😂

[@jamesmiller5331]

Bill's shit detector went off

[@keithwong585]

Ad not even mentioned is crazy

[@lamarkpowells]

It’s criminal

[@hooligan5381]

im convinced bill simmons wants sexual favors from Shai at this point

[@benpaschke9193]

Draft Results Bill: PG: SGA (10) SG: Derrick White (12) SF: Herb Jones (2) PF: Giannis☘️ (6) C: Wemby (4) 6: Tari Eason (14) W: Alex Caruso (8) Ryan: PG: Jalen Suggs (3) SG: Jrue Holiday (5) SF: Lou Dort (7) PF: Jaden McDaniels☘️ (11) C: Rudy (13) 6: John Issac (1) W: Hartenstein (9) Steal of the Draft ☘️ - Jaden is only slightly worse than the #1 and #2 picks - Giannis is top a 3 defender

[@christianmorenocova]

Rudy is the steal of the draft! Lol obviously because of the 1 center format but yeah.

[@bradycrosby1705]

Jaden is a top-5 defender in the NBA

[@cozyfades1587]

Jared Vanderbilt would be my under 20 mins guy. You see what this Lakers defense looks like without him

[@user-ud8qb9ey1w]

Great call. Like a baby Issac. Precious would have been a good choice but Thins playing him like 42 minutes a night since he got there makes ineligible now. Lol.

[@scruffythejanitor1969]

Mine would have been Payton Watson -- but mostly because I forgot about Vanderbilt.

[@ryanrobinson5638]

For obvious reasons, I wouldn't change anything about the current Wolves roster construction. But I do Miss the Vandalorian, 110%

[@raycolmenares6820]

Bam and Butler slander is insane

[@kaleb324]

i thought he was gonna take butler when he was talking about playing the passing lanes for sga

[@kunalmishra9463]

Yeah, no Bam or even AD (maybe I missed him?) at any point here is pretty wild. Jaden McDaniels is better than either of them? Even on the perimeter? Wild.

[@gators9570]

Did 6th man have to be a bench player cause if not how tf was Bam or OG not picked. Or Aaron Gordon

[@milospanic5686]

Both Bam and AD are centers. Only two spots there, and they correctly went to Gobert and Wemby

[@raycolmenares6820]

@@milospanic5686 I don’t think Gobert is a better defender than Bam. One gets better in the playoffs and the other can’t stay on the floor

[@davidbedford1170]

No ad

[@brandonstahlman4167]

This is the content we want !

[@1nopoint]

Hartenstein is actually a quarter black so I don't know if fits the requirements for the white-guy spot.

[@dimitrijetucovic1307]

Lol "quarter black" 😂

[@Ewach21]

KCP has to be in the conversation for best guard defenders in the league. Consistently locks down best opposing guard, gets in passing lanes, and fights over screens about as well as anyone.

[@12gark]

He has a ridiculous athleticism. In 2020 he put together that with his size (6'5 with 6'8 wingspan, it's almost textbook measures for a guard) and starting being more aggressive, he's a very valuable 2-way player. He was starting over Caruso for a reason, and only became better since then. Denver getting him rounded their backcourt VERY well.

[@Crazyjedi2]

these weird draft segments are what makes the podcast more of them please

[@glennross78727]

You had me at the first moment of what you said Bill. Love you man!

[@samhorn3740]

No ananoby?

[@xxgamerxx6074]

I love these guys synergy I wish they had had permanent NBA podcast all year around

[@David-iv6je]

Jrue Holiday: I was saying after the trade that he was the guy who would push the Celtics over the top (and I'm a Celtics hater.) Porzingis is nice as an offense weapon and really tall dude. But Jrue is the glue where Smart was not. He brings the culture of winning toughness to the Celtics. And he does it without the flopping and whining that would derail Tatum and Brown into losing focus at important points. Jrue will keep them on track. He leads by example and he will also serve as a floor coach who will keep them from their idiotic hero ball moments. He proved he is that guy and none of it is visible in box scores.

[@kyle3860]

I see what you are seeing

[@David-iv6je]

@@kyle3860 Right? Sometimes a team has this guy in its superstar. Other times it is a 3rd or 4th option who sets the tone. I'm convinced Jrue is that guy, because Tatum, Brown and Porjzngis don't seem to have it, good as they are. If they stay healthy they will win it all.

[@brisco3]

Kris Dunn should be Bills pick for 6th man. Hes so good on the ball. Also not to mention either JJJ, Mobley, Draymond, Bam or OG is a huge upset.

[@dylanbarton6347]

These two are so funny I could leave this on all day

[@TomDelayBeats]

First pick - Luke Kornet

[@jamesmckenna4460]

Porzingis and kornet

[@allank8497]

caruso should be the top of every single big board

[@JB-nw4gm]

Lol the white guy thing is hilarious

[@williedixon7718]

can we get a board or graphic for these drafts?

[@DeeJay_VII]

SGA over Derrick White is nuts

[@zachcunningham9054]

@@poorchristhey’re literally talking about defense though….

[@WheresWaldo05]

​@poorchris wow you are a slow one. 🤡

[@nicholaseaster58]

@@poorchrisloser 😂

[@estevanpacheco7613]

How was AD not even mentioned? I know the Lakers defense is terrible but if you’ve watched any laker games then you know he is incredible on defense every night. He can’t clean up everything but everyone is terrified to go into the paint when he’s there.

[@setjor651]

Bill getting two swings in White and Caruso 💪

[@noahwelch2931]

It’s crazy how the Timberwolves coaching staff successfully got Gobert, Ant, Jaden, KAT, Reid, Anderson, NAW to all either play ELITE defense or have their best defensive season relative to their career (KAT and Naz)

[@samhartje723]

I actually think Naz is a utility defender. He moves his feet well and has some sneaky Draymond length.

[@dan31red]

I’m so glad everyone sees what Jonathan Isaacs does in his minuscule minutes

[@jc0257]

Peyton Watson

[@gators9570]

Young and exciting and probably a future top defender? Yes. Currently top tier defensively? No

[@WizardofWestmarch]

​​@@gators9570as a nuggets fan I agree. In two to three years he might be all defence first team discussion. He isn't there yet.

[@ADarrell]

Probably how they are IRL, just 2 bruhs having a thought experiment over a bottle or 2 of red wine.

[@thsu8]

Can you do an all-time defender draft? Or would that be too interesting.

[@siriansight]

No but at the end, that's a good point about SGA got me thinkin' 😅😝

[@danoso0931]

I'm of the opinion that the Bucks traded away the wrong guy for Dame... imagine if the Buck still had Jrue instead of Middleton

[@gators9570]

The blazers would have said no

[@jewanon]

No OG is wild

[@brightBoss]

D White has more blocks than Giannis this season

[@svengaliUG]

Not surprising. Players see Giannis waiting in the paint and decide to pass. It's deterrence

[@slightexag]

@@svengaliUGGiannis is in help a lot and has chances to get blocks. White gets a lot of his on-ball contesting guys taller than him in the post or on chase-downs coming off screens. Deterrence doesn't add with the actual block leaders in the NBA. It's not like guys are more scared of getting blocked by Giannis than Wemby or Rudy. Argument doesn't hold up

[@JJ_5289]

He has been great. Still a bit of a stretch for Bill to compare him to dennis johnson. DJ is a hall of famer. That reminded me of the time Tommy Heinson compared Avery Bradley to Michael Jordan lol

[@evanleesmith385]

Love Bill and Ryen together. Maybe because they can talk both NFL and NBA.

[@ND-pe9zg]

As a knicks fan OG got snubbed, but I'll accept Hartenstein. Also Dante divincenzo sneaky good white defender, but agree he's not top 2.

[@antonioleon3123]

This is a cool format. However it would be nice to see a true ranking top to bottom regardless of position or filling an actual team with all positions

[@cam8868]

They better draft Cam Payne. One of the best defenders of our generation

[@SupeDupeTV]

That’s the biggest Hershey bar I ever seen

[@everjeffreyr]

No Draymond Green!?

[@samhartje723]

Draymond has been soooooo good this year. It’s a shame that the Warriors have been so terrible outside of him and Curry.

[@user-ud8qb9ey1w]

OG missing for sure. I would have thrown Aaron Gordon a bone, he anchors that team defensively. Include his teammate KCP. White guy, surprised Chet was not the White guy. Hell, Walker Kessler. More depth there for my gringo compadres. Bill with Wemby and Giannis. Wow. Beautiful. Guys who didn’t make it team: G: KCP G: Ant F: OG F: Aaron Gordon C: Bam 6th: Vanderbilt WG: Chet. Honorable mention: Anthony Davis, Evan Mobley, Franz Wagner(watch the Magic I’m telling you), Jayson Tatum, KD, and Mikal Bridges.

[@HawgJawn]

So happy Bill got rich from Spotify, but man KZbin is soooooooooo much better. Imagine if you had graphics on this segment. Actually show the highlights you are talking about.

[@vlada]

This is a podcast with the webcam turned on. It's not a made for KZbin show.

[@LukaLegend77]

podcasts have highlights too to show context@@vlada

[@jamesh7469]

Wow, real run on white guys in the 4th round. That wasn't in my mock

[@tobyclark6534]

I've watched a few Magic games lately, and it's like Isaac is Deion Sanders in his prime.

[@isaacmota2220]

Center -Rudy Gobert Power Forward -Victor wembanyama Shooting-guard -Jrue Holiday

[@spensbat]

Bill dominated this draft.

[@patwhinnery7988]

Bill wrong on the Jaden take. As wolves fan, we see insane flashes of what Jaden can be on offense. He's not our "no. yes!" guy but he is our "get him the ducking ball!" guy

[@Nahcalifuly]

The AD slander is wild.

[@KingInTraining]

Ausar Thompson may not be there yet but he’s gonna be the best all around defender in the league soon

[@WhelmedButReady]

Giannis is the only player in the league who can legitimately guard all 5 positions respectfully. Personally, I think we'll look back on Giannis' career and be kicking ourselves for how little we paid attention to his greatness.

[@patrickhanlon2325]

What more can we do ? He's top 3 mvp voting every year, always in discussion for dpoy and always considered a real contender because of how great everyone knows he is. I don't know what more you want people to do to appreciate him

[@warnercasey3018]

Agreed, Wemby will get there soon tho if he’s not already

[@bigboner23]

AD can too

[@votdfak]

How little we paid attention at his zero basketball IQ.

[@therealmvp1024]

Him AD and Wemby can all hold their own against guards Mobley occasionally

[@JoshuaFrick3]

Guard 1: Jalen Suggs Guard 2: Derrick White Forward 1: Matisse Thybulle Forward 2: Jaden McDaniels Center: Wemby 6th man: Jonathan Issac White guy: Chet Holmgren

[@bennwokeleme7217]

Why did no one pick chet ?

[@Donotcare6]

"The depth our people is not great"😂

[@connorobrien8763]

Wtf SGA? Enormous reach

[@user-ud8qb9ey1w]

Over KCP?? Pretty egregious I agree.

[@doktarr]

This draft would be more interesting with more than 2 people. You would have seen the best players going first instead of the players in the most scarce spots.

[@anthonymannone441]

Ausar Thompson without Monty Williams, and on a team like the Heat, for example should be on this list.

[@michaelahurt]

Fouled way too much and needs to get stronger. He's not there yet, even in a better context. In 2-3 years though yes. He's already cut his foul rate by 23% from 2023 to 2024. His screen navigation needs to be more consistent, he'll start trusting his instincts more off ball, and he'll be better at absorbing contact. (Already is vs early in the year.) He might be a cross between Derrick White, Herb Jones and Matisse Thybulle but with 0.01% athleticism and legit rim protection. I swear early in the season part of why he got called for so many fouls is because the refs didn't expect him to be where he was so they called a foul because it didn't seem possible he could have recovered without grabbing the guy and fouling. I think he's the fastest player I've ever seen laterally. Great defenders glide but he teleports.

[@ebencook4817]

Did we forget about Chet Holmgren for white guy?

[@michaelahurt]

Possibly but he's just not as good as Hartenstein. The big difference is Hartenstein has more active hands and doesn't give up as many offensive rebounds. (You could question if that second one is more him or the roster.) But if you look at OKC, their defense is the same with or without Chet.

[@michaelcollins3384]

I hoped Bill was gonna say, "That's a great peek" in Giannis voice when Ryen took him. Missed opportunity.

[@samhartje723]

Best defender by position: Jrue Caruso Herb Issac Wemby Back up list: White Suggs OG Draymond AD

[@ejgreenberg3141]

AD must have listened to this before the Bucks game. Can’t believe he wasn’t mentioned.

[@sterlinganderson1640]

Sorry about the typos...I know how to spell your name. Was listening to one of your podcast while I was typing...just like a screenwriter.

[@joshuaparsons7532]

Scottie Barnes is a wing, that averages over 8 boards. 1.5 blocks and 1 Steal per game. He leads the NBA in blocked 3 point attempts. He had 9 in the first two weeks of the season!

[@Justme-jq2np]

Underrated KCP should have been your list

[@wally000world]

Draymond not being drafted is insane, as easy to hate as he

[@graememacinnis7990]

No KCP?! cmon that was such a gimme

[@twizms2]

1. Wemby 2. Caruso 3. Suggs 4. Ausar Thompson 5. Strus 6. SGA 7. Isaac

[@DrSJH159]

Og better

[@twizms2]

@@DrSJH159 he's missed too many games this year

[@bretthollywoodsshow6744]

I’m gonna be the obligatory “ How can you leave this guy off guy ! ? “ .. Pascal Siakum

[@abcsorensen]

"You have to draft a white guy" shocked me 😂😅

[@thegman8]

To make the judging more objective and technical, the winner should be decided through NBA2K simulations.

[@hardleftturn7274]

Walker Kessler would’ve been better for 6th man on Bill’s team or the white guy for Ryen’s team. He’s a top 3 shot blocker this season and he only plays 23 min a game.

[@sterlinganderson1640]

Mr. Bill Simons...My name is Sterling Anderson. I am older than you, a loyal sports enthusiast and faithful to your podcast. Followed your irreverent ascend in sports writing. Love your sports point of view. Ryen has been one of my favorites since back before him and Danny on ESPN. I do have a bit of a problem with some of your movie takes. I've been a screenwriter producer for 30 plus years in film and television. If I talked about the Boston Celtics it may make you a little uncomfortable, too. (Although, Larry Bird will never leave my all-time list. Top 5 ever...don't care what other people say.) I enjoy it when you talk about movies but it really feels like you have not been on a set or in a development room at a studio or production office. Get someone on who can give you a little more behind the scenes look at what you are discussing. There is a lot more to say about movies and television shows when no more about how any project gets to the screen.

[@withalittlehelpfrom3]

“I’m gonna take Giannis” “That’s a good pick” Well played Rusillo!

[@allank8497]

G: Derrick White, G: Anthony Edwards, F: Giannis Antetokounmpo, F: Anthony Davis, C: Rudy Gobert Wh: Alex Caruso 6m: Al Horford I could also do Jevon Carter as my 6th man

[@michaelahurt]

Respectfully, Edwards over Herb and Suggs is insane. He might be the fifth or sixth best defender on his own team (Rudy, McDaniels, NAW, Naz, Slow Mo) AD hasn't been consistent enough for me. Only a 115 defensive rating when he's on the court. He's my #1 pick for the playoffs though I might take Bam over Giannis. He's a little more versatile. Yeah, give me Bam. I think Bam plugs more leaks. His awareness is just a little better. White Suggs Herb Bam Gobert

[@allank8497]

@@michaelahurt I was tryna make picks that could have gone in this draft they did, not just all of the hest

[@allank8497]

@@michaelahurt also worth noting im doing this with playoffs in mind.

[@kyleferguson1729]

Finally, we can talk about the most important part of basketball and not the media-centric points explosion.

[@LeviAvstin]

I would take G: NAW G: KCP F: OG F: Gordon C: AD 6: GP2 WG: Max Strus

[@rah0210]

OG getting no love is crazy

[@blackcloak67]

“And you have to draft a white guy” Bill Simmons. March 25th, 2024

[@cajxii1]

Glad these two are saying SGA isn’t second in MVP balloting regardless if they choose Giannis or Luka

[@marinm8473]

OG Anunoby guys?

[@gwilliamson14]

Missed opportunity to take Derrick White for the white guy pick.

[@620awg]

I feel like bills is clearly better with all the length he has

[@mattclayton2889]

Bill you need to hire the guy who’s got the Awful Coaching KZbin channel. Prime Ringer content.

[@firefistace6407]

They're gonna do a defensive draft without Anthony Davis. It's a fucking joke

[@TJ_Savaro]

Have to have AD!

[@thormcavenia2578]

No Keon Ellis?

[@GLrebirth]

Hartenstein's dad, Florian Hartenstein, is half African-American.

[@charliebanks605]

Isaiah Hartenstein getting drafted to white guy spot is hilarious because he's mixed. His father black lol

[@Theinsideoutsider]

Bruh I thought you were joking around until I looked it up and yet I'm still thinking I need to do more research 😮

[@geezlouis3753]

Why isn’t it snake draft? Not necessary for the 2?

[@StevieLeeG]

embarrassing to not have og on this list

[@LaSlattance]

My draft: Jrue Shai Herb Jones Giannis AD (we dont talk enough about him) 6th man: Kessler Walker White guy : Chet Edit: I had Kawhi, Ive put Herb Jones ahead. I had Okongwu as a 6th man, I'm still an Isaac hater so I dont wanna pick him and I've found somebody better 🙂

[@WheresWaldo05]

Gross

[@LaSlattance]

@@WheresWaldo05 what's yours?

[@chrisdub846]

don't let Draymond see this

[@randywilson1578]

Rudy get new mascara? Lol