Has OKC Finally Passed Dallas? Plus: NBA Cup Nitpicks & Favorite Rookies | The Bill Simmons Podcast

[@Jazzman-0]

I am once again respectfully asking for Bill to bring Jalen & Jacoby back together

[@aliencerberus25]

When ESPN had good shows.. good ol days lol. Those days are long gone!

[@brettdavis5873]

You guys thought that was a good show 😂😂😂

[@SaifKhan-mz5hz]

@@aliencerberus25 That was on the Grantland first...

[@unconditionalLove1]

Jalen is signed to NBC so idk how that affects the possibility

[@stephentaylor1810]

The birdmester days.....

[@martinnovales]

We need more Verno impressions from Simmons lmaoooo

[@isaiahtonge6955]

Shit was spot on😂

[@thebrockman12]

It was soooo accurate 😅

[@ineedsaltplease620]

@@martinnovales It's fun how Verno is the employee bill openly dislikes

[@chriseyre2043]

Its always weird to me that whoever talks their picture quality goes up and everyone else's picture quality goes down, and it just keeps switching. One moment its Bill simmons 4K resolution and then its Bill simmons 720p.

[@kam_12_]

this is my only gripe with the BS podcast., hes been doing this for so long and so well, youd think his crew could get some better quality cameras and video😂😂

[@rextside]

Never noticed that, now I can’t unsee it.

[@CameronStrandberg]

These dudes all over 45 -- why you wanna see them in high-def?

[@kevink1575]

​@@CameronStrandbergyou prefer young men huh

[@WhereIsYourID]

​@@CameronStrandberg Theyre all over 45, are you under 12? What a childish joke

[@grahambecker]

I love this trio. 3️⃣ The Logical Data guy 📊 The Emotional Gut check guy ❤ The Disillusioned Homer guy 😂

[@ShadowbanTheHedgehog]

Jacoby offers nothing lol. Jalen rose could have podded with anyone else 😂

[@grahambecker]

@@ShadowbanTheHedgehogoh I like him. Fun dad takes, just fun

[@Teachingtony]

@@ShadowbanTheHedgehog who's your favorite person to listen to. I bet they are perfect and cool

[@ShadowbanTheHedgehog]

@@Teachingtony your dad

[@kam_12_]

@@ShadowbanTheHedgehogbeing enjoyable for an hour+ is a skill on its own, not many guys are capable of doing it while also actually having an understanding of what theyre talking about. stop the jacoby hate😢

[@17NateJohnson]

I do like the fact that signing a contract actually matters.

[@rhh3828]

Yeah I think the trade stuff will figure itself out because some of these contracts were signed without these aprons in mind but in two or three seasons trades will be back but it will never be like it was and that’s a good thing. Stars will have to stay with their home team or have to take less money and fans can buy jerseys again

[@MrOctober44]

As a fan it fun sometimes knowing that a team can become an instant contender, but it's gotten out of control. As soon as anything goes wrong these guys went out.

[@JASONWILLIAMS-de5tg]

Hartenstein and Caruso have taken OKC to an all new level

[@notoriousLSGshow]

Yea fr , they play like a deep loaded college team back in the day - constant pressure defensively & attacking the rim to finish it kick out or letting their best 1:1 players, SGA, in iso for a quality look

[@MrOctober44]

They're biggest issues was size and rebounding so Hartenstein golls that. The two of them also add a lot experience which they desperately needed

[@J-Hue]

Hartenstein definitely. Caruso has been more of a mixed back. Greta on defense, but usually a liabikity on offense.

[@WilliamGonzalez-op4pt]

The biggest problem with the NBA Cup is that fans still don’t understand it. Bill, who covers the league said that he didn’t want the Celtics to win because he didn’t want them to play 2 more games. They only play an extra game if they get to the finals.

[@abelarson3389]

Bill doesn’t know what he’s talking about that’s the norm

[@J-Hue]

Does the winner then play 83 games during the regular season? If so, they should just scratch these matchups from their head to head series later on and give the teams that made it this far the night off.

[@shotoutgames8823]

The only guys who could come close to guarding SGA are already on his team. Wow

[@javierdelgado6804]

OKC in 5 vs ANYBODY!

