What Did We Learn This NBA Season? | The Bill Simmons Podcast

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons and Ryen Russillo talk about some of the things they learned this NBA season.
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[@Bask3tChase]

We learned that even the "casual fan" would prefer a more physical brand of basketball.

[@jacktheleper4468]

You say that until there's more load management for more minor injuries and more major injuries leading to significant game losses for star players. In theory yes more physical basketball would be great but in practice it leads to many side effects Like significant game losses for every player from Stars to roll players to the bench

[@Bask3tChase]

@@jacktheleper4468 what a shortsighted take that completely ignores the entirety of the NBA before the year 2011..

[@Nocturnal808]

@@jacktheleper4468how come there wasn’t load management and players were able to stay on court in the 80’s,90’s and early 2000’s when it was wayyyy more physical? Oh and they didn’t have the advance training and medical that they have now too

[@MinisterManDan]

@@Nocturnal808 Nobody likes to say the actual answer which is this: guys used to just dog a lot of games back in the day. Most games weren't on TV outside of the local market, and if guys were just a bit wore out, they'd just play zero defense, give the bare minimum effort to get their points, and move on to the next one. Guys always brought their A game for national games so that's what people's memories are of. All the games are national now though, so you can't do what the old heads did.

[@Gnofg]

@deezy-cs8wm I have league pass and college is more physical.

[@GoRavens520]

The segment about the individual skills of players improving but not improving in team concepts was really interesting.

[@Jack-jx6ln]

Wish they went into it more instead of glossing over it

[@user-lb7ef2qi9m]

Get a life

[@user-lb7ef2qi9m]

@@Jack-jx6ln get a life

[@jamesmiller5331]

​@user-lb7ef2qi9m You're sad. You're lonely. You're angry. You're yelling at strangers on the internet for no reason. WTF do you know about having a life🤣🤣

[@Gnofg]

This is the result of one and done. Trae Young is your perfect example of this type of play. He steps over the half court line and throws up a 40 footer. He can't play defense or move without the ball. He is the worst defensive player I have ever seen. He was coached by a high school coach, an AAU coach and one year in college. I don't think he is a student of the game.

[@nocturne311]

Wemby will be the best center since Shaq? Did you forget about Joker already, Bill?

[@HawgJawn]

Joker isn't a 2 way player.

[@UTNatlChamps]

@@HawgJawn He’s so good offensively that it doesn’t matter about his defensive shortcomings.

[@motastic1714]

@@UTNatlChamps Well, Wemby will be great both offensively and defensively...so it does matter...

[@je5406]

​@@UTNatlChamps exactly. Plus hes usually in good position to force tough shots.

[@joeshmoe8134]

Bill is completely bought into ADHD Gen Z culture of “prisoner of the moment.” It’s better to look at Bill as a super Fan that has his own podcast vs an actual sports analyst giving in depth coverage of schemes and matchups. He’s a sports bullshit artist.

[@noahwelch2931]

Learned that the Rudy Gobert trade wasn’t a bad trade after all

[@uno1728]

Idk that’s still up for debate. When teams go small in the playoffs we see what happens to Rudy every season.

[@noahwelch2931]

@@uno1728 you don’t know ball man 😂 going small against Minnesota is not going to work. Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Nickeal Alexander-Walker, Kyle Anderson are all insanely good defenders on the perimeter in Rudy’s Utah days, he had ZERO ball pressure from his teammates. even TY LUE admitted that his strategy was due to Utah’s inability to contain ANYTHING on the perimeter and unfortunately Rudy had to play up in coverage and help defense and he was the “fall guy” since Rudy Gobert is an easy target from fans, it’s easy to form opinions like this and feel good about it. sorry dude learn ball 🫡

[@eman22017]

@@uno1728without Rudy that T-Wolves team is much worse. People don’t understand how valuable it is to have a top 3 rim protector and a top 10 rebounder.

