Inside The NBA: Bill Simmons

Bill Simmons, host of the new HBO show, Any Given Wednesday, joins the Inside Crew to discuss his show and the NBA playoffs.

[@Xhoven]

Wow, it is surreal watching this clip. Thunder up 3-1, Simmons thinking they'll win the championship and Durant will stay. Absolutely none of that happened.

[@AB_7092]

Xhoven well Durant left cuz they lost this series but yea

[@lacywhitevalenti7234]

And his show was swiftly cancelled.

[@scottsee5760]

And he wants ben simmons

[@hmhm856]

I think only Woj predicted earlier in the season that Durant might leave to Warriors if Thunder dont win title. And he did

[@DJRashadHayes]

Yo!!! Lol the way he is talking is hilarious.

[@17cpaydro]

This is such a time stamp in history people can’t even imagine this whole conversation and everyone in this happened

[@mattdotts]

Look at Bill seamlessly chillin with the crew this is great stuff

[@Cbabby12791]

Shaq was so spot on with Ben Simmons issues! Dude has not gotten any better.

[@manonamissionpart2]

Wat did Shaq say??

[@nolabets3130]

@@manonamissionpart2 tldr, no jump shot not aggressive

[@backproblems713]

Thought the same thing

[@gerardoleary9371]

So weird. Just wondering if someone commented that right after I heard it

[@williestyle35]

( 4:34 ), and it is still true 7 years later. lol, good on Shaq

[@juju-vl7oj]

I miss Bill on TV, I love his podcast, don't agree with everything he says but his perspective is interesting and usually reasonable.

[@Pedroapares]

Crazy how Shaq predicted Simmons issue before even beeing draft. The guy is not agressive enough and doesnt have a jumper. Still the same 5 years later.

[@farhanmajid9875]

If you knew anything about basketball his shooting was always a concern from before he was drafted

[@alinjo4421]

@@farhanmajid9875 no it wasn’t really emphasized that’s why he went number 1

[@farhanmajid9875]

@@alinjo4421 this is not true. And everyone knew he couldn’t shoot. He went number one overall because his play style was compared to lebron James, In terms of a point forward, high IQ, pass first and bully ball

[@josephchandler8418]

Spot on

[@melo20034]

And now he wants out.

[@maxthepupp]

Its wild watching this now! Simmons is a podcasting gagillionaire and Ben Simmons still isn't aggressive with the ball!

[@Segnon]

Shaq’s take has aged really well.

[@youngbucko2998]

Comes to this 5 years later and just laughs at everything said in this 😭

[@rtql8d]

Never realized Shaq been doing that bird call since at least 5 years ago haha

[@AninoNiKugi]

Yeah same, I thought he got that from the Atlanta fan.

[@pancon5]

Same, haha

[@Arcavian]

He used to do it for Birdman on the heat

[@pancon5]

@@Arcavian True!

[@AninoNiKugi]

@@Arcavian Oh yeah, now I remember

[@BenBGolf]

Bill should be on this show as a regular, such a fun dynamic with him at the table.

[@PTZOUTZ]

Yeah he actually knows basketball

[@nathanbranson9149]

He's not funny. Everyone else is funny.

[@TMthe33rd]

@@nathanbranson9149 He didn't say he's funny. He said that Bill had fun dynamic or good chemistry with the rest of the crew

[@thedarkfrost2351]

@@nathanbranson9149Kenny is not funny.

[@immaog34]

The pod father!

[@RASTAGOOB]

yessir

[@piolorenzoperez5277]

he's best with jalen

[@abdullahas7157]

اتي لحالوه.

[@NewDrovack]

His “The Rewatchables” Podcast on the Ringer is amazing

[@YizWasHere]

Nice to see Bill back on TV. Shame what happened with ESPN.

[@khayle05]

Gotta give the people what they want

[@SwaaaggyB]

What happened with him & ESPN ?

[@Brandon-vy6uw]

definitely

[@RoubexChubeTV]

+Everything comics WHAT HAPPENED???

[@tinkyaw5787]

He got into a fight with the management over some content he was allowed to do and then they fired him and got rid of grantland...

[@kawaiiafangirl]

It's kinda hilarious seeing the Thunder dancing during pre-game knowing what's going to happen to them in 3 games. Lol.

[@yourpants194]

Crazy how small desks used to be

[@danielrodriguez5875]

good too see bill back on tv

[@kareemenya]

Wow! 5 years later Ben Simmons still not aggressive and can’t shoot.

[@melo20034]

Now he wants out of Philadelphia

[@hackrjack]

Crazy this is was the day that started KDs departure

[@mastercheng111]

it be cool if Simmons joint the crew

[@mauropedrosa7317]

Love these 5

[@Buttington_Headerson]

Go Magic 😉

[@rgs97]

The Ben Simmons analysis was on point

[@erickmelendez1603]

I wish Bill was on Inside the NBA

[@johnbrowntheprophet]

He was on ESPN. He was never on “Inside the NBA,” which is on TNT.

[@bernardomacedo2961]

@@johnbrowntheprophet he meant he wished he was on TNT’s Inside the NBA.

[@niteporter]

I actually like bill Simmons. His book now I can die in peace his great.

[@smallben7744]

Love Bill Simmons

[@Steven-zo6uz]

He's my favorite analyst. His podcast is really down to earth and chill to listen to. Not a bunch of arguing and yelling

[@Chiro_ASMR]

Enjoyed that

[@yowhatsmyname]

Spot on with Ben Simmons

[@earfboy2146]

One of my favorite sports personalities. Right up there with Chuck

[@ryanscanlon9157]

HISTORIC FOOTAGE at 0:35 bottom ticker indicates this was the day when the Thunder started blowing their 3-1 lead

[@How2BeANoob]

Changed the NBA and many great players' legacies forever

[@mattdotts]

#sonicsgate Karma for being stolen from Seattle

[@redfordreddington8834]

@@mattdotts Seattle doesn't want an NBA team. They might not even want an NHL team.

[@TerminatedAccount.]

This was the last time Bill ever saw either Shaq, Ernie, Kenny or Charles.

[@Scott86Free]

HOT I thought Sir Charles was on his show

[@NBAkingsfan10]

Bill Simmons is the GOAT!!!!!

[@sebeku2]

Hindsight is so sweet to taste here in 2022.....

[@domclegg1225]

so weird to see shaq not trying so hard to be loud and funny. this was a great segment, i wish bill spent more time with this crew

[@abhinavshankar12]

Bill Simmons reminds of Tom Yates from House of Cards.

[@tqtr123]

Shaq always says something and everyone ignores him :'(

[@RASTAGOOB]

i know man

[@PTZOUTZ]

He says some funny stuff sometimes 😂😂

[@paulwhite4804]

Rightly so

[@KB24isClutcherThanMJ]

Simmons the goat

[@JuniorRich916]

I miss Bill Simmons on tv

[@colinjones7047]

This video is surreal

[@FlasHard3]

lol you can just feel the tension through the screen

[@jmiranda4960]

This is crazy. It’s eery. Had OKC won this game and then won the championship, Durant, Curry, Golden State, Lebron, and Westbrook’s legacies are all dramatically different.

[@mattsell2361]

The entire league would be so different

[@domclegg1225]

its a really spooky little time capsule. that said i wonder what would have happened if the Thunder won this game but then lost the Finals? is that enough for KD to still leave? surely he doesn't go to GSW if his team just beat them? maybe he just runs it back with Russ? still, a drastically different league would unfold

[@neelmoudgil4962]

Oh god if only they knew where this thunder vs warriors series was going

[@danielabatabogdanov8586]

Why doesn't this guy get more airtime ? He is craaazy about basketball ! I listen to all his pods... In the meanwhile you have all these random Stephen A like dudes who dont even watch that many games.

[@COMEBACKFN]

Cam Payne so inspirational 7:10

[@MannyMensah94]

Glad to see Bill on TV. I hoped his new show rocks. Espn screwed him, whitlock, Cowherd and Olbermann.

[@chiggsytube]

Not fair to say. ESPN paid big money for NBA, and others. Fat ass money. They had that money because ESPN was part of basic cable. 5 bucks/month off of everyones bill went to ESPN. With unbundling, now all the single ladies will pick whatever they watch and drop ESPN. It's happening now. They need to cut costs. All the people you mention went to places who are safely monetized, or don't have huge commitments. Add Bayless to this group as well.

[@armin38822]

Those HBO connections are strong when he gets on inside the nba to promote his show.

[@mcdude9578]

talking about thunders in the 2016 finals ;_:

[@russell2890]

chuck is the man

[@kawaiiafangirl]

Chuck had his eyebrows did this week for sure. Lol.

[@Lucas-ik1ff]

Miss that Russ-Cam Payne backcourt tandem. Oh how things have changed

[@johnm8237]

Bill Simmons the goat of analysis

[@rano2613]

Shaq summed up all years of Ben in NBA till today.

[@aniket7743]

2020 and still they are talking about Ben Simmons jump shot!!

[@jasbb2]

2021

[@DrewBraaten]

Shaq’s take on Simmons aged like wine

[@CheefChaos]

In hindsight bill realized naming your television show after one specific day of the week was a mistake

[@Hudcrudder]

Ben Simmons has the exact same issues he did coming out of college. Nothing has changed in half a decade

[@pav7315]

4:47 Shaq called it

[@jayjsilva765]

Damn. Someone yelled " charles where's your rings at?"

[@CaahMoneyPlayboy]

When I didn't hear it

[@noel12th]

+CaahMoneyPlayboy About 6:07

[@maxel313]

hahahah

[@amare1cro]

Loool Bill actually slightly disrespected shaq at 4:32, it wasnt a soft tap lol

[@JohnSmith-gc4rm]

thunder blew 3-1 lead

[@antwhezzy]

Greg Voukias yeah right after Simmons says they are gonna win the title

[@DIVISIONINCISION]

Simmons should be a full-time analyst for TNT. They want Shaq for ratings, but he doesn't offer any analysis. Simmons brings more insight.

[@DIVISIONINCISION]

Bill Simmons has forgotten more NBA than Shaq ever knew. Just because he played the game doesn't make him a great analyst. Simmons is typically spot-on with his analysis. Yes, Shaq makes sense from time to time, but Simmons is an author, producer, director and well-rounded enough to bring something different to the TNT crew. ESPN has been losing viewers for years. They think they can fire their best talent and keep moving on. The only reason people watch ESPN now is that they carry NBA/MLB/NFL games. They have been losing their viewership who want sports content since they let Dan Patrick, Keith Olbermann go. Letting Cowherd, Simmons and now Skip Bayless walk will hurt ESPN long-term. ESPN's biggest advantage if that they are a subsidiary of ABC. If they were a standalone entity, they'd be hurting...

[@DIVISIONINCISION]

I guess it depends on what you value. I prefer the analysis from an outside perspective. Simmons is a cultural icon. Shaq is limited in what he can bring to the table. Shaq is there just for ratings, not analysis.

[@Toosii2times]

+Optimus Dime Good points there Brody, won't argue with you. To add to Simmons resume: he was a heavyweight at ESPN and honestly was one the best things to happen to that network. His podcasts with Jalen (NBA countdown to be specific) were the highlights of the off season for me. He was the brains behind 30 for 30, literally one of the best things on TV imo and his Grantland website was probably the finest team of sports writers I've ever seen. But your point about his on air personality being his weakness is very true. Great interviewer and I love the guy, but let's be honest; he's a Boston homer and he's a dweeb. Barkley on the other hand is biased, but he's unapologetic about it (and his unintentional comedic delivery make him TV GOLD). Shaq is definitely knowledgeable about the game but he's by far the weakest link on the panel. TLDR: Simmons a cultural icon? lol no

[@369pendulum]

This show is not about analysis

[@Beau838]

He’s really one of the best basketball historians and very good at giving historical context and significance to important nba games that are happening in the moment

[@shadownerds5745]

Little do they know....Durants in the back signing to the Warriors lol

[@jcapo467]

Can someone fill me in, what happened with Bill Simmons and ESPN?

[@mikethevicious]

they canned him and grantland... a year ago. They said it was money but the people in charge didn't like him

[@DIVISIONINCISION]

He got fired because he called out Roger Goodell over Deflate-gate, called him a liar etc... He was told by ESPN to stop criticizing him and he went on Dan Patrick's Fox show and called him out again. That was a wrap. Of course, I would say it was the best thing to happen to Bill now that he is getting major paid at HBO, has his own show and several podcasts. He calls his own shots, now and will be uncensored.

[@matchesmalone2625]

@@DIVISIONINCISION I thought he called out Goodell over domestic violence handling?

[@freemoneyempire9745]

This is when chuck looked the most like Chrisean jr

[@garyrichmond7404]

"I think Westbrook thinks he's better than Curry" is the exact summation of how Russ doesn't get basketball. Curry understands that you have 48 minutes to win and Russ thinks having a triple-double makes you great.

[@turner4243]

It’s kinda weird to see Bill Simmons eye level with shaq.

[@orsavage2849]

Westbrook doing the stanky leg

[@pucyu9678]

It’s amazing how often bill is wrong about literally anything he predicts lol

[@gilfordmccormack8140]

A young Cameron Payne dancing With Westbrook

[@nathanmoraldo9565]

Fidel Castro lol Chuck

[@leary4701]

Chuck low key burned espn “the other show is a bunch of coaches who got fired”

[@andrewdorie7631]

Ben Simmons can shoot. Watch his high school mix tapes. He splashes 3’s pretty consistently.

[@ewan7283]

but he won’t, and that’s the point

[@Nationof300]

This aged like horribly wrong lol

[@navneethsundararaghavan1585]

The only thing that has been constant from the opinions in this video is "Simmons need to improve his jumpshot"

[@Lukeade815]

never realized that bill simmons has those piercing blue eyes… he could recruit soldiers with those baby blues

[@wadeoradio]

Kenny caught Bill not prepared with that what would you ask Charles Barkley question

[@chefmark1751]

It's also a dumb question. You don't ask an interviewer what questions he's going to ask his interviewee right next to him. And Bill is right, they're gonna talk basketball, so obviously the outcome of the NBA finals is going to be a major theme.

[@wadeoradio]

I think they were trying to play him to be honest. Clearly Charles didn't seem interested.

[@melo20034]

Imagine telling everyone in that building what we know now. A lot has changed over 5 years. This is basically the last season where multiple teams had a legit shot at winning the NBA title. The balance of power shifted completely and now only 2 or 3 teams have a chance.

[@mikebb79]

I have to say, if the pandemic has taught me anything, it's that people use to sit WAY to close together on sets.

[@shadowguy20004]

Westbrook ego might be unmatched against anyone except Kanye West & Donald Trump.

[@AB-op9cq]

you say that like you know him personally smh

[@DIVISIONINCISION]

If Westbrook could play under control and pass more like a PG should, then he could be the best PG in the NBA. Unfortunately, he prefers to play crazy and erratic much of the time. Kanye stopped being a rap artist and became a pop star after his first album. I think him marrying Kim was a status thing, but most people look at her like used trash after everyone she's been with. She's not wife material. When I see Kanye, I see a simp who believes his own hype. Tragic. At least with Trump, you know what you're getting. He makes more money than 98% of America and can call his own shots. His ego is justified.

[@shavarez]

makes you feel small huh? lol

[@lacywhitevalenti7234]

Bill Simmons praises OKC, and they go on to lose 3 straight.

[@ironmike5812]

And Durant leaves😂

[@TheMrbc74]

Bill picked Ben Simmons as the no1 pick, okc to beat the warriors, and plugged any given Sunday. Which one was worst?

[@jjruss8238]

Lol How wrong was BIll about Ben?? Shaq was spot on, prob cause he went thru it, but anyway we give so much props to Simmons for 'knowing his basketball' but he is wrong so many times.

[@KyleJBales]

Imagine telling these guys that in 10 years the Warriors would have 4 titles and the Thunder would have 0.

[@jimmyconway356]

Thunder in 6 didn’t age well .. or Durant staying in okc

[@stk7778]

warriors shouldve had this one. if only russ listened to chuck!

[@nathanieldurant1563]

Look and Jayson Tatum went to his Celtics

[@AninoNiKugi]

Who here came because you thought the video title was making fun of Chuck because of incorrectly calling Ben Simmons as Bill Simmons then going straight to the comments and seeing Ben Simmons being mentioned added to that thought? 🤣

[@seagramrtx9346]

The show was set up to fail, I hope Bill finds employment with TNT

[@leejones8082]

I love Bill but man, nothing in this clip aged well

[@UnrulyRebel-hd2pl]

That russ is better than curry comparison didn't age well

[@domclegg1225]

that wasnt what he was saying at all lol, you missed his point

[@vb9150]

Completely missed the point. Suggest you listen again before blurting nonsense in the comment section.

[@henokmebratu8625]

why in the hell is bill simmons is shaking ernie hand like that. in .22 s

[@jmiogo]

Bill has a lady handshake

[@marlontadeo7252]

In the words of Bill Simmons, this video did not age well

[@kenryu364]

Anyone else thought it was a clip of Charles messing up and calling Ben Bill?

[@jamalabdelbaset6635]

I think Bill Simmons would’ve taken and made more shots than Ben.

[@drevm7991]

These takes aged badly. Ben Simmons still has no jump shot too lol.

[@jonjohnson1978.]

I think the cavs would of beat OKC in 6......lebron was better than KD, kyrie is great in big moments and ke in love wouldn't be stopped

[@cnl1213]

I was anticipating some beef between Chuck and Bill... but I guess not...

[@fangman21]

I believe Chuck has gone on his Pod before, I think they're pretty cool

[@MrGoldenboy231]

+FanOfTheDoraemons except the dumbass skip bayless lol

[@armin38822]

they are friends

[@piolorenzoperez5277]

dude bill's pod with chuck is probably his best

[@schmassbinder]

Funny to see how completely wrong Bill was.

[@scottbennici4689]

schmassbinder I mean how could anyone of possibly expected Durant and Westbrook to completely choke.

[@369pendulum]

He's wrong most of the time

[@oldirtydasher]

Bad take bill Simmons! He didn't stay!!

[@wiz_dropbomb2134]

"You think, "he think", "he is" lol foh

[@chedbeckford8067]

Then the warriors came back 😂🤣

[@oneyedthing]

0:34 - 0:38 You can see Ellen Degeneres' final form

[@TheTruthiest]

Bill is wrong on almost everything. He usually just falls for the usual lazy analysis.

[@VRNESTX]

Too bad about that show lol

[@forgetit3966]

Where's your show compadre??

[@frankmaitland1254]

HBO SHOW should have been a weekly or monthly not weekly