[@maxrichard2244]

That was hilllarious from Jacoby! "Nah it's this fat guy from Serbia, actually" 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ptyten9718]

The incentive ideas for the NBA Cup were hilarious 😂

[@mookz34]

There is not two extra games. What are these guys talking about? Every team that didn't make the quarterfinals has two additional games added to their schedule.

[@amc1140]

That's not true, the IST literally adds games. I think it's only 1 though, not 2

[@slagellajs]

@@amc1140yes only the final game is extra. The first 2 rounds count as season games.

[@amc1140]

@@slagellajs yeah and that’s part of the cash prize. It’s basically a game check for the extra game played. So essentially, the cup is meaningless and has no prize lol

[@Buy_The_Dip_Financials]

@mookz34 get a clue, scrub

[@drjcup3228]

Giving the in-season cup winner automatic sixth seed would be horrible idea.

[@CarlosMuesesEduardo]

Agree. Same vicinity as home field advantage in the WS for the all star game in baseball. PPl care or they dont.

[@vinnyharvieux7671]

Giving a team a guaranteed playoff spot based on a seven, eight game sample is crazy.

[@PeterWilson-c3u]

Jimmy Butler would love this🤣

[@brandonberger6889]

@@PeterWilson-c3u underrated comment

[@J-Hue]

​@@vinnyharvieux7671 It makes the games make more sejse in a way that fans can actually appreciate. More money for the players doesn't help fan involvement much. But, winning the cup tournament having automatic playoff seeding wouldn't hurt things. Teams used to get automatic seeding just for winning their division. Sometimes getting higher seeding than teams with way more wins than them. I think it's a good idea.

[@HungSir-h1y]

Jacoby actually thinks for himself. Dude in the middle is just a bill Simmons yes man

[@diskinyoung]

My idea for fixing the regular season and the NBA Cup: First, bring back divisions and guarantee each division winner a playoff spot (though not necessarily a top-four seed). This would revive rivalries and make divisional matchups matter again. Next, introduce a playoff selection show where the top three teams in each conference get to pick their first-round opponents, with the #1 seed choosing first, then #2, and #3. This would add huge stakes to the regular season as teams fight for a top-three finish and make the selection process must-watch TV, with drama and strategy as teams openly pick their opponents. Finally, elevate the NBA Cup by giving the winner not only prize money but also the first pick in the playoff selection process-if they make the playoffs. This incentivizes teams to compete in the Cup while still ensuring they must perform well in the regular season. These changes would make every part of the season more competitive, bring back rivalries, and create more must-see moments for fans.

[@diskinyoung]

Full thoughts on this idea for those more interested: Revamping the NBA Regular Season, Playoffs, and NBA Cup The goal is to make the NBA regular season, playoffs, and NBA Cup more competitive and meaningful without drastically shortening the season (though ideally, that could still enhance this plan). Here’s the proposal: 1. Bring Back Divisions with a Playoff Guarantee Reintroduce divisional significance to the league: * The winner of each division is guaranteed a playoff spot (though not necessarily a top-4 seed). * This revives divisional rivalries, creating intense matchups that matter throughout the season and fostering stronger fan engagement. 2. Introduce a Playoff Selection Show After the regular season concludes, hold a Playoff Selection Show where the top three seeds in each conference get to choose their first-round opponents: * The #1 seed gets the first pick, followed by the #2 seed, then the #3 seed. * The remaining teams are matched based on record. This system adds: * High stakes for the regular season: Teams will fight harder to finish in the top three for the power to choose their opponent. * Drama and strategy: The selection process becomes must-watch television, as teams openly choose their matchups. It could fuel rivalries and create bulletin-board material for the playoffs. 3. Elevate the NBA Cup’s Importance The NBA Cup winner gets more than just prize money; they earn a major strategic advantage: * If the Cup-winning team makes the playoffs, they receive the first pick in their conference’s playoff selection process-regardless of their seeding. * This incentivizes all teams to compete hard during the NBA Cup while still ensuring they must perform well in the regular season to make the playoffs. 4. Why This Works * More meaningful games: Divisional rivalries, playoff positioning, and the NBA Cup create constant stakes for teams throughout the year. * Strategic intrigue: Teams would need to balance their efforts across the regular season and the Cup, as success in one impacts the other. * Fan engagement: A live selection show with teams picking opponents creates unparalleled drama, viewership, and social media buzz. * Increased rivalries: With divisions mattering again and teams calling each other out during the selection show, the league develops more narratives that fans can rally behind. This structure makes the regular season, playoffs, and NBA Cup interconnected, competitive, and entertaining, reigniting rivalries and giving fans and players more to care about.