[@David-iv6je]

@@uno1728 It's totally true for those Jazz teams but this Wolves team has far better perimeter defenders around him. He will still be a net positive and won't get played off hte floor. My concern has always been KAT. His head and his body were a mess last year. He is the weak link in this team. Or, he's the special sauce. Ant will be phenomenal but success depends on KAT. So, I think they make a great run but fall short in the 2nd or 3rd round. But it's probably not on Gobert.

[@PepeVoltaireBartolemeMontesqui]

@@eman22017Rudy-T is super good defender, dpoy and then wemby wins 10 in a row

[@kailo99]

Nico Batum’s entry passes has saved lives in Philadelphia. To the point where he was a DNP/ Rested, and subbed in with 10 seconds left earlier this season just to throw an entry pass.

[@BuMPiHD]

💯

[@kam_12_]

not tryna sound racist lol but a lot of euros have that skill aspect in their games bc thats whats being taught over there and they practice often.. not once did i learn how to throw an entry passes at my once a week 45 min aau practice and looking back that really is whats hampering a lot of the young guards especially, bc their trainers arent teaching them that stuff and their young naive minds in terms of the nuances of basketball arent really thinking ab perfecting entry or even simple bounce passes.. its all ab the moves and getting a bucket

[@spaceheadspiff]

17:30 Highlight syndrome - A highly infectious disease, transmitted primarily through KZbin and TikTok, that causes players to hyper-fixate on their offensive bag to the detriment every single skill that won't show up on a highlight reel. Symptoms include atrophying defense to the point of non-existence, tunnel vision, and a propensity to shoot the ball from the logo for no reason.

[@obamasjumper]

mike conley single handily saved the timberwolves

[@dimitrijetucovic1307]

Singe handily?

[@SquidysTents]

Handedly?

[@chriswalkey2050]

@@dimitrijetucovic1307single handedly isn’t how I would describe but he definitely was the missing final piece that makes them work in a way that they wouldn’t have without him, they needed a quality traditional PG on that team so bad bc DLO was horrible at decision making and playmaking

[@Gboi8]

I love Ryen Russillo being an entry pass connoisseur. I hate that most players can't make simple entry pass. I know we live in position less basketball, but there is value in specialization.

[@Gnofg]

Offense runs better with a real PG and a real Center.

[@Gnofg]

@@poorchris This is the result of analytic’s and the 3 point line which has put the game out of balance. The game should have post, mid range and outside shooting. We have only outside shooting now. This is also why we have so many blowouts. If you are missing on the 3 pointer you are cooked. Did you watch the celebrity all star game? It defines exactly what is wrong with basketball. First off there were plenty of professional athletes playing. They are athletes not celebrities. They were all chucking up 3 pointers. If you are not shooting 35% then a 2 pointer is the best shot. NO AMATEUR is shooting 35%. They could not run a play for a 2 pointer. Most people don’t realize that the real home of basketball is NYC and in the beginning it was a Jewish game. Red Auerbach and Red Holtzman are from Brooklyn. So is Larry Brown. Moving without the ball was devised by Jewish people to compensate for lack of athletic ability. In the early days there were plenty of really good Jewish players.

[@David-iv6je]

It's one of the reasons European players are doing better in the NBA: they have better fundamentals than the AAU guys in the US.

[@Gnofg]

@@David-iv6je Trae Young the poster boy of shitty basketball.

[@eliottbressler8562]

yup graduated in '08 and every practice we worked on entry passes to the low post

[@dillonkosir8381]

Wemby needs a guy like Mike Connelly for the Wolves. One of the smartest NBA minds and accelerating potential in Ant-Man.

[@noahwelch2931]

Yeah Mike Conley is a crazy good veteran PG that knows how to throw accurate lobs and bounce passes

[@vlada]

Didn't even need a name like Conley just a vet PG like Patty Mills was 3-4yrs ago or Monte Morris now. It's not about winning anyways but this year and next year a pass first vet PG would have definitely helped the process.

