Part 1: The Annual NFC Over/Unders With Cousin Sal

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Raja Bell to discuss the ferocity of Damian Lillard’s game, stories from playing with Allen Iverson and Steve Nash, what a Lakers–Trail Blazers Round 1 playoff series would look like, searching for consistency from Joel Embiid, and much more (3:43). Then Bill talks with his buddy JackO about the MLB, Giancarlo Stanton’s recent hamstring injury, Jose Altuve’s hitting slump, the St. Louis Cardinals’ troubles with positive COVID-19 tests, and more. They also discuss Joe Biden’s selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate for the 2020 presidential election (1:06:07). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

14 Aug 20201h 44min

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Kevin Clark to discuss an unprecedented NFL season, the NFL draft, college coaches potentially signing on as consultants, the possibility of regular-season games during the week, a fundamental change to “home-field advantage,” and more (3:05). Then Bill is joined by actor and cannabis farmer Jim Belushi to discuss his new show on Discovery Channel, ‘Growing Belushi,’ as well as Last Prisoner Project, a nonprofit that works to secure the release of nonviolent offenders currently serving time for possession of cannabis. They also discuss tortured Chicago sports fandom in the 1970s; Jim’s career as an actor on projects like 'SNL,' ‘About Last Night,’ and ‘According to Jim’; Jim's brother, John Belushi; ‘The Blues Brothers'; and forming friendships with John Candy, Dan Aykroyd, Steve Martin, and more (38:40). Finally Bill talks with his dad about the state of Boston sports; the Patriots' new QB, Cam Newton; a subpar start to the Red Sox season; and a hopeful outlook for the Celtics as they head into the NBA playoffs (1:24:08). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

12 Aug 20201h 43min

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to discuss the increasingly grim outlook for college football in 2020 (2:20) and Collin Morikawa winning the PGA championship (18:10). They also discuss the excellent play of Luka Doncic, the red-hot Phoenix Suns, the unlucky 76ers, the Pelicans' breakdown, the Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard’s comments toward Paul George and Patrick Beverley, and more (35:32). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10 Aug 20201h 56min

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Joe House to discuss the surging Trail Blazers, who beat the Nuggets and Rockets in their last two games. They also discuss “wild-card guys,” including Michael Porter Jr., Fred VanVleet, Zach Collins, and Deandre Ayton; the disappointing Mavericks; the PGA Championship in San Francisco; and more (2:15). Finally Bill talks with comedian and actor Hannibal Buress about his new comedy special ‘Miami Nights,’ his decision to release it on YouTube, Bill's and Hannibal’s glory days of gambling, the NBA restart, and more (57:43). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

7 Aug 20201h 45min

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons talks with Warriors head coach Steve Kerr about the NBA restart, the evolution of basketball, the Warriors' (much needed) break from the NBA playoffs, scouting for the NBA draft during the pandemic, the NBA’s focus on social justice, reminiscing on his time with the Chicago Bulls after watching ‘The Last Dance,’ and more (5:00). Then Bill is joined by Nathan Hubbard to discuss the PGA Tour and the upcoming PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco, as well as Taylor Swift's new album 'Folklore' and the USA's eventual return to stadiums and live events (1:14:37). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

5 Aug 20201h 40min

The Ringer's Bill Simmons reunites with Ryen Russillo to talk NBA bubble basketball! They share some of the notable differences between traditional NBA games and bubble games; discuss Rockets-Bucks, Celtics–Trail Blazers, Pacers-76ers, and Lakers-Raptors; and answer the question "Who is the third-best team in the West?" Plus: the wild-card 76ers, the most fun playoffs matchups, sleeper teams, and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

3 Aug 20201h 57min

The Ringer's Bill Simmons shares his thoughts on the NBA restart, including Lakers-Clippers, Pelicans-Jazz, the NBA broadcast, NBA awards, and more (4:40). Next he talks with NFL Network's Kyle Brandt about his new Ringer podcast '10 Questions With Kyle Brandt,' the seemingly precarious 2020 NFL season, Brandt's time on 'The Real World: Chicago,' the golden age of MTV's 'The Challenge,' the evolution of reality TV, his recent two-hour interview with Aaron Rodgers, nostalgic NFL talk, and more (35:05). Finally Bill talks with his daughter, Zoe Simmons, about teen culture during quarantine (1:41:06). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

31 Jul 20202h 7min

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco of the ‘R2C2’ podcast to discuss MLB's shaky start to the season with multiple Miami Marlins players testing positive for COVID-19, how some of the concerns surrounding baseball can also be applied to the NFL, getting ready for the NBA restart, sports broadcasts during the pandemic, Ryan and CC’s dream podcast guests, and more (2:10). Then Bill talks with Jason Gay of The Wall Street Journal about some of the challenges the NFL will face for the 2020 season, how New York City has adapted to COVID-19, pandemic parenting, and the passing of Jason’s friend and TV icon, Regis Philbin (53:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

29 Jul 20201h 50min