Tua Again, NFL Week 2 Either/Or, and Million-Dollar Picks With Mike Lombardi and Joe House

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to discuss the Thunder's 127-103 win over the Nuggets on Sunday, OKC's improvement from last season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's incredible statistical season (2:06), Saturday's big Lakers-Celtics showdown, LeBron's late-game injury, Al Horford's impressive defensive performance, a solidified first-team All-NBA, and second- and third-team arguments (29:45). Then, Bryan Curtis joins Bill and Ryen to talk about 2025 NBA media discourse, Stephen A. Smith vs. LeBron, Charles Barkley's ESPN comments, cancelling 'Around the Horn', and the future of ESPN (53:54). Finally, they discuss Bob Cousy, who is featured prominently in Episode 1 of HBO's 'Celtics City' documentary, greatest NBA broadcasters, the skyrocketing NFL salary cap, and more (01:38:05). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Ryen Russillo and Bryan Curtis Producers: Kyle Cricton and Chia Hao Tat Order Michelob ULTRA today, available on Doordash!  ENJOY RESPONSIBLY © 2025 ANHEUSER-BUSCH, MICHELOB ULTRA® LIGHT BEER, ST. LOUIS, MO. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Joe House and Wosny Lambre to marvel at how well the Luka Doncic and Jimmy Butler trades have worked out for the Lakers and Warriors, respectively, and argue about whether the Cavaliers should be the favorite to win the Eastern Conference (2:46), before commencing the annual NBA Worst Contracts Draft (23:56). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Joe House and Wosny Lambre Producers: Kyle Crichton and Chia Hao Tat Order Michelob ULTRA today, available on Doordash!  ENJOY RESPONSIBLY © 2025 ANHEUSER-BUSCH, MICHELOB ULTRA® LIGHT BEER, ST. LOUIS, MO. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons sympathizes with Mavericks fans after the report that Kyrie Irving will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL (0:00), before he is joined Peter Schrager to discuss the NFL combine, Matt Stafford remaining with the Rams, Aaron Rodgers’s next team, several QB-desperate teams, possible scenarios at the top of the NFL draft (8:55), as well as worst-situation NFL franchises, newly optimistic teams, the Bengals' quest to pay all four of their star players, and more (36:20). Finally Bill talks with Wesley Morris about the Oscars (01:07:35), before remembering the great Gene Hackman (01:45:06). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Peter Schrager and Wesley Morris Producers: Kyle Crichton and Chia Hao Tat Get almost, almost anything. Order today in the Uber Eats app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to discuss the 76ers’ arduous journey to retaining their first-round draft pick, the unknown ceiling of the new-look Lakers (15:26), criticizing NBA player criticism, what it means to be the “face of the league” (32:59), biggest red flags for every NBA title contender, how the Celtics match up with the Cavaliers (01:20:18), Bill’s latest internet rabbit hole (01:55:59), and more. Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Ryen Russillo Producers: Kyle Crichton and Chia Hao Tat The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Order Michelob ULTRA today, available on Doordash!    ENJOY RESPONSIBLY © 2025 ANHEUSER-BUSCH, MICHELOB ULTRA® LIGHT BEER, ST. LOUIS, MO. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In anticipation of the upcoming HBO documentary 'Celtics City', Bill reveals his 15 greatest Celtics ever (0:51), before talking with J. Kyle Mann about Cooper Flagg as an NBA prospect, a clear top three of NBA title contenders have emerged, a more fun league post-trade deadline, the 2024-25 rookie class, and more (10:27). Finally, Bill talks with author Susan Morrison about her new book, 'Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live.' They talk about Lorne Michaels giving Susan unprecedented access, shadowing him for an entire week of 'SNL', Lorne's exit and return to 'SNL', prolific Lorne Micheals quotes, and much more (01:15:29). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: J. Kyle Mann and Susan Morrison Producers: Kyle Crichton and Chia Hao Tat The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices