Tag: Bill Simmons

Bill Simmons sees potential of borderline draft catastrophe with Rockets, Jalen Green

Second-year #Rockets guard Jalen Green has again found himself as target of Bill Simmons’ criticism, this time in a draft comparison to Cleveland’s Evan Mobley.

Since the Cleveland Cavaliers drafted big man Evan Mobley at No. 3 overall in the NBA’s 2021 first round, most statistical metrics have graded him out as a superior player to Houston’s Jalen Green. That, of course, is who went to the Rockets one pick earlier at No. 2 overall.

There is, however, some important context. Mobley is playing for a Cleveland team with talented and accomplished veterans Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, and Darius Garland. With that as the core, the Cavaliers are in position to win now, and Mobley can play to his strengths while gradually developing his weaknesses.

In Houston, Green is playing for one of the league’s youngest teams — and one with the NBA’s worst record for three straight seasons. The 21-year-old is regularly asked to carry the load. The surrounding infrastructure of Green with the Rockets, relative to Mobley and the Cavaliers, is very much an apples-to-oranges comparison.

Furthermore, it’s worth noting that with both players still in only their second NBA seasons, there’s considerable time left for growth and development. Green shouldn’t be close to his peak.

Nonetheless, the efficiency numbers are what they are, and Mobley has also been a more effective defender to this point. With that in mind, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons, who’s had harsh things to say about Green in the past, went in on the Rockets guard, yet again.

Here’s a sampling of Simmons’ comments from a new podcast:

I’m very close to Jalen Green over Mobley being, like, a borderline draft catastrophe. We’re edging that way. It felt that way in the moment. It was like, ‘Man, this Jalen Green better be really good, because Mobley … I know what he is.’ That game last night (versus Boston, a team Simmons is a fan of) was really crazy.

Mobley had 25 points and 17 rebounds on 10-of-14 shooting (71.4%) in that game, which Cleveland won in overtime.

Last season, after Simmons directed disparaging and profane remarks at Green, Houston’s prospect attempted to clear the air with the veteran NBA media personality in a podcast appearance.

Ten months later, the beef may now be back on. Green responded to Simmons’ comments with this tweet, which he quickly deleted.

Bill Simmons still on that?

Time will tell whether there’s another podcast recording between the two. As for the basketball comparison, Mobley is averaging 16 points (55.1% FG), 9.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game with the Cavaliers this season, while Green is averaging 21.7 points (41.4% FG), 3.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists with the Rockets.

Green leads all second-year players in scoring.

Curiously, Simmons didn’t mention Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, who was also drafted ahead of Mobley in that 2021 class. Cunningham, the No. 1 pick, has missed most of the 2022-23 season with a shin injury. When he has played, his true shooting percentage (49.2% to 53.6%), effective field-goal percentage (45.3% to 48.5%), and player efficiency rating (14.1 to 14.2) were all worse than Green’s.

Cunningham finished behind Green in those categories as a rookie, as well, and he came in with fewer 2021-22 win shares. Thus, if Simmons isn’t willing to give Green and the Rockets the benefit of the doubt by waiting a longer period before forming a final judgment (relative to Mobley), it isn’t clear why the Cunningham and the Pistons aren’t being subjected to the same criticism.

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Eli Manning had a perfect response defending the honor of the ‘Helmet Catch’ to Patriots fan Bill Simmons

It’s one of the greatest plays in NFL history, and Eli was READY to defend it.

With the New England Patriots making a late-season appearance on Monday Night Football against the Arizona Cardinals, the Manningcast saw fit to bring in an appropriate Boston-oriented guest: Media personality Bill Simmons.

As Peyton and Eli Manning began to discuss their respective past playoff success with Simmons’ Patriots, the conversation came to how the New York Giants were able to defeat New England in Super Bowl 42. Perhaps the most famous play from that fateful game was David Tyree’s unbelievable “Helmet Catch” on a big third down on the Giants’ final drive.

When Simmons questioned the credibility of the play, noting some apparent holds on Patriots’ defenders as Eli Manning escaped the pocket, the former Giants QB had a perfect response shooting down such criticism:

Man, Eli didn’t even flinch in responding to Simmons. In fairness, there is no real comeback from a receiver holding the ball to their helmet on a “gotta have it” play in the biggest possible game.

At least Simmons can take solace in the Patriots … and their record floating around .500 … as they struggle to get a playoff spot in a stacked AFC. Okay, well, at least he got to talk to the Mannings on national television!

Anthony Davis available?

There are reportedly some rumblings that a Los Angeles Lakers star not named Russell Westbrook could be on the trade block. On a recent episode of his podcast, Bill Simmons said that Anthony Davis “might be available.” “So, the Lakers lost again …

There are reportedly some rumblings that a Los Angeles Lakers star not named Russell Westbrook could be on the trade block. On a recent episode of his podcast, Bill Simmons said that Anthony Davis “might be available.” “So, the Lakers lost again today,” Simmons said. “There’s some buzz, some buzzing that AD might be available. That that’s a Plan B. Because the Westbrook trade, or whatever they think they can get for Westbrook and whether you want to give up future assets, maybe that doesn’t even make sense ’cause what are you getting if you’re the Lakers?”

Source: Orel Dizon @ Basketball Network

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Lakers’ Anthony Davis attempts only two shots in second half vs. Cavaliers sportando.basketball/en/anthony-dav… – 3:13 AM
Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
New @Bill Simmons Podcast with @TheCousinSal recapping this week in the NFL then they Guess The Lines. Then NBA talk with me because Bill is hearing some buzz that Anthony Davis may be available for trade. So we got into the Lakers’ approach and best fits. open.spotify.com/episode/5msBgs… – 3:00 AM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
New story: Anthony Davis only took 2 shots in the 2nd half in LA’s Sunday loss. How does that get fixed? LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Darvin Ham all had different answers es.pn/3DE7n9j – 9:28 PM
Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
Darvin Ham on AD not getting a lot of looks today: “He’s got my blessing to scream out, call his own number.” – 7:50 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Anthony Davis declined to speak to the media postgame. – 6:52 PM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Lakers say Anthony Davis is not speaking after the game today. – 6:51 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
LeBron James on trying to get Anthony Davis going offensively pic.twitter.com/ta7K6BkWtj – 6:41 PM

Allen Sliwa @AllenSliwa
Stat on @SpectrumSN, come on now…How can AD have 3 shot attempts in the 4th qtr over 3 games. That’s on him to ask for the ball pic.twitter.com/GPTWGLwTDK – 6:36 PM

Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Darvin Ham said the team has to “slow down, be organized and get what you want,” and didn’t do that enough in the second half. Says the Lakers have plays to feature AD, and AD also has his blessing to call his own number if he’s not being involved. – 6:31 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Cavs banged on Lakers in the paint after halftime
Possibly related
Anthony Davis 1st half: 17 points, 6/10 FGs, 8 rebounds (2 fouls), 3 assists, 1 block, 5/9 FTs, +10
Anthony Davis 2nd half: 2 points, 1/2 FGs, 4 rebounds (2 fouls), 1 assist, 0 blocks, 0 FTAs, -17 – 6:22 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
A big question for me at the start of the season was whether LeBron and AD would look good enough that it was worth trading picks to surround them with more talent. They don’t right now. – 6:08 PM
Brad Turner @BA_Turner
Lakers drop to 2-7 after 114-100 loss to Cleveland. LeBron James led Lakers with 27 points, AD and Russell Westbrook both had 19. Donovan Mitchell had 33 for Cavs and Darius Garland had 24. – 6:01 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Final: Cavs 114, Lakers 100
The Lakers fall to 2-7. A six-point halftime lead turned into a 14-point loss. LeBron James had 27 points and 7 rebounds. AD had 19 points and 12 rebounds. Russell Westbrook had 19 points and 10 assists.
Up next: at Utah tomorrow. – 6:00 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
The Lakers fell apart in the 2nd half with a 114-100 loss to the Cavs. LA is now 2-7. LeBron 27p 7r 4a; AD 19p 12r; Westbrook 19p 10a 2s 7tos. The Lakers shot 8-for-26 from 3 and had 17 turnovers leading to 21 pts for CLE. Mitchell had 33p for The Land. – 5:59 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Only two 2nd half field goal attempts for AD tonight, after four 2nd half FGA’s in Friday’s loss.
His night ends with 19 points on 7 of 12 FG’s and 5 of 9 FT’s, plus 12 boards and 4 assists. – 5:54 PM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
The Lakers allow Allen to get an offensive rebound and putback, putting the Cavs up 109-92 with 4:50 left. Lakers are cooked. Ham put in Russ, LeBron and AD together early in the quarter to push and close the gap, but it didn’t work. – 5:50 PM
Danny Cunningham @RealDCunningham
Great third quarter for the #Cavs after a pretty disastrous first half. Will be curious at what point Anthony Davis comes back with four fouls and how the Cavs look to attack him. – 5:30 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Third quarter: Cavs 87, Lakers 80
The Cavs outscored the Lakers 29-16 in another dreadful third-quarter performance from LA. The Lakers’ 3-point (4-18, 22.2%) and FT (10-18, 55.6%) struggles are catching up to them. Stopped playing with pace. LeBron has 22. AD has 19 and 11. – 5:28 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
Here’s a formula for Lakers success this season: AD (17p 8r), Russ (14p 5a), LeBron (12p 4r) all playing well at the same time and LAL’s defense holding its opponent under 40% from the field. Lakers up 64-58 at the half on Cleveland. – 4:53 PM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Lakers 64, Cavs 58 at the half. AD with 17, Russ with 14, LeBron with 12. Lakers have been impressive in many respects, but the Cavs’ guards are walking buckets: Garland and Mitchell each have 21 points. – 4:47 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Halftime: Lakers 64, Cavs 58
Anthony Davis has 17 points and 8 rebounds. Russell Westbrook has 14 points and 5 assists. LeBron James has 12 points. The Lakers are dominating the Cavs 38-16 in the paint. The teams have combined to attempt 40 FTs (Cavs at 91.%, Lakers at 58.8%). – 4:47 PM
Brad Turner @BA_Turner
Lakers hold a 64-58 lead over Cavs at the half. AD leads Lakers with 17 points, 8 rebounds. Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland both have 21 for Cavs. – 4:47 PM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Anthony Davis with 17 points with two minutes before halftime, 6 for 10 from the floor, a plus-11 so far. He’s looked back to himself. – 4:41 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
First quarter: Lakers 36, Cavs 30
This is the first time the Lakers have won the first quarter this season. Russell Westbrook leads LA w/ 12 points. He’s the only bench player with a positive +/-. AD has 9 points and 4 rebounds. Donovan Mitchell leads all scorers w/ 15 points. – 4:13 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook combine to score 27 points on 12-of-15 shooting in the first quarter. That has to be their best quarter as a trio. – 4:12 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
LeBron finishes after crashing to the floor. Westbrook steals an inbounds pass. AD finishes after crashing to the floor, too. Lakers crowd elated with things coming together. – 3:55 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
LAL are off to a good start in this day game against the Cavs, scoring the first 7 before Mitchell grabbed a ball that got deflected by the Lakers and drew a PF.
Brown Jr. has a 3, and LeBron and AD both scored at the rim. – 3:44 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Lakers’ starters vs. Cleveland:
Kendrick Nunn
Lonnie Walker IV
Troy Brown Jr.
LeBron James
Anthony Davis – 3:19 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Lakers starters vs Cavs: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Kendrick Nunn, Lonnie Walker IV, Troy Brown Jr. – 3:01 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Lakers starters today vs. Cleveland at 12:30 on @SpectrumSN:
Kendrick Nunn (in for Patrick Beverley)
Lonnie Walker IV
Troy Brown Jr.
LeBron James
Anthony Davis – 3:00 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Lakers officially determine that LeBron James (sore left foot), Anthony Davis (tight lower back) and Wenyen Gabriel (non-Covid illness) will be available for today’s game vs the Cavs – 2:58 PM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Lakers have updated that Wenyen Gabriel is AVAILABLE today. Darvin Ham said a little earlier that LeBron AD are good to go as well. – 2:07 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Darvin Ham says both LeBron James and Anthony Davis will play today. He hasn’t decided who will replace Patrick Beverley in the starting lineup yet. – 1:56 PM
Brad Turner @BA_Turner
LeBron and AD will play for Lakers vs Cavs, per Darvin Ham – 1:56 PM

More on this storyline

𝙎𝙝𝙪𝙗𝙝 ⁶𓅓: Bill Simmons on the availability of Anthony Davis (The Ringer) -via Twitter / November 7, 2022
“Obviously, (the offense) starts with AD and getting him more touches,” James said. “Our focal point is and always should be to make sure he touches the ball throughout the course of possessions, quarters, halves.” Russell Westbrook, who’s assisted Davis 11 times this season, the second-most behind only James (19), said it’s up to the coaching staff to figure out better ways to get Davis more involved. “I don’t know whose primary job it is, to be honest,” Westbrook said. “I’ll leave it up to the coaches to figure out the best way for them to utilize him. When I’m in, I do the best job I can in making reads, try to make the game easier for him when I’m in.” -via The Athletic / November 7, 2022
Ham was also blunt in his assessment, putting the onus more on Davis’ teammates to run their offense and consciously look for the big man inside, and on Davis to command the ball more. “These guys are not rookies,” Ham said. “We have a playbook. We have a menu and a bunch of sets where AD can be featured. You have to just be organized – slow down and be organized and get what you want. … “He’s got my blessing to scream out, call his own number. We tried to get him going, tried to get Bron going on some post actions and some step-ups and pick-and-roll stuff. It’s not like we’re not trying.” -via The Athletic / November 7, 2022

Bill Simmons speculates on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s trade availability and if the Knicks should pursue him

“If I’m OKC, how many years in row can you tell SGA like, ‘Hey man, it’s not gonna be this year.'”

In their latest podcast episode, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons and Ryen Russillo discussed the Donovan Mitchell trade and how the New York Knicks came up short once again when big-game hunting.

Simmons and Russillo also speculated that perhaps the Knicks could go after Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander now that the Mitchell trade is off the table.

“Last thing on the Knicks and then we can wrap. I just feel like there’s more dudes out there. For instance you just mentioned OKC; are we sure you can’t get SGA from OKC? … Are we sure like the 80% of the haul for Mitchell — SGA would cost somewhere probably a little more than Dejounte Murray and less than Mitchell, somewhere in there. If I’m the Knicks, is that a better outcome if I can keep RJ Barrett and add SGA and I can throw some unprotected picks in there and (Quentin) Grimes and whoever and if I’m OKC, how many years in row can you tell SGA like, ‘Hey man, it’s not gonna be this year.’ …  It’s like at some point, you lose your mind if you’re just on these (bad) teams that are never heading anywhere, and the Chet thing makes me wonder if SGA is going to be available. I had heard he was available before.”

Both mentioned they had heard Gilgeous-Alexander was available for trade, which is something that’s been out there for a while now but it’s still interesting to hear nonetheless.

Gilgeous-Alexander is set to begin the first year of a five-year deal, but a contract’s length has certainly never stopped other players getting traded or demanding a trade.

I wouldn’t take anything said in this soundbite to heart though. It sounds like it’s just Simmons and Russillo spitballing on players who could end up on the Knicks. Gilgeous-Alexander fits that mold as a young player on a losing team is an easy category to use to find potential trade bait.

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Bill Simmons speculates on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s trade availability and if the Knicks should pursue him

“If I’m OKC, how many years in row can you tell SGA like, ‘Hey man, it’s not gonna be this year.'”

In their latest podcast episode, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons and Ryen Russillo discussed the Donovan Mitchell trade and how the New York Knicks came up short once again when big-game hunting.

Simmons and Russillo also speculated that perhaps the Knicks could go after Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander now that the Mitchell trade is off the table.

“Last thing on the Knicks and then we can wrap. I just feel like there’s more dudes out there. For instance you just mentioned OKC; are we sure you can’t get SGA from OKC? … Are we sure like the 80% of the haul for Mitchell — SGA would cost somewhere probably a little more than Dejounte Murray and less than Mitchell, somewhere in there. If I’m the Knicks, is that a better outcome if I can keep RJ Barrett and add SGA and I can throw some unprotected picks in there and (Quentin) Grimes and whoever and if I’m OKC, how many years in row can you tell SGA like, ‘Hey man, it’s not gonna be this year.’ …  It’s like at some point, you lose your mind if you’re just on these (bad) teams that are never heading anywhere, and the Chet thing makes me wonder if SGA is going to be available. I had heard he was available before.”

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Both mentioned they had heard Gilgeous-Alexander was available for trade, which is something that’s been out there for a while now but it’s still interesting to hear nonetheless.

Gilgeous-Alexander is set to begin the first year of a five-year deal, but a contract’s length has certainly never stopped other players getting traded or demanding a trade.

I wouldn’t take anything said in this soundbite to heart though. It sounds like it’s just Simmons and Russillo spitballing on players who could end up on the Knicks. Gilgeous-Alexander fits that mold as a young player on a losing team is an easy category to use to find potential trade bait.

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FanDuel will rebrand TVG into FanDuel TV with Kay Adams set to join network as host

FanDuel TV will be the first ‘watch and wager’ television network in the U.S.

FanDuel TV is on the way and set to become the first “watch and wager” television network in the United States.

In a press release Thursday, FanDuel confirmed that it’s rebranding TVG Network to FanDuel TV, and bringing aboard former NFL Network host Kay Adams among other recognizable talent.

Adams left NFL Network’s Good Morning Football in May after six years as the host. She’ll be hosting her own hour-long morning show set to air Monday through Friday on FanDuel TV as part of the network’s slight shift away from horse racing.

Other talent coming over to FanDuel TV include Pat McAfee, former ESPN anchor Lisa Kerney, and the network will also air programming from Bill Simmons’ The Ringer.

“FanDuel TV is the first network designed from the ground up to be watched by viewers with their phone in hand,” FanDuel Chief Commercial Officer Mike Raffensperger said in the release. “We intend for FanDuel TV to sit at the intersection of live sports and interactive content and believe Kay is the best example of an on-air talent who can bring fans closer to the narratives of the games they care about most. Our goal is to provide fans compelling programming to watch and wager on in tandem with our mobile app.”

A launch date for the network wasn’t announced, but it’s planned for September 2022, according to Legal Sports Report. As part of the rebranding TVG2 will become FanDuel Racing and the TVG app will become FanDuel+.

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OKC Thunder players listed in Bill Simmons’ most valuable trade assets in the NBA

Three Thunder players made the list.

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons recently published an article that ranked the 64 most valuable trade assets in the NBA heading into the 2022-23 season.

The 12 tiers are categorized on six variables: salaries, age, contract length, happiness, real-life trades, degree concentration.

For the Oklahoma City Thunder, only three players were listed in the 64 names in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey and Chet Holmgren.

Giddey was in Group K, The Upside Gang. Gilgeous-Alexander was in Group I, The Westbrooks (Regular-Season Guys). Holmgren was in Group G, the “Too Young, Too Cheap, Too Good… Please Stop Calling Us” group.

Those three players being the only three from the Thunder is understandable as they make up the young trio of the team.

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Rockets rookie Jalen Green impressed by Nets star Kyrie Irving, on and off court

Jalen Green continues to rave about the on-court play and off-court communication of Brooklyn star Kyrie Irving, whom Green hopes to work out with this offseason.

When it comes to former NBA players, 20-year-old Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green says he looked up to the late Kobe Bryant when it came to developing his game at a younger age.

Today, among current players, Green points to Brooklyn guard Kyrie Irving — who had kind words about Green and backcourt mate Kevin Porter Jr. after a recent Rockets-Nets game — as someone he follows.

“Kyrie Irving communicated with me here and there since high school,” Green said. “He was making everything, stop and pop 3s, getting to the rim. He’s so wiggly, getting downhill. Everything you see on TV, highlights and stuff, was right there in front of me. It was crazy to see.”

Green made his comments during a recently released podcast with Bill Simmons, who had asked if there was a current player that particularly blew Green away during his rookie NBA season.

Like Irving, Green is a skilled guard with a lightning-quick first step, and Green hopes to further develop his handle and jump shot this summer.

The complete episode with Simmons and Green can be listened to below. After Houston’s 2021-22 regular season ended, Green identified Irving as one of two players (the other was San Antonio’s Dejounte Murray) that he hopes to work out with during the 2022 offseason.

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Rockets star Jalen Green sets goals for offseason, 2022-23 year

As his primary goals for the 2022-23 season, Jalen Green wants the Rockets to win more games, and he plans to average 20-25 points per game while becoming an All-Star.

In a recently released podcast episode with Bill Simmons, rising star Jalen Green spelled out his goals for the 2022 offseason and with the Houston Rockets in the upcoming 2022-23 NBA season.

“Keeping my handle tight, getting better at catch-and-shoot 3s, making reads off the pick and roll,” said Green, who noted that he also wants to improve at handling double teams. “Next-level type things, like the corner pass when the low man helps all the way over.”

“I’m working on a whole bunch right now,” Green said. “The main goal right now is just trying to get stronger, locking in on my body, and making sure I’m in tip-top shape so I can go into next year.”

Green went on to list three personal goals for the 2022-23 season:

  • Win more than 20 games (the Rockets went 20-62 last season)
  • Make the 2023 All-Star Game
  • Average 20-25 points per game

“Win more than 20 games, try to be an All-Star, average 20 to 25 (points), around there,” Green said. “I feel like, the way I ended the year, if I bring that and carry it on to the start, and all the way through.”

Green averaged 17.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists for the Rockets in the 2021-22 season, and the 6-foot-6 guard grew progressively better as the year moved along. To finish his rookie campaign in March and April, when Green won Western Conference Rookie of the Month, the 20-year-old averaged 22.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 48.4% overall and 39.5% on 3-pointers.

Green scored 20-plus points in 15 of those 22 games, including a historic streak of five straight 30-plus point games from March 28 through April 5. That was the second-longest streak by a rookie since 1971-72. He scored a career-high 41 points in the season finale versus Atlanta.

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