[@kam_12_]

conley is what 37 now? i think plYing with wemby could keep him good for the next 2 years not even gonna lie. conley is awesome and if anyone could preserve his game even longer its wemby

[@SquidysTents]

Are you talking about their GM Tim Conelly or their PG Mike Conley? Cause you have me confused lol

[@KK-pm7ud]

What I learned this season: The play-in games were created to increase sports betting on basketball. Not just for the play-in games but also for the first round since the 7 and 8 teams are more competitive than prior years because the best of the 7-10 teams get in to play the 1 and 2.

[@draftmagicagain1000]

Just let every team get in. Best of 9 series.

[@blackphillip564]

There's no guarantee with Wemby or any other person. Remember when Zion was supposed to be Shawn Kemp mixed with Magic?!? Ben Simmons was LeBron 2.0.

[@kam_12_]

while i agree with your point and nobody is a sure thing.. health withstanding, Wemby is as close to a sure thing as we have ever seen. he checks every box down to the intangibles, not one red flag. he could really be the new gen lebron in the aspect of being the face of the league and anointed so since a teenager and actually living up to it

[@jmacdon4]

This is what I’ve been thinking too. Anthony David is and has been good but he was supposed to be Tim Duncan 2.0

[@qqw743]

We learned that the Warriors rebuild after their veterans fade out looks real. Kuminga, TJD, Podz, Moody is a very good young core, and it really wasn't expected to happen.

[@bloomerdeals]

Ryen's face just thinking and looking shit up when Bill talks is unreal entertaining

[@pruney84]

Russillo drinking ACQUA PANNA is the best thing i saw today (i did some farm work, so bare with me...)

[@justingabel8031]

Not a Spurs fan but Wemby is a generational talent…..It’s crazy to think how good he is now and how good he will become

[@razkable]

As good as zion paolo ant towns wiggins are I would trade all of them for wemby...he is like lebron howard rose blake kyrie and davis all in 1 excitement wise...

[@kelechi321]

As a person who does a ton of personal training for ballers and works with so many trainers...yeah Russillo you have a damnn good point. We do to much work on individual bag skills.

[@user-lf8lp3nm4n]

I've said (to my buddies) all season, that Josh Giddey would be ideal for San Antonio and Wemby. he's in the right age realm. he's still on a rookie contract. and the Spurs need a PG and they need to add some talent around Wemby. for OKC, they won't be able to pay everybody and if they elect to keep their picks, some of their current players have to be moved (but 3 will remain: SGA, Chet & JW). that makes Giddey the odd man out. and Josh Giddey seems perfect for the Spurs and Wemby. What do yall think?

[@kam_12_]

i like this move for them, they’ve had patty mills and been linked to other aussie players so that helps and SA is the perfect spot for him.. i also want to see san Antonio get garland tho i think hes the pg that they need to pair along wemby. i think bc hes such a good shooter off ball, he could essentially be in that steph curry role while giddey plays the draymond type of roll as a big wing whos able to rebound and push the ball and find shooters.. im not sold on giddey as a true point bc idk if thats who he guards defensively i think hes more a 3-4? idk tho bc his role is so weird in ock rn and i dont watch them enough to say for sure, do you think hes a true point guard? bc even if he is i think he can be paired with garland very well and then just have wemby there to cook😭😭 thats only if the spurs want to say f the rebuild and go all in on this kid his 2nd/3rd year.. i think wembys also too good to actually tank next year hes gonna win them at least 30-35 games if not more so why not use some of their extra draft assets and get him to elite playmakers

[@michaelahurt]

100% agree

[@CEE-ji5rx]

Ryens face around @ 1:46

[@kschepelern]

he seems very confused from 0:00 on really :D

[@CEE-ji5rx]

Lmao right@@kschepelern

[@DocJoby]

Darius Garland to San Antonio.

[@ayejay2the]

17:41 The Bag Theory

[@chucknola484]

Wilt Chamberlain played “dad nerf ball” with his era too. The NBA had to literally invent the 3 second in the paint rule to slow down his dominance.

[@razkable]

Wemby stats are crazy his talent skills are insane his defense is 1 of 1 but his impact on winning with the right team around him would be legendary

[@HairForceOneTre45on]

Great convo guys!

[@johnbrowntheprophet]

I’ve been saying for weeks that OKC should package Josh Giddey, some spare parts, and a bunch of draft picks for Lauri Markkanen or another three point shooting big. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@QGuides]

I love these two. 😂

[@rjejames28]

People have been talking about this for years now. The rise of AAU basketball everybody worrying about themselves instead of the team

[@caiogaver3402]

Wemby needs to learn the Jokic hook shot, going to be unstoppable

[@jdankerdake]

We learned that the NBA and its media ecosystem have belatedly and perhaps reluctantly, started to accept the end of LeBron, Steph and Durant’s primacy.

[@liferealgood]

The Cleveland take was spot on. I’ve been saying it since last season that roster isn’t constructed properly. Even if you say it’s coaching, it’s gonna be hard to convince Mitchell to extend long term with a new coach. Then as soon as the owner said Mitchell is gonna extend there I was like um I hope you cleared that with Mitchell. I knew Mitchell wasn’t gonna make a promise.

[@johnkunkel5946]

They definitely do not have to trade him. Guys like Bill overstate his desire to flee and create a narrative. Mitchell has been nothing but professional, and a non-committal answer to media prodding is just that. The team is having a rough stretch, but I think Bill just wants to talk more about theoretical trades than the Cavs actual potential.

[@liferealgood]

@@johnkunkel5946 Mitchell was the same way in Utah before he left though. He never really pushed to get out. I think they just knew he would ask out. Mitchell will be a professional but I just don’t see the fit in CLE. Two undersized guards with two bigs who really aren’t consistent shooters.

[@bryanfoster326]

@@johnkunkel5946bro no professional doesn’t mean he’s not looking for the door. Getting strippers to chant “f Darryl Morey” isn’t the normal way players try to leave a team

[@johnkunkel5946]

@@liferealgood Utah was different imo. That team had reached it's potential and it wasn't enough. Ainge wanted to blow it up regardless. In Cle there's multiple players still growing to their full potential so the team is not hard capped.

[@johnkunkel5946]

@@bryanfoster326 Im saying everyone thinks he's leaving because he hasn't come out and said hes staying. Regardless of which way he's leaning he's not gonna talk about it. thats professionalism

[@oswaldjackson7015]

45:56 Giddey would be so dope in Phoenix. Phoenix needs a PG bad because the offense by the committee is too streaky. Booker is hot tonight tho.

[@delaneylonergan7504]

Russillo face the first minute was killing me

[@fentanyljones6956]

Ryan’s first take was an amazing segment.

[@SamwiseXIV]

We need a 'Best Entry Passers Draft'

[@jstdun]

Best NBA pod

[@SylvesterLundgren]

I learned that bill can't get his video to render at anything above 480p

[@anthonytrevino3191]

I like garland in San Antonio! Not super high on Trae young move

[@akshyadulal1455]

The season has been great. Imo Giannis and Jokic peaking as players at the same time. We might have two of the 10 best offensive players in history right now in Luka and Jokic,that's right after we had Steph and Lebron. Nba offense has been nuts.

[@lancewilliams8001]

what's your ten

[@OliverWhale]

@@poorchris shoot 3s?

[@bryanfoster326]

@@poorchrisit’s really not about the superstars dude. Imagine if a guy like shaq got to play 1v1 for 6-7 dribbles in the post because no team can afford to send a double and give a wide open look to his teammates. The superstars aren’t the ones going to the next level, superstars are superstars for a reason, it’s the role players that have drastically improved. Between that and admittedly some rules that do favor offenses, you’re forced to guard superstars 1v1 and any superstar in history being guarded 1v1 is gonna put up wild numbers.

[@mailmansteve87]

I think the major flaw in Bill's Wemby Logic is Duncan & Robinson!! Rookie Duncan & Robinson pretty damn close to Apex Duncan & Robinson

[@douggoldwater1734]

Very different players. Duncan was a four year college vet with an established post game when he came into the league. Wemby is a raw 19-20 year old still figuring out his game on the fly

[@jdankerdake]

The difference is Duncan came in the league at 22 and Robinson at 24. Wemby was 19. That’s a lot of time for physical development and experience.

[@mailmansteve87]

Both solid points!!

[@finnishline]

Why does Russilo look so confused at the beginning?

[@Peroriperora]

That’s called “listening carefully to every word your host is using for his take”… A quality that has become a rarity nowadays amongst the TV analysts, ruled by the terrible ESPN boys aka “talk first think later”… You probably didn’t want that answer but hey there you go 😅

[@villarreal0706]

Glen Rice is G-Money Big Dog is Glen Rice Robison

[@garyfiasco1]

True, it looks like he realized it after he said it lol

[@WheresWaldo05]

I am 40. Been talking about this lack of team chemistry issue for decades now. Players only improve themselves.

[@razkable]

The warriors spurs heat lakers of years past had chemistry

[@romeobodeodo]

Wemby's health is the question regarding his ceiling. Think Ralph Sampson.

[@siphillis]

Wemby's closest physical comp is Kareem and that guy played two decades.

[@Kagemusha08]

@@siphillis Yeah but Kareem was playing with dudes who were coming in hungover and playing half the speed that the league plays at now. Not at all comparible. I'm rooting for him to have a ATG career but the injury concern is and should be there.

[@michaelahurt]

​@@Kagemusha08 Average pace is slower now than every year of Kareem's career. Yes players exert more force on their joints because the game is spread out but they also play fewer minutes, play fewer games, have better travel, eat better, sleep better, have better medical, have better training ... Their bodies are very similar though. Thin but well proportioned, light on their feet, extremely flexible with a training regimen focused on pliability not strength Honestly the only reason this is even being questioned is because he's 7'4". But basically no other person this big is this coordinated and agile. Except Kareem.

[@David-iv6je]

Cleveland: if Mitchell will stay (big if) move Garland. Get a star two-way wing if you can with Garland. Simply because of his size Garland can never defend well. Mitchell is a physical beast. His down games have been first two games back after extended absences. He was smoking before these two injury vacations. He'll be back.

[@supadupa181]

Pre season when PHI traded harden I suggested OKC go all in for Embiid. Chet and as many picks as necessary. Had the been able to get him and he stayed healthy would they be the run away favorite this year?

[@RE1GN_BLOOD]

He’s exceeding expectations. The Spurs worked the system. Dynasty to tanking to future dynasty within a few years. Unbelievable

[@Kagemusha08]

Not to sound like a tin-foil hat here, but wouldn't shock me if they had help. It was pretty obvious that Wemby is the future of basketball. You really think the NBA would entrust that to the Pistons? To the Hornets? When they conduct their draft with zero outside oversight?

[@JJSideshowBob]

Well, it's been ten years ...

[@user-cb8mq8ow6b]

I want to point out that Ryan Rusillo got confused about his black guys and called Glen Rice "Big Dog." The Big Dog is Glen Robinson. That is all.

[@luisinhocol]

SAS need a Brunson kind of a guy. A player that need to prove to the market that he is better than its valued, but didnt had the right place, fit and time to show his value. My opinion is Malik Monk or Immanuel Quickley. Quickley doubled his assist average in Toronto of his career in NYK. 6'3", .3973PT in his career, he would crush with Wemby.

[@OmnipotentSpud]

In the new age of versatile big men, we now have the versatiliest and biggiest in the Wembanator. Best ever? Who knows, but he's an alien.

[@ft3726]

We'll just gloss over the fact that Miami has had injuries all year long and was in the finals a year ago.

[@CovertGhoul]

I wonder what the over/under is for a Wemby Pentuple double is. Also, Ant is IRL Riley Freeman.

[@TheRulersBack18]

ant as riley freeman's self-vision as a player is HILARIOUS, i love it

[@guitarwithpete]

wemby does remind me of a young wilt. even their bodies are similar. if you watch very early wilt he was also very thin.

[@Crazyjedi2]

Somewhere out there that random dad that was practicing with his kid that russillo called out is mad af right now listening to this lol

[@Geep1778]

LaMelo Ball and Wemby would be nice complimentary pieces to each other

[@avivbeker8138]

Might be but Lamelo is as far from a Spurs player as possible. If any, Trea Young is more likely just because the on court fit is the same and the spurs own Hawks future.

[@Kagemusha08]

@@avivbeker8138 Lol Trey has butted heads with every single coach he's had and you think he'd work under Popavich?

[@peepinR]

Ugh. No way would I want LaMelo on the Spurs. A Darius Garland or even Trey young would be better

[@petermullen3102]

So I am 50 and 6'4" and I did not shoot a 3 point shot until I was in my early 40s when I could not beat up on high school kids in the post consistently any more. No one is going to throw me an entry pass except for my two sons who know that if I get the ball on the post, it is just an opportunity for them to cut or get an open shot. Cause I'm old and all I do is take up attention. The old ways still work.

[@MarinoChristofi]

30 in clutch offense in the clutch for the Magic is a little high. Paolo is the pick man. The bring out Jingles to run point and everything works on offense at least. Get us a point gaurd that can shoot for the love of God

[@Oscaromann]

Shout ouaat to the Bros

[@michaelcollins3384]

I was just waiting with baited breath to type something mean if Ryen suggested CP3 to SA... little disappointed it didn't happen

[@MyTico8]

The biggest question with Wemby has to be health - it’s almost inconceivable that a guy that tall and thin will be able to play 65+ games a season, with the playoffs on top, without breaking down. I really hope I’m wrong.

[@Peroriperora]

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar? Ever heard of him?

[@MyTico8]

Yeah. Sure. I’m not saying he won’t stay healthy. I’m just saying it’s a question mark. And even Kareem was at least a couple of inches shorter than Wemby…

[@Kagemusha08]

@@Peroriperora Kareem was shorter and played during an era that wasn't nearly as fast-paced and taxing on the joints. He also was an extreme genetic anomaly amoungst anomalies. Let's hope Wemby is the same.

[@kalebduggar4251]

19:19 The European teams and players are. I love how Bill comes at you with the big brain ideas. They are even better when they connect like they did today. 😂

[@fentanyljones6956]

Grayson Allen and ball handler sounds wild in a sentence.

[@SSCHS7]

I agree with Bill on Wemby possibly being best center since Shaq/Kareem. Jokic is amazing and could enter top 10 player all time. Jokic is obviously a better passer than Wemby and yea maybe Wemby never gets to be that kind of passer but he is already showing signs that he will be a better scorer and he is clearly a better defender than Jokic. It might come down to rings and Jokic has 1 and should win another this year

[@peacefulwarrior9518]

The Cleveland trading Mitchel conversation HAS to be at after the playoffs. They have some potential. There have been some good runs. Injuries have killed them lately. Can we see it in the playoffs one more time? Is it actually impossible that they have a great playoff run? I don't think so. It's also not crazy that they flame out again. Ask me in August. No reason to talk about it now. I swear people forget that a year older than Garland Steph was losing in Round 1 to the Clippers. In the same conversation they said Mobley can still turn into a superstar and learn how to shoot AND said the cavs are done

[@ortforshort7652]

We haven't learned anything yet. The playoffs tell the real story in any season.

[@TheKL04]

Didn’t Bill mega-dismiss Russilo about Wembanyama for DPOY just like a week ago?

[@rgwebb5165]

I will remember Pascal Siakim winning Finals MVP.

[@razkable]

Imagine being in the middle missing the play in during the wemby draft

[@joshawarapin5039]

We learned that if the Pistons won the Lottery Wemby/Cade/Duren would be an epic three for the next 12 years.

[@stevus23]

That's a great point. Huge what if.

[@michaeldault6776]

would've never happened because NBA draft lotteries are rigged.

[@razkable]

Wemby Cade Duren and Ivy...

[@slightexag]

Jokic is what we get when team basketball is how a guy learns how to play. The best playmakers come from Europe nowadays, while NBA guys come up through AAU where they only practice stepback 3 footwork and euro-steps.

[@TheIcemanthomas]

Built like Kareem with wilts length, Gianni’s like agility and kds versatility.

[@keatonparks7418]

You trade garland and levert to SA and get a quality 3 and d wing

[@JohnnyCashavetes]

If Spo (a great coach of a pretty good team) vs. Joe Mazzulla (a terrible coach of a great team) happens in the playoffs, and the Celtics lose, Simmons saying "Heat Culture might not work quite as well when the league is super loaded" becomes INFAMOUS.

[@thebestrapperindcthebestra6429]

He reads a book every night like kareem

[@victorvic4659]

You definitely learn that Luka can share the floor with other superstar and be successful. Beat stupid narratives

[@abdeenabdul7803]

Cap

[@accordingtodrew7302]

That’ll be true depending on his playoff success.

[@henryhall298]

bro ive been on the entry pass thing for a decade like its so freaking sad

[@pedroromero2913]

Ryen looks confused often

[@ben10in]

bro i read this then just started starring at him the whole time and im dying

[@knowsmebyname]

Jaylen Brown has proven himself in every way. The highest paid player in the league loves loves playing defense. The pressure didnt bother him at all and he just continues to improve. Every year he gets better.

[@Bo55world]

Hopefully, the doctors and trainers can find a way to keep a 7"5 guy healthy for 20 years. Haven't done it yet

[@Heywoodjablome1964]

The best player in the world has never been a more controversial subject

[@michaelstover6778]

Magik fan here

[@serge6885]

It's unbelievable to think that Wemby is already better than Porzingis as a rookie. Imagine Wemby in that Celtics team... lol.

[@jamar117.]

The Jazz should trade for Mitchell back

[@Gnofg]

There is a name for it. It is called chucking. We have been using that term forever.

[@Rob-dd3ck]

Wemby's numbers are also severely limited by a team-imposed limits restriction, so factor that into other rookie year stat comparisons. Wemby is literally having the best rookie season ever, on par with or better than MJ's. He is on the GOAT path, and Bill's narrowing him onto some kind of center comparo (shaq, kareem) is lame. Peak Wemby will look something like 38-17-8-2-7, and health/championships will determine how fast he climbs the pyramid. His year 2 will be better than any Lebron year (who in all fairness didnt have that amazing of a peak and was more about longevity) and he is the first prospect I've seen that has the potential to surpass MJ.

[@Watchingvideoslikeu]

Health being a big factor. Wemby will become the goat

[@misinfluence]

Peak lebron wasn’t that amazing? Were you watching the same sport? When did anyone look like lebron did in 2018?

[@ashwar3639]

Peak LeBron was only rivaled by MJ when looking at advanced stats and totals, and just barely. His peak is literally the 2nd best ever, clearly that was not a well thought out point on your part lol.

[@Rob-dd3ck]

@@ashwar3639if you look at just stats and totals instead of actually watching the game, Wilt Chamberlain is the greatest player ever. But we have eyes and intelligence, so we sont just go by stats and totals. 🙄

[@misinfluence]

@@Rob-dd3ckyes. And using that logic lebron was by far the best player in the league and it was the biggest gap between the best and second best player in recent memory. I think you’re forgetting there was a time lebron was the best offensive player and defensive player simultaneously while also being absurdly durable. It’s arguably the best peak ever.

[@roykentseyebrows4196]

AAU Albatross Theory

[@22steve_]

even during this last month or so stretch where jb has played his best ball i still didn't feel his impact more than tatum, idk if it'll always be this way but he is like the biggest headscratch ever he can have 5 mins of wow look at this guy then 5 more of is he even the second best player on this team. the on ball defense has been great against most but i still can't see him being a #1 option as he's improved but still struggles at time making reads off an advantage that was already created.