[@quinngerlinger7347]

@@diskinyoungNahh I fuck with this fr, I’m thinking maybe the first pick for winning the nba cup could be a little too much, maybe if they finish top 3 they get the first pick just so it still incentivises them to compete to get top 3 otherwise if they’re in the top 6 it doesn’t matter to them

[@PassportBroHacks]

fixing NBA ratings will only work if they got rid of Free Throws and replace it with mini One-on-Ones kinda how soccer does. So, if Luka fouls SGA, he gets 7 seconds to try and score on Luka. If he gets fouled again, automatic points. ESPN would have an entire segment just of these One-on-One fouls, probably. There is way too many fouls and free throw shooting today, which makes the game too slow and boring...

[@quinngerlinger7347]

@@PassportBroHacks interesting way to do it but also don’t think that will work but yes something has to be done about these free throws, possibly instead of free throws the team just gets a side out with 24 again

[@brandonberger6889]

@@quinngerlinger7347 @diskinyoung Yeah this detail was my biggest concern in this otherwise thoughtful and intriguing set of ideas. I bet it proves out that the team that wins the NBA Cup is probably only 50% likely to also be a top 3 seed. If they are outside the top 3 they'll of course pick the worst team (someone seeded 7-10 who makes the final 8)...and that means two of the top 4 seeds automatically are playing in Rd 1. That's way too rewarding for winning the Cup, but moreover way too punitive to a team who actually finishes 3rd and 4th. I think it's enough to give the winner of the Cup the 1st overall opponent selection AS LONG AS they finish top 3. That's a two-fold reward: first, they would get top choice even if they're not a top 2 seed; and also, it would allow them to ease across the season finish line if/once they were guaranteed a top 3 seed -- not nearly as much need to fight for top 2 (albeit I assume they still wouldn't have home court against a higher seed eventually)

[@AndrewFisher-z7e]

The incentive for advancing in the play-in should be that your elimination-game victories get added to your win total for the season (but your losses don't).

[@MrKrabs-ho6gz]

5:22 super accurate impersonation😂😂

[@kam_12_]

its almost as good as Russillos Bill impression from a few months ago😭 these dudes really know each other well bc the impressions always have me dying😂

[@eliyarrows2456]

My fix for the NBA Cup reward: +2 in the win column for the winning team, buffing their win% and giving them an advantage in a tight race. So they would be the only team with a win/loss record out of 84 games. If you apply this to the west last year, this could have been the difference between the lakers being a play in team or 6 seed. Or had the nuggets won it, it woulda given them the #1 seed in the west. I think this really entices good teams to try hard. The Celtics, the Cavs, they would have tried significantly harder in their group games knowing this could give them the edge in playoff seeding over the other. Instead, they both blew a game to a bad team.

[@TerrorSS]

Best idea I’ve seen for the tournament yet

[@kitrellhill8822]

Or they just lost...Good teams lose to bad teams a lot in the league, maybe they just had a bad game. Teams are incentivised winning $515k per person.

[@tomjenkins3353]

Jaylen Wells is number 2 in rookie of the year standings, starting and is 40 % percent from 3. No mention of him! He’s a second round pick starting on top team on the west what are we doing here??!

[@amaalmustafa8400]

what are the headphones bill's got? fun vibe

[@tomjenkins3353]

Idk if they read these comments,but I think one of the best things they should stop the breaks between nba cup games. Like make it a month long thing so ppl don’t have to look up and find out if there’s nba cup game on

[@tomjenkins3353]

Also just put one color on the court for the games and stick the nba cup logo on there, having to watch bulls and celtics cup games is torture

[@McMasher]

I think the NBA cup works for a young team like Houston. It lets them have a pseudo playoff energy and rotations so those young guys can get a feel for it when playoff time comes around

[@MrBimirud]

"No one wants to play (team X) in the playoffs." Said no elite basketball player - ever.

[@kevinhu162]

Lol especially Phoenix - when were they ever a threat in the playoffs? Wolves swept them last year when they had everyone healthy too, they've never gotten their mojo back after choking up 2-0 in the finals.

[@ElTuco84]

The Knicks have become an offensive juggernaut but I don't think the defense will be this weak come playoff time. Thibs is their coach, the defense will get better, also Mitch will return in the next few weeks and I'm very curious if they will pair him with KAT.

[@Shortballa11]

they for sure will. Thibs only plays 7 guys, so they need an 8th in the rotation and KAT is experienced at both positions

[@ineedsaltplease620]

Bill is a clinical narcissistic personality. That's why he says he's an only child all the time. When narcs devalue someone, which he's doing this year with the NYK, it means they feel threatened. When they praise, like he did with NYK last year, that means they don't feel threatened. Him saying he's over the NBA when football started is a narc thing; his team won lol. He's not just a homer, he needs therapy.

[@PeterWilson-c3u]

@@ineedsaltplease620 He sees the Knicks as a threat to his beloved Boston Celtics.

[@MateMagyar88]

5:20 Haha Verno impression! 😂

[@peacefulwarrior9518]

As a hardcore fan of a good small market team. I'm glad the Celtics can't just go get another guy.

[@abradantcb5024]

The one flaw in K’s analysis about the rockets is that we are on the Golden State payroll so zero shot we win tonight no matter who they throw out there.

[@mikejr.3812]

Since day one, I have been saying the winner of the cup should be guaranteed a playoff spot. Hearing Bill say the same thing made me jump up and clap my hands in agreement. My boss just called me into the office to say that was inappropriate behavior for an office setting but I do not care.

[@Shortballa11]

PLay in birth. Playoff birth would give zero incentive for the rest of the year. PLay in at least allows each team some security bt you still want to reach higher.

[@mikejr.3812]

@@Shortballa11 I would say 15-11 get a play in birth, 10 and higher get the 6th seed minimum. Would make the end of the season fun, could even move the cup finals to like February or March

[@TerrorSS]

Terrible idea. Would ruin integrity of the draft

[@mikejr.3812]

@TerrorSS they already have a lottery, you could say play in tournament doesn't affect your lottery position. Not that complicated

[@How2BeANoob]

They should make the semi final and final of the nba cup count towards regular season win total. If you lose, it doesn't affect it the loss column, but if you win in the semis you get one extra win, and if you win the cup you get two extra wins.

[@calebcraven7409]

semi final already counts

[@How2BeANoob]

@@calebcraven7409 true, though they could alter it even more so that it doesn't. Because teams have to go to vegas

[@tomclarke2549]

Bucks @29:34

[@Watchingvideoslikeu]

Kirk’s point about Tim Duncan playing on one knee for most of his career is a great point because Joel Embiid having knee problems isn’t the problem it’s that it’s obvious that he is not doing everything he can to maximize his ability to play on knee (nutrition, fitness, rehab, sleep, being locked-in in terms of team participation etc..). So yeah he’ll drop 30 & 15 one game then not play for 5 games

[@untexan]

Didn’t Dallas already win a game in OKC this year? Without Luka? HEAVY recency bias

[@TerrorSS]

No Chet, jay will, hartenstein or Caruso. Okc clears mavs very easily

[@michaeldemarco2415]

These three are good chemistry.

[@VYElectrify]

Players are definitely still tradeable mid-season.. just need a 3rd team with cap space (Detroit) or a non-apron team with a trade exception (a dozen teams). Two apron teams made a blockbuster 2 weeks before the season by trading a few G-Leaguers and a couple 2nds to a 3rd team..

[@coreyhurt8529]

SGA is different this year and now he has added the step back three to his game!

[@brendanpridmore7100]

Houston as a choice to beat OKC seems a bit wild. They’re inefficient on offence across the floor at every range. Expectations for OKC are getting slightly insane, they’ve young guys who have had one playoff run together.

[@mindyourbuisness8104]

If you win the cup and finish out of the play in you make the play in. If you are in the play in you get the 6 seed. If you are the 5-6 you get homecourt round 1. If you are top 4 you pick your opponent round 1

[@kalebduggar4251]

Someone show Luka Rip Hamilton clips. He’s never been taught off ball movement. He’s been THE GUY since dude was 13. It’s a problem as a coach I want to have. That being said he could use a bit of extra cardio before playoffs. 3:33

[@notoriousLSGshow]

Also add vids of how Doc used Ray Allen in the Celtics run

[@17NateJohnson]

Is Bill using a filter?

[@Debonair73]

It's not two extra games. The only game that doesn't count towards the regular season is the championship game. All the games are played within the Conference. That's why they all count except the championship game. So it's one extra game for 500k or 200k if you lose. Plus you get the chill out in Vegas for 4 days.

[@Iamrxch3]

Memphis or OKC are winning the west

[@JASONWILLIAMS-de5tg]

I think the question needs to start being is “who in the west can beat Boston?” I don’t know if anyone can, but if one team can I think it’s OKC

[@dequavispump2805]

I think the Vegas games have to count for regular season games to make it work better

[@kalebduggar4251]

How about Simmons to the Suns I actually think him having 2 stars that are your go to guys helps them? Plus he can run point in the 3rd if needed, but doesn’t have to be relied on in the clutch. Just run up and down play D. Make 5-6 flashy passes. Am I Crazy? 22:22

[@Totalsau]

How about we increase the stakes of the cup by making each game count as two wins. The NBA would have to switch to a point system where: Regular season win = 2 point Cup group play win = 3 points Cup semi win = 3 points Cup Final win = 4 points The team that wins it all would have somewhat guaranteed playoff spot

[@Br4dSp34d]

scrap the tournament, instead pick a date in early November, and then do an all-league tournament, best record to worst, ignore conferences, single elimination. So this year would be CLE vs WAS, OKC vs NO, BOS vs UTAH, MEM vs TOR etc. I know this would be almost impossible to work into the 82 game season, but i think it would be fun

[@kalebduggar4251]

Denver? Is MPJ playing so well now? 16:42

[@NBASleuth]

Hi team, idea for the Cup to add some spice to it. The lowest seeded team in each conference every year does not get to compete in the cup the following year. Also the final game should not count against your record if you lose, it should count for your record if you win. That 1 win advantage could be huge seeding wise another benefit of winning. Love to hear your thoughts

[@CaseyLynn-i7u]

NBA Cup is stupid it doesn't matter. Players don't care. Fans don't care. The only people the care are Talking Heads and the guys forcing it down your throats in charge of the NBA.

[@notoriousLSGshow]

TBF teams played pretty hard in cup games

[@jayjolley9258]

Yes that's exactly what the jab was jacoby😂😂 .

[@thesocratescamden]

Why does every basketball media squad always come off as if they just watched OKC for the first time? How are they surprised by this? Have they not watched OKC these last 2 seasons? The most ignored 1st seed ever imo

[@isaiahtonge6955]

Small market

[@thesocratescamden]

@isaiahtonge6955 Denver, Dallas and Milwaukee are ALL small markets...there is no excuse tbh cause they find way to always speaking on Jokic, Luka and Giannis

[@isaiahtonge6955]

@@thesocratescamden Giannis & Luka are better players, simple.

[@thesocratescamden]

@isaiahtonge6955 At this point its debate able. Giannis has been injured the last 2 season. Luka just made the finals but isnt the 2-way player Shai is and in that series vs each other Shai was the best player in the series by far.

[@chopin1975-tq3gx]

still taking dallas or denver in a 7 game series... playoffs are completely different; especially if you have jokic or luka

[@92KM1]

You should be able to swap a win with a loss too if you win the tournament

[@Shortballa11]

that's honestly the best idea. Could be the difference in seeding and making the playoffs.

[@danieljordan9004]

The part that should worry every other team in the NBA is they’re doing all of this without Chet Holmgren. People are calling this a generational type defense and doing it without their best defensive player and perennial DPOY candidate. Shai is their defensive weak link and all he did was lead the league in steals last season and a 1st team all defense type player. It’s sick, I don’t know what teams can do when they’re all healthy

[@jordantaylor3570]

Luka put up more points rebounds and assists last year !?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!??! He did what Jokić was doing last year and y’all had luka as 3rd in mvp!?!?!?!? Stop the Jokic favouring

[@JASONWILLIAMS-de5tg]

He did not average more rebounds or assists than Jokic is this year. Plus look at how bad Denver is when Jokic is off the court compared to on the court Luka had a case last year for sure

[@ollytropics1735]

The nba cup should give the winning team the 16th pick if the team wants it or they can get an extra spot on the roster for 5 million which wouldnt count against the cap. The reason a team would want it is pretty simple its movable capital, teams that want a movable decent valued pick would be Lakers Bucks Nuggets Heat Wolves Hawk Warriors Teams that would want the pick to keep and are competitive would be the Clippers Nets Celtics Pistons point is countless teams could benefit from getting the 16th pick

[@Danorthstar110]

love Jacoby

[@xavierjohnson4496]

Theyre so right about castle that kid is future drue holiday.

[@dequavispump2805]

As an okc fan I would’ve hoped we can just lose the semis and not play the finals to get some more rest if there isn’t a bronze medal game

[@willingexile3374]

The cash incentive doesn't work if everybody, including the losers, get paid. Team incentive - get the All-Star game hosting for the next season. Cup winner gets additional home game in first round if finishing 1-4 (3-2-2), series opener if 5-8 for 1-2-2-2 road-home format (after play-in is completed), or invitation to play-in as 10th seed if not qualified.

[@kurtgriffin8365]

If you really want everybody to care about the nba cup put the 4th seed on the line. If you win the nba cup you get the 4th seed and home court in the first round regardless of record.

[@BradJNeece]

The OKC defense has been aptly named: Smother Brothers

[@Wiseone-n7o]

This is caruso first game against Dallas, he didn’t play against Houston or Dallas first go around. And Okc #2 scorer Chet is down good luck

[@92KM1]

Memphis over Houston for sure

[@camreese]

You'd have to make the sixth seed secured a tradable asset to entice teams that'll be higher than 6, and prospectively most teams think they can be higher than 6. Let's say next year the one seed OKC Thunder win the in-season tournament and decide to trade it to the Sixers for a first round unprotected in the future and that way they can rest Embiid for the entire season

[@eduardonieto3536]

Man, everybody complains that there is no competitiveness anymore, and here you are talking about preferring to rest than to win a title (NBA Cup), then don't complain about the players resting instead of playing hard in the all star game, back to backs, etc. You gotta be congruent.

[@ollytropics1735]

Also in terms of fouls at the end of the game the team that gets fouled gets 2 points awarded to their scoreboard automaticaly and they get to start with the ball again similar to how they do with a flagrant. This would only come into play within the last 4 minutes of the fourth quarter

[@gunners1427]

jalen suggs..being the2nd guy on championship contender is outrageous take..

[@Joeshiesty286]

“OKC ARE THE CHAMPS” Series is 1-1. OKC beat undermanned Dallas. Dallas beat undermanned OKC.

[@nickmacdaddy6850]

What’s with this sound and video quality nephew Kyle

[@DaBaltimoron]

If you win the Cup, you get one lottery ball.

[@Shortballa11]

If you win the Cup, you should be at minimum be locked into the 10th seed play in. You still have incentive to reach higher bt at least you know you get an opportunity to get into the playoffs.

[@Wiseone-n7o]

Okc didn’t have Chet plus Josh giddey addition by subtraction. I think Caruso stole the ball and lob it to Wallace giddey could never.

[@dereksupernaut]

26:00 the winning Cup team could get the 10th pick in next years draft, its a chance for top teams to add a good player and its a chance for bad teams to draft 2 top picks next season...

[@davincidribbler7427]

The NBA cup is like the FA cup. Big teams don’t care so much, sure it’s nice to win but there’s bigger goals. Weaker teams see it as a chance to get something good out of the season and a stage to play big games against good teams.

[@notoriousLSGshow]

TBF Lakers cared Lyear & they are big market

[@imperialmoose]

27:20 You win, and you are guaranteed making the 7 seed, and if you make the playoffs you get to pick your opponent in the first round.

[@andrewmcmurray8081]

Players staying with teams longer is better for the league.

[@Iamrxch3]

Your daughter is a smart woman then Bill

[@DJCloroxx]

Smarter than Bill's dad it would seem.

[@jdankerdake]

Y’all sleeping on Memphis in the West?! Thank you, Bill.

[@Shortballa11]

im guessing they are fine?

[@1kingzeus]

@@Shortballa11Yep

[@ghostofkenny]

43:10 "Oh die easy Knicks fan Dave Jacoby is upset" is good stuff by Bill.

[@ineedsaltplease620]

Jacoby has called himself that for years. It's a reference to his own line

[@ghostofkenny]

@@ineedsaltplease620 not a Jacobyhead so i did not know this, thanks. thought Bill came up with it on the fly and was like damn he's still got it.

[@eelm87]

The winner of the NBA Cup, should be able to pick their 1st round match-up of the teams that made the playoff in their conference. For example let’s say the 4th seed team wins the cup and they prefer their match-up with the 8th seed, they should be able to switch their match up and face the 8th seed instead of the 6th seed

[@rollingwins]

If OKC gets #1 seed this year again SGA better get MVP

[@ericcruz4967]

Take him off okc and they’re still in the playoff hunt. Take jokic off the nuggets and they’re competing with the wizards for the #1 pick

[@deepvoicedude4749]

Depends on the stats, but I could see it. I think voters will be hesitant to vote for Jokic since he's already won so many MVPs (which shouldn't matter but realistically it does).

[@Shortballa11]

they 100% get the number 1 seed. Bt what happens when Boston gets it in the East. Does that mean JT wins MVP too?

[@justindza]

​@@Shortballa11 no because SGA favors Tatum in almost every advanced stat

[@MEpurgolders]

Dismissing the Bucks because of defense is a bad take. They’re 11th in defensive rating, and they were horrible the first 5 games. It’s only getting better. They will end the year top 10 in offense and defense.

[@17NateJohnson]

Let me just say: if Kobe, Mj, Bird, etc. were in the league, they'd want ALL the trophies. They'd see the Cup as another opportunity to crush the souls of their opponents. And they'd WANT to win. MJ wanted 72 wins. He was looking for reasons to compete -- not time off. He would play multiple rounds of golf during the day b/c he wanted to compete. The guys looking for time off is the reason this NBA feels lame. It's the reason the ASG stinks. Guys don't want to compete. The NBA Cup is grreat insofar as guys compete. It stinks insofar as guys don't compete. And this isn't a Lebron rant. It's just a comment on eras and the competition thing.

[@scottipippen6554]

Little harsh take, although i kind of tend to agree. I think, this new generation of players looks at the game very differently from past eras. They focus much more on long jeopardy, their brand, sideprojects, making as much money out of this as possible. They still want to win though. KD, Steph, Lebron, Luka, Tatum, Brown..they all can`t stand to loose. But i don`t expect anyone of this generation to be that maniac about winning anymore as MJ&Kobe. As a fan, i find it sad, that no one cars about the All Star Game anymore. Or takes the regular saison as serious as the old guys. But hearing Sir Charles or Shqa critizing this generation, is alos lauphable to me. Both were never ever "all in" on their craft. The only time i saw Sir Charles 99% in shape was in Philly for a few years. And Shaq`s working ethic, is well known. He got overweight when nearing his late 20s, when his body did not let him get away with partying and eating all summer without any serious workout plan or nutrition anymore. The old times never will come back, i guess. I don`t think we will ever see a MJ or Kobe character in the league again.

[@dillonkosir8381]

NBA Cup - Winner gets a guaranteed 6th seed, but if you are under .500 at the end of the season you forfeit the 6th seed award. This would reward teams for competing in the middle of the season, reward them in a few games where you can rest, but doesn’t allow a complete tanking effort.

[@elgato9595]

Over reaction Wednesday in December, and yes, everyone fast forwards the video when he talks

[@justindza]

When who talks lol?

[@Jason-xu9gd]

Who had the 13:21 mark for the first time Jacoby wiped the sweat off his face.

[@CaseyLynn-i7u]

The Suns build your team again guys who are now always hurt. Then are shocked when they are always hurt. DK never missed time when he was younger. Now it's hard to keep him on the court.

[@AB-sw4kb]

Kirk Goldsberry is great counterbalance to the sports podcasting/media world that Bill Simmons is coming from. I think people will follow Goldsberry wherever he goes.

[@17NateJohnson]

NBA Cup is fine. If there's a way for the teams that make the final 4 to get some rest, that'd be helpful. Winning should be rewarded. (But are two extra games THAT big of a deal?)

[@mookz34]

There are NOT two extra games. Every team that didn't make the quarterfinals gets two games added to their schedule.

[@17NateJohnson]

@ ??? Wait, what?

[@mookz34]

@@17NateJohnson Every team that didn't make the quarterfinals had two addtional games added to their schedule. Only 80 games were scheduled ahead of time.

[@17NateJohnson]

@ I didn’t know that. V interesting.

[@Danorthstar110]

How about Jimmy Butler for Jamal Murray

[@accordingtodrew7302]

Mavs fans still think this is the same OKC team last year and watching them get a little humbled felt good. Giddey was the main player they would attack or try to expose and he’s gone. You replace his minutes with more sga, Jalen on ball duties. Caruso hustle and defense and the improvement of Cason Wallace. Not to mention Ihart physicality and size. Chet didn’t even play….also someone who I think is important is Jaylin Williams. Him being healthy it’s important since he provides relief minutes for Chet and Ihart. He also is a solid 3 point shooter himself

[@javierflores6852]

Yall got humbled just 3 weeks ago the Mavericks until further notice are the favorites in the West one game doesn't change that I still need to see who will be that second guy for OKC that will step up in the playoffs because Chet and Jdub looked like pumpkins last year.

[@accordingtodrew7302]

@ lol cope harder. Humbled three weeks ago? When okc was short Chet and Caruso? Yeah okay.

[@javierflores6852]

@ and the Mavs didnt have Luka? lollll thanks for the 4 days off we have bigger fish to fry

[@accordingtodrew7302]

@@javierflores6852 cope harder

[@javierflores6852]

@ im not coping buddy trust me its game 25 of the season

[@xavierjohnson4496]

The only team i think that has a shot against the thunder out west is yhe grizz and no one wants to admit it. But theyre top 5 in off and def. They have a guy in ja that can go bucket for bucket with sga and they have two way guys in smart and trip and theyre deeeeeep asf if they hit threes for a two week period that team can beat anyone idc and dont sleep on Denver idc what it looks like rn if jamal gets right theyre right there

[@chopin1975-tq3gx]

its still the mavs or denver; they have the two best players in the league

[@xavierjohnson4496]

@chopin1975-tq3gx idk if I can even disagree with that especially historically. But if Jamal ain't Jamal Denver ain't Denver. And I think sga is as good as Luka in terms of a matchup and production. Luka is the better player RN but if they meet that might be the series sga over takes him as best guard in the NBA. I just think it's going to take a TEAM of two way guys to compete with the thunder and Memphis is right there in that boat.

[@notoriousLSGshow]

Good point , I do think if minn gets it together they can give OKC a battle ( big IF tho )

[@romeobodeodo]

Butler is a lousy fit in Golden State because he's a ball stopper.

[@killdatbeat8255]

The nba cup is only one extra game you guys acting like it’s 5 extra games or something 😂😂 😂bucks in 6

[@DJCloroxx]

Yeah. I wonder if Bill even realizes the rest of the league had two "extra games" added this week. If not I'll gladly use his celtics seats tomorrow night.

[@mgee1723]

Can the nba amend the cba. Why did they make it so restrictive?

[@Abiggs2016]

Bill “League Pass” Simmons

[@tysonmays6866]

Bill hates Embiid so much but can’t stop talking about him

[@MrOctober44]

The Sixers are a huge rival of Boston. Who doesn't hate Embiid other then Philly fans?

[@gzelambeezy]

Instead of 1, why not have 8 throughout the season? Here me out.. I think they should Octuple down on the In-Season Tourney with with an increased emphasis on incentives - Each Tourney/Cup Championship could represent an advancement towards the post-season: -1 Cup Championship = Guaranteed Play-In -2 Cup Championships = Guaranteed Top 6 Seed -3 Cup Championships = Guaranteed Top 4 Seed -4 Cup Championships = Guaranteed Top 2 Seed Wanna make it even more interesting? 2 birds with 1 stone - Penalize the worst team of each cup with with a 1 spot drop in the draft(not in lottery odds but an actual spot post lottery).

[@justindza]

Octuple down lol. Not a bad idea though I will say. I like the playoff incentives

[@pjcoholan]

GREAT INSIGHT B.S @ 2:12 "OKC just seemed faster, younger and more athletic..." BREAKING NEWS BILL you BINGO---they don't "seem" they are across the board, younger, faster q=and more athletic. WHY do have a platform anymore.

[@tjjoshlj4968]

Your obliques are not your love handles😭