The Bill Simmons Podcast
Episode: Part 1: An NBA Midseason Power Poll, Plus OSU vs. Notre Dame with Joel Anderson and Van Lathan
Release Date: January 16, 2025
Host: Bill Simmons
Guests: Joel Anderson, Van Lathan
NBA Midseason Power Poll
In this episode, Bill Simmons delves deep into the NBA midseason power poll, evaluating teams from the bottom to the top based on their performance, trade assets, and future prospects.
Teams Ranked 30-26: The Openly Tanking
Washington Wizards (6-32), Charlotte Hornets (9-28), Toronto Raptors (10-31), Utah Jazz (10-29), Brooklyn Nets (14-27)
Bill begins by identifying five teams that are openly tanking, positioning themselves to rebuild for future seasons. He highlights the lack of significant trade pieces among these teams, making their rebuilds more prolonged and less impactful.
“There’s five teams that are just openly tanking right now...” [00:35]
Brooklyn Nets:
At number 26, the Nets are struggling with a dismal record and a recent 59-point loss. Bill discusses potential trade options for Cam Johnson, albeit noting the complications due to his lucrative contract.
“…Cam Johnson would be the potential move for them. Pretty decent contract...” [05:45]
Teams Ranked 25-21: Pre-Tankers and Trade Machine Heroes
Portland Trail Blazers (13-26), Chicago Bulls (18-23), Philadelphia 15-24, New Orleans Pelicans (10-32), Phoenix Suns (19-20)
Portland Trail Blazers:
Ranked 25, Portland shows inconsistent performance with a peculiar roster composition, including three centers and no point guards. Bill expresses confusion over their strategy.
“I don’t know what this team is. I don’t know what the point of it is...” [07:10]
Chicago Bulls:
At 24, the Bulls are deemed a fun team but lack trade urgency. Bill praises Lauri Markkanen and Nikola Vučević as valuable trade assets but remains perplexed by the team's lack of movement.
“Levine has been awesome as a trade asset...” [12:15]
Philadelphia 76ers:
Ranked 23, the 76ers are struggling with Paul George’s performance and frequent injuries. Bill criticizes Nick Nurse’s coaching and Emmanuel Porter’s declining role.
“…Embiid misses 404 games now and he’s played 446...” [14:50]
Phoenix Suns:
At 21, the Suns are criticized for their poor defense and ineffective trade strategies, particularly the unwanted Bradley Beal contract.
“…nobody wants Bradley Beal. Nobody wants him...” [19:30]
Teams Ranked 20-16: Mid-Season Evaluations and Future Prospects
Detroit Pistons (21-19), Sacramento Kings (20-20), Los Angeles Lakers (17-21), Golden State Warriors (16-22)
Detroit Pistons:
Ranked 19, the Pistons face setbacks with Jaden Ivey’s injury but remain a team to watch due to rising stars like Cade Cunningham.
“Cade is basically 24, 7 and 10. He’s 45%, 38% from 3...” [22:05]
Sacramento Kings:
At 18, Sacramento exhibits inconsistent performance under a new coaching regime. Bill expresses uncertainty about their trade moves despite having key players like De'Aaron Fox.
“…We have a regular season versus playoffs conundrum here...” [23:40]
Los Angeles Lakers:
Ranked 17, the Lakers are still in the bottom tier with defensive struggles. Bill highlights Austin Reaves’ challenges against aggressive defenses.
“…Pick your guy. Do you want to attack Reeves?” [25:15]
Golden State Warriors:
At 16, the Warriors boast strong defensive ratings but lack a reliable second scorer beyond Steph Curry. Bill questions Curry’s sustainability in the top 10 rankings.
“Curry's never had a stretch five in his entire career...” [27:50]
Top Teams in the Power Poll
Memphis Grizzlies (Top 7), Milwaukee Bucks (9th), Houston Rockets (7th), Oklahoma City Thunder (33-6), Cleveland Cavaliers (34-5), Oklahoma City (Top Defense)
Memphis Grizzlies:
Bill crowns Memphis as the number one contender, lauding their depth, chemistry, and standout performances from players like Brandon Clark and Ja Morant.
“Memphis has good chemistry, they really like each other...” [30:10]
Milwaukee Bucks:
Ranked 9th, Milwaukee remains strong with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the charge. Bill appreciates their improved three-point shooting and solid defense.
“They’re in the top three for three-point shooting...” [35:20]
Houston Rockets:
At 7th, Houston shows promise with Jalen Green’s potential revival. Joel Anderson praises their young core and strategic depth.
“The Rockets are the most fascinating team to be a fake GM for...” [43:00]
Oklahoma City Thunder:
Ranked as a top defensive team, the Thunder are recognized for their ability to force turnovers and maintain defensive dominance.
“They are first in defense by a lot...” [49:15]
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Boasting a stellar record of 34-5, Cleveland is highlighted for their balanced offense and formidable defense. Donovan Mitchell emerges as a key player ready for bigger moments.
“They have the best team in the league...” [50:30]
College Football Analysis: OSU vs. Notre Dame
Transitioning to college football, Bill Simmons invites Joel Anderson and Van Lathan to discuss the highly anticipated matchup between Ohio State University (OSU) and Notre Dame.
Game Dynamics and Predictions
OSU vs. Notre Dame:
Van Lathan and Joel Anderson analyze the strengths and weaknesses of both teams. While OSU is favored with a talented roster and strategic gameplay, Notre Dame is seen as more capable of competitive performance than widely believed.
“Notre Dame can't pass, right? Like, they can't pass the ball...” [93:21]
Joel points out that Notre Dame may struggle offensively against a potent OSU defense, but acknowledges their potential to surprise.
“I definitely think it's going to be closer than people think...” [94:10]
Heisman Race and Team Performances
Joel Anderson highlights Travis Hunter’s exceptional role as a versatile quarterback who defies traditional positional expectations. This year’s Heisman race is noted for the absence of a traditional quarterback contender, making Travis a standout.
“It was the first Heisman race in about a decade where QB wasn't a serious contender...” [116:33]
Impact of Coaching and Game Outcomes
The discussion touches on the influence of coaching strategies and pivotal game moments. Van emphasizes Ohio State's resilience despite significant losses and the psychological impact on the team’s performance.
“They were playing like the unbeatable behemoth that we were told Ohio State was going to be...” [122:27]
Cultural and Historical Context
The conversation delves into the cultural significance of programs like LSU and Alabama, debating how coaching changes and recruitment strategies have shaped their current standings.
“Nick Saban actually integrated the SEC, like, the way that he recruited at LSU...” [105:31]
Final Thoughts and Predictions
Joel and Van express skepticism about the predictability of college football outcomes, stressing the importance of team dynamics and individual performances over ranked expectations.
“Ohio State’s not there. It’s just a circumstance of history that they’re in the playoffs...” [96:22]
Concluding Remarks
Bill Simmons wraps up the episode by teasing a forthcoming Part 2, which will focus on the NFL and million-dollar picks. He thanks guests Joel Anderson and Van Lathan for their insights and encourages listeners to engage with the podcast's content across various platforms.
“Part two of this podcast because I’m going to do a part two later with NFL and million dollar picks...” [04:00]
Notable Quotes
-
Bill Simmons:
“Nobody wants Bradley Beal. Nobody wants him...” [19:30] -
Joel Anderson:
“I love watching Memphis and see if the other team has a really good swing...” [38:55] -
Van Lathan:
“If you believe the traditional college football way of doing things... then Ohio State’s not there.” [96:14]
This episode provides a comprehensive analysis of the midseason NBA standings, offering insights into team performances, trade potentials, and player evaluations. Additionally, the college football segment delivers a nuanced discussion on the dynamics of OSU versus Notre Dame, highlighting the evolving nature of the sport and its strategic intricacies.