Book of Basketball 2.0

Episode 9: Epilogue

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Six years later, Seattle waits patiently for a chance to bid for an expansion franchise. Will the city have a team again?

Host: Jordan Ritter Conn

Producers: Bobby Wagner, Matt Dollinger and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Bobby Wagner

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Episode 8: The End | Sonic Boom

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 17:24:00 -0000

The Sonics pack their bags, and Seattle spends more than a decade wondering: Where do we go from here?

Host: Jordan Ritter Conn

Producers: Noah Malale, Isaac Lee, Kara Kornhaber, Karan Nevatia, Catherine St. Louis, Jonathan Hirsch and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville and Vikram Patel

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Episode 7: The Last Season | Sonic Boom

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Waiting, hoping, fighting: Seattle takes its final stand.

Host: Jordan Ritter Conn

Producers: Noah Malale, Isaac Lee, Kara Kornhaber, Karan Nevatia, Catherine St. Louis, Jonathan Hirsch and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville and Vikram Patel

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Episode 6: Ed Evans | Sonic Boom

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 10:00:00 -0000

For the first time, the man who brokered the deal between Howard Schultz and owners from Oklahoma City tells his story.

Host: Jordan Ritter Conn

Producers: Noah Malale, Isaac Lee, Kara Kornhaber, Karan Nevatia, Catherine St. Louis, Jonathan Hirsch and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville and Vikram Patel

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Episode 5: The Sale | Sonic Boom

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Schultz and Bennett strike a deal, and Seattle wonders if all is lost.

Host: Jordan Ritter Conn

Producers: Noah Malale, Isaac Lee, Kara Kornhaber, Karan Nevatia, Catherine St. Louis, Jonathan Hirsch and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville and Vikram Patel

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Episode 4: Oklahoma City | Sonic Boom

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Oklahoma City prepares for a major league opportunity. But will the NBA bite?

Host: Jordan Ritter Conn

Producers: Noah Malale, Isaac Lee, Kara Kornhaber, Karan Nevatia, Catherine St. Louis, Jonathan Hirsch and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville and Vikram Patel

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Episode 3: Olympia | Sonic Boom

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Seattle vs. Schultz. Who really owns our teams?

Host: Jordan Ritter Conn

Producers: Noah Malale, Isaac Lee, Kara Kornhaber, Karan Nevatia, Catherine St. Louis, Jonathan Hirsch and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville and Vikram Patel

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Episode 2: Howard Schultz | Sonic Boom

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Who is Howard Schultz? Getting to know the man who bought the Sonics and sold them away.

Host: Jordan Ritter Conn

Producers: Noah Malale, Isaac Lee, Kara Kornhaber, Karan Nevatia, Catherine St. Louis, Jonathan Hirsch and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville and Vikram Patel

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Episode 1: The '90s | Sonic Boom

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 10:00:00 -0000

In our pilot episode, we dive into the relationship between Seattle and the Sonics, telling the story of the franchise’s iconic teams of the '90s. And we see how decisions made in that decade ultimately laid the groundwork for the team’s move, more than a decade later.

Host: Jordan Ritter Conn

Producers: Noah Malale, Isaac Lee, Kara Kornhaber, Karan Nevatia, Catherine St. Louis, Jonathan Hirsch and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville and Vikram Patel

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Introducing ‘Sonic Boom: How Seattle Lost Its Team’

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Did Seattle ever have a chance? Who are the villains in this story? Hear from the NBA legends, politicians, diehard fans, business executives, and more as The RInger's Jordan RItter Conn unearths never before heard truths about the NBA's greatest heist. Dive into the chronicle of a perfect storm of events: how Seattle went from an iconic NBA city to a basketball orphan.

Host: Jordan Ritter Conn

Producers: Noah Malale, Isaac Lee, Kara Kornhaber, Karan Nevatia, Catherine St. Louis, Jonathan Hirsch and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville and Vikram Patel

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8. Modern Icons | Icons Club

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 10:00:00 -0000

The faces of the modern NBA take on many shapes, sizes, and brands, but have a few things in common: more money and influence than any of their predecessors. In the face of this increased responsibility, will they continue the club? And if so, who’s coming next? In the series finale, Jackie takes a look at how far the league has come, and where it might be headed.

Host: Jackie MacMullan

Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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7. Shaq and Kobe | Icons Club

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal are one of the most successful—and combustible—duos in NBA history. Their contrasting styles led to tension in the locker room, but dominance on the court. And in the end, each of them changed the rules of the Icons Club forever, just maybe not in the way you’d expect.

Host: Jackie MacMullan

Producers: Bobby Wagner, Kaya McMullen, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier, and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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6. The Enigmas | Icons Club

Tue, 05 Apr 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Some players have unassailable Icons Club resumes–MVPs, championships, iconic playoff moments–but find themselves on the outside, looking in. In this episode, Jackie lays out the criteria for becoming a club member, and examines a few of the most enigmatic stars.

Host: Jackie MacMullan

Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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5. The Dream Team | Icons Club

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 10:00:00 -0000

The Dream Team was an unprecedented experiment for the Icons Club—an opportunity for the game’s best players to form bonds and swap notes. It also gave the NBA a chance to show off its best players to the world, and the league did not miss.

Host: Jackie MacMullan

Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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4. MJ | Icons Club

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Michael Jordan built his career—and his billion-dollar brand—by going it alone. But Jordan himself explains how he pulled from Dr. J’s business acumen and Magic’s charisma to chart his flight, and even offered pointers to certain Icons who followed in his footsteps.

Host: Jackie MacMullan

Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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3. Magic and Larry | Icons Club

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Magic vs. Larry is the rivalry that, for many, defines the NBA. On-court battles between these bitter foes showed a ravenous public just how enticing the NBA could be. But how about Magic and Larry: friends? In this episode, Jackie compares and contrasts the icons of the '80s, tracing a bond how that went well beyond the court.

Host: Jackie MacMullan

Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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2. Dr. J and the ABA | Icons Club

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Julius Erving ushered in a new era of the Icons Club. His unique style, on and off the court, brought a jolt to the game and opened doors to new marketing opportunities. And even as punches flew during his era, Dr. J forged relationships with his peers—and future Icons, like Michael Jordan—that made him arguably the most beloved member of the club.

Host: Jackie MacMullan

Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier, and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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1. Wilt & Russ | Icons Club

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 10:02:00 -0000

Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell are the founding members of the Icons Club. The big men navigated a completely different NBA than the one we know today and, along with stars like Oscar Robertson, put the league on course for unimaginable growth and success.

Host: Jackie MacMullan

Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier, and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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Prologue | Icons Club

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 10:00:00 -0000

When Jackie started covering the NBA, it was every player for himself. But during Kobe Bryant's final season, he revealed to Jackie a secret mentorship with Michael Jordan, unlocking the door to a club that only the game's greatest players have access to.

Host: Jackie MacMullan

Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier, and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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Introducing: ‘Icons Club’

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 12:40:00 -0000

From The Ringer and Spotify, ‘Icons Club’ will examine how an exclusive group of NBA superstars made the league what it is today. These icons were not just the best of the best on the court, but they also changed the NBA’s culture. Host Jackie MacMullan interviews Michael Jordan, Julius Erving, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Isiah Thomas, Hakeem Olajuwon, Dwyane Wade, and a host of other NBA icons about their relationships with each other, their places in the club, and how much superstardom has changed since the early days of the league.

‘Icons Club' premieres on March 18.

Host: Jackie MacMullan

Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier, and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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7. “It Just Feels Like Loss” | What If? The Len Bias Story

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 10:00:00 -0000

In the finale, we examine how the passing of time has changed the way we process the memory of Len Bias, what his death meant to the city of Boston and the Celtics franchise, and why his story lingers for sports fans and non-sports fans alike.

Host: Jordan Ritter Conn

Producers: Hannah Beal, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, and Bobby Wagner

Production Assistant: Isaiah Blakely

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6. “Who Can You Trust?” | What If? The Len Bias Story

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 10:00:00 -0000

By the summer of 1986, America’s relationship with drugs was already at the brink of combustion. And in the highly publicized death of Len Bias, policymakers found a spark to light the flame. The draconian legislation introduced on Capitol Hill thereafter, especially the ratification of mandatory minimum sentences, disproportionately targeted Black citizens — one of whom, ironically, was Len’s childhood friend.

Host: Jordan Ritter Conn

Producers: Hannah Beal, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, and Bobby Wagner

Production Assistant: Isaiah Blakely

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5. “Someone Had to Pay” | What If? The Len Bias Story

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Despite the ongoing Brian Tribble investigation, there was still a question the press and public had no answer for: Who was to blame for the tragic cocaine intoxication of Maryland’s star basketball player? The spotlight shifted to Maryland University and the man who had built the basketball program up in his image: Lefty Driesell.

Host: Jordan Ritter Conn

Producers: Hannah Beal, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, and Bobby Wagner

Production Assistant: Isaiah Blakely

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4. “They Weren’t Grown Men” | What If? The Len Bias Story

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Before the fallout from Len Bias’s death could ripple through society, the facts surrounding the night of his death had to be established. So why was that so difficult? In this episode, we examine Brian Tribble’s trial on charges of cocaine distribution, the public’s need to assign immediate blame for Bias’s death, and the ensuing chaos caused by that need.

Host: Jordan Ritter Conn

Producers: Hannah Beal, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, and Bobby Wagner

Production Assistant: Isaiah Blakely

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3. “One Time, I Was Gone” | What If? The Len Bias Story

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we examine the life and career of Spencer Haywood, a basketball Hall of Famer and one of the sport’s biggest stars of the 1970s. Haywood spent the latter half of his career battling a cocaine addiction at a time when the league lacked both an understanding and a policy for how to deal with a growing drug problem. We explore the climate around cocaine in basketball in the lead-up to the mid-'80s, and how that climate informed the public’s reaction to Len Bias’s death.

Host: Jordan Riter Conn

Producers: Hannah Beal, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, and Bobby Wagner

Production Assistant: Isaiah Blakely

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2. “He’s Gone” | What If? The Len Bias Story

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 10:05:00 -0000

On June 17, 1986, Len Bias was picked second overall in the NBA draft. He was the next chapter in the book that was the 1980s Boston Celtics dynasty. Then, just two days later on June 19, 1986, he was dead of cocaine intoxication. In this episode, we talk about the 48 hours leading up to one of the sports world’s most crushing losses.

Host: Jordan Riter Conn

Producers: Hannah Beal, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, and Bobby Wagner

Production Assistant: Isaiah Blakely

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1. "Just About Superman” | What If? The Len Bias Story

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 10:00:00 -0000

By his senior year at the University of Maryland, Len Bias was thriving. He was perhaps the best college basketball player in the country, earning burgeoning Michael Jordan comparisons, and going second overall to the Boston Celtics in the 1986 NBA draft. In this episode, we set the stage for how Len Bias, the Maryland kid, became Len Bias, the basketball phenom; how a dark premonition weighed on his mother in the months leading up to his death; and how one night in 1986 left an imprint on American culture that lingers to this day.

Host: Jordan Ritter Conn

Producers: Hannah Beal, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, and Bobby Wagner

Production Assistant: Isaiah Blakely

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Introducing ‘What If? The Len Bias Story’

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 16:00:00 -0000

From The Ringer and Spotify, this is the story of Len Bias: University of Maryland phenom, second pick of the 1986 draft to the Celtics, and just two days later, one of the most tragic and shocking deaths in sports history. Over the next seven episodes, we’ll investigate how Bias’s death changed the trajectory of NBA history, sparked America’s cocaine panic, and made a lasting impact in the world of sports—and far beyond.

‘What If? The Len Bias Story’ premieres June 9 on the Book of Basketball 2.0 feed.

