Podcast Title: The Bill Simmons Podcast
Host/Author: The Ringer
Episode: Phoenix in Shambles, Cleveland’s Ceiling, Best Third Bananas, NBA Refs, St. John’s, and ‘Season on the Brink’ With Ryen Russillo
Release Date: March 17, 2025

1. Introduction

Bill Simmons kicks off the episode expressing his frustration with the Phoenix Suns' performance this season. Despite having talented players, the Suns are underperforming significantly, leading to a perplexing situation for fans and analysts alike.

2. Phoenix Suns' Struggles

Defensive Breakdown

Bill and Ryan delve deep into the Suns' defensive woes. Ryan points out, “At one point, Wisconsin had outscored Phoenix through like 24 minutes of real basketball” (04:03). The conversation highlights the Suns' inability to execute defensively, often leaving too many suspects on the court.

Lack of Team Chemistry

Bill remarks, “It's a pretty rare situation of a team that seems reasonably talented on paper, that we have these teams that bring the best out of each other, and this team just brings the worst out of each other for whatever reason” (05:15). This lack of cohesion is a primary reason behind their poor performance.

Questioning Team Management

Both hosts critique the Suns' management decisions, particularly focusing on player contracts and trades. Bill states, “It’s the Phoenix was going to be good, like legit good. And they're the opposite. They're awful” (06:05), emphasizing a disconnect between management and team performance.

3. Comparisons with Other Teams

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. OKC Thunder

Bill compares the Cavaliers’ ceiling with the Oklahoma City Thunder’s potential, debating which team has a better shot in the playoffs. Ryan adds, “OKC is the best team in the league. I just feel like they've had. I believe in the model” (17:36), underscoring the Thunder's balanced team dynamics.

Golden State Warriors’ Dynamics

The discussion shifts to the Warriors, examining how the integration of players like Jimmy Butler has revitalized the team. Bill notes, “Butler doesn’t care what his stats are” (08:51), highlighting Butler's selfless playstyle contributing to the team's success.

4. Player Contracts and Team Management

Kevin Durant's Fit

Bill and Ryan debate Durant's fit within various teams, questioning if teams are willing to make the necessary financial and strategic adjustments to retain him. Bill asserts, “I don’t think Durant at this point in his career would be able to do all the glue guy stuff that Butler’s doing” (11:04).

Booker and Team Strategy

Booker's role in the Suns and potential fits with other teams are scrutinized. Ryan mentions, “Booker’s like a Huston, like that’s a weird fit, right?” (16:26), questioning the strategic placement of key players within team frameworks.

5. Coaching Strategies and Team Chemistry

Nikola Jokic and Denver Nuggets’ Coaching

The hosts analyze Denver Nuggets' coaching under Tibbs, debating his capability to lead a team to multiple playoff rounds. Bill questions, “Is Tibbs a coach that you could actually see winning four straight playoff rounds? That’s my next. I don’t have an answer for this” (43:18).

Dallas Mavericks’ GM Decisions

Ryan criticizes GM trades and contract decisions, particularly focusing on the Mavericks’ trade for Harden, stating, “Maybe I hated it on the Dallas side, okay? But on the Dallas side you have the Kyrie bet, which at the time” (12:29).

6. Discussion on NBA Referees and Player Altercations

LeBron James' Injury and Referee Scrutiny

Bill and Ryan discuss LeBron James’ recent injury and the ensuing scrutiny of referees. Ryan reflects, “How hurt do you actually think LeBron is?” (48:35), while Bill remains optimistic about LeBron’s recovery.

Stephen Adams and Game Incidents

The conversation explores incidents involving Stephen Adams, including altercations and his behavior during games. Bill shares, “SGA is just trying to wrestle a fucking shark in a boat” (74:04), highlighting the challenges coaches face in managing player behavior.

7. Third Banana List and Player Rankings

Best Third Guys in the League

Bill introduces a segment ranking the best third-line players in the NBA. He lists:

1. Darius Garland
2. Chet Holmgren
3. Derrick White
4. VanVleet
5. Desmond Bain
6. Austin Reaves
7. Aaron Gordon
8. Brook Lopez
9. Nas Reed
10. Zubac
11. Miles Turner

Ryan concurs, preferring Garland over Holmgren initially but remains open to adjustments based on performance (68:45).

8. Reflections on Historical NBA Topics

"Season on the Brink" and John Feinstein’s Legacy

Bill reflects on John Feinstein’s iconic sports book, “Season on the Brink,” praising its depth and accuracy. He shares personal anecdotes about how the book influenced his perspective on basketball (107:08).

Comparing Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain

A discussion ensues comparing Bill Russell’s impact to modern players. Bill argues, “I actually think he would be as impactful as he was 60 years ago” (98:28), suggesting Russell's competitive nature would translate well to today’s game with modern training and nutrition.

9. March Madness Discussions

St. John's Performance and Emotional Impact

Bill and Ryan express their emotional investment in St. John’s basketball team. Ryan shares a personal story about his disappointment when St. John’s lost in a regional final, highlighting the intense fan emotions associated with March Madness (50:20).

Team Strategies and Predictions

They analyze St. John’s strategic play, discussing their shooting percentages and team dynamics. Bill mentions, “They have nobody over 31.3 minutes a game which is incredible,” pointing out the team's depth and rotation strategies (56:10).

10. Concluding Thoughts

NBA Playoffs Outlook

Bill and Ryan wrap up by discussing the upcoming NBA playoffs, focusing on team readiness, player health, and strategic matchups. Bill emphasizes the importance of team chemistry and coaching decisions in determining playoff success.

Personal Anecdotes and Future Segments

The hosts share personal stories related to basketball and tease future podcast segments, including rewatchable content and celebrity interviews. Bill concludes by highlighting the importance of not forgetting historical moments in sports and expressing his enthusiasm for future discussions.

Notable Quotes:

• Bill Simmons: “It's a pretty rare situation of a team that seems reasonably talented on paper, that we have these teams that bring the best out of each other, and this team just brings the worst out of each other for whatever reason.” (05:15)

• Ryan Rosillo: “Is Tibbs a coach that you could actually see winning four straight playoff rounds? I don't have an answer for this.” (43:18)

• Bill Simmons: “If I were, if the two of us were in a room, we were the conciliaries for ishb and he's like, well, we can't trade Booker.” (08:51)

• Ryan Rosillo: “Chet Holmgren, Derek White, Darius Garland, Desmond Bain, Austin Reaves...” (68:45)

• Bill Simmons: “I actually think he would be as impactful as he was 60 years ago is my hot take.” (98:28)

• Ryan Rosillo: “But I think these guys constantly remind us that the pursuit of these players as tarnished they can be at some point, even at their lowest lows of approval, there's still a market for them.” (14:09)

• Bill Simmons: “But when you have an offense like that and you have these five guys who are all good in different ways... their other guys kind of do, you kind of have to do that.” (46:31)

Conclusion

This episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast offers an in-depth analysis of the Phoenix Suns' struggles, compares team dynamics across the NBA, and explores intricate aspects of player contracts and coaching strategies. Bill and Ryan provide insightful commentary on both current NBA events and historical perspectives, enriching the discussion with personal anecdotes and expert opinions. Whether you're a seasoned NBA fan or new to the league, this episode delivers a comprehensive look into the intricacies of basketball performance and team management.