Houston’s Surprise Surge, Best West Futures, and the 2024 Defense Draft With Ryen Russillo

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to discuss the Thunder surviving the Pelicans in Game 1, their favorite and least favorite Round 1 series so far (1:43), before running through all the weekend's games (20:39). Next, they examine Joel Embiid and Kawhi Leonard's playoff performances and injury history, Nikola Jokic’s legacy potential, and much more (1:14:04). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Ryen Russillo Producer: Kyle Crichton 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

In Part 2 of a two-part podcast, The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Chris Ryan and Sean Fennessey to discuss the highly anticipated 76ers-Knicks playoff series (1:34). Then, Bill talks with Kevin Wildes of FS1 to discuss the Lakers-Nuggets Round 1 playoff series (34:39), ESPN's Bill Belichick story (53:44), and some Half-Baked Ideas (1:17:44). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Chris Ryan, Sean Fennessey, and Kevin Wildes Producer: Kyle Crichton 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

In Part 1 of a two-part podcast, The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Rob Mahoney to discuss first-round NBA playoff matchups (1:25), before playing a game of "What-If" for the playoffs (24:22). Next, Bill talks with Logan Murdock about the Warriors' elimination from the postseason, offseason speculation, and more (49:21). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Rob Mahoney and Logan Murdock Producer: Kyle Crichton 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

In Part 2 of a two-part podcast, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo and Steve Ceruti to break down the remaining playoff matchups, including Magic-Cavs, and talk about whom the Celtics should want in their series (0:47). Next, Bill and Russillo go through their MVP ballots, All-NBA teams, and the rest of their regular-season award picks (23:38). Finally, they close it out with a little Masters talk and takeaways from UFC 300 (1:25:14). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Ryen Russillo Producers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti 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

In Part 1 of a two-part podcast, The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to discuss all the NBA movement from this weekend, including the Suns' strong finish, the Spurs defeating the Nuggets and changing the Western Conference playoff seeding, the Warriors' best-case scenario, a look at the Clippers-Mavericks matchup, the Knicks solidifying the 2-seed in the East, health concerns for the Bucks and 76ers, and more! Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Ryen Russillo Producer: Kyle Crichton 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

Joe House to discuss NBA playoff scenarios (15:24). Bill, House, and Nathan Hubbard then discuss Round 1 of the Masters (33:55), and new developments in the Shohei Ohtani gambling investigation (1:01:45). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Joe House and Nathan Hubbard Producer: Kyle Crichton 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 Joe House to discuss athletes that have raised the profile of a sport and where Caitlin Clark fits into that group (4:05), NBA title contenders paired with Masters contenders (29:01), and Bill's 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' mini pyramid (1:09:09). Then Bill is joined by '3 Body Problem' creators David Benioff, Dan Weiss, and Alexander Woo for a spoiler-free discussion about creating a bingeable TV show in 2024, David and Dan's decision to leap into sci-fi after 'Game of Thrones,' the future of entertainment technology, and more (1:24:33). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Joe House, David Benioff, Dan Weiss, and Alexander Woo Producer: Kyle Crichton 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 the captivating Mavericks, first-round playoff teams, and some All-NBA ballot thoughts (1:07) before presenting some completely fictional Alternate NBA Awards for the 2023-24 NBA season (22:34). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Ryen Russillo Producer: Kyle Crichton The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming, please checkout rg-help.com to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons runs through some NBA and NFL topics, including three NBA teams in trouble, the Jets, and the Stefon Diggs trade, before sharing his NFL WR mini-pyramid with Steve Ceruti (2:24). Then, Bill is joined by Sean Fennessey and Howard Beck to do a Knicks check-in after hearing the news that Julius Randle's injury will keep him out for the rest of the season (37:12). Finally, Howard and Bill hit some other NBA topics, including the volatile Suns, Nikola Jokic's next MVP, NBA awards ideas, and more (1:08:27). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Howard Beck, Sean Fennessey, and Steve Ceruti Producer: Kyle Crichton The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming, please checkout theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by ESPN's Mina Kimes to compare and contrast QB draft prospects Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye. They also discuss clear no. 1 pick Caleb Williams, hopeless 2024-25 NFL teams, the new NFL kickoff rules, March Madness, and more (2:05). Then, Bill talks with David Shoemaker and Ariel Helwani about WrestleMania 40, WWE's resurgence, the Rock's shocking heel turn, Cody Rhodes's intrigue, 40 years of WrestleMania, and more (1:04:41). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Mina Kimes, David Shoemaker, and Ariel Helwani Producer: Kyle Crichton The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming, please checkout theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices