The Bill Simmons Podcast

This bonus 'Bill Simmons Podcast' includes extra material from the first four episodes of 'Any Given Wednesday,' including interviews with Charles Barkley (2:15), Ben Affleck (15:30), Malcolm Gladwell and Mark Cuban (24:00), Bill Hader (36:45), Joe Rogan (41:00), Anthony Anderson and Chris Bosh (49:30), and Aaron Rodgers (56:30).

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons calls up his buddy JackO for an emergency quickie bonus podcast to discuss Day 1 of the Republican National Convention, how Donald Trump wound up a presidential candidate, and what to make of Melania Trump's speech.

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on his dad to discuss Tom Brady bailing on Deflategate (6:00) and the current feelings in Boston on the Red Sox's recent trade for Drew Pomeranz and on Celtics draft pick Jaylen Brown's inability to finish around the basket. Then, 'New York Times' critic at large Wesley Morris talks pitfalls of the summer movie scene (26:00), the relevance of 'Good Times' today (35:00), Blake Lively's shallow character in 'The Shallows' (52:00), and how to deal with the tragedies poisoning our times (1:02:00).

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on longtime pal Joe House to discuss Dwyane Wade's decision to sign with the Bulls, star players ending careers with different teams (17:00), the battle for Al Horford (22:00), the Knicks' plan for the future (32:00), OKC's new look and next move (40:00), debunking Kevin Durant's "weakness" (48:00), 'The Decision' vs. KD's self-determination (57:00), and House's impending eat-off against Danny Chau (1:06:00).

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Joe House to discuss the first official day of NBA free agency, Durant's window with Golden State (10:00), Curry's "superstar" durability (24:00), Dwight's next destination (32:00), the most tortured NBA franchises (40:00), Miami's ability to avoid disaster (50:00), the Celtics' FA scenarios (56:00), and the Thon Maker age conspiracy (1:01:00).

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons welcomes Joe House to break down the 2016 NBA draft, OKC's Oladipo theft (8:00), Thon Maker to the Bucks (19:00), the Celtics and Jaylen Brown (24:00), the Knicks' uncanny knack (34:00), and the NBA Finals and LeBron passing Larry Bird (45:00). Then, Orlando native and Ringer staff writer Kevin Clark joins (52:00) to discuss the Magic's bizarre move. They conclude by discussing Orlando’s response to its tragic mass shooting.

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on two-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA All-Defensive team honoree Jimmy Butler to discuss being a late-blooming draft steal, Tom Thibodeau's raw deal with the Bulls (15:00), guarding LeBron vs. guarding Steph (22:00), the importance of the 3-pointer (29:00), his personal beefs (35:00), dispelling trade rumors (46:00), and playing for Team USA in Rio (52:00).

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on 3 'Any Given Wednesday' writers to discuss Stephen Curry's Finals no-show (so far), Kevin Love's trade value (16:00), 2016 Team USA options (28:00), J.R. technical foul goading strategies for Draymond (37:00) and Brendan's fetish for bizarre internet deep dives (52:00).

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell to discuss Rick Barry's free throw mechanics, GSW's reinvention of the wheel (14:00), expanding the pool of NBA stars (23:00), Kevin Durant's next destination (30:00), Steph Curry's brand and cheap contract (35:00), Muhammad Ali's era and surviving the 1960s (43:00), LeBron James's ridiculous training regimen (1:01:00), and the Carmelo Anthony-Kevin Love trade potential (1:04:00).

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on longtime buddy Joe House to talk about Bill's trip to Oakland for Game 5, the ceiling of OKC-GSW, the meaning of 73-9 if Golden State loses, the Russell Westbrook-Stephen Curry battle, Kevin Durant's steady rise up the pyramid, and Bill's bold Game 6 prediction.

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons and one of the world's most prolific NBA bettors, Haralabos Voulgaris, on OKC-GSW, OKC's dominance on the boards (18:00), Golden State's possible adjustments (25:00), Steven Adams vs. James Harden (34:00), LeBron's durability and rim protector role (44:00), Tom Thibodeau and the Wolves (49:00), and Joe Lacob's braggadocious profile backfiring.

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons with charity: water's founder, Scott Harrison, on his foundation's goal of solving the global water crisis.

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons and Joe House celebrate Episode 100 by discussing last night's Thunder-Warriors game, the NBA salary cap and contract extensions (18:00), and the NBA draft lottery (25:00). Then, JackO joins to talk Trump and the Yankees (35:00), and House closes with thoughts on D.C. sports (56:00).

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons welcomes comedian and 'Any Given Wednesday' writer Travon Free to break down the Thunder's athletic advantage, Westbrook's alpha-dog mentality (14:00), the Spurs’ championship runs (17:00), playing high school basketball with Tyson Chandler (21:00), Curry's clean image (28:00), Steven Adams's bruiser status (32:00), losing to Tennessee in the NCAA tournament while playing for Long Beach State (40:00), Westbrook vs. Curry (51:00), LeBron's subtweets (55:00), and predictions for the NBA Finals (59:00).

Craig Kilborn talks about his lifelong love of basketball and the Timberwolves, as well as his time at ESPN, Comedy Central and CBS.