The Bill Simmons Thread

TheGazelle

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OK, still, why would they do Guess the Lines before they know all the divisional round matchups? Anyway if it's just completely off, then yeah, that is troubling. Not that it should be a surprise that people are canceling ordinary business, even if they are essentially safe. Fingers crossed for them though.
They always play guess the lines on Sunday night, so there's always at least one (or two) MNF games outstanding. I've always assumed it's mostly a content timing thing - people want football stuff to hear on Monday morning.
 

Kliq

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From what they said at the end of the pod, it didn't sound like either Bill or Sal have been directly impacted by the fires, but they know a lot of people who have been and Bill said the plan is to come back later this week with some kind of official fundraising effort. They also said the situation is ongoing and they don't know what will happen with the fires next.
 

mairish06

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From what they said at the end of the pod, it didn't sound like either Bill or Sal have been directly impacted by the fires, but they know a lot of people who have been and Bill said the plan is to come back later this week with some kind of official fundraising effort. They also said the situation is ongoing and they don't know what will happen with the fires next.
Good for Sal and Bill. Hopefully it's the opposite of the "fundraising effort" that Bill's pals Adam Carolla and the PSA crew put together.
 

nattysez

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They said they were going to do a short post-game podcast tonight, but I imagine it just got a little longer with McCarthy leaving Dallas.
 

ElUno20

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They said they were going to do a short post-game podcast tonight, but I imagine it just got a little longer with McCarthy leaving Dallas.
I realized this morning that deion has to be the next HC of the cowboys. The content the next 3 years from Sal will worth it.
 

nattysez

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“According to two people familiar with the situation, Simmons is poised to renew his current deal, which is up in February, and very likely intends to stay at the streaming giant,” the media newsletter revealed in its Monday edition. “One person familiar with Simmons’ plans told Semafor that he has recently been engaged in long-term projects that take him beyond his current deal.”
https://awfulannouncing.com/ringer/bill-simmons-expected-re-sign-spotify.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky
 

Pablo's TB Lover

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While on the one hand I'd like to see Bill on a media partner with rights to where they could do integrated content and watch-alongs (I'm remembering how cool their NBA draft content was when under the ESPN flagship), I think he also realizes how much traditional outlets are cutting. His primary goal seems to be keeping a large staff with a variety of interests in and out of sports, and if he's signed to Peacock this freedom would likely be tightened for more focused content outside of Simmons' own podcasts. Spotify may push back on 'Wait, you want to hire for a new podcast solely based on Karate Kid?', but the alternative would be axing Bandsplain (personally wouldn't miss that, but...) and 60 Songs that explain the '90s if you are with a strict sports partner.
 

8slim

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Bill re-signing with Spotify is great for him and great for us listeners.

I doubt he'd get a blow-away offer from any traditional media company. Podcasting has proven to not be either the subscription driver, or ad sales driver, that folks hoped a few years ago.

And let's not forget that he sold The Ringer to Spotify. I imagine that means they own all of that current content. So Bill would have to rebuild an entire operation from scratch with a lot of Ringer talent still under contract to Spotify for a while.

Who needs that aggravation?
 

Kliq

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Bill re-signing with Spotify is great for him and great for us listeners.

I doubt he'd get a blow-away offer from any traditional media company. Podcasting has proven to not be either the subscription driver, or ad sales driver, that folks hoped a few years ago.

And let's not forget that he sold The Ringer to Spotify. I imagine that means they own all of that current content. So Bill would have to rebuild an entire operation from scratch with a lot of Ringer talent still under contract to Spotify for a while.

Who needs that aggravation?
He already did that once!

Feels like Bill is in a good place with getting to do basically whatever he wants, while also fostering the careers of other talent and getting to do documentaries with other media partners. Seems like a pretty sweet gig.
 

8slim

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He already did that once!

Feels like Bill is in a good place with getting to do basically whatever he wants, while also fostering the careers of other talent and getting to do documentaries with other media partners. Seems like a pretty sweet gig.
For sure. And he didn't have the same depth of talent at Grantland as he does at The Ringer. He's in a great spot.
 

nattysez

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While on the one hand I'd like to see Bill on a media partner with rights to where they could do integrated content and watch-alongs (I'm remembering how cool their NBA draft content was when under the ESPN flagship), I think he also realizes how much traditional outlets are cutting. His primary goal seems to be keeping a large staff with a variety of interests in and out of sports, and if he's signed to Peacock this freedom would likely be tightened for more focused content outside of Simmons' own podcasts. Spotify may push back on 'Wait, you want to hire for a new podcast solely based on Karate Kid?', but the alternative would be axing Bandsplain (personally wouldn't miss that, but...) and 60 Songs that explain the '90s if you are with a strict sports partner.
I don't think you really need a media deal to do a watch-along. There are a number of YouTube creators who do those now. You face the camera at the commentators, have a few cues here and there to help those watching sync their feed with the TV and voila!

I'll be curious to see where Bill goes after this next deal, which will take him to age 60. Even Francesa is still cranking out regular podcasts, so maybe he's not going anywhere, at least in terms of podcasting once or twice a week.
 

JCizzle

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Did anyone here have a "puberty night" as Cousin Sal described it on parent corner? I don't remember anything close to that as a kid.
 

8slim

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Did anyone here have a "puberty night" as Cousin Sal described it on parent corner? I don't remember anything close to that as a kid.
It sounds like something that a group of people do on their own, not a school thing. Sal said parents take turns hosting at their houses.