[@trevorreynolds2214]

Jaylen Brown is gonna be worth that contract if he isnt already

[@razkable]

Not if the celtics lose

[@Kagemusha08]

@@razkable Even if they lose dude has shown he's an All NBA-level two way talent. He's shown he's willing to sacrifice stats for team success. He's healthy. A ton of teams who think they need one more peace to contend will give up a lot to get that. People freak out about the contract but every elite-ish player will be getting paid that going forward. The Celtics were smart not to trade him.

[@CollaredConsulting]

LeBalco James and commissioner Skeletor destroyed the NBA

[@AthletesLoungePodcast]

Giddeys value is high for sure

[@pruney84]

Guys are more talented than ever today And yet: How many guys can set a screen properly? How many guys can make a basic pass into the post? How many can a get a proper post position? How many can make a simple read off the elbow or on a short roll? And on, and on, and on But Don't worry, LeBron and JJ are going to save us🤦‍♂🤦‍♂🤦‍♂

[@dusttaker]

Jokic

[@Gnofg]

Those are skills taught in college. Trae Young is the perfect example of today's player. High school coach, AAU ball and one year at Oklahoma. . He can't and doesn't want to play defense. He steps across the half court line and chucks up a 35 footer and finally he dribbles over half the possesion.

[@user-gc3qj7md8c]

How can Wemby be the greatest Center since Shaq when Jokic already exists?

[@jdankerdake]

Because in Bill’s calculus, Shaq is better than Jokic and Wemby has the potential to bypass Jokic, so a Jokic reference is irrelevant in this context.

[@Sbock86]

His ceiling is higher than Jokic. Compare rookie seasons.

[@Marlowe10100]

@@Sbock86 It's all about stats for today's league buuut stats are inflated and in some cases are literally fake stats like Lebron's rebounds.

[@richardSmith-ym5xu]

Gregg Popobitch vs Phil Jackson: Phil Jackson was in the same era and has more then double the rings, 3peated twice + repeat Pop just got the leftover rings when Jackson was transitioning from bulls to lakers (1999), got the lucky 2003 one and that got backdoor swept by Phil the very next season in 2004. Then again when Phil was rebuilding before getting Pau in 2005\2007, then Jackson destroyed the serbian bum again in 2008 Jackson is way cooler too, fk Pop

[@michaeln3044]

I think the biggest problem is what we see with kp who is closer to Wemby type. These guys have nowhere to come down. Their feet our huge…their body is so long vertical challenges they catch all kind of contact. It’s just tough to stay healthy.

[@Jack-jx6ln]

Bill cannot help himself from interrupting his guests, once you notice it it's impossible not to

[@floydkizzie8728]

Bill still mad about the Spurs getting Duncan, so did his normal drive by on the Spur's org. Stay you Bill:>

[@razkable]

He's mad at the celtics being good but losing last year paying brown when wemby was in the draft....he's happy about jrue and porzingis but if they lose again they lose one lf those guys and their stuck financially next few years with the team they got which won't win

[@Biz613]

Wemby will win 3 rings, 3 DPOY and 3 MVPs before he retires. Maybe more.

[@KK-pm7ud]

Jalen Green proves that coaching matters in player development. That coaching hire might have been the best off-season move.

[@razkable]

I think the gm deserves credit for putting vets around this kid in brooks fred and even uncle jeff and holiday...he realized they are trying to win

[@slow_Jo]

just wondering, when are you two going to upgrade to the 21st century and get at least a 720p camera? not even asking for 1080p 😂

[@razkable]

I would legit give up a title to watch wemby play for his entire career with my team...or have a fun young team with a real future like okc...like the warriors has

[@ravinodyab7725]

Folks made fun at MJ for the statement, "the ceiling is the roof." However, is there a better statement for guys like Wembenyama, and earlier Shaq and LBJ?

[@stephenthompson1394]

Am I crazy for thinking that Nikola Topic is the perfect guy to pair with Wemby in the draft this year? 18 year old dominating the Euroleague, like cmon guys let's not make the same mistake the league made with Luka. A lot of these European guys are so enticing bc they are generally taught the things Russillo was lamenting about having a lack of in his Personal Trainer Theory.