Five NBA Playoff Takes, Plus David Letterman’s First-Ever BS Pod Appearance (We Did It!!!)

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons give his thoughts on various topics around the NBA with Round 2 of the playoffs well underway (3:06). Then, David Letterman comes on to talk about his upbringing, the evolution of talk shows, sports, and much, much more! (38:51). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: David Letterman Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo This episode is sponsored by State Farm®. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Nick Wright to check in on the Celtics by reacting to Jaylen Brown’s controversial Twitch stream and discussing a possible Giannis trade (3:02). Then, they preview the rest of the Timberwolves-Spurs matchup and discuss LeBron’s Ringer Top 100 NBA player ranking before ending with their 2026 NBA Lottery Karma Rankings (31:58). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Nick Wright Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo Brought to you by PayPal. Learn more at paypal.com/paymonthly The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join The Ringer's Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe LIVE on Netflix as they react to the Cavs defeating the Raptors in Game 7 to move on to the conference semifinals (1:19). Then, they preview the Round 2 matchups and try to figure out what some eliminated teams should do in the offseason (28:49). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Zach Lowe Producers: Chia Hao Tat, Eduardo Ocampo, and Chris Wohlers The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join The Ringer's Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe LIVE on Netflix to react to the Pistons taking the deciding Game 7 against the Magic, and to break down how the Celtics lost the series against the 76ers (0:31). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Zach Lowe Producers: Chia Hao Tat, Eduardo Ocampo, and Chris Wohlers https://michelobultra.com/courtside MICHELOB ULTRA® COURTSIDE ’25 to ’26. No Purchase Necessary. Open to US residents 21 plus. Begins on October 1, 2025 and ends on June 30, 2026 Multiple entry periods. See Official Rules at https://michelobultra.com/courtside for free entry, entry deadlines, prizes, and details. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Rob Mahoney LIVE on Netflix after the Timberwolves eliminate the Nuggets to recap the Thursday NBA playoff slate and preview the remaining Round 1 matchups (1:07). Then, Billy Gil joins to talk about the five biggest MLB cocktail topics of the last five weeks (01:04:55). Finally, Jason Concepcion hops on to catch up on ‘Survivor 50’ and to make predictions for the show (01:41:58). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Rob Mahoney, Billy Gil, and Jason Concepcion Producers: Chia Hao Tat, Eduardo Ocampo, and Jonathan Frias The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Chris Ryan and Joe House to react to the 76ers extending the series against the Celtics, the Knicks taking a 3-2 lead against the Hawks, and the Spurs eliminating the Trail Blazers to move on to the conference semifinals (3:13). Then, they predict the outcomes for the rest of Round 1 and take a look at the NBA's anti-tanking draft lottery proposal (31:36). Finally, Bill and House answer some mailbag questions (01:02:29). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Chris Ryan and Joe House Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo #ULTRACourtside could get you closer to the game! https://michelobultra.com/courtside MICHELOB ULTRA® COURTSIDE ’25 to ’26. No Purchase Necessary. Open to US residents 21 plus. Begins on October 1, 2025 and ends on June 30, 2026 Multiple entry periods. See Official Rules at https://michelobultra.com/courtside for free entry, entry deadlines, prizes, and details. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join The Ringer’s Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe LIVE on Netflix to break down the Rockets keeping their playoff hopes alive against the Lakers, and the Celtics taking a commanding 3-1 lead against the 76ers (0:31). Then, they recap the rest of the weekend's NBA playoff matchups, take a look at Donovan Mitchell’s playoff history, discuss Nikola Jokic’s struggles, and much more! (45:00). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Zach Lowe Producers: Chia Hao Tat, Eduardo Ocampo, and Chris Wohlers Give No Quits. Shop at your Local Duluth Trading Company Store or Online The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠⁠⁠ www.rg-help.com⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons talks about what a great sports week it is before giving his thoughts on the NFL draft and the Mike Vrabel situation (2:28). Then, Rob Mahoney joins to react to the Timberwolves tying up the series against the Nuggets before recapping the Raptors taking Game 3 against the Cavs and the Hawks taking a 2-1 lead against the Knicks (24:30). Finally, Sean Fennessey hops on to discuss the Knicks' side of the series, the Lakers-Rockets matchup, and Sean’s new newsletter, ‘Projections’ (53:28). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Rob Mahoney and Sean Fennessey Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo #ULTRACourtside could get you closer to the game! https://michelobultra.com/courtside MICHELOB ULTRA® COURTSIDE ’25 to ’26. No Purchase Necessary. Open to US residents 21 plus. Begins on October 1, 2025 and ends on June 30, 2026 Multiple entry periods. See Official Rules at https://michelobultra.com/courtside for free entry, entry deadlines, prizes, and details. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠⁠⁠ www.rg-help.com⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons catches up on Tuesday's NBA playoff matchups before taking a look at the panic teams (3:00). Then, Todd McShay and Steve Muench join Bill to preview the NFL draft (25:05). Finally, Van Lathan joins to give his thoughts on the new Michael Jackson biopic, ‘Michael’ (01:36:27). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Todd McShay, Steve Muench, and Van Lathan Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo Shop your favorite local grocers on Uber Eats! https://www.ubereats.com/brand/kroger The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠⁠⁠ www.rg-help.com⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Zach Lowe LIVE on Netflix after Trail Blazers vs. Spurs to recap all the NBA playoff Game 1s (0:32). Then, Bill explains why he changed his MVP vote, discusses what the eliminated play-in teams should do in the offseason, and much more (01:12:17). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Zach Lowe Producers: Chia Hao Tat, Eduardo Ocampo, and Chris Wohlers Brought to you by PayPal. Learn more at https://paypal.com/payin4 The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠⁠⁠ www.rg-help.com⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices