Chuck Klosterman on the NBA Finals, a Rival League, the Sonics, 'The Rehearsal,' Cooper Flagg, and the Fear of AI

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Zach Lowe to react to the Pacers taking a 2-1 lead against OKC in the NBA Finals (1:55). Then, they talk about Indianapolis as a sports city, Bennedict Mathurin’s impact, and SGA not playing well enough in Game 3 (24:28). Finally, they discuss what it would mean if OKC lost to the Pacers in the Finals, preview Game 4, and predict Kevin Durant trade destinations (51:05). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Zach Lowe Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo This episode is presented by State Farm®. Dishing the assists you need off the court. State Farm® with the Assist. Get anything delivered on Uber Eats. www.ubereats.com 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 Chuck Klosterman to talk about the NBA's popularity and foul baiting (2:58), before they discuss the biggest sport franchise moves and the possibility of a new international basketball league (31:53). Then, they talk about Cooper Flagg, and ‘The Rehearsal’ (58:38). Finally, they dive into prison escapes and AI fears (1:25:27). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Chuck Klosterman Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo This episode is presented by State Farm®. Dishing the assists you need off the court. State Farm® with the Assist. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠ www.rghelp.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 Ryen Russillo to react to OKC taking Game 2 at home against the Pacers in the NBA Finals (2:25). Then, they discuss the bad ratings for these Finals and why the NHL Stanley Cup final may be more interesting this year (18:07). Finally, they play a game of “I wouldn’t be surprised if …” for the NBA offseason, discuss trade targets around the league, and more (46:33)! Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Ryen Russillo Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo #ULTRACourtside could get you closer to the game! michelobultra.com/courtside/champsbottles ENJOY RESPONSIBLY ©️ 2025 ANHEUSER-BUSCH, MICHELOB ULTRA®️ LIGHT BEER, ST. LOUIS, MO. This episode is presented by State Farm®. Dishing the assists you need off the court. State Farm® with the Assist. 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 and Zach Lowe react to the Pacers stunning OKC in Game 1 of the NBA Finals (2:32). Then, they preview Game 2 and discuss fixes for OKC to turn the series around (30:31). Finally, they discuss the Knicks' coaching drama, who the new head coach could be in New York, and trade rumors (46:30). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Zach Lowe Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo Get started today at HubSpot.com/AI 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 reacts to the news of the Knicks firing Coach Thibs, and he makes his NBA Finals predictions (3:33). Then, Bill is joined by Pablo Torre to squash their Bill Belichick beef once and for all before discussing journalism, conspiracy theories, and Tony Kornheiser (29:21). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Pablo Torre Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo 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

Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to react to the Pacers defeating the Knicks to reach the NBA Finals, Pascal Siakam winning the ECF MVP instead of Tyrese Haliburton, and Rick Carlisle’s impact as a head coach (2:33). Then, Van Lathan Jr. joins to discuss the Knicks, what their offseason moves should be, and Giannis trades (37:56). Finally, they discuss the end of ‘Inside the NBA’ on TNT, college football, and more (01:14:16). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Ryen Russillo and Van Lathan Jr. Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo #ULTRACourtside could get you closer to the game! michelobultra.com/courtside ENJOY RESPONSIBLY © 2025 ANHEUSER-BUSCH, MICHELOB ULTRA® LIGHT BEER, ST. LOUIS, MO. 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

Bill Simmons is joined by Joe House and Rob Mahoney to react to the Knicks winning Game 5 in New York to push their ECF series against the Pacers to Game 6 (2:30). Then, they discuss OKC eliminating the Timberwolves in the WCF, what an OKC-Pacers Finals would look like, and SGA’s scoring ability (44:35). Finally, Albert Breer joins to talk about NFL offseason subplots (01:07:36). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Joe House, Rob Mahoney, and Albert Breer Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo Get anything delivered on Uber Eats. www.ubereats.com 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 to react to Knicks-Pacers Game 4 (5:39). Then, they discuss Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers rising to the occasion in these playoffs (33:35). Finally, they talk about Bill’s top 15 NBA player pyramid, OKC-Timberwolves Game 4, and much more (58:26). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Zach Lowe Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo Get anything delivered on Uber Eats. www.ubereats.com 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 Ryen Russillo to discuss what the NBA teams may look like next year (1:43). Then, they react to OKC-Timberwolves Game 3 and discuss Bill’s theory that something has shifted with the NBA this season (30:38). Finally, they discuss Tyrese Haliburton, have a quick 2020 redraft, and predict one wild move this summer (01:05:20). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Ryen Russillo Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo #ULTRACourtside could get you closer to the game! michelobultra.com/courtside ENJOY RESPONSIBLY ©️ 2025 ANHEUSER-BUSCH, MICHELOB ULTRA®️ LIGHT BEER, ST. LOUIS, MO. 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 reacts to Game 2 of the WCF between the Timberwolves and the Thunder (2:25). Then, Bill is joined by comedian and late-night host Jon Stewart to talk about the Knicks, his beginnings as a comedian, and ‘The Jon Stewart Show’ on MTV (14:56). Finally, they discuss the evolution of late-night hosts, returning to hosting, authenticity in the media, and much more (53:02). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Jon Stewart Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo This episode is brought to you by Degree Deodorant. Grab the original Cool Rush at Walmart or Target today. 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