Is OKC the New Title Favorite? | The Bill Simmons Podcast

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by ESPN’s Zach Lowe to discuss Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and why the OKC Thunder top their NBA League Pass Rankings.
For more from The Ringer:
Shop: theringer.com/...
Website: theringer.com
Twitter: / ringer
Facebook: / ringer
Instagram: / ringer
The Ringer on KZbin: / theringer

[@tadah21]

Bills aversion to youtube is concerning drop the pods on youtube in entirety for God's sake

[@AndrejEftimov]

Probably worried about the Spotify and apple numbers declining

[@justingolden1809]

Maybe Spotify contract does not allow

[@doitforrheclout3968]

It’s a Spotify exclusive you didn’t see the bag they dropped on the ringer

[@NoName-cn3cp]

He lost JJ Reddick because of that

[@misinfluence]

I think it’s the contract with Spotify. Rogan does the same thing - he only drops clips. There’s some clause that says you can only release full-length stuff on Spotify

[@DaBiggAChris]

You still have to pick the Nuggets because they have the experience. But OKC and Minnesota will be tough outs in the playoffs. Ant and Shai are about to have some career moments this spring. Don't sleep on the clippers if PG and Kawhi can remain healthy.

[@tompratt7125]

Nuggets fan that absolutely loves OKC. They remind me a lot of the 2000 Nuggets that made that run to the WCF after just missing getting to the WCF the year before. A talented bunch of young guys ahead of schedule and in a sweet spot before everyone gets paid and the crazy depth goes away.

[@orenthaljames2534]

losing jeff green and bruce brown matters

[@marcuspolo9106]

I feel if khawi just wants to play they will be unbelievable

[@tompratt7125]

@@orenthaljames2534 Jeff Green was trash last year on the court. His contribution was in the locker room.

[@sitonmuhdeckasshole]

Yeah, there is just no history of an NBA team of players in their early 20s winning a ring, first time for everything but it's never happened. That's why I never thought Boston had a chance the past few years, Tatum was too young, history of the league is you don't win as the lead dog until your later 20s, unless you're Magic Johnson or Bill Russell, and they had older teammates.

[@gcitypr]

Bill, you need to upload the full podcasts to youtube. Please.

[@sitonmuhdeckasshole]

I don't think spotify will allow it :(

[@David-iv6je]

It's not the business model. They make a lot of money with Spotify and these are mostly teasers to get you to subscribe. But Spotify is like cable TV: you are paying for ALL of it, including the nutsos like Joe Rogan.

[@Joes35]

@@David-iv6jelol I’ve never payed for Spotify in my life and I listen every day

[@David-iv6je]

@@Joes35 Maybe a personal bug of mine: I HATE ads. But I can use ad blocker for KZbin. :)

[@gcitypr]

@@David-iv6je Spotify allows for video and audio podcasts. Some of us enjoy seeing the faces we are listening to!

[@joed7185]

Nuggets are and should be the favorites.

[@peterstodolak8858]

I think what Bill was trying to say was that OKC will seed higher than the Nuggets because the Nuggets are saving themselves for the post season

[@kadeholman414]

as an okc fan i agree, i'd pick nuggets or celtics to win it. but nobody should be surprised at this point if okc makes it interesting

[@peterstodolak8858]

@@kadeholman414 no doubt. It would be super fun to see them make a deep playoff run.

[@tompratt7125]

@@kadeholman414 Nuggets fan and I think they'll make it more than interesting. Too soon to win it but gonna put the fear of God into some playoff teams.

[@Gnofg]

@@tompratt7125 The concern for the Nuggets is can OKC control the tempo? If they keep the game tempo up. Murray and Jokic's defense is exposed. Shai is too fast for anyone and OKC does not respect Jokic and drive right at him.

[@santiagoskywalker]

Saying Shai is mysterious and not on social media is wild, he’s been on GQ and other magazine covers, posts all the time and is famous for his captions, he posted that his girl is expecting a baby, Shai just puts that shit on and hoops 😂 he is laidback but not mysterious at all

[@TheDifferenceCHI]

He also is in a few commercials

[@bkelly625]

He is so mild mannered he seems mysterious but that’s just Shai

[@garrettareiss]

They are the nuggets from 3 years ago. Great regular season but probably not quite ready to win it all.

[@ballerproductions1408]

Buddy said Shai is not a big social media guy 😂

[@markspringer8296]

That SGA / Hockey player comparison is so perfect !

[@AidanXavier988]

Haha I thought of the sedins methodical nature. It checks out!

[@cadepierson8892]

Thunder and Wolves are most fun teams in NBA

[@iculus3333]

With all due respect, we need to see OKC in multiple playoff series before we anoint them the odd on favorites.

[@elizaschaeffer34]

This is correct. They lack experience and know how. They may flounder under pressure not knowing how to handle specific scenarios they haven’t experienced. Time will tell

[@iculus3333]

@@elizaschaeffer34 indeed. They’re a fun team watch grow, however. The Western Conference is shaping up to have some very interesting emerging power dynamics.

[@urikamoment]

This is the biggest prisoner of the moment take I have ever seen. Why favorites, why not GOAT team with GOAT player?

[@thomasredden4263]

I don’t understand how year in and year out people get so hyped in December and January. I’m not saying don’t enjoy the great games and good basketball, but nba basketball in January and nba basketball in June are two different animals. When the pace slows down to half court sets, and you have guys like KD and Lebron wearing you out and never getting rattled by the moment, that’s when you find out who you are. OKC and Minnesota look the tits on paper, but when you aren’t getting all the calls you get in January, when you are getting worn like a sweater instead of just some half ass “it’s a Tuesday in January and we got still got 50 to go, I ain’t fighting you that hard for this” defense, when you brick a couple on the national stage with all eyes on, the playoffs, the BIG time, If you can handle all of that, for four 7 game series’, playing 40+ minutes a night, then and only then are you a contender. Can’t recreate playoffs, no matter how much a game might mean, it’s still a regular season game. Nothing lights the fire like something to play for. Even the in season tournament, made for great basketball for sure, but it isn’t a ring. It isn’t a legacy defining statement. Nothing can get your blood pumping like a shot at a ring.

[@TKainZero]

Bill putting curry above Kobe all time is one of his worst takes of all time

[@aron.gortman]

Bill is a strange guy. I think it's because he's a shameless obama supporter. No one with half a brain puts curry about Kobe.

[@thsu8]

Bill putting LeBron over Kobe is his worst take of all-time.

[@aron.gortman]

@@thsu8 Bill is a shameless obama supporter.

[@nine3seven]

Both statements above are true

[@Xlr8UrL1f3]

Mr Lowe is so much more relaxed with Bill than when he is on the cable outlet.

[@colepalmer3128]

Rob is much more suited to long-format discussions. On TV its a competition to get a couple sentences out so there’s no time to fully flesh out your thoughts or listen to others do the same

[@Riles3152]

I don’t entirely understand Bill’s overreaction to OKC and Minnesota. These two teams are obviously very good and will likely end up with 55 to 60 wins by the end of the season, but the playoffs are just a different animal and neither one of these teams have deep playoff experience as a unit. Let’s hold off until April, May let alone June when the games are most important to see if they are going to be the same team against Denver, or the Clippers or even the Lakers. Maybe even Golden State.

[@nocturne311]

You don't understand Bill's overreaction to OKC and MIN because you think that the Lakers and Warriors might still have a chance.

[@MultiBluedog123]

Golden state ? They maybe finish the season .500

[@FSVR54]

Golden State and Lakers lmao. Time for the new blood. Those old bums aren't doing anything. GS will not even make the playoffs, bub

[@VLAD_P_]

The Lakers and Warriors have the most deluded fans on the internet. They seem to find it hard to accept reality , both those teams are washed . Lakers were lucky to make it to the West Finals last year when teams like the Wolves / OKC were not ready . This year you will see how irrelevant teams like the Lakers /Warriors & Suns are going to be come playoffs time “

[@Riles3152]

@@nocturne311 You really believe in a 7 game playoff series that there ready to beat those teams 4 times? I'm pretty sure LeBron dropped 40 in OKC's building not too long ago and led them to victory. Experience, especially CHAMPIONSHIP experience matters in the playoffs. OKC with this unit minus Chet, hasn't even made it beyond a play-in tournament. We'll see what happens this spring.