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Chris Webber: The Star-Crossed Superstar

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 04:59:00 -0000

In the sixth episode of Season 3, Bill Simmons and Joe House explain why Chris Webber should have been one of the best power forwards of all time had bad luck, bad timing, and bad decisions not conspired against him. He may have one of the ultimate “What If?” careers of all time, yet wasn’t he memorable and talented enough to make the basketball Hall of Fame anyway?

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Rick Barry: The Disagreeable Superstar (With Malcolm Gladwell and Tony Kornheiser)

Thu, 10 Dec 2020 04:58:00 -0000

In the fifth episode of Season 3, Bill Simmons, Malcolm Gladwell, and Tony Kornheiser explain why Rick Barry was one of the 35 greatest players ever, as well as one of the most influential stars of the league’s first 40 years. However, his prickly personality and a few unfortunate mistakes somehow overshadowed much of his basketball legacy.

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Chris Paul: The Almost Point God (With Ryen Russillo)

Thu, 03 Dec 2020 04:59:00 -0000

In the fourth episode of Season 3, Bill Simmons and Ryen Russillo explain why future Hall of Famer Chris Paul is so hard to evaluate historically. They compare him to Isiah Thomas and other smaller stars, break down his biggest playoff moments (and stumbles) and decide where Paul ranks in Bill’s Hall of Fame Pyramid.

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Kevin Garnett: The Stealth Superstar (With Jackie MacMullan)

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 21:00:00 -0000

In the third episode of Season 3, Bill Simmons and Jackie MacMullan explain why Kevin Garnett’s career should have been even greater than it was, compare and contrast him to Tim Duncan, break down what it was like to cover him every day, reveal why he may have been the most secretly impactful player of the past 25 years, and decide where KG ranks in Bill’s Hall of Fame Pyramid.

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Julius Erving: MJ Before MJ (With Brian Koppelman)

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 04:59:00 -0000

In the second episode of Season 3, Bill Simmons and Brian Koppelman explain why Julius Erving kept basketball fun before Bird and Magic arrived, why his barely seen ABA seasons added to his legend, why he eventually became an underrated superstar, and where he ranks in Bill’s Hall of Fame Pyramid.

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Allen Iverson: You Had To Be There (with J.A. Adande)

Thu, 12 Nov 2020 04:59:00 -0000

In the first episode of Season 3, Bill Simmons and J.A. Adande break down Allen Iverson’s incredible career, the surreal experience of seeing him in person, why he belatedly became one of the league’s most beloved superstars, and where he ranks in Bill’s hall of fame pyramid.

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2010 Redraftables: PG-13, Wall, Hayward, and the Snakebit 2010 Draft With Ryen Russillo

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 04:01:00 -0000

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to revisit the 2010 NBA draft and discuss some of its subplots, draft comedy, and NBA legends before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks.

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2009 Redraftables: Curry, Harden, and Kahhhhhhhhhn With Zach Lowe

Mon, 29 Jun 2020 17:47:00 -0000

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons and ESPN’s Zach Lowe revisit the 2009 NBA draft and discuss some of its subplots, draft comedy, and NBA legends before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks.

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2008 Redraftables: A Genius Westbrook Pick and Rose vs. Love With Ryen Russillo

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 04:01:00 -0000

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to revisit the 2008 NBA draft and discuss some of its subplots, draft comedy, and NBA legends before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks.

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2007 Redraftables: Oden vs. Durant With Ryen Russillo

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 04:01:00 -0000

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to revisit the 2007 NBA draft and discuss some of its subplots, comedy, and legends before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks.

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2006 Redraftables: The Unluckiest, Goofiest, Most Incompetent Draft of the 2000s, With Chris Ryan and Joe House

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 18:37:00 -0000

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Chris Ryan and Joe House to revisit the 2006 NBA draft and discuss some of its subplots, comedy, and legends before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks.

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2005 Redraftables: The Revenge of CP3 With Ryen Russillo

Thu, 11 Jun 2020 04:00:00 -0000

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to revisit the 2005 NBA draft and discuss some of its subplots, draft comedy, and NBA legends before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks.

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2004 Redraftables: A Series of Unfortunate Events With Joe House

Fri, 29 May 2020 14:42:00 -0000

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Joe House to revisit the 2004 NBA draft and discuss some of the subplots, draft comedy, and NBA legends from that class before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks.

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2003 Redraftables: LeBron Arrives, Darko vs. Melo, Wade The Sleeper + the First “Modern” NBA Draft with Chad Ford | Book of Basketball 2.0

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 20:29:19 -0000

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Chad Ford to revisit the 2003 NBA draft and discuss some of the subplots and legends from that draft class before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks.

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2002 Redraftables: The Ultimate Bad Luck Draft With Chris Ryan and Joe House | Book of Basketball 2.0

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 20:51:22 -0000

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Chris Ryan and Joe House to revisit the bizarre 2002 NBA draft and discuss some of the subplots and legends from that draft class before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks.

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2001 Redraftables With Zach Lowe: Parker or Pau? Arenas or Iso Joe? Elgin, MJ, and Wallace Doing Stuff! | Book of Basketball 2.0

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 16:00:00 -0000

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by ESPN’s Zach Lowe to revisit the 2001 draft and discuss some of the NBA subplots and legends from that draft class before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks.

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2000 Redraftables: The NBA Draft WOAT. With Ryen Russillo | Book of Basketball 2.0

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 04:00:00 -0000

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to revisit the 2000 NBA draft, talk through some of the NBA subplots and what made this draft the worst in NBA history, and then break down the first 14 lottery picks.

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1999 Redraftables: Francis in Purgatory! Odom in Hell! Weis Over Artest! Remembering an Unusually Hilarious Draft With Chris Ryan and Joe House | Book of Basketball 2.0

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 04:00:00 -0000

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Joe House and Chris Ryan to revisit the 1999 NBA draft, talk through some of the NBA subplots and legends in that draft class, and redraft the first 14 lottery picks.

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1998 Redraftables: Sleeping Dirk, Free-Falling Pierce, and the Craziest NBA Draft Ever With Chris Ryan and Ryen Russillo | Book of Basketball 2.0

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 04:00:00 -0000

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo and Chris Ryan to revisit the 1998 NBA draft and some of the legends in that draft class, before redrafting the first 15 picks.

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1997 Redraftables: Duncan the Sure Thing, T-Mac the Sleeper, and Rick Pitino the Ruiner With Joe House | Book of Basketball 2.0

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 06:30:00 -0000

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Joe House to revisit the 1997 NBA draft and discuss the gravitas of NCAA basketball, the lack of info on most draft prospects, the "Duncan Lottery," and more before redrafting the top 15 picks.

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1996 Redraftables: Kobe, Iverson, Nash, Allen, and the Draft That Changed Everything With Ryen Russillo | Book of Basketball 2.0

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 06:11:52 -0000

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to revisit the 1996 NBA draft and discuss mid-'90s NBA subplots and legends of the '96 draft class before redrafting the top-14 lottery picks.

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The Genius of Bill Russell | Book of Basketball 2.0

Tue, 03 Mar 2020 05:00:00 -0000

What made Bill Russell so great? Was Russell a pioneer, a genius, or both? Why did he mean so much to the 1960s? Why did he walk away after his 11th title and never look back? And why wouldn’t he forgive the city of Boston? In 2012, Bill Simmons flew to Seattle and spent two days with the greatest winner in sports history, hoping to find these answers and more. It ended up being the highlight of his career.

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Duncan’s Revenge: 2003’s Lakers-Spurs Game 5 With Shea Serrano | Book of Basketball 2.0

Tue, 25 Feb 2020 05:00:00 -0000

Remember the night when Tim Duncan’s Spurs basically ended Shaq and Kobe’s quest for a four-peat, only they blew a huge lead and got saved because Robert Horry MISSED the game-winning shot? Remember when Duncan won a series against Shaq and Kobe in their primes? Remember when the thought of Duncan winning five titles seemed absurd? Remember the season when Kobe looked the most like MJ? Bill breaks it all down with The Ringer’s Shea Serrano.

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A Magic Collapse: 2009's L.A.-Orlando Game 4 With Kevin Clark and Joe House | Book of Basketball 2.0

Tue, 18 Feb 2020 05:00:00 -0000

Everyone remembers Kobe’s Lakers finally winning a title without Shaq in 2009. But why don’t they remember Orlando’s epic Game 4 collapse? Was this one of the biggest Finals meltdowns ever? Should the Magic have won the the series? How did those two missed free throws change Dwight Howard’s legacy? And just what the hell was Jameer Nelson doing? Bill breaks it down with The Ringer’s Kevin Clark and Joe House.

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Dwight Howard and the Pyramid (With Ryen Russillo and Joe House) | Book of Basketball 2.0

Tue, 11 Feb 2020 05:00:00 -0000

Dwight Howard was the league’s best center for five straight seasons. He even toppled LeBron in a conference finals to make the 2009 Finals. So what derailed him from being an all-time great? Was it injuries? Was he just kind of a jackass? Had the level of competition at center dipped so much that it made him seem better than he was? How do you explain his redemption with the 2019-20 Lakers? And why was Dwight the most properly rated NBA star ever? Bill breaks it all down with The Ringer’s Ryen Russillo and Joe House.

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The Night Kobe Called Me Out of the Blue | Book of Basketball 2.0

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 05:00:00 -0000

Chapter 18: In December 2012, Kobe Bryant wasn’t even halfway through his last elite Lakers season, but he was putting more thought into the bigger picture than ever before. What was leadership all about, anyway? How could he use social media to advance his message? Would he rather be remembered as a winner or a great teammate? And what made him want to pick up the phone and call Bill Simmons out of the blue?

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Kobe Bryant, Jalen Rose, and Bill Simmons Talk Hoops on the Grantland Basketball Hour (Recorded Feb. 2015) | Book of Basketball 2.0

Thu, 30 Jan 2020 05:00:00 -0000

In 2015, Kobe Bryant joined Bill Simmons and Jalen Rose on the Grantland Basketball Hour to discuss the tail end of his NBA career, his partnership with Shaquille O’Neal, the state of basketball in 2015, and his upcoming basketball documentary, ‘Muse.’

Watch the video here

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The Last Fun Knicks Team: Indy-NY Game 3, 1999 (w/ Sean Fennessey & Jason Concepcion) | Book of Basketball 2.0

Thu, 23 Jan 2020 05:21:02 -0000

Was Larry Johnson’s 4-point shot the last truly great Knicks moment? Was he fouled in the first place? Why was basketball so BAD back then? Why did we still love it so much? And was it a coincidence that James Dolan took over the Knicks shortly thereafter and ruined all the fun? Bill breaks it all down with The Ringer’s Sean Fennessey and Jason Concepcion.

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Reggie Miller and the Pyramid (With Shea Serrano) | Book of Basketball 2.0

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 05:00:00 -0000

Chapter 7: Was Reggie Miller a superstar? Is he the best example of a player who was way ahead of his time? Did he save pro basketball in Indiana? What would he have been like during the advanced metrics era?

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Steve Nash on “the Horry Shove,” 2007’s Heartbreak, and the Critically Acclaimed 2004-10 Suns | Book of Basketball 2.0

Tue, 07 Jan 2020 05:00:00 -0000

Chapter 6: What’s the second-best thing you can win if you never win a title? Critical acclaim! Bill made Hall of Famer Steve Nash rewatch Game 4 of the infamous 2007 Spurs-Suns series—when the Suns were derailed by suspensions, bad luck, and one terrible commissioner decision—before breaking it all down. Did the Suns get screwed? What would Nash do-over in that series? Were the Suns way ahead of their time or not ahead of their time enough? And did Phoenix’s front office sabotage that season more than the Horry shove did?

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Kawhi Shoots Philly: 2019’s Most Important Game (a BoB Rewatchables With Ryen Russillo and Chris Ryan) | Book of Basketball 2.0

Tue, 24 Dec 2019 05:00:00 -0000

Remembering the Game 7 when Kawhi Leonard became immortal, the Jimmy Butler era ended in Philly, Joel Embiid cried, the 2019 playoffs shifted gears, and Kawhi sank the greatest (and craziest) series-winning shot of all time. Would the NBA ever be the same? Was this one of the greatest performances ever? And why did Kawhi shoot 39 times while still obeying the Secret? Bill Simmons breaks it all down with The Ringer’s Ryen Russillo and Chris Ryan.

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LeBron Wins a Cleveland Title: The Game of the Decade (a BoB Rewatchables With Brian Windhorst) | Book of Basketball 2.0

Thu, 19 Dec 2019 05:00:00 -0000

Cleveland won a championship? The Cavs rallied back from 3-1? LeBron delivered on his promise to Ohio? The Warriors blew a chance to become the greatest team ever? How did one dramatic Game 7 yield The Shot, The Block, AND The Stop? Why wasn’t Stephen Curry a bigger goat? Was this LeBron’s greatest performance ever? And did this nudge Kevin Durant to the Warriors and change the course of NBA history? Bill answers all of these questions and more as he breaks down Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals with ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.

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Dirk’s Game 7 Breakthrough and the Decade’s Greatest Series: Spurs-Mavs, 2006 (BoB Rewatchables w/ Marc Stein) | Book of Basketball 2.0

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 05:00:00 -0000

Chapter 5b: On the verge of blowing yet another playoff series, this time after building a 3-1 lead against San Antonio, the Mavs dig down deep in a classic Game 7. Was 2006 a wildly underrated NBA season? Has Dirk Nowitzki ever been better? Could that Spurs team have won five straight titles? Is Mark Cuban the first and only owner-chemist? And what the hell was Manu Ginobili doing? Bill breaks it all down with Marc Stein from The New York Times.

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Dirk Nowitzki and the Pyramid (With Marc Stein) | Book of Basketball 2.0

Tue, 03 Dec 2019 05:00:00 -0000

Chapter 5: How did the 2011 playoffs change Dirk’s destiny as a top-35 player? Would he have been even better in the current 3-point-happy era than the previous one? Is he the most popular Dallas athlete ever? And could Dirk crack the Pantheon in Bill’s 100-player Hall of Fame Pyramid? These questions and more are broken down in our fourth “Pyramid Podcast” with Marc Stein of ‘The New York Times.’

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Houston’s 2018 Almost-Champs and the NBA’s Advanced Stats Revolution (With Daryl Morey) | Book of Basketball 2.0

Tue, 26 Nov 2019 05:00:00 -0000

Chapter 4c: After becoming the spiritual leader of the Advanced Metrics Revolution, Daryl Morey spends the 2010s building a contender around James Harden and Chris Paul, only to watch his title dreams vanish in a gut-wrenching series against the defending champion Warriors. What inefficiencies did Morey first exploit last decade in Boston and Houston? What was the thinking behind the Harden trade? What could the 2018 Rockets have done differently? And why did the NBA take so long to move into this modern era of basketball? Bill breaks it all down with Houston general manager Daryl Morey.

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Spurs-OKC 2012 and KD’s Almost-Dynasty (BoB Rewatchables With Joe House) | Book of Basketball 2.0

Tue, 19 Nov 2019 05:01:00 -0000

Chapter 4b: Up 2-0 in the Western Finals and riding a 20-game winning streak, the seemingly invincible Spurs are demolished by Kevin Durant and a Thunder team that peaked at the perfect time. How did the series flip? Was this the best-played and most-loaded series of the decade? Was this OKC’s Apex Mountain? Why was the last minute of Game 6 so emotional? Were the 2012-14 Spurs historically underrated? And how the hell could OKC ever trade James Harden after Game 5? Bill breaks it all down with The Ringer’s Joe House.

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James Harden and the Pyramid (With Zach Lowe) | Book of Basketball 2.0

Tue, 19 Nov 2019 05:00:00 -0000

Chapter 4: Is Harden the NBA’s best scorer since Michael Jordan? Was the Harden trade the NBA’s biggest “what if?” ever? How much should Harden’s playoff stumbles matter for him historically? Where does his beard rank among the NBA’s greatest facial hairstyles ever? And where does Harden rank on Bill’s 100-player Hall of Fame Pyramid? These questions and more are broken down in our third “Pyramid Podcast” with Bill’s former Grantland colleague, ESPN’s Zach Lowe.

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2004 Finals, Game 4: Shaq’s Last Great Game (The Rewatchables With J.A. Adande) | Book of Basketball 2.0

Thu, 14 Nov 2019 05:00:00 -0000

Chapter 3b: With the Shaq/Kobe era crumbling against a hungry 2004 Pistons team, Shaquille O’Neal tried to save the day with a memorable throwback performance. It ended up being his last great Lakers game. What did that night say about Shaq, that bizarre Lakers season, and a now-underrated champion from Detroit that wouldn’t roll over? Bill breaks it down with his former ESPN colleague J.A. Adande.

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Shaquille O’Neal and the Pyramid (With J.A. Adande) | Book of Basketball 2.0

Tue, 12 Nov 2019 05:01:00 -0000

Chapter 3: Was Shaquille O’Neal the one Pantheon player who could have been top five if he really wanted it? Would vintage Shaq have been better or worse in 2019? Were Shaq and Kobe always destined to turn on each other? Was 'Kazaam' better than 'Steel'? And where does Shaq rank on Bill’s 100-player Hall of Fame Pyramid? These questions and more are broken down in our second Pyramid Podcast, with Northwestern University’s director of sports journalism, J.A. Adande.

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OKC-GSW, Game 6 2016 (a 'Rewatchables' Flashback With Chris Ryan and Joe House) | Book of Basketball 2.0

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 08:03:00 -0000

Chapter 2b: No 2010s NBA game unleashed more “what ifs” than Game 6 of the 2016 Western Conference finals. It’s impossible to figure out Stephen Curry’s phenomenal decade without hashing through everything that happened that night. So what happened? In the pilot episode of TBOB Rewatchables, recorded earlier this year on 'The Bill Simmons Podcast,' Bill re-lives that historic night with The Ringer’s Chris Ryan and Joe House.

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Stephen Curry and the Pyramid (With Ryen Russillo) | Book of Basketball 2.0

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 08:02:00 -0000

Chapter 2: Will we remember the 2010s for Curry or LeBron? Is Curry already the greatest shooter of all time? Has any modern superstar ever had more career-related “what ifs”? Is Curry STILL underrated? And where does he rank on Bill’s 100-player Hall of Fame Pyramid? These questions and more are broken down in our first Pyramid Podcast with The Ringer’s Ryen Russillo.

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Steve Kerr on 25 Years With The Secret (and Why Curry’s Warriors Couldn’t Keep It) | Book of Basketball 2.0

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 08:01:00 -0000

Chapter 1: Future Hall of Famer Steve Kerr joins Bill to discuss a quarter-century of learning “The Secret” in Chicago (with Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson), San Antonio (with Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich), and Phoenix (with Steve Nash), and then how Kerr watched it unfold during his historic run as the coach of the three-time champion Golden State Warriors. Were they the greatest team of all time? And why couldn’t it last? Does “The Secret” have a shelf life?

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The Secret Is Now Rented (Prologue) | Book of Basketball 2.0

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 08:00:00 -0000

The Prologue: Bill Simmons remembers the day when he learned “The Secret” of basketball from Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas, then built his New York Times no. 1 bestselling book around the premise in 2009. Only one problem: 10 years later, we’re in the middle of the player empowerment era and “The Secret” might not matter anymore.

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Introducing Book of Basketball 2.0

Wed, 30 Oct 2019 19:12:16 -0000

Bill Simmons’s new podcast breaks down the NBA's most important games, players, and teams, extending and reinventing his New York Times no. 1 bestselling book from 2009. Playing off the NBA’s dramatic changes during the past decade, Bill uses new commentary and fresh interviews with players and top media members to determine how the league has evolved and where it’s headed.

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