Podcast Summary: The Bill Simmons Podcast
Episode: The Luke Cornet Game and Tatum’s Road Back With David Jacoby. Plus, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert
Release Date: May 15, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, host Bill Simmons engages in a dynamic discussion with co-host David Jacoby, focusing on the intense Celtics vs. Knicks playoff series. The conversation delves into pivotal moments, player performances, and the broader implications of recent events. Additionally, the podcast features an insightful interview with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, shedding light on the league's growth and future prospects.

Celtics vs. Knicks Playoff Series

Timestamp: [04:49] - [35:23]

Game Five Analysis and Tatum’s Injury

The episode opens with Bill Simmons and David Jacoby dissecting the recent Game Five between the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks. A significant highlight is the unfortunate injury sustained by Jayson Tatum, which has major implications for the Celtics’ playoff run.

• David Jacoby expresses frustration over the game’s outcome, stating, “This really could have gone two ways and I'm not really happy the way it went” ([04:54]).

• Bill Simmons reflects on the crowd dynamics and the impact of Tatum’s injury: “From the moment Tatum's tragic injury happened... the Celtics rose to the challenge” ([07:00]).

Luke Cornet's Performance

The unexpected performance of Knicks’ Luke Cornet is a focal point, earning the episode its title.

• Jacoby criticizes the decision to bring Cornet into the game, mentioning, “He blocked seven shots is shocking” ([14:00]).

• Bill Simmons highlights Cornet’s defensive prowess: “Luke Cornet was getting fouls where he was challenging people that were driving to the basket...” ([22:21]).

Defensive Strategies and Player Impact

The hosts delve into the defensive adjustments made by both teams and the resulting player performances.

• Bill Simmons praises the Celtics’ adaptability: “They just took the rebounding more seriously. Robinson was really good” ([23:52]).

• Jacoby discusses Jalen Brunson’s evolving role: “Brunson being out for that long gave Bridges and OG time to score” ([17:47]).

Team Dynamics and Future Implications

The conversation explores the potential outcomes of the series and the broader implications for both teams.

• Simmons muses on the Celtics’ future without Tatum: “They could patch it together with the infrastructure” ([21:26]).

• Jacoby remains optimistic about the Knicks, predicting a series win despite recent setbacks: “I think the Knicks will eventually win the series” ([05:25]).

Notable Quotes:

• David Jacoby: “He's got a real like mental problem. He's got like a mental block with this.” ([14:32])

• Bill Simmons: “This is what a great MVP race was because both of these guys are incredible.” ([64:21])

WNBA Growth and Future with Commissioner Cathy Engelbert

Timestamp: [72:XX] - [113:22]

League Expansion and Media Strategies

Bill Simmons interviews WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, discussing the league's remarkable growth and strategic initiatives aimed at expanding its footprint.

• Cathy Engelbert shares the excitement around new expansion teams: “We have a new San Francisco expansion team... Portland and Toronto coming down the road next year” ([73:14]).

• Simmons draws parallels to the NBA’s expansion trends: “The price is already gone up two and a half times at a year and a half” ([82:36]).

Capital Investment and Branding

The conversation highlights the significant investments made into the WNBA, enhancing player development, marketing, and overall league operations.

• Engelbert explains the capital raise strategy: “We opened it up to a broader group of Diverse investors... It served us well” ([91:44]).

• Simmons questions the sustainability of rapid expansion: “How do you know what the right number is?” ([80:24]).

Player Development and Star Impact

The discussion emphasizes the role of star players like Caitlin Clark in elevating the league's visibility and marketability.

• Engelbert acknowledges Clark’s impact: “Caitlin Clark brought tens of millions of new viewers into the WNBA” ([78:29]).

• Simmons praises Clark as a generational talent: “She's the most popular under 30 team sport athlete we have now” ([105:37]).

Media Deals and Future Negotiations

Engelbert outlines the WNBA’s evolving media presence and the upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations.

• Engelbert details the historic media deal: “Largest media deal in the history of women's sports... aiming for 260 AAV” ([93:46]).

• Simmons inquires about maintaining league integrity amidst growth: “How do you make sure you're not perceived as being too big yet?” ([95:46]).

Notable Quotes:

• Cathy Engelbert: “We have a lot of parity in the league this year... six, seven teams are really going to compete hard for the championship” ([78:18]).

• Bill Simmons: “Caitlin Clark is a generational talent... she's the most popular athlete in America” ([105:37]).

• Cathy Engelbert: “We've hired engineers, hired social media... now we have 25 people driving growth at the league level” ([91:44]).

Personal Reflections and Anecdotes

Timestamp: [50:03] - [71:05]

Bill Simmons and David Jacoby share personal experiences related to recent games and the evolving nature of fan engagement, particularly highlighting the shift towards content creation and social media presence during games.

• Jacoby recounts attending a watch party and observing the focus on social media over enjoying the live experience: “It's a commentary on the content creation generation” ([59:41]).

• Simmons expresses frustration with fans distracted by recording rather than watching: “How can you not focus on this guy... painting a masterpiece” ([61:07]).

Notable Quotes:

• David Jacoby: “We're putting out Instagram stories. It literally disappears in 24 hours” ([62:07]).

• Bill Simmons: “Who’s watching this video in 40 years? Like, your kids are like, oh, yeah, I'm still deleting Dad's iCloud” ([62:07]).

Conclusion and Takeaways

The episode wraps up with a blend of sports analysis and personal anecdotes, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the current state of the Celtics-Knicks series and the burgeoning growth of the WNBA. Bill Simmons emphasizes the fragility and excitement of sports "windows," while Cathy Engelbert offers an optimistic view of the WNBA’s future through strategic expansion and robust media partnerships.

Key Takeaways:

• Celtics-Knicks Series: The injury to Jayson Tatum is a pivotal moment, altering the dynamics and increasing the Knicks' chances in the series.

• WNBA Growth: Under Cathy Engelbert’s leadership, the WNBA has experienced significant growth through strategic capital investments, player development, and expansive media deals.

• Fan Engagement: The shift towards content creation and social media during games presents both opportunities and challenges for enhancing the live sports experience.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• David Jacoby: “This really could have gone two ways and I'm not really happy the way it went” ([04:54]).

• Cathy Engelbert: “We are the longest tenured women's professional sports league in the US by double any other” ([74:04]).

• Bill Simmons: “Caitlin Clark is a generational talent... she's the most popular under 30 team sport athlete we have” ([105:37]).

• Cathy Engelbert: “We're just looking at building the right global footprint first” ([88:18]).

• Bill Simmons: “It's just a different time... it's like when you go to a concert and people are just like filming the concert” ([60:51]).

This episode offers a deep dive into both the immediate thrills and setbacks of the NBA playoffs and a forward-looking perspective on the WNBA’s promising trajectory. Whether you're a die-hard sports fan or new to the conversations, Bill Simmons ensures a rich and engaging experience highlighting the passion and complexities of professional basketball.