It sounds totally like a weird southern California thing to do. I've never heard of such a thing before.
 

Kliq

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Did anyone here have a "puberty night" as Cousin Sal described it on parent corner? I don't remember anything close to that as a kid.
When I was in fifth grade we had "maturation" class, a day where the school nurse talked to us about puberty. Our parents had to sign off on it. Never heard of parents hosting it at houses before.
 

Kliq

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Bill with Eddie Johnson and Justin Tremine was so much fun, like the perfect basketball podcast.
 

bbc23

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Ya that was the most miserable experience I've had listening to the pod in forever. If I wanted a radio talk show I'd listen to a radio talk show.
 

johnmd20

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Ya that was the most miserable experience I've had listening to the pod in forever. If I wanted a radio talk show I'd listen to a radio talk show.
I don't listen to Simmons anymore but I occasionally check out the Reddit because it's a wild ride. That last episode was no doubt the most hated episode in Simmons history. I mean, Reddit is generally negative in the extreme, especially the Simmons' Reddit, but the reaction to this pod has people irate.
 

Auger34

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I ran hot and cold. Eddie Johnson is a hack, and his dynamic with Tremine is so ESPNish.

On the other hand, I was enjoying myself by the end.
This is 10000% how I feel after almost every Simmons NBA pod. During it, I am questioning my sanity and why the fuck I listen to him. But by the end, I have at least 1-2 fake trade offers to discuss with people
 

8slim

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I was hoping Bill would drop an emergency pod overnight after the Luka trade. I was excited to see it there in my feed when I woke up this morning. Nothing of real substance was shared -- and I had to endure the usual Russillo nonsense -- but it was a fun listen because Bill makes things fun.
 

tbrep

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This forum gets a shout out on the latest BS pod (around the 45 minute mark)!
 

nattysez

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I was hoping Bill would drop an emergency pod overnight after the Luka trade. I was excited to see it there in my feed when I woke up this morning. Nothing of real substance was shared -- and I had to endure the usual Russillo nonsense -- but it was a fun listen because Bill makes things fun.
I'm pretty sure this was the most annoying I've ever found Russillo. He was a very tough listen.
 

Hal Waffid

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I could've sworn someone typed a whole paragraph explaining this. But it was bad.

Edit: http://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?threads/luka-traded-to-lakers-for-ad.44978/post-6545260
I didn't live in New England then so I don't exactly know what I'm reading, but I take it that the comparison is between Dallas basically giving away Luka to the Sox giving up 3 in the 8th of a game 7 against the NYY, in terms of how depressed the message board posters are. Is that accurate?

If so, that's hilarious that October 2003 SOSH is shorthand equivalent to "Shaka when the walls fell"
 
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SirPsychoSquints

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I didn't live in New England then so I don't exactly know what I'm reading, but I take it that the comparison is between Dallas basically giving away Luka to the Sox giving up 3 in the 8th of a game 7 against the NYY, in terms of how depressed the message board posters are. Is that accurate?

If so, that's hilarious that October 2003 SOSH is shorthand equivalent to "Shaka when the walls fell"
Sokath, his eyes opened.
 

DannyDarwinism

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Talking MVP prop, "for both teams, they way they use their running backs I don't see a way either running back would be in it."

Right Bill, no way the league's leading rusher and feel-good redemption story, playing for the team with the most rush attempts on the year, could be in it.
 

Euclis20

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Talking MVP prop, "for both teams, they way they use their running backs I don't see a way either running back would be in it."

Right Bill, no way the league's leading rusher and feel-good redemption story, playing for the team with the most rush attempts on the year, could be in it.
He was only talking about the Chiefs. The context was could any Chief win besides Mahomes. The way they (KC) use their running backs (Hunt/Pacheco), there's no way that a KC running back could win MVP, if would have to be a receiver or Mahomes. He went on to say that he thought Barkley was the best value for MVP at +250.
 

DannyDarwinism

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He was only talking about the Chiefs. The context was could any Chief win besides Mahomes. The way they (KC) use their running backs (Hunt/Pacheco), there's no way that a KC running back could win MVP, if would have to be a receiver or Mahomes. He went on to say that he thought Barkley was the best value for MVP at +250.
You’re right, the way he said “either running back” threw me off. Thought the Luka trade must’ve blown his brains out.
 

Foxy42

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Bill’s daughter posted this week about her childhood home along the PCH burning down. Lousy situation for Bill and fam and something that I don’t think he addressed directly on the pod.
 

pjheff

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Bill’s daughter posted this week about her childhood home along the PCH burning down. Lousy situation for Bill and fam and something that I don’t think he addressed directly on the pod.
It’s still awful, obviously, but I don’t think that the Simmons family still owns and had been living in that property.
 

JBill

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Simmons and Cousin Sal’s SB wrap up pod is enjoyable. The spontaneous outbursts about kicking Mahomes off GOAT island made me laugh.
 

Bozo Texino

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There really is something about their repartee. I'm far from the biggest fan of the NFL, but every Bill and Sal pod is appointment listening for me.

It's gonna be a long six months.
 

sezwho

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The Luka Trade mini series pitch was pretty great.
That was awesome. I’m hoping he’ll bring it up again: I could listen all day. Fing Lakers lol.

GOAT Island was hilarious. You can take a raft, you can take a boat, but you gotta get off GOAT Island.
Holy shit I laughed out loud when he blurted that out.

Bill, well Bill and Sal, have been top of the game.