[@WheresWaldo05]

People are very short term reactionary

[@xavierb9061]

Jus the o es that can sell it

[@johnray527]

70% of sports commentary is "very short term reactionary." That's the point. What's what people enjoy talking about - was is happening right now. We know it can change. We know there are other contenders.

[@urikamoment]

@@johnray527not all of it is clickbait though. Did you read the title?

[@doitforrheclout3968]

Only part you was wrong was Shai social media presence he’s best dressed and his captions always cold

[@juliothom2408]

OKC is too young right now. BUT, they are going to be A LOAD when they get experience.

[@emunety]

They will get picked apart by a big market team that’s just a fact.

[@MultiBluedog123]

@@emunety they can keep the core of Chet/j dub/Shai together, they’ll be fine

[@Biz613]

Embiid. Giannis. Jokic. Luka. Shai. Top 5 dudes in the league. No debate.

[@SomeChink]

that’s a nice five

[@todd6798]

Shai is better than Luka. Luka restricts ball and player movement.

[@joestroup4646]

From an okc fan who never could think of a comp for Shai, the hockey forward is perfect

[@TheDeven1000]

His comp to me stylistically is MJ

[@LukaLegend77]

why is bill still butthurt luka plays PG lol get over it he runs the damn offense and one of the best at it of all time

[@alexd7042]

Can you please upload the ENTIRE podcast? Give the people what they want!!!

[@joshuablack8221]

You can easily listen on Apple Podcasts 😎

[@atlantanthony7256]

shai has the best instagram in the league

[@joeldriver-sp2rg]

I'll be interested to see what happens in the playoffs with OKC when the defensive intensity goes up because they are a bit on the small side and they can get pounded on the boards against certain teams. I still think they kind of need a power forward or center to come in and play maybe 20 minutes who can be a rim protector, play solid defense and rebound. Oddly enough I think they already have him in Pokusevski who never even plays now.

[@bengoldberg6198]

Bill can't get through 10 minutes without talking about all time rankings and current rankings of players.

[@davidgroth26]

Bill, and adding Zack, is SO MUCH DAMN FUN,. Bill, and apologies to everyone else, has reset sports commentary

[@David-iv6je]

Why apologize to everyone else? ESPN is such a trashy outfit. Not o sure about the Austin Rivers part of Simmons' portfolio at the Ringer. But whatever.

[@lonniecruel3]

Steph above Kobe? 🤡

[@tiedngag]

I think they could do a couple trades to ultimately win the championship this year. Maybe Poku and 2 first round picks for Caruso. He would provide experience and defensive stopper. The second trade is maybe for Lauri from Utah. It could be Giddey and a couple picks for him for more size and offensive help for Chet in the playoffs. Both players would not be rentals because you would have them under contract for next year.

[@boochtron]

There's nothing they could do to win a championship THIS season, that isn't like getting Lebron or whatever lol. Durant maybe. Just need patience. Their time will come.

[@coopertodd28]

First off Kobe at ten is fucking nuts, and on top of that, curry over Kobe!? Bill brother, I’m gonna need an episode for that

[@jobebryant]

Been really impressed with the Thunder coach and Timbwrwolves coach

[@Insightfulphil]

Bill owns the podcast game but not sure if his KZbin shorts are hitting the spot for me.

[@jeremiah8297]

Is there a way to watch the full podcast with video I don’t see it on Spotify

[@richardclark482]

Shae is the MVP so far ... end of story

[@davidbaxter2590]

Herb Jones is the best I’ve seen guard SGA

[@Laidback_616]

Shai doesn't care about media attention as rare as it may be. He is perfectly fine training his ass off and chilling with his lady. The less they know about you, the better.

[@m1977v]

Clipper fan since the 90s, been watching the NBA since 1987, and a Clipper season ticket holder... having watched all of Shai's rookie year and I thought his potential was a multiple all-star averaging like 22pts 6ast 5rbs and a very good defender. I did not see him being a 30pt scorer or being as clutch as he's been or ever being a legit MVP candidate. When I heard the Clips traded him, I remember not liking it and thinking I'd rather keep Shai and build around what that 2018 team could evolve with and let Shah grow.

[@JoeyBK_86]

It’s tough huh lol I feel you as a Nets fan since their move to Brooklyn been through massive ups and downs and all around 😂 Hopefully you’re clips win a title this season 🫡

[@user-qk4vl8lj4r]

Steph over Kobe is criminal on so many levels

[@MedicoAmor]

There's actually a really good GQ piece on Shai written by Tyler Tynes. I was surprised Bill and Zach didn't know.

[@kenjeezay]

They also said he has no social media presence. They obviously don’t know he has the best fits and captions in the game 😮‍💨

[@sumandsubstance7881]

Somebody hire Bill Simmons as a gm. It will pay off

[@charlescohen6140]

An OKC fan since KD so I have a little experience. By the way Shai is the featured model on the $4 billion Kardashian underwear. He is everywhere on the ads. Watch out for Chet as he puts on weight. He is never satisfied and don’t write off Giddey. Same reason.

[@denigster]

why are we doing this - bill dont need this clickbait

[@HedinnBjornsson]

The OKC is good, but title favorites is to much. They would be the underdogs in a serie against the Nuggets. And even if they win over them they would be the underdogs agains the winner of the East, whether that be the Celtics, Bucks or Sixers. They are real contenders but hardly favorites.

[@josephrafferty6763]

Lol no. They're going to get there, assuming health, but super young teams don't just win in the playoffs right away. They take their lumps for a few years.

[@danielcrane7374]

man you did not just say the 'good' Jalen Williams, the disrespect J-Will gets is so wild, crazy to see it from somebody whose job is to talk about basketball

[@mack38412]

Who will you trade to NY for Hartenstein? It can't be Josh Giddey. He is not a Knicks type of player.

[@nw10auto]

Sangun did not want to come to OKC said "I'm happy! I would have been bored out of my mind there" after he was traded

[@elizaschaeffer34]

Nope. Their youth and inexperience will hurt them in the playoffs. They have no idea the plethora of strange and intense scenarios which arise.

[@michaeldemarco2415]

Title favorite? Ease off a bit. Contender doesn't mean favorite. I'd like to see it happen though.

[@joshuathornton6814]

Jesus, they win one regular season game at home against the Celtics and now they’re title favorites 😂😂😂 sports media is in the gutter

[@christopherforrest5713]

If they won it all this year (which is highly unlikely) I think that skyrockets Shai Above Tatum

[@robertguinn1272]

When will Bill and Zach get better webcams? They are currently using a potato

[@terrymoore9264]

Best coach in the league? Really? They aint battle tested in the playoffs and aint won shit

[@rorysmith5308]

'Shai is not a big social media or commercial guy' really?????? Lol

[@joshuablack8221]

Lowe is looking like a turtle, he may want to grow a mustache or something 😂

[@grahamimal8336]

The hockey comparison is really apt for shai

[@quinndonelan7604]

I choked when bill said he has curry over Kobe all time.

[@ExtremelockGamer]

They must not know who Andrew Schlecht is

[@GG_Beno]

bill im a thunder fan ur a celtic fan while I’m flattered slow your damn roll man we not even at all star and you have him over TATUM?? wow if that’s the case why wasn’t he better than him last year or year before ?? treating shai like the new toy, over curry wtf is this we add our 2nd pick now everyone making these wild takes and predictions and when we fall flat it’s like “oh we’re young” and when we succeed y’all want to wear the “ I told you so” hat let us develop IN PEACE we’re on schedule leave it there.

[@jammer9941]

I think Shai has the potential to be better, but I haven't seen Shai do it in the playoffs so I can't really take him over him. They are the same age (Tatum like 4 months older.), but Tatum has played in 94 playoff games as Shai 13 and none since 19-20 season. Tatum as a rookie averaged 18.5 and played in 6 more playoff games as a rookie than Shai has in his career. Shai in his 13 playoffs games averaged 15.1. So he could end up better but your right Bill needs to be less knee jerk on things.

[@purely.genuine]

7:18 Still mad about this and will probably never get over it lol

[@Joeshiesty286]

Can we pump the breaks on SGA and the Thunder... Yes they’re pretty good but They haven’t even made the playoffs! Do y’all remember the Suns in 2022? They won 60+ games with Booker and got smacked by Luka! Where are they now? Every year it’s ‘new young good player’ vs Luka.. First it’s Trae Young, then Ja Morant, Booker, Zion, Ant, now it’s SGA. Next year it’ll be, Paolo or Luka? 😂

[@DrDetfink]

Thank you Scott Perry for selecting Kevin Knox over SGA, then Obi Toppin over TyreseHalliburton. Cry😢

[@75aces97]

I can live with missing Halliburton, but SGA hurts 😢

[@jaredgilbey3598]

How this isn't in HD is ridiculous and hilarious to me lol come on Bill

[@iNostraD]

You wanna see Zach Lowe’s pores that badly

[@stinkyfingers1617]

So is your mom

[@KwisBwown]

so is your dad @@tombystander

[@KwisBwown]

so is your dad @@stinkyfingers1617

[@ishmaelhope2516]

I like how Bill Simmons points out that Daryl Morey was too in love with his own brilliance and innovation, so he broadcasted it too much.

[@itsyaboipaulychips4498]

Chet is way better than I thought he was gonna be anytime soon. And Shai is mvp caliber. But healthy Nuggets will still beat them. And I think Boston & Philly would beat them in a 7 game series

[@tompratt7125]

You've got to add the Bucks to that list. OKC's real weakness is dealing with size and strength up front and the Bucks have plenty of that.

[@joshuablack8221]

I doubt Philly, as currently constructed, would beat OKC in a 7 game series 💯

[@Gnofg]

Chet is the best shot blocker since Akeem. I agree with you. I had no idea he was this good.

[@jdankerdake]

@@Gnofg ??? Wemby averages more blocks per game and has a higher block rate than Chet. And… Dikembe Mutombo never played?

[@Gnofg]

@@jdankerdake I meant with offense. DiKembe had no offense. I was driving one day and DiKembe was right next to me in his Mercedes. He was driving from the back seat.

[@squidMB]

They should go out and attempt to get pascal siakam

[@ethanmutchler5669]

Who’s gonna beat the thunder in a 4 game series 🤷🏽

[@becameabird]

The league is in a state of all time talent which means we are going to see all-time parity.. mix in all time high volume 3 point shooting, and it really feels like almost any team can beat anyone.. I really think the league should consider nerfing the 3 point shot in some way.. I don’t mind parity due to talent, but parity due to sheer volume of 3s feels like a slippery slope that may degrade the game we know and love.. it’s already pretty bad/boring considering most teams play exactly the same way. Also, I have a great idea for a show whenever u r ready

[@peternguyen2908]

These guys won’t make it out of the first round

[@Onthercks07]

Bill…can you please advise Zach to stop yelling when he’s on TV? Coming from a friendly place…love his stuff otherwise!😂

[@blas_de_lezo7375]

OKC only has the "no serious playoff experience" against them if they had already been there, multiple rounds of playoffs, i would be considering thems favs on the west.

[@MM-tw7pu]

You add Siakam to this team and they are ready to win it all THIS year. Fits like a glove.

[@joshuablack8221]

What team?

[@GG_Beno]

i like lauri better

[@David-iv6je]

@@joshuablack8221 I think he means OKC trading a bunch of those picks to the Raptors to get Siakam. I like it. Siakam is not a #1 guy. But #2 or #3? He'd be great and HAS been through the wars, has a ring. But, not 100% sure about him as a locker room guy. There are rumors from Toronto and he turned on Coach Nurse.

[@808bboarder]

As a Thunder fan this is true. I just don’t see it happening because they have been saying since before they even drafted Giddey that they don’t want to rush the process because of the success. They will use the playoffs to see what the team needs and then go from there and shop lol

[@MM-tw7pu]

@@808bboarder never take things for granted. OKC have been through this before with incredible young nucleus during the KD, Russ, Harden, Ibaka years. If you don’t win in the next year or 2 then the pressure mounts. You can give yourself a longer runway by maximizing the window without much pressure if you add Siakam cantered around those picks with no significant impact to the current lineup besides some unnecessary salary going the otherway. You get a long 2 way wing @29 with championship experience the young squad needs

[@MarLikeIt]

Kawhi is pretty mysterious bill

[@natereynolds2331]

watch a lot of thunder games, the best shai defenders I have seen are deni adjiva and mobley (mobley sparingly but does a great job using his length and not going for pump fakes)

[@him4882]

Dort might be the Smart of this team. Brilliant defensively, brings heart but takes ill advised shots and makes some blunders. Him and Giddey both might be off men out in the long run.

[@tyfahlman]

Aaaaaand they get smoked by hawks

[@MatthewKonvict]

Hawks DOMINATED them

[@taylor7264]

presti's guy can do everything - score at 3 levels, dribble pass shoot and guard multiple positions

[@75aces97]

Right on cue, this pod gets posted and OKC loses. Is there a Simmons curse? 😆

[@edalvarez9020]

OKC is getting the same attention ORL got after they beat BOS. There is no way they get to the finals

[@jaylunwilliams1544]

I rewatched bill correcting Jdub a few times thank you sir

[@jackbotyt4602]

no one benefits more from studio H&M and lighting than Zach Lowe

[@CoryWillis]

So rude to Jaylin Williams to say he's just not the good Jalen Williams

[@mikeposner8563]

It’s not rude at all lol. J Dub is clearly many levels above him. They’re both in the nba. They’re both some of the best basketball players on the planet. Stop getting offended on someone else’s behalf.

[@CoryWillis]

nah im offended on my own behalf as an arkansas fan@@mikeposner8563

[@edwardd.484]

OKC a lot like the Grizzlies last year.

[@matta6991]

Not even close 😂😂😂

[@matta6991]

And I’m an okc fan

[@pawekrajewski1015]

Interesting take, SGA the canadien hockey style pg:)

[@MrCaptainJack2]

If you Yankees need someone to stop SGA, just call Aleksa Avramovic!

[@dras-pv8qv]

They are one solid rebounder away from winning a championship

[@davewielhouwer11]

Mustache just doesnt work, cant believe he still has it.

[@him4882]

Give credit to COACH. Mike is proven himself as a top 5 coach in the league.

[@MrJay007j]

It's Mark...

[@him4882]

@@MrJay007jMb

[@gregorylloyd1672]

No. and next pearl jam!

[@OwskiiiGaming]

From no playoffs to title favorites, has it ever been done?

[@alexanderw6955]

number #1 ball handler…. Bill Simmons.

[@alexanderw6955]

Loves the nuts, I mean balls. I mean Lebron.

[@AndyMilonakis-j5p]

Shiitt just make a lauri + clarkson trade and go all in.

[@scenicview8744]

Just throwing it out there, they remind me of the 94 hornets.

[@ThunderTalk]

w bill simmons + goat zach on one pod

[@jumpersforjesus]

Going to redo this episode after losing to Hawks?

[@seanhumphrey148]

You need a podcast studio and the entire pod uploaded plz

[@thetrib1]

@10:00 isaac on the magic. and yes a prime kawhi.

[@thebestrapperindcthebestra6429]

He’ s 6’5 !!!!!!!! with ja morant handles hahah

[@user-ov7uv3wx6i]

Zach Lowe sucks

[@apollorussell738]

Bill how could u take out tatum of the top 5. Jokic, embid , tatum, luka, curry,

[@jdankerdake]

Giannis is in the top 5 over Curry and Tatum. 31/11/6 on 61% shooting with a .706 winning percentage. Shai is over Tatum this season.