The Bill Simmons Thread
- Thread starter RedOctober3829
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I can't believe how many of you don't fast-forward through the ads.
This seems to happen A LOT on Ringer podcasts, but happens rarely on other podcasts I listen to. Ringer pods get a lot of impressions, so maybe some of the ad buyers only buy ads up to n impressions, and once that number is exceeded, the ad break disappears.
I'm trying to imagine a skit called the re-ad-ables, Apex mountain for ad reads
"Was it when he got nephew Kyle's car buying experience in with Car Max?"
"No no no, it was when he was wrong about therapy and mental health"
"what is this category, the best ad read or when the reader was at the peak of his powers?"
"Peak of his powers. peak of his powers"
"Got to be where in the same show he did AirBNB and Hilton on the same show. That was like if Tom Brady and LeBron James were the same guy"
"Was it when he got nephew Kyle's car buying experience in with Car Max?"
"No no no, it was when he was wrong about therapy and mental health"
"what is this category, the best ad read or when the reader was at the peak of his powers?"
"Peak of his powers. peak of his powers"
"Got to be where in the same show he did AirBNB and Hilton on the same show. That was like if Tom Brady and LeBron James were the same guy"
Was it still for SImpli Safe but in Italian or Ferrari ads by Cousin Sal in a fake accent?
I've only really noticed missing ads like that on pods that come from a larger network (Ringer, Headgum, Meadowlark, etc) so I think the dynamic ad thing is the most likely explanation. So I imagine you are on to something saying that the ad buyers don't buy an infinite number of impressions. I also think it might depend on the pod-catcher app being used. There might be a difference in how Pocketcast or Spotify or Google or whatever handles the dynamic ads.
Honestly, I usually do if I'm able to. But I listen to podcasts primarily in two places: in the kitchen while I'm cooking or cleaning (so my hands are dirty and I don't want to touch my phone) or in the car (where unless I'm at a red light, I'm not touching my phone). So.... I hear ads.
I usually notice "missed" ads when I'm listening to an older podcast. Like a Rewatchables from a few months back.
that’s another argument of impressions quota has been reached but it has happened to me on newly released pods too. I stay up late and sometimes catch guess the lines as soon as it drops ~2am
Yeah, the tuner on my radio will fast forward the pod 15 seconds per turn. I pretty much only listen to podcasts in the car and can't tell you the last time I listened to an ad.
I try to listen when I'm cooking or doing something around the house but I cannot seem to focus at all and always have to rewind to listen to what I missed. The shower is about the only other place I listen
I try to listen when I'm cooking or doing something around the house but I cannot seem to focus at all and always have to rewind to listen to what I missed. The shower is about the only other place I listen
https://x.com/billsimmons/status/1732490974537117847?s=46&t=Yv-0viabFQl7Lk7DrSRbBA
A very weird response to a very innocuous comment by JJ Redick.
I’m not sure if he’s offended or what he’s even trying to accomplish with that tweet
A very weird response to a very innocuous comment by JJ Redick.
I’m not sure if he’s offended or what he’s even trying to accomplish with that tweet
Bill Simmons is a very weird dude in 2023. He is nothing like the dude he was even in 2020.
For anyone that wants to do a deep dive on the Bill Simmons/JJ Reddick Beef and backstory (and I'm guessing that's a lot of us here in this fora) - here's a 50 minute podcast on the subject:
Episode 50: EMERGENCY POD — Bill Simmons Lashes Out at JJ Redick
JJ Redick was a former NBA player with a large platform. He’s well spoken and thinks the game at a very high level. He didn’t need Bill Simmons at all. I know Bill’s an only child but if he really thinks he did JJ any favors, propelled him at all, or JJ owes him anything then Simmons is out of his fucking mind and more delusional than I already thought.
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Oh, I know. I don't have any always-on listening devices for security reasons.
He's always been insanely thin-skinned, but this is just... so stupid of him. It would have been so easy to just say something mildly complimentary of JJ and move on, but he decided to make it weird.
FYI if you replace "x" with "twitter" before you post the link, the tweet shows up here.
I know that there are 3 or 4 posters here that will vehemently disagree and talk about how it’s like “talking with your friends at a bar!” Or “just turn your brain off!” But Simmons honestly just sucks at this point.
It’s sad to see how much hes mailed it in compared to what he used to be. He’s kept all of his worst qualities and lost any semblance of work ethic. For someone that has access to so many front offices and GMs, it’s fucking astounding that he still acts like that job is exactly like running a real life fantasy team…or that trades are made nowadays by just hanging out at a bar and shooting the shit.
I know exactly 0 members of NBA front offices and understand that that line of thinking is so fucking stupid that it’s insulting to the people that actually do the job. I’m mystified that there are people that still cape for someone that clearly puts in 0 effort to his job or his podcasts but whatever. I’m just annoyed that he could still be churning out great content but prefers to do fantasy drafts on first half storylines…while simultaneously shitting on people that take the first half of the season too seriously
He likes to pretend to be regular sports fan and just shooting the shit but he sees himself as a brilliant basketball mind. He's conflated making a massive historical basketball book for being an expert in all things nba. And the worst part of it is he's really fn insecure about it.
It comes out in other areas too. Whenever he has an "expert" on he'll try to sneak in a dig or one up them at the oddest time. For example, Lombardi will be on going on and on about something specific to football/ strategy and simmons will just randomly chime in "hey remember when i taught you about gambling lines!". Just to try to slap his dick out. It's really odd.
It comes out in other areas too. Whenever he has an "expert" on he'll try to sneak in a dig or one up them at the oddest time. For example, Lombardi will be on going on and on about something specific to football/ strategy and simmons will just randomly chime in "hey remember when i taught you about gambling lines!". Just to try to slap his dick out. It's really odd.
No.
Absolutely not. He was always a thin skinned baby. But Simmons wasn't dumb before he stopped writing and thinking. Now he's dumb. There is no thought to anything, it's just all id and bias.
He’s not spread thin. He’s just an iunread, unthinking diot. The worst thing Simmons ever did to himself was stop writing. Obviously he’s had an easier life not having to work the brain. But it has cost him.
He more or less leads Spotify's podcast strategy, runs the Ringer in some form or fashion, and does 6-10 hours a week of actual podcasts. That's a lot.
Doesn't Bill Simmons agree with JJ? Isn't that why he does the "Kyle, turn the camera on" joke - because he knows that a video clip on tiktok will get millions more views than a two hour podcast?
Maybe I'm missing something, but JJ's comment seems inarguable.
Maybe I'm missing something, but JJ's comment seems inarguable.
If I had to guess, he's taking exception to the "The Ringer finally allowed us to tape..." followed by the "the realization that audio doesn't go viral, video goes viral". Bill reads this and hears, I, JJ Redick, pushed for video and even though they weren't sure I convinced them and I was proven right that video is the way to go and that is why I currently have this successful podcast. Bill then says, the reason you are successful is not due to us holding you back and you being right where we were wrong, it's because a) you weren't really that invested in the podcast prior (hence so few in 2019 and only a few with NBA players and also the you never took it seriously until 2020) and b) your success was largely due to the pandemic starting not long after.
This is, obviously, a lot of projecting/guessing Bill's thoughts and feelings based on a Xweet. That being said, given how notoriously thin-skinned and quick to take offense to any even perceived slight he is, I feel like it fits given what he said.
The dude is a gajillionaire. He's not trying anywhere near as hard as he used to. I'm guessing a lot of us would do the same if we were in his position.
What's the old Marvin Hagler quote? "It's hard to get out of bed and run five miles when you wake up in silk sheets?"
What's the old Marvin Hagler quote? "It's hard to get out of bed and run five miles when you wake up in silk sheets?"
I know this post is 3 years old but I did a Rudy search wondering if anyone know where he went and saw this. It was on the baseball main board where Simmons went over the edge debating with a poster (Smiling Joe?). This was prior to fall of 2005 bc that is when Simmons reached out to myself and Rocco to form an invite-only private Celtics/NBA board (TonyJalaPena did all the tech work). This was where he first mentioned 30 for 30 like, "Hey guys ESPN asked me to do this and I think I'm going to call it 30 for 30. What ideas do you guys have for interviews." Pretty Fuckin Wild!!
Bill didn't have the thickest skin though. About a year in we had about 40 members and one of them was in a debate with him that led to Bill walking away from his own site LOL. Anyway...carry on.
Hah, yeah. I was there too.
He was catching heat left and right on both boards. He took strong stances and didn't back them up. Probably works well for big media though.
I think he was an expert at some point, when he was doing Inside the NBA and literally hanging around Magic Johnson. But he and Sal once talked about how NFL announcers need to be refreshed after a while because their insight and access gets stale. Well, that applies to podcasters too. Also he's turning into a bit of an old-guy curmudgeon when it comes to Boston teams, everything is the worst (until suddenly it isn't). Lots of people are like that, but it's very talk-radio and I thought he was above that.
Agreed. Everything else was believable, especially Drama as MAGA and his podcast/supplement empire.
Here’s the clip for those who don’t want to slog through the whole episode.
View: https://youtu.be/XGcOf_BP3Aw?si=GSgK4JAhlasYeT9E
Classic Simmons moment where he creates 4 active generations of NBA players that make no sense (Kobe generation, international generation (???), social media generation, the new 'pace & space' generation).
People with a brain that's less smooth would just categorize it like this:
Xennials: Lebron and Banana Boat guys
Millenials*: KD, Kyrie, Harden, Kawhi, PG, Russ, etc.
Young Millenials: Giannis, Embiid, Anthony Davis, KAT, Fox, Tatum, Jaylen, Jokic, etc
GEN Z: Wemby, Chet, ANT Edwards, Melo
People with a brain that's less smooth would just categorize it like this:
Xennials: Lebron and Banana Boat guys
Millenials*: KD, Kyrie, Harden, Kawhi, PG, Russ, etc.
Young Millenials: Giannis, Embiid, Anthony Davis, KAT, Fox, Tatum, Jaylen, Jokic, etc
GEN Z: Wemby, Chet, ANT Edwards, Melo
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I was waiting for some explanation of how the game changed from one to the next, which is probably true, albeit not in some clearly defined way. If nothing else, you could say that "Gen Z" are inexperienced compared to past champions, who rarely take over before like age 26. I guess that was his point, but he could have done more to explain the meaning to these categorizations.
This was dumb, but the next hour of the podcast reviewing the state of the NBA was excellent, IMO. Even though I didn't agree with everything he said, it was fun to listen to a thorough review of the league.
Bill getting roasted on Twitter today for a LeBron trade idea he mentioned on the pod. The concept is that LeBron wants out of LA and the Lakers do a salary dump to reset the franchise. Even with those provisos, it's a tough sell.
View: https://twitter.com/TheDunkCentral/status/1743300702405849433
Bill Simmons’ trade idea:
Miami Heat receive: LeBron James Gabe Vincent
LA Lakers receive: Kyle Lowry Duncan Robinson Nikola Jovic First-round pick
(Via Bill Simmons Podcast)
View: https://twitter.com/TheDunkCentral/status/1743300702405849433
Bill Simmons’ trade idea:
Miami Heat receive: LeBron James Gabe Vincent
LA Lakers receive: Kyle Lowry Duncan Robinson Nikola Jovic First-round pick
(Via Bill Simmons Podcast)
That's a little dishonest (quelle surprise), as he framed it as a salary dump and the Lakers doing right by LeBron.
I like Simmons have been listening/reading him since the beginning - but… his “Luka isn’t a Point Guard “ is freaking driving me nuts. It’s come up on a couple of his recent pods, and he keeps making it. Like it’s crazy to consider him a point guard because he is “240 lbs”, and whatever BS reasons he gives. I watch the Mavs a bunch and Luka literally initiates the offense from the inbounds , full court like 95 % of the time. Even if Kyrie is in the game. If that isn’t a PG, what is? Not sure if this bothers anyone else , but he has been so adamant about it. Sorry - rant over
I don‘t get the BS venom on this board, but I agree that this take is odd for someone who came of age when the Lakers had 6’9” Magic Johnson playing PG.
EXACTLY!! oh and I was trying to say up front, I‘m a fan of BS and still subscribe to his stuff etc. I just find this Luka point such a strange one to die on for him.
JJ Reddick sucks that's. His has a schtick is to trash former players and suck up to current players. You can tell he is worried black players will wonder why a mediocre white player got a media job so goes after older, mostly older white players.
I liked when Bill Simmons wrote stuff, but have never liked much of his broadcast stuff.
Doing without either is the best life.
I liked when Bill Simmons wrote stuff, but have never liked much of his broadcast stuff.
Doing without either is the best life.
just out of curiosity, how would you define Nikola Jokic? He constantly initiates the offense. Last night against the Pistons, he scored 4 points and had 16 assists. Is he a point guard?
Just askin.
Maybe this terms are no longer apropos nowadays, but I'd classify Jokic as a "point forward" from the center position. He initiates the offense from either the post or 3-point line but rarely brings up the ball, when Doncic often holds the ball from FT line to FT line as well.
A point guard mainly initiates the offense while facing the basket, but I would separate Jokic's game as equal parts distributing while facing up and also with his back to the basket. People describe Doncic's and Harden's games as "heliocentric", but Jokic is literally that when he is catching the ball in the high post and can pass 360 degrees to an open shot or baseline cutter.
Simmons comes off as somewhat of a luddite in some of his NBA views. For instance, in recognition of the current trend of "positionless" basketball, voters can select the five best players for the All-NBA teams, but Bill insists he will vote for one center, two forwards, and two guards. Which in part is where this "Luka is too big to be a guard" stuff comes from. But keeping those distinctions for the sake of tradition seems silly since the game isn't played the same way it was when he was growing up.
But maybe his attitude is just all part of reaching the age when one's kids start going off to college---what's in the rearview mirror starts to command more attention than the view the windshield provides. Of course, that's no way to drive.
But maybe his attitude is just all part of reaching the age when one's kids start going off to college---what's in the rearview mirror starts to command more attention than the view the windshield provides. Of course, that's no way to drive.