A Jokic Fest, the Worry Scale, Rather Have, and Favorite Movie Girlfriends LIVE From Denver With Ryen Russillo
The Bill Simmons Podcast
Deep Dive
Why do