Jake Gyllenhaal on Picking Roles, Filming in Boston, and Creating Characters (Ep. 265)

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons answers a slew of mailbag questions from readers and listeners on the value/history of triple doubles and why Wilt never went for them (5:30), Bill's waffling on his MVP pick (10:45), lessons from Admiral/Olajuwon + MJ/Malone (19:00), Tony Romo's TV career (26:00), Jokic vs. Nurkic nickname ideas (35:00), Sergio Garcia's Masters win (42:00), Curry's 2016 MVP vs the 2017 candidates (48:00), the power of the TNT Bulls (53:00), Carmelo's future + a big 3-way trade prediction (57:00) and the winner of 2007's no. 1 NBA pick (1:04:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10 Apr 20171h 10min

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Joe House to discuss the Cavs taking the East crown (6:00), Toronto's newfound toughness (11:00), John Wall's unmatched speed (16:00), Rob Hennigan's scouting whiteboard (22:00), the great MVP debate (32:00), the second-best Spur (40:00), Popovich's coach-of-the-year candidacy (47:00), All-NBA selections (54:00), Draymond vs. Gobert (59:00), Isaiah Thomas's second-team spot (1:04:00), Karl-Anthony Towns's spectacular season (1:11:00), and Boogie's next destination (1:18:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

6 Apr 20171h 24min

HBO and The Ringer’s Bill Simmons and Bryan Curtis discuss the art of sports broadcasting (2:00). Then, Sally Jenkins of The Washington Post joins them to talk about Roger Goodell and the NFL’s credibility problem (28:45), the painkillers epidemic in sports (35:00), Pat Summitt (43:45), and the current state of ESPN (58:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

3 Apr 20171h 12min

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on NBA All-Star Kevin Durant to discuss his near season-ending injury (4:00), the decision to embrace being the enemy in OKC (15:00), the amount of talent in today's NBA (24:00), Russell Westbrook's and James Harden's MVP cases (30:00), ways to fix the All-Star Game (38:00), Scott Brooks's redemption in D.C. (46:00), the loaded 2017 draft class (56:00), and Shaq vs. JaVale McGee (1:04:00). Then they address James Worthy's harsh reality (1:11:00), Durant's college recruiting process (1:22:00), and the timetable for his return to the court (1:26:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

31 Mar 20171h 33min

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by two-time MVP Steve Nash to discuss his best chance to win a title (6:00), the specialization of basketball (13:00), the modern point guard (17:00), playing with Kidd and KJ in Phoenix (24:00), players resting in the NBA (32:00), the NBA vs. Premier League schedules (39:00), Dirk's longevity (48:00), working with the Warriors (56:00), and the greatest soccer players in the world (1:10:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

29 Mar 20171h 18min

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on author Chuck Klosterman to discuss Kobe's storytelling in 'Musecage' (5:00), the Westbrook-Harden MVP race (15:00), Oklahoma City's talent disparity (22:00), the obsession with the triple-double (28:00), Devin Booker's 70-point outing (32:00), Carmelo's legacy (48:00), Gonzaga's mid-major dominance (1:00:00), the Final Four (1:12:00), and Kentucky's perfected recruiting pitch (1:16:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

27 Mar 20171h 22min

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Kevin O'Connor to discuss the top-five draft picks in UK-UCLA (6:00), Lonzo Ball's NBA fit (13:00), the top-eight draft picks as of right now (23:00), the Clippers' losing ways (33:00), the NBA Sweet 16 model (40:00), Gordon Hayward's free agency (46:00), and the Nets' improved play (50:00). Then, JackO joins to discuss Trump's Time interview (54:00), the future of the Republican Party (1:01:00), and the Yankees' many prospects (1:05:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

24 Mar 20171h 14min

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on comedian Larry Wilmore, the cocreator of 'Insecure,' to discuss the 2017 Lakers drama (5:00), Kobe's prime (14:00), LaVar Ball's brashness (23:00), competitive balance in the NBA (33:00), Dave Chappelle's new stand-up (45:00), Richard Pryor's honesty (54:00), the multiverse political scenario (1:02:00), the success of 'Black-ish' (1:10:00), and the biggest fear in Trump's America (1:15:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

22 Mar 20171h 23min