Bill Simmons’s NBA All-Star Disappointments | The Bill Simmons Podcast

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons and Ryen Russillo make a team of NBA disappointments so far this season.
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[@tmg94561]

"'We don't talk about Tobias Harris enough'" had me howling

[@iTuber012]

Seriously though. Such a waste of money and no one talks about it

[@dis6900]

@@iTuber012 the national media needs to get on his ass more but us Sixers fans have been getting on him for 4 years now. Dude is such a waste of money that never shows up vs good teams.

[@williamrichardson57]

I can not stop laughing at that dude lol

[@justicestyles]

Made my day … he’s right tho … Harris should be arrested for grand larceny

[@gzelambeezy]

​@dis6900 watch the Pistons sign him to 4yrs/120+Mil this summer 😅🤣.

[@jakepowell115]

Bill went on a three hour walk with his wife...and instead of talking to her he watched a basketball game on his phone instead of talking? must hate her lmao

[@liljackypaper]

What are they supposed to talk about after all those years 😂

[@hugoj1129]

I came here to say this 😂 he even watched the halftime show 😂😂

[@AceManning18]

Lmao seriously, I could see checking the highlights but the entire damn game? He must be a blast to be around 😂

[@jacksongrant9487]

And how when he’s visiting his daughter, he’s making prop bets 😂😂

[@jdm2339]

@@hugoj1129 lmfao the fact he watched the halftime show is CRAZY lol i was rofl

[@williamharris7849]

"Jokic doesn't walk great... so he's doing alright" - Russillo at his finest

[@ffyyffyyffyy8589]

bill looking like first team all stewed tomatoes

[@David-iv6je]

Much more and it's going to be Oompa Loompa territory.

[@conankillerfly]

Looks like he's holding his breath

[@russellst.martin4255]

Holy hell I'm dead

[@itsyaboipaulychips4498]

Russilo’s camera continually adjusting was the highlight of the video.

[@jamesmiller5331]

I like to count the blackheads on men's noses while I listen to Sports Talk and this camera issue made me lose count many times😡

[@mattb782]

Bill was ALL-IN on Scoot Henderson too. Tough start.

[@Plaxerb23]

He can still have a great career, but they emphatically stated Scoot “has it”. He should be the #1 disappointment for that reason alone. Bill spent half the Summer talking about how awesome he was going to be.

[@markbantz9699]

@@Plaxerb23just shows these guys don’t know much more than us!!! Scoot is a 6’2 guard who can’t shoot!

[@user-ft3jz6dx5j]

If you’ve been watching Bill Simmons for 10 plus years you would know that this guy knows way more than most of us.

[@Plaxerb23]

@@markbantz9699 I'm fine if they get predictions wrong, I just want acknowledgement along the way. "This guy isn't panning out how I thought? What's going on here? Was I completely wrong about this? It's too early to tell, but my prediction is not looking good." Stuff like that

[@mxfilms9738]

@@Plaxerb23 They both have brought up that Scoot has been not good numerous times on their own pods.

[@matt-qz2dv]

Bills awkward pause after Rusillo low key admitting he's on the juice 😳

[@fentanyljones6956]

He’s training Muay Thai.

[@jimmytheenlightenedcentrist]

My god we need even more hours /week of these two making lists. No sarcasm. Love these convos. Get well Ryan!

[@mikephilipps2090]

Man these two are the best to listen to/watch.

[@killerk3431]

Where's the worst contracts draft?

[@fortynights1513]

How about Jordan Poole?

[@matthogg2252]

Best segment of the year

[@kukublof5057]

Davis Bertans still number 1 pick

[@witchdoctor813]

They usually wait until the end of the regular season. They’ll probably do it next month.

[@fortynights1513]

⁠@@kukublof5057Why is he the worst contract?

[@johndebono1870]

As a Raptors fan, I think what threw Masai off the sense was that 48 win team from 2 years ago. The surprise of that mixed with having two all-star players and the reiniging ROY made everyone in Toronto think we were going to be the new Spurs vs. needing to fully commit to the rebuild. Even though it's messier than it had to be (Hi Jacob trade), I'm feeling good overall with the pieces for the rebuild. RJ and Quickley have shown flashes of being good co-stars, Gradey is recovering nicely from a terrible start, even Olynyk/Agbaji makes sense when you get a solid mentor and lottery guy with potential with the only thing of value they gave was a high 20s pick in a shitty draft.

[@abcsorensen]

That's not how Roulette works either 😂

[@stevnff]

Yeah feel like blackjack would have fit better

[@abcsorensen]

@@stevnff Yes, much better analogy!

[@barrymaaslow3480]

Thank you

[@danieltavershima5022]

Such a good watch this. Loved every bit

[@jdm2339]

2 years ago, these two and Windhorst (among others), called Evan Mobley a COMBINATION of KG and Duncan. I almost fell out of my chair. Began watching Cavs games more intently just to see what in tf this hype was all about. Needless to say, I was, and have been COMPLETELY underwhelmed by him.... he has reminded me more and more of.... guess who: Tobias Harris. I barely notice he's in the game. I notice Max Strus and Dean Wade more than him. I just don't see it and I'm not sure I ever will.

[@michaelsledge3904]

I remember lol they were definitely saying he was KG 2.0 😂

[@seamusmooney1308]

I mean def not gonna be KG 2.0. But his defense is still top of the league and if his offense just becomes consistent with a little more range he’ll be a hell of a player

[@fortynights1513]

Is he a good defender?

[@ou8428]

KG is my all time favorite player and the reason I play basketball (and have a million injuries too...) I was legitimately insulted when people were comparing Mobley to him. Garnett's greatness wasn't just his insane versatility on BOTH ends, it was his CLINICALLY INSANE obsession with trying to win, not lose, and be a good teammate. Mobley can't shoot better than ME, and he doesn't get insulted when people target him like Garnett did. I get that he's not insane like KG, but he's also a little soft. I prefer Jarrett Allen on defense and as a playmaking big.

[@seamusmooney1308]

@@fortynights1513 yeah, was 3rd last year in Dpoy

[@dantenewyork7380]

RR lost a few kilos...definitely taking the conditioning seriously

[@RedPilledDan]

Bill it’s hard for the Thunder to just go out and get a Center, they don’t have nearly enough draft picks…

[@michaelturley3457]

Emptied the cupboard on that Hayward trade unfortunately. And it’s not like they have many wings to fill in the Hayward role

[@tyler_s5777]

@@michaelturley3457they traded no 1st round picks…

[@michaelturley3457]

@@tyler_s5777 whoosh

[@jessejamesgames8148]

Man half of Zions rebounds every game were from him missing bunnies at the rim and getting his own miss.. the reason his rebounds are down is because he isnt missing as much at the rim :P

[@David-iv6je]

Nah. I was out on Zion before he tore his meniscus. He's never going to be the guy long enough to make any difference.

[@james91096]

Jordan Poole was the perfect player for that four year stretch in Golden State. They bought low on him in the draft and got to pay themselves on the back when he became a better player while never being good enough to steal wins when they needed to tank. He also might’ve been the reason why they didn’t end up taking LaMelo Ball who in retrospect feels like he was made in a lab to play for Golden State. They got a chip with him, then scapegoated him and traded him away and got Chris Paul back which regardless of their ages and Chris Paul’s injury history still somehow feels like a good move.

[@joelpeoj]

I love watching these two laugh at their own little inside jokes. More please.

[@KK-pm7ud]

Poole and Ayton are the definition of contract year players. They only want a paycheck and don't care about winning. The Draymond punch had nothing to do with it.

[@DanielCarin]

this is amazing

[@hardwoodthought1213]

Listening to this as Jordan Poole just goes 8-8 and drops 23 in a quarter 😂

[@Molson-xg9hs]

And Dame goes off for 40! The Simmons Reverse Curse!

[@matthogg2252]

As a Raptors fan , I can’t argue the take.

[@michaelcollins3384]

3 sayings come to mind regarding the Hawks. 1) Those who can't remember the past are doomed to repeat it. 2) Once bitten, twice shy. And; 3) Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. Every year they seem to be great in the off-season and underwhelm, and every year I seem to fall for it.

[@jamesmiller5331]

I never ever ever saw it with Trea Young. Then all of a sudden they make a run to the east finals and I'm thinking "well I completely blew that assessment" Now I'm just confused

[@fortynights1513]

@@jamesmiller5331They had a solid season, but they were more or less in the right place at the right time. What happened in 2021 shouldn’t really be viewed as replicable.

[@jamesmiller5331]

@@fortynights1513 I agree. Had me thinking there for a minute though that there was a lot more to Trae young than I had evaluated

[@fortynights1513]

@@jamesmiller5331Trae’s a pretty good player, but the issues I see are that it doesn’t sound like he defends well, and it doesn’t sound like he provides much offensively if the ball isn’t in his hands.

[@bbott137]

If I'm a guy in the league who wants to look really good, why would you not try to go to Golden state, they made Poole look really good in their system and with Klay and Steph and Draymond running the offense.

[@Tom_TTT]

Bill liked the OG trade when it happened at the time, I’m not sure what has changed. It’s been a win-win for both teams. OG is always injured atleast 10 games a year, he got hurt last year moving. We had to trade him because he would have left for nothing. Raptors upside will be determined with what we do with the cap room and draft picks. Heathy we are the same level right now with the play-in teams. There is only upside from here.

[@RespectProcess]

Russillo looks like somebody painted eyeballs over his closed eyelids

[@loga6903]

his eyes do look odd

[@RespectProcess]

@@loga6903I think it’s partially the camera quality but also he almost has no visible eyelids so his eyes are just right there

[@TheSerbianG]

Watched Denver at Washington where Jokic dropped 43. Watched Poole and Kuzma and they were terrible. Just iso and chucking balls and being stripped

[@12gark]

Honestly, I'm more disappointed in Kuzma than I am in Poole. He is inefficient, ok. He has mental lapses, I know. But I expected few of those "two threes went in, now I'm going score 30 in a quarter" runs he had in LA and just didn't. He used to be very funny to watch for like 20 games a season, and now he's just average.

[@jacoby310]

I honestly wonder if the Pels have instructed Zion to go after less rebounds particularly 50-50s. If you think about it, their main concern with him is health and availability. Going after less rebounds helps decrease his risk of injury both freak accidents like landing on someones foot and spraining an ankle and wear and tear on his knees from jumping for 300 more rebounds a season.

[@David-iv6je]

Objection! Presti blew up a team with 3 future HoFers and Ibaka. He can't be one of the best GMs. Ordinary NBA fan: Objection sustained.

[@schmidtymoderneragaming17]

Presti knows basketball talent as much as anyone but not so much putting a team together needed a scoring center in the Durant era too as well as more team players around him

[@user-cv5zf3ss1s]

OKC is mind boggling you have the capital to add a homerun piece

[@him4882]

RJ has been playing incredible basketball. IQ has been much better too. They are still so young. Scottie will keep getting better. In 2 years and more added depth, this team can do damage I promise you. Until Scottie just got hurt they’ve been so much better post ASG. they’re figuring it out together and the chemistry is much better too. OG works on the Knicks team because all he has to do is play defence and shoot corner 3s. On the raptors he was asked to do more because of the roster and he couldn’t.

[@mars2b]

People go to the punch but Jordan Poole had been on a decline since the 1st Rd of the 2022 championship team. Every round after his numbers dropped, then they continued to drop last year. And now he's at rock bottom. Once teams started game planning for him, he was exposed.

[@g.r.linden7713]

Thank you! I keep saying the punch was a symptom not the cause of his decline. He let his success and sudden celebrity go to his head and he stopped putting in the work.

[@jdm2339]

YES!

[@peterstevens8527]

As a raps fan I’m glad to hear masai mentioned he made one great trade a half decade ago

[@intravenousradio]

when tobias harris was on the pistons years ago, i thought he was going to be so good. he just never became more than a 4th option on a good team.

[@TheGamingHoser]

Adding to the Masai Ujiri pick. Masai fired Nurse out of pettiness and traded Siakam for a similar reason. Nurse has way more basketball acumen that Masai and Masai didn't like hearing the truth (like Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent and Malachi Flynn aren't enough at the guard position). Masai has been incredibly disloyal to his only loyal players (Derozan, Siakam) and best coach (Nurse). Not smart for a team that's always struggled to retain stars (Damon Stoudamire, TMac, Vince, Bosh, Kawhi).

