The Doc Rivers-Bill Simmons beef is what happens when the media are fans

Before he became a media mogul, Bill Simmons was a Celtics fan. While Simmons was getting super famous, the Celtics weren't very good. The man overseeing that not-very-goodnesss was coach Doc Rivers. So Bill's problems became Doc's problems, and vice versa.
This is what happens when one of the biggest stars in sports media cares deeply and publicly about a particular team, and the guy running team isn't just going to take it all in stride. It got awkward, and it got beefy.
Directed and edited by Ryan Simmons
Written and produced by Seth Rosenthal
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[@jjleblanc8151]

Beef History: Doc vs. The Second Round

[@Pgpiano2390]

Brutal

[@jrsmith5080]

Doc vs Being up 3-1

[@austinbrown86]

💀

[@withalittlehelpfrom3]

@@jrsmith5080 Or 3-0, like this year

[@lamchunting856]

Doc rivers vs nepotism

[@KapitalElement]

Doc can’t beef with anymore. If he wins three of the first four arguments he is up 3-1 and that guarantees he will lose.

[@bezllama3325]

😂

[@mcardy250]

😂😂😂

[@HakeemTheDream616]

Lmao 🤣

[@rose4mvp2012]

Bravo. Job well done.

[@sanjisay8232]

🍅🍅🍅

[@nbarealtalker]

Doc Rivers is the most highly regarded OK coach in the history of sports.

[@jonathansykes4986]

Andy Reid.

[@40yearoldman]

@@jonathansykes4986 Reid has been to 8 or 9 conference championship games.

[@jonathansykes4986]

@@40yearoldmanHe has only 3 wins. 1 SB. He has had the better team the majority of the time. He is terrible at clock management.

[@40yearoldman]

@@jonathansykes4986 That's fine. Being a staple of the championship round with multiple franchises is a mark of a good coach. Doc stops coaching around game 70 of the regular season.

[@TheEpic22]

@@jonathansykes4986 This is a terrible take.

[@blue-phoenix115]

Rivers living off the fumes of that 08 championship.

[@EL_XO]

Most losses in the playoffs of any championship team as well. He almost blew it.

[@riccardoferrazzo8283]

@@EL_XO he almost blew it in an Eastern conference with only 2 good teams.

[@josh0253]

Fr and is still the most inexplicably over protected coach in the nba and people forget it was like their playoff run was some 01 lakers display of dominance they got taken to 7 games in the first 2 rounds

[@genius179]

I remember someone on Twitter saying Kobe & Lebron let our country down by having that 08 Celtics team win. So many people in that organization have lived off that championship

[@Turk_2023]

@@riccardoferrazzo8283 That Hawks team was a nasty up and coming team that could have beat anyone..... Cleveland was amazing in Lebrons prime..... By the time they faced Detroit and the Lakers they played much harder teams.

[@advitiya18]

Beef History: Doc vs 3-1 lead in playoffs

[@daredevilseyes7493]

That fact that Rivers made the ESPN all time coaching list over Rudy T is why ESPN is a joke over the years. Bill Simmons is a fan of the C's but his take on Rivers is spot on.

[@Undecided0]

The fact that Billy Cunningham never makes any of those lists is a damn shame. He made the playoffs every year he coached. Went to the Finals 3 times. Won one of those against the Showtime Lakers. Only had one season with under 50 wins.

[@4392amtrak]

And also guys like Heinsohn, Hanuum, Kundla, Carlisle, and Tomjanovich. And you can make an argument with Russell as a player-coach.

[@dusk6159]

Being put in the HOF as a coach so late too. Tomjanovich should've been a first. And without even having Billy C on these lists. He was an iconic and great coach, essential for the 76ers, especially to their championship. It's like not having late 90s and 2000 Finals coach Larry Bird in.

[@arnecruz]

I do not like Bill. But I often agree with him about basketball. Rivers is overrated.

[@hardieharrharr]

This deserves a half-thumb.

[@neelmoudgil4962]

Doc Rivers just went on Bill Simmons podcast to talk about the Denver Nuggets game 5 series win and also to talk about his playoff run with the Sixers. Pretty wild how that works

[@eoghanmurphy6406]

Simmons and Teen Wolf most iconic duo in NBA history

[@HandsOfCinderblock]

Apex Mountain for Teen Wolf?

[@PeterCoyleCoaching]

Doc and blowing 3-1 leads 😂

[@MeMe-td1ye]

I get this

[@TannerLikesStuff]

was waiting eagerly to see if Seth would reference Bill’s favorite “when I had Clippers season tickets” phrase and was overjoyed when he did

[@lacanm1554]

Its funny watching this now that doc hops on bill's pod every so often

[@charlesdesobry9446]

And that Bill Simmons is the employer of Doc’s children

[@greeneggsandham91]

The fact that he's a Cs fan and was so vehemently against Doc tells you all you need to know about Doc. I felt like Bill Simmons watching Doc coaching my Sixers the last 3 seasons.

[@AustinSmith-hx3lx]

Who’s here after Doc was on the podcast today?

[@jortiz2734]

I’ve never seen a team or a coach in any sport ride one championship so hard 🤣.

[@shaundrahammond3282]

1977 Blazers 2011 Mavs 2004 Pistons

[@ergoat]

@@shaundrahammond3282 Working backwards, that Pistons team had a good to great 6 year run with two Finals appearances and one win; Dallas & Dirk were contenders for 8+ years and beat the heavily favored Heat; The 1977 Blazers would have repeated if Bill Walton wasn't injured... and cut them some slack, it's Portland's ~only pro sport.

[@shaundrahammond3282]

@@ergoat They have The Timbers. Which have a bigger following in the city and multiple chips recently

[@skywalker2676]

Mike Tomlin in the nfl 💀

[@MarcoGeeWS]

@@ergoat I mean the Celtics made the Finals twice, could of three times but for Kevin Garnett's injury. Even then the second finals appearance was a seven game series lost to Kobe. Not a defence of Boston per say but if we're giving caveats to Dallas and the Pistons then the Celtics deserve their caveats too.

[@julianbell9161]

Bill Don’t Lie is an excellent name for a basketball podcast hosted by a guy named Bill

[@zacharykaiser5910]

I was thinking the exact same thing. One of the best podcast names I’ve ever heard.

[@jeffcherubin9073]

9:14 That silence when the camera panned back to them.

[@brandonwintpoetry]

Just want to acknowledge Seth's skill as a writer. This piece is really solid.

[@Lampsadvice]

Anytime it’s a Seth narration, you know it’s a juicy video

[@user-hm4ik1th9w]

Facts

[@user-hm4ik1th9w]

Seth carrying this channel on his god damn bacj

[@sacramentofoodforest]

Bill Simmons draft coverage live on espn during the draft is GOAT

[@futurehofer1564]

Nah he is doodoo

[@Warrentertainment]

Simmons was too raw for ESPN

[@zachcoggins9018]

“The Cavaliers select Anthony Bennett” WHOA!!!!!!!!

[@BabylonGateLA]

@@Warrentertainment That’s what your mom told me too

[@Warrentertainment]

@@BabylonGateLA too corny for the Internet 😂

[@Religious_gynecologist]

I once met Bill Simmons at a friends birthday party - he’s definitely a Celtics fan, my friend (a Lakers / Kobe fan) pointed out to him that the Spurs couldn’t be the team of the decade because, “everyone knows in the NBA that team HAS to at least repeat to be dominant” Let’s say Bill had nothing to say … literally. A few beers later as tension went away I built up the courage to ask for a photo, Bill blurts out, “sure we can take a photo! And the Kobe Bryant balls licker can get in too!” 😂😂🔥🔥 awesome stuff I love this game. Go Lakers.

[@31jizzle31]

Lolll, thats so great! I love tidbit stories like this. I can literally hear a drunk Bill shouting this😂

[@anesu846]

Bill is the man. If I met him he don’t even think I would talk sports

[@myquest666420]

Man… that’s a really good story lol

[@traviswhiting1290]

8:24 the worst take in that tweet has nothing to do with Doc. Those picks became Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. That trade was the best thing that could have happened for boston as KG and Paul Pierce aged out.

[@adityabaradwaj1628]

That wasn't the original trade. Which is what bill was saying. Danny sweated billy king out fot those picks later.

[@miketrian]

Weren't those picks the Celtics own picks?

[@adityabaradwaj1628]

@@miketrian no. Boston never regressed below 30 games, brad was too good of a coach lol. Celtics got some great top 5 picks from nets

[@miketrian]

@@adityabaradwaj1628 huh I've always thought wrong about that, thanks. Definitely not a fan of Simmons basketball takes though

[@alexnaismith351]

Yeah but no one could’ve known how well in hindsight those picks became

[@MiguelHernandez-vj5gu]

The crazy part is they named him one of the greatest coaches of all time

[@RyanLBrown9396]

“They” clearly ate play-doh as children

[@seandawson5899]

Was always very puzzling to me.

[@ethanniedorowski116]

I watched him Orlando he actually was great with players same with Boston first few years an eith big 3 but he isn't great coach just great eith people .... he had tibs in Boston those 2 together is what worked it eventually blew up but doc an Kevin kept the cool with the guys with tibs ..Kevin loved tibs 44mins a night an grinding everyone lol but rivers knew it was 82 an playoffs ..... so it was great mix.... my worthless 2 cents on the net... But bless you tube for pretty free speech 💬

[@seandawson5899]

@@ethanniedorowski116 doc is good with people (not with the last name simmoms). Probably would be a better GM than coach.

[@brandongordon2392]

The fact that he STILL riding off the high of a championship is the only reason why he was voted top 15th, he still is a s**t coach, who is terrible with adjustments, who can't take any accountability for anything and easily the reason why Ben Simmons didn't want to play for Philly cause he threw him under the bus to protect his neck. The fact that he wasted the prime of Blake, CP3, Redick and DJ, he wasted the prime of T-Mac. I literally hate this man as a coach and Doc should've been fired.

[@mattvsmoney]

Very weirdly brought here after doc appeared on the Bill Simons Podcast lol

[@valpix7007]

I actually really relate to this beef because I had the same issue Simmons did when I worked for my college paper - a struggle to separate my fan side (which included a blog) with the media/journalist side. I ended up getting booted off the hockey beat for the same reason this beef started because I was actively calling for the coach to be fired on my fan blog. He's since retired, and I do stand by my belief he should've been fired *then*, but it was blatantly unprofessional and I learned a lesson that I needed to learn.

[@BirdGang6]

What is unprofessional about holding a millionaire accountable and expecting better from the program you’re covering?? You just sound like a bad sports reporter. I wrote plenty of controversial stories for my own for my colleges newspaper. We won an ACP Pacemaker and I was awarded for my writing

[@811chelseafc]

@@BirdGang6these are they types of comments that make the internet such an endless source of entertainment.

[@austinemms9772]

I respect Doc Rivers for having such a long career but Simmons was right about Rivers being a lousy coach. After all, he has made the second round many times and a ring in spite of his coaching, not because of it.

[@ivaneurope]

And here's one fun piece of trivia - when he was a coach of the Orlando Magic, they almost paired Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill with Tim Duncan. Yes, that Tim Duncan, who is a San Antonio legend. But he instead choose to re-sign with the Spurs and went on to win multiple championships under the tutelage of Gregg Popovich. Why? Because Doc Rivers was not allowing families to travel with the team. When he became a coach for the Celtics, he waived this rule, so the team can have Kevin Garnett (as per Paul Pierce's words on ESPN years ago and coincidently TMac was also in the studio)

[@GotDamBoi]

I don't think lousy is fair, I think overrated fits better. Great regular season coach that mostly struggled in the playoffs.

[@420bengalfan]

@@janoycresnova9156 its sick its piss

[@howisthatgay4275]

@@ivaneurope thank you for clarifying which Tim Duncan. Wasn’t sure for a sec

[@denistuohy2535]

Absolutely. His coaching in the 2010 finals was atrocious

[@joncaples2624]

I thought this said Ben Simmons at first. Haha I guess that will be part 2

[@420bengalfan]

bill's son is named ben

[@jamvan1000]

@@420bengalfan like father, like son

[@mmicb0b]

Same

[@Andrewmehr_]

From a lakers fan bill simmons is the goat basketball media personality. Always great to hear content about him.

[@codycasperbg]

TBH Doc has kind of come up short everywhere he coached. Bill Simmons calls him out on a media platform for that… now it’s 🥩

[@adamwehri]

Facts^ only won with 3 sure fire hof guys and Rondo . Biggest playoff series failures in history

[@ianL-S]

@@adamwehri yep he has the most 3-1 series collapses in NBA history and they named him a top 15 coach all time such a joke

[@RedrumJE]

It’s the way Bill Simmons says it. He comes off as disrespectful. There is a difference between saying your opinion and name calling.

[@enjikap1217]

people say the 2008 Celtics were one of the best nba champions ever because they managed to win with rivers as coach

[@jnerdsblog]

NBA Championship. Came up short. I mean, ok.

[@samortmann5003]

Doc Rivers is the Mike McCarthy of the NBA.

[@hellohello9400]

Harsh! But kinda true lol.

[@jazzalex22]

At least McCarthy made a NFC Championship Game before Doc made another ECF.

[@PutXi_Whipped]

He’s the Marvin Lewis of the NBA.

[@supachef_dmoney_4]

@@PutXi_Whipped Nah. Marvin doesn't have a ring as a HC

[@samortmann5003]

@@supachef_dmoney_4 He doesn't even have a playoff win

[@moneymase3456]

As a Philly fan I can’t wait for this and this should be so goooooood

[@andrewmcquade9413]

Doc vs Eskin

[@moneymase3456]

@@andrewmcquade9413 this was just the undercard

[@iwishiwasthomasshelby]

Doc vs Philly

[@420bengalfan]

Bill is a celcitcs fan, but he will be the first to admit that. Those things dont make him wrong about his opinion of Doc Rivers

[@dakotataylor6605]

I just opened up the Bill Simmons podcast after watching this and his guest today is doc rivers. Looks like people can move on

[@matthewforbes2969]

Collapse: how Arsenal went from the kings of England to middle of the pack Rewinder: the miracle of Istanbul Untitled: Ted Williams Beef history: George Steinbrenner vs Billy Martin Beef history: Yankees vs Red Sox Collapse: how injuries, age, and tragedy brought down the Larry bird Celtics Collapse: how the 1981 Montreal expos went from one game away from the World Series to not even making the playoffs for the rest of their time in Montreal and leave Canada Rewinder: the 2010 World Cup final Rewinder: 1999 champions league final Untitled: pavel Bure Untitled: rod carew Untitled: Minnie minoso The worst: game of the century: lsu vs Alabama 2011 Rewinder: bob nystrom’s cup winning goal that kickstarted one of the greatest dynasties in NHL history Collapse: how the 2005 Chicago white Sox went from sweeping the World Series to rock bottom in a few short years Collapse: how the Montreal canadiens failed to reach sniffing distance of Lord Stanley for 28 years

[@51Dutchman]

I think SB Nation actually did a “Worst” episode on the LSU-Bama title game. Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIO7ap-vpZycprs

[@louielyons9365]

Yes to the arsenal one

[@louielyons9365]

And the 2010 world cup final

[@joshuagantuangco6205]

2010 or 2014 World Cup Final. You can never go wrong with either 😁

[@louielyons9365]

Untitled messi at the world cup

[@Mike_Viola]

Say what you will about Bill Simmons, but I love listening to his NBA podcast, Celtics comments aside.

[@DreadfulBeagle]

love his podcast. he's a homer, but I appreciate his "homer" takes whether I agree with them or not. it's part of being an ACTUAL basketball fan.

[@djrt8179]

He just gets the entertainment/journalism recipe perfect. Most podcasts are either too stats-filled or just pasty white guys being silly. Simmons, and especially Simmons Russillo are just entertaining.

[@Mike_Viola]

@@djrt8179 The Suns/Mavs Game 7 podcast was hilarious. Ryan was a broken man that day...

[@jakestanley52]

I talked to Seth on my podcast a few years ago, and we talked about the effect Bill Simmons had on both our careers. He was both gracious and realistic about who Bill is and how he made his bones, which is why this is so great (and so funny.) Bill really does love Teen Wolf, man.

[@TheFlexon]

Which episode? Would love to listen.

[@Undecided0]

Doc Rivers' daughter & Seth Curry's wife Callie is on Bill Simmons' podcast all the time.

[@brenanconroy4052]

Seth seems like a guy who really has a fair bit of disdain for Bill Simmons, by both this and his other episodes of Beef History where he calls him "a fan". Did you get that vibe?

[@jakestanley52]

@@brenanconroy4052 It's more a respect for what he's done, for himself and for others who made their way through nontraditional media, and also an understanding that a ton of his shtick is dated, sexist and homerish (and to be fair, he's never concealed his Fandom for Boston.)

[@pyrotechnic96]

@@jakestanley52 Yeah please drop that podcast name, I'd love to take a listen!!

[@davidfalterman8713]

The way this video transcends individual beef into a larger commentary on fandom and sports journalism is just *chef’s kiss*

[@kamartb3588]

Doc rivers could have a series himself

[@tim.noonan]

@Raytheslay were you born with the cord wrapped around your neck?

[@GIGAFAT3]

@Raytheslay at playing, maybe

[@jojijoestar7233]

@Raytheslay What a bum-ass take.

[@hellohello9400]

@Raytheslay buddy. Put the crack pipe down.

[@teen_laqueefa]

But he would blow it, if he had it

[@charlesconner9044]

I thought this was about Doc Rivers and Ben Simmons. I forgot Bill Simmons used to verbally blast Doc in Boston

[@JWex-jy7sk]

Beef history: Doc Rivers vs Getting past the 2nd round without the help of the Big 3

[@denistuohy2535]

Beef History: Doc Rivers vs Disappointment

[@macewbee]

I say without tibbs

[@JWex-jy7sk]

@@macewbee Actually he did that in 2012

[@manlad23]

With up and coming Rondo as well

[@Rickon2506]

Who’s here after Bill hired Doc, his son and his daughter to work for his podcast empire?

[@AirRusher1992]

Don't forget Doc also works for ESPN and ABC alongside Mike Breen and Doris Burke.

[@HorrorFlickswithNick]

Old Billy Boy won the feud. He's enjoying his cryo chamber and soup while Sixers fans are calling for Doc to be fired (just like Clippers fans).

[@ianstratton]

The REAL beef is Bill Simmons vs the writers at The Ringer trying to unionize

[@kevinc8955]

I would just fire everyone who joined the union because they are likely your free-loading bottom 20% anyway. Anyone who would sign up for a “seniority promoted first” union is probably not very good at their jobs or the job is so stupid simple that anyone can do it.

[@PutXi_Whipped]

Bill was 💯 about Doc and Isiah. With Doc, he needed Thibs (Thibs also needed Doc), the two of them together equal one elite coach, separately each one can barely make the playoffs. I still love both Doc and Thibs though.

[@riccardoferrazzo8283]

Thibs in Minnesota, Bulls, and first year in New York was great. You cannot blame him for Butler and Rose being injured

[@arturcirilo7601]

100% both of them together = one elite coach

[@sebastian597]

@@riccardoferrazzo8283 Actually you can. Thibs is known for playing his players into the ground. Not good for rose

[@riccardoferrazzo8283]

@@sebastian597 Rose had some issues on the way he was landing from jumps. There was some biomechanical problems there.

[@drewengel7073]

@@riccardoferrazzo8283 Thibs destroyed the Wolves because he didn't know how to run a team. Okay coach, terrible POBO.

[@chrisleclerc1464]

Bill hired Doc's daughter Callie Rivers to work for the Ringer now and gave her a podcast so I'd imagine the rivalry is all but over

[@badams4982]

Having that kid say he is the next Skip Bayless is kind of harsh

[@willdg4581]

Is that a KZbinr? I assumed it was a stock photo

[@seandawson5899]

@@willdg4581 it is a stock photo and still mean.

[@bioshcok21]

@@seandawson5899 go cry

[@seandawson5899]

@@bioshcok21 joke /jōk/ a thing that someone says to cause amusement or laughter, especially a story with a funny punchline.

[@wazzup233]

I'd came to this video because of Bill Simmons interviewed with Doc Rivers on his podcast right after Doc got fired again on his coaching job at the Sixers.

[@nightmaregaming5016]

bill simmons is a better podcaster then doc rivers is a coach and it isnt even close

[@thatsgoodleche]

One's more difficult than the other. Just saying

[@siner2442]

As a Clippers fan, I still remember him stealing the spotlight and some fans would even come to games just to watch him! Sometimes he would even steal the show… 😂 during the postage players would just get asked about Doc. Also I can’t blame him for the Clippers, they were really young and Blake & DJ couldn’t create no post moved making them a huge handicap in the Playoffs.

[@kobinho1917]

My condolences

[@dusk6159]

Blake could absolutely get his shots and buckets. CP3 mutually benefitted with Griffin.

[@yanndylan2239]

You absolutely can blame him for the clippers. There were chemistry issues during the lob city era that we simply couldn’t get past. But that first year of Kawhi-PG13 in the bubble is on him and his coaching. His coaching against the Nuggets was dreadful and allowed them to come back

[@dusk6159]

@@yanndylan2239 It's overlooked, but besides the most overrated coach title, Doc truly has the worst player-coach relationships title. Nothing but disasters on the Clippers, despite his players composing the squad being great floor-wise.

[@cfl4286]

Bruh he was a disaster with the clippers. That team had enough talent to at least get to the conference finals once. I used to blame the players, and still would give them a lot of the blame. But the bulk of it goes to Doc who has proven to be a playoff choker.

[@JoelCastro5206]

Beef History Suggestions 1. Colby Covington vs Jorge Masvidal 2 John Terry vs Wayne Bridge 3. Mcgregor vs Khabib 4. Kobe vs Dwight

[@Giratina1999]

Aaron Donald vs Deebo Samuel Mike D’Antoni vs Pau Gasol Rasheed Wallace vs Kobe Matt Kemp vs Yadier Molina Zach Greinke vs Clayton Kershaw

[@duydo6924]

Shaq vs. Kobe His Airness vs. Zeke Mauro Icardi vs. Maxi López Mourinho vs. Pogba Ali vs. Frazier Al Davis vs. Pete Rozelle Latrell Sprewell vs. P.J. Carlesimo Reggie Jackson vs. Billy Martin Joe Montana vs. Steve Young Art Modell vs. Cleveland Sir Alex Ferguson vs. Arsène Wenger Zinedine Zidane vs Marco Materazzi Pretty Boy Floyd vs Iron Mike

[@ghouhl]

we NEEED a mcgregor khabib beef history! SB make it happen!

[@alexnaismith351]

Roy Keane vs Patrick Viera Carlos Vela vs Mexico national team Gareth Bale vs Real Madrid Fans Boca Juniors vs River Plate Roger Goodell vs everyone Tottenham vs Arsenal Paul Pogba vs pundits

[@boscopappas234]

@@ghouhl If they do a McGregor vs. Khabib beef history I hope they don’t gloss over the incident with Artem and Khabib’s team in the hotel. So many don’t even know that happened and act like Conor didn’t have any reason to be angry. Of course, asking Conor to respond rationally wasn’t gonna happen either…

[@bradenwilson712]

Beef History Ideas: Lewis Hamilton v Nico Rosberg or Hamilton v Verstappen. Would be interesting a hear a non F1 based channels take on it.

[@williambaumert7726]

Definitely nico vs lewis. There is so much there! Lewis and max however, I think are just two rivals without too much beef beyond the sport.

[@nabii5951]

This. The fact that Mercedes had a No. 2 who was simply too good to back down from the best was /the thing/ that made F1 watchable in the mid-2010s.

[@0A648]

The reason I started watching F1

[@djrt8179]

I need a documentary on Lewis/Nico

[@FDT222]

I'm new to F1 and would love to hear this beef.

[@tysonsutton9621]

I used to love reading the collected works of Bill Simmons, but he crawled so far up his own @$$ during the Grantland years that I lost interest in his articles. His opinion of himself became so high that he lost the qualities that made him enjoyable to follow, but he does have a gift for surrounding himself with talented writers.

[@Fatgum93]

I agree 1000%

[@imightbebiased9311]

"stet all changes"

[@grahamstrouse1165]

Truth.

[@bumshka21]

I love this; hoped it was coming when Seth called him 'a fan' when talking about a Bird interview in the other Beef History hahaha

[@UnicornOfDepression]

I miss the old Bill Simmons. He wasn't wrong about Doc, though.

[@imightbebiased9311]

This is a beef where both sides are wrong.

[@bballwarrior12]

And yet only one side is presented as wrong...

[@BrooklynUSA]

“A weepy 3000 word column” lol 😂 this just made my day 😂😢

[@badger6728]

It’s interesting how the media is such a big part of basketball lore, usually they’re just in the background in the other Big 4 sports

[@ballnshyt5437]

Never thought about it really, that’s crazy tho nd real

[@GlockBarium]

You ever heard of baseball?

[@landlocked_lifts332]

Reality TV aimed at men

[@bikingchupei2447]

too many bronsexual media.

[@seanw9193]

@@landlocked_lifts332 very well put

[@ayoduro3647]

They dropped a podcast together yesterday, I think the beef is squashed

[@ivaneurope]

Really, what has Doc Rivers ever done for Boston besides the 2008 title, which can be credited more to the talents of Garnett, Pierce and Rondo as well as the tactics of Tom Thibodeau than anything Rivers has done. He failed with the Clippers and he's nothing special as coach in Philadelphia.

[@ivaneurope]

@@janoycresnova9156 Don't forget that he was this close to become the first coach ever to blow a 3-0 lead (a.k.a. Reverse Sweep) in the NBA Playoffs

[@4392amtrak]

@@janoycresnova9156 Heck even someone who maybe has zero knowledge of ball could've won a 🏆 with that squad

[@4392amtrak]

Go to the finals two years later even though you can make an argument they should've won that year with them being up 3-2

[@lokinorsea456]

Yeah, so winning a championship, against Kobe Bryant mind you, isn’t exactly the easiest task to do

[@launchbase4944]

this makes no sense. "what has Doc Rivers ever done besides the one thing every team in the league is vying for every year in and out" who cares if it was just one or not, that's more than most other coaches have

[@louielyons9365]

Here's a great rewinder moment trust me - 2006 malaysian open final in badminton. It's a really really compelling story and also incredibly its like a two partner because its linked to the 2016 olympics semi final and the narrative arc from 2006 to 2016 is super poetic and compelling trust me

[@louielyons9365]

I'm a badminton player if u need any of the on court strategy and meaning explained I'm here to help

[@Un_k_noWN]

what is a badminton? why isnt it a good minton?

[@louielyons9365]

@@Un_k_noWN it's bad in like a real 80s 90s kind of way. Its more like radminton

[@louielyons9365]

@BANICA»💋 bro this is a series badminton discussion please direct your solicitations elsewhere

[@imightbebiased9311]

@@louielyons9365 Now I feel like I need to make a day-glo "discovered" faux-80s movie that was buried by movie studios called "RADMINTON". it'd be like Gymkata meets badminton.

[@briansedeyn8757]

Collapse of the New Jersey Devils. After winning 3 cups, making two more cup finals, and making the playoffs 15 times from 1995-2012. Made the finals in 2012 and hasn’t done much of anything since.

[@denistuohy2535]

It’s simple, the core got old, Kovalchuk is a POS who quit on the team, and Parise got expensive. Done that’s the whole story.

[@MrOctober44]

The problem with Jersey is no one wants to play there. They were able to draft and trade well in the 80's and 90's, but once Stevens and Brodeur retired they haven't drafted well since. A team like them can't get free agents to come there. As an Isles fan I know their pain.

[@JawaPenguin16]

The Clippers fan in me is here for Doc Rivers slander

[@sgshumblecrumb6046]

Not slander if it's true. Signed, A Sixers fan.

[@niggaplz6216]

It's not just Doc. These too Injury prone Blake Choking prone Cp0 Pandemic P Kawhi choking against Denver

[@codypearson5535]

What a great way to start the weekend thanks secret base

[@michaelsmith5656]

i’ve never clicked a notification so fast

[@sheltered_k]

Me either

[@rileyhaley3848]

Well Doc was on the BS podcast last night so it can't be that beefy between them lol

[@421less1]

I think bill simmons is a pretty down to earth, good, blue collar dude who figured out the journalism thing. Yeah he was a Boston fan but he didn't really say anything untrue. He just held doc accountable like he was invested in the team cause he was. Also worth noting that he got fired from espn because he wouldn't stop roasting gooddell over his love of woman beaters. Guy is a normal principled dude. Im a raps fan and ive always been able to appreciate bill's perspective. His unfiltered openly bias attitude is a draw and the lack of that draw on espn shows in their declining ratings. Docs always been a mediocre coach who flakes when things get tough. Maybe hes being singled out but all bill did was hold him accountable.

[@aptmix]

Bill encourages The Ringer staff to root for their teams and be open about it. I really love that, it's what real everyday sports fans do, and I like how it plays out from a content standpoint. It's more honest.

[@421less1]

@@janssenmccormick7824 fair enough, hes still a good dude and a lot more normal than most media people

[@blondegirlsezthis8798]

@@janssenmccormick7824 william simmons Sr. was a school superintendant in the boston suburbs not a dentist

[@josephmatthews7698]

ESPN is unfortunately doing just fine and it's annoying as hell 98% of their staff are Laker fans and pretend as though they are unbiased.

[@brycetheoddball]

I loved this little back and forth.

[@kylekim3028]

Bill is one of the most influential sports writers of this era. He was one of the pioneers of modern sports podcasts and helped change the sports media into a more enjoyable, personal form.

[@herbertfrancisthe1115]

This better be a joke.. if not… 🤦‍♂️

[@kylekim3028]

@@herbertfrancisthe1115 I ain't joiking

[@herbertfrancisthe1115]

@@kylekim3028 youre probably right but this guy has no respect for the players.

[@lamarodom98]

And today june 13th the new episode of the bill simmons podcast includes the one and only doc rivers as his hour long guest.

[@jamal_wallace3]

Gotta give it to the Celtics. They have the top 2 goat homers of all time: Bill Simmons and Tommy Heinsohn.

[@sickofguysnamedtodd2293]

And the late Johnny Most

[@connornorcott4422]

this is a phenomenal video - huge props

[@TheRealBrandonPerna]

Hell yeah, today’s my birthday and im a Celtics fan. Your timing couldn’t have been better for me.

[@raphael9783]

In all honesty, doc isn't that good. Anyone can coach Bostons' big three, he hadn't done anything of note since then.

[@ianL-S]

i mean he now holds the record for 3-1 series collapses so he has something of note just not a good one

[@avantesmith6442]

My only issue with some sports fans is this pick and choose mentality when it comes to coaching. Like, yes, he gets more credit than he deserves to over the Big 3. But, even with the 3-1 leads given up, he’s not a bad coach.

[@jdrmanmusiqking]

@Avante Smith Lol your asking for nuance which is something most people refuse to add to their lifestyle. The fact that you even said this shows youre more thoughtful that 99% of people

[@KazeShikamaru]

I mean he is close to 1k wins and he has done enough to be named one of the 15 best NBA coaches. Dude is a choke artist but he isn't a bad coach.

[@thejagrmeister7297]

Doc getting them to go to Italy was instrumental in getting the Celtics team to gel together. Honestly I don’t think Doc gets enough credit for how he can manage egos on any team he is coaching. I’ve never heard of any of his teams having a player only meeting. Doc is definitely one of greatest regular season coaches though.

[@Chalk89]

I absolutely love Bill Simmons allegiance to the Boston Celtics, at least he owns it on like 99% of the media that pretends it’s covering athletes and teams without bias yet it’s so obvious that is not the case. As for doc Rivers, the proof is in the pudding, he’s not a very good coach. Check out the 76ers, my hometown team, his decision-making usually is what causes them to lose games, his substitutions are horrendous.

[@launchbase4944]

what makes it so much better that he's a homer to the point that you love it?

[@Chalk89]

@@launchbase4944 because he doesn't hide it. There's an abundance of journos/talking heads that hide behind the 'unbiased reporting,' yet you follow them long enough that it's abundantly clear in fact, they are incredibly biased. When I listen to him and he says things like, 'I think Kyrie is overrated,' I know fully-well there's some truth to that in addition to sour grapes because of his stint in Boston.

[@omaryohan7694]

thank you for this

[@taleweaver34]

Great vid! Loved it!

[@trevormink6001]

Bill Simmons is an icon, freaking love his takes and I still read his book of basketball from time to time

[@michaelanthony4750]

I still want a pyramid style hall of fame.

[@owlperson5075]

I mostly learned everything about basketball history from that book

[@owlperson5075]

I mostly learned everything about basketball history from that book

[@johnnymcfadden7214]

They just did a podcast together. Apparently it’s squashed

[@toomanylies7716]

Spectacular video.

[@rodigo1]

Man I love when I watch a good video and can say hey thanks for the good video

[@thomasleffler6721]

Simmons columns were on point. As a 76ers fan, Doc still has some of the same detriments Simmons laid out (horrible rotations, can’t defend high screens, etc)

[@JasonSmith-pe5py]

And now the other day-Simmons had a classy,awesome,& revealing interview with Rivers...I was very impressed they both did it-& how it went off. And I had no dog in the fight-I like Simmons,but am a Denver fan anyways. But how do you mention their rebuild-WITHOUT EVEN MENTIONING-they did get back to the Finals...game 7 vs the Lakers...2010 I think...how do you not mention that as in depth as you do go. And when were the Clippers great under Doc? I dont remember when they even made WCF...let alone won a title under Doc. I do remember them blowing 3-1 series 2nd round lead to my Nuggets in the bubble. As a HUGE favorite-about as close to "once great"as they ever got...I guess. Oh ya they did blow like 20pt lead in 4th qtr vs Houston-up 3-2,& lost in 7. So they did ALMOST make 2 conference finals-I wouldnt call that "once great."

[@DrMjenno]

Gold. Thank you.

[@barleymepodcast2301]

Look, this channel is always must-watch, but this is a beef that CANNOT be missed

[@seangrever3506]

I love learning about sports history and beef from when I was kid and had no idea what was going on

[@dannyvitullo21]

Bill was right about pretty much everything he said. Doc DID quit on the Celtics. Can’t wait to hear about this on his podcast.

[@uberneanderthal]

Time proved Simmons right. Even that Celtics win came **in spite** of Rivers, definitely not because of him.

[@huyatx]

Incredible piece!

[@Richard__Cranium]

Read this as "Doc Rivers / Ben Simmons beef" and was pumped for a sec.

[@MLNYD]

Update: Doc went on Bill Simmons’ podcast talking about the Nuggets winning the 2023 title. Well, this was unexpected.

[@kenobibryant1637]

is this why BEN Simmons wanted to leave Philly? because his name kept reminding Doc Rivers of Bill?

[@jamestonbellajo]

Bill Simmons’ son’s name is actually Ben Simmons haha.

[@jastrology4192]

You might be onto something

[@dra1469]

Love this channel!

[@tvd1188]

I love Doc and im grateful for how he coached the '08 (and '10) squad. That said, i still think he quit on the celtics and wish he admitted he didnt want to be part of a rebuild.

[@adamplace1414]

Overrated writer vs. overrated coach. And I say that while having previously enjoyed Bill's stuff. I just get turned off any time a storyteller starts to think that they are the story.

[@mrcnub]

He doesn't even bother writing anymore, which is for the best because he never grew as a writer.

[@imightbebiased9311]

@@mrcnub He regressed so badly as a writer, but to be fair, that's probably because he was so busy trying to do literally everything.

[@mrcnub]

@@imightbebiased9311 Did he actually regress as a writer? With the benefit of hindsight, I don't think so. I'd say his writing always sucked. I might grant that the flaws in his writing became more noticeable over time, but they were always there. I dropped his content from my life permanently around seven years ago, and lots of things suddenly made sense the day I realized that he never changed for the worse. I just grew up.

[@imightbebiased9311]

@@mrcnub I mean, possibly. I do seem to recall him having decent pieces on stuff that wasn't Boston-related, but any time he got into trying to smush some pop culture thing into something else, it was pretty torturous, but that wasn't as much of his writing. I dropped his stuff completely after he started showing up on NBA Countdown and trying to act like he knew more than Magic. I specifically refuse to open articles from The Ringer.

[@Kylora2112]

Bill Simmons is what Colin Cowherd, Skip Bayless, and Stephen A. Smith wish they could be.

[@TheMan750]

Nope, that’s the reverse

[@mattbogoshian4769]

Nope. Bill is just a basketball guy and does it well. While all of those other guys pretend to be experts on every sport

[@enthusiastofcute]

The guys you mentioned are hot take specialists and they know exactly what they’re doing. It’s all for the attention

[@russiancardboardarmor5976]

Bill Simmons is pure trash his takes are horrible

[@Kylora2112]

@@enthusiastofcute Bill is *smart* hot take dropper. Skip, Cow, and SAS are dumbass hot take droppers.

[@Ozmodiar6]

Love the subtle pokes at the lengths of Simmons columns

[@JaQuezstarr16]

🎶 Oh we love to sing of the Mighty Big Three! Paul, Kevin and Ray! 🎶

[@jasmithactor]

The Lebron vs. Skip Bayless Beef will be legendary 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Zack_410]

LeBron doesn't even know he exists

[@jasmithactor]

@@Zack_410 Lol even tho Bron has never acknowledged him, I’m pretty confident he knows of him. 🤣🤣🤣

[@dollartwentychickentendies]

honestly surprised this hasn't been done yet. it's maybe THE biggest one-sided athlete-sportswriter beef of our era (outside of this one of course)

[@badger6728]

He can’t lose in those shoes, yknow?

[@FlibbenMcg]

I like having fans like Bill Simmons doing some media coverage of the league. He makes some awful takes but he typically owns them and those awful takes are part of what makes him fun to listen to. He was absolutely right about Rivers though, not one of his awful takes. What annoys me about the tone of River's defense and is a common talking point any time a player/coach/GM gets grilled by media is the "he didn't play in the league so what does he know?" This is an absurd defense that gets way too much weight in any interaction between players and anyone else.

[@mirzapa]

His series on Ringer “Rewatchables” is pure gold. So insightful

[@SinisterCP]

One of the best episodes of Beef History yet.... damn

[@akinasgreatest01]

I didnt follow the celtics during that decade but going by this beef video, bill wasint wrong. Doc was given established superstars to win a title.

[@maxdurk4624]

Huh?

[@shorewall]

And they were mature veterans who could probably have coached themselves. Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and a fierce competitor in Kevin Garnett. None of those guys were flaky, they were all tough, driven, and wanted to win.

[@rickyrobby8133]

And what about being wrong about EVERYTHING up to that point? Being sort of right if you look at it a certain way after being wrong for years is not a good thing…

[@Hidan-nu7vc]

@@maxdurk4624 what are you confused about

[@cookiewoke1899]

I thought he was talking about Ben Simmons at first, and I was hella confused

[@ClaudsIRo]

The Miracle at Anfield as a rewind. It was a beautiful day