[@PhiliamShakesbeat]

Can somebody fill me in on that Grant Williams thing? I read that he was not very well liked in Dallas, does anyone know more about that?

[@academygarden4313]

Gafford is not the okc plan, and others in the okc reddit werent high on him. Plus available centers to pay and play okc style ball is what keeps presti from just grabbing any center on the market.

[@KK-pm7ud]

The disappointment for Evan Mobley is that he's on the Cavs. If he were being coached by someone like Pop or Spo, maybe he'd be performing better. The Cavs are terrible at developing players. Historically terrible. Almost as bad as the Nets in doing so.

[@nuggz720]

Too bad I couldn't bet on this draft! I got the first two overall

[@Herbalizer28]

What's a PF that averages less than 8 rebounds ? A SF !

[@Jack-jx6ln]

To the point about Scottie Barnes: no shit there's better offensive players, this is the first year Scottie has been the primary creator for an offense and he's done is super well at age 21. Have some patience. The other stuff about the Raptors I agree with, not sure about the direction

[@eugenesullivan3889]

Andre Drummond to OKC would have been awesome for a Bulls fan we could take 3 second round picks

[@Fotosynthesis858]

I’m so glad my Lakers didn’t trade for Dejounte Murray. D-Lo has been ballin’ out since the trade deadline. I doubt Murray would’ve made the same impact this late in the season

[@MasonMiles5]

PER is the absolute worst/most useless stat and Russillo, who imo knows ball, loves to use it. I don’t get it.

[@Fotosynthesis858]

It’s pure comedy watching Zions body jiggle as he waddles up & down the court!

[@firuBR]

The Tobias disappointment should be: "how on earth did Daryl Morey never traded Tobias 38m/y elsewhere and got spot up shooters in his place?"

[@firuBR]

After ALL these years

[@firuBR]

After ALL these years

[@TheDiegoo17]

The thing with Poole is not the punch It’s the fact the whole world saw it. Imagine getting knocked out in front of everyone you know it be so much worse then if it happened behind closed doors.

[@KK-pm7ud]

It doesn't matter if Zoom averages 7 rebounds if his team performs better overall and he helps them win while staying on the court. I haven't followed him closely this season but it doesn't seem like he's been horrible to me.

[@scarletspider1240]

As a lifelong Pistons fan, this team has been an absolute travesty since Gores bought the team. I think he's been a terrible owner.

[@MateMagyar88]

“Kyle, turn the TikTok camera on!”

[@1800LUNATIC]

Unfortunately OG is injured a lot and he can’t dribble. Also his above the break 3pt numbers are bad.

[@Conzore]

Hey the pacers and kings let guys sprint down the court and dunk it pretty often too

[@happyboy420666]

Rusillo was training like van damme in kick boxer

[@youngair24]

OG might be a better fit in NY but there was never a point where he was better than RJ Barrett. Averaging 20 on a playoff team is underrated

[@colinhannah3515]

jordan poole is so freaking bad.

[@mrnixon2287]

You ever heard of passing!? haha

[@justicestyles]

Hey the Sixers have Tobias Harris …. 😅

[@deanhampton1527]

Im sorry did Rusillo say Portland thought theyd fight for a 9 seed?? In this LOADED West? Pretty sure everyone knew theyd be a dumpster fire. They had the 3rd lowest projected wins. I get his overall point but Portland is a terrible example of a team that thought they could compete

[@kmsideout]

If healthy they would be close to if not in the play in.

[@deanhampton1527]

@@kmsideout no chance. They're currently 15 games back from 10th place. A healthy Brogdon or Simons arent closing that gap. Warriors and Lakers are the 9 and 10 seed. They're not even close to those teams level. Maybe they could have been 12th behind the Jazz best case scenario

[@KnoxWheelerJr]

I'm calling this the goatation, it's my favorite 7-man rotation that could ever be constructed, in order of size (how big they play): 2014 Chris Paul 2005 Manu Ginóbili 2014 Danny Green 2019 Kawhi Leonard 1995 Robert Horry 2015 Draymond Green 2004 Ben Wallace Thoughts? Years are not necessarily uber-specific, think of them as the median of a 3 or 4 year range

[@slow_Jo]

ponder this...would the Wolves think about trading KAT to the Nets for Bridges and another player like Finney-Smith? the salaries work...and the nets could throw in a draft pick. Kat's proven that he's a positive in helping teams reach the playoffs when there's a competent team around him. The nets have competent players, they just need an actual all-star to lead them offensively. Kat's been one of the most efficient players since he's came into the league. It's a win win for both teams. Wolves could play faster on offense and would actually improve on defense.

[@jstdun]

I kinda like it for both squads.

[@ericdennis666]

I completely agree, it solves a need for both teams. And for Minnesota they just became so athletic on defense with this trade.

[@Leigh5050]

Why is your camera a potato?

[@shipwreckedpoet3]

A three hour walk with your wife, and you watched an old replay basketball game on your phone? Shrewd.

[@marckristian81]

Watching an entire game while on a walk with your wife is nasty business. Bill Simmons is nuts 😅

[@Ddaniel61757]

Bad timing for this to drop!! Dame just scored 41 and the Bucks beat the Clippers without Giannis. Like it or not the Bucks are the biggest threats to your beloved Celts!!

[@whtlhansen]

He just hates the bucks

[@DurtyGamez]

Andrew Wiggins is literally the most annoying player in the league. This guy is seriously content with being a barely top 150 player considering his pedigree and performance two years ago in the finals.

[@abdielneris4957]

I'm convinced Zion is purposefully nerfing himself so that he can reduce injury risk.

[@jerryriceable]

Thunder coulda pulled lauri & bridges and been absolutely set up

[@lgsdwade3392]

LET'S GO HEAT!!!🔥🔥🔥

[@turneryoung905]

Way too early on Scoot.

[@dylanbarton6347]

Dame doesn't try til post all star break for the last few years so give him some more time

[@jacksonbox40027]

Peep Russilo wearing 🦆 gear

[@jonnyboy7885]

Vucevic has been a huge disappointment for the Bulls...shooting 42% and a horrible 27% on 4-5 attempts a game. He has been garbage this year

[@mrrational2046]

Looking healthier bill

[@Herbalizer28]

Is Dame not the same guy or is he exactly what he always was...A guy that racks up points on volume and hit clutch shots in meaningless games ? I think he's always been that guy..

[@janicelgo4522]

⬆️ this

[@robertbaker782]

After I watch Rusillo pick at his neck and beard , I then have to listen to a long explanation about how he deserves to be on this list and all about his workout program Get rid of this guy

[@CosmicGrind]

Bad take, watch something else

[@petecarter6520]

OG is fantastic but lacks the best ability, availability.

[@davepirtle9790]

Did they say the bucks are disappointing? Meanwhile they are 41 and 21 and winners of six in a row!

[@SomeChink]

Dame still can turn it around, but he might not be able to handle the expectations of title contention

[@fortynights1513]

Was the all star selection deserved?

[@ou8428]

Over Derrick White? Absofuckinglutely not​@@fortynights1513

[@josephrowland2086]

Dame gotta be higher on this

[@markcroft2743]

Danny Ainge I hate how he trades away all of the Jazz's decent players for nada.. he acts like his teams have been so amazing... he's definitely the most disappointing gm... i bet Markenan hates his ass.

[@ryanb9305]

Nada? They have a billion draft picks coming up. Remember Danny ainge traded away PP and KG for future draft picks then years later that turned into Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Imo I think Danny ainge is a great GM

[@markcroft2743]

@@ryanb9305 he's missed on most of his picks, and according to AD and his dad and everyone else he treats players like commodities and not people.. the one thing I give him credit for is Wil Hardy is a much better coach than Quinn Snyder. Got nothing for Conley, Agbaji or Olynk.. he's trying to lose to keep this years pick in a historically weak draft which he'll just have to pay over the next couple of years unless he wants to lose forever.

[@andrewholland853]

Simmons saying, everyone thinks Scottie Barnes is so great made me LMAO. U fawkin do. The only reason ik Scottie Barnes is casuse Simmons has called him KG and Tim Duncan non stop the last 3yrs

[@noahcdmx1985]

Someone's got to talk to Russillo about Roulette 😂

[@benjaminaridiscgolf1874]

This didn’t age well 😂 🦌 🦌

[@Herbalizer28]

I agree so much about T.O...what has Masai done ? And while I like Barnes, he seems to have chased away everyone else..FVV visibly clashed with him on the court, Anunoby wanted out...He's good..but is too young to lead and is not the guy that'll make a play when the game is on the line !

[@SomeChink]

the Thunder ownership doesn’t care about winning a title I think we’ve known this for a while

[@mattpitman758]

OKC not for center #1, wtf!

[@slimjim665]

Zion got the JJJ syndrome or is the other way around? 🤔

[@caiogaver3402]

Warriors are definitely a huge disappointment

[@carltonrudolph]

3 hour wa;l geeesh

[@MarJonKRon]

Dame ⌚👈🏿 41 points

[@dre32pitt]

Poole was this guy before 21-22.. the first couple of years while GS's big three were all hurt, he was this same player for the most part.. He reeled himself in for 21-22 (chip year), got paid, and then his ego took over again and he reverted, lol.. Said something very dumb, and revealing, to Draymond.. 'You're nothing but an expensive backpack for 30.'... This reveals his very low bball IQ.. Draymond is the second most important piece there.. always has been (was #3 when KD was there).. Also, Curry carries everyone there.. that's the point of generational superstars, lol.. Poole is just a young person with too much ego for his own good and not enough life experience to balance it out.. and until he hears the 'pop' (when he finally pulls his head outta his ass), this is who he is.

[@tsmguxxi6559]

Any team with trae will lose it’s not surprising.. biggest bum I’m the nba we hate him in Atlanta

[@m.t.swiontek8580]

Klay Thompson?

[@zachnantz5304]

Damian Lillard has to be #1 considering how Jrue is playing. Jordan Poole easily #2

[@whtlhansen]

Dude is avg 25/6/4 on the 2nd best team in east first year joining a team ina. Completely different roll and he’s your biggest disappointment? Over Jordan Poole?? Lmao Yal really are idiots

[@zachnantz5304]

@@whtlhansen it's not just how lillard is doing, it's about how bad of a decision it was to lose jrue (and give away him to a rival). also laughable how you failed to include his field goal % or PER

[@unreal5143]

Apparently you didn't watch Jrue in the playoffs, he got cooked by Butler and couldn't hit a shot. Bucks set themselves back with the coaching hire at the beginning of the year. Under Doc everything will look considerably better. The post all star games have been showing that@@zachnantz5304

[@whtlhansen]

@@zachnantz5304if they have jrue and not dame they don’t win va clippers tonight. THATS why traded for dame. Don’t be dense. It’s dame lillard. They also didn’t give him away to a rival. The team they traded him to traded him to a rival. Only a dumbass would Say that trade was a mistake.

[@jbbrolic]

The comp isn't Dame on Bucks vs Jrue on Celtics, it's Dame on Bucks for Jrue on Bucks. Jrue is in a MUCH easier situation as the fourth or fifth best player on the Celtics vs second or third best on Bucks, he is going to be able to focus entirely on doing what he is best at.

[@Veggamattic]

Masai is not the GM

[@jaylunwilliams1544]

Does it make you mad that OKC is 1st in the west? They don't "need" a big. They're 24 years old

[@hardwoodthought1213]

Come playoff time they could do tho if they want to compete this year. Chet is a problem for sure, but another solid rotational C to help against Minnesota or Jokic would have been good for them. Certainly better than getting Hayward

[@davidstenner3136]

As a Raptors fan I like the OG trade, I think if you watch him a lot he's way overrated. I'm actually having fun watching this team again. Of course now Scotties injured so we'll see how it goes

[@fortynights1513]

He’s talked about as a good two way role player for his position. Is that accurate?

[@davidstenner3136]

@@fortynights1513 I'd say that's pretty accurate, but I feel like he's been more hyped than that since the trade, also he's going to make some low iq mistakes amd his ball handling is trash. Still love the guy and hope he kills it.

[@IcebergSSBU]

Why is his face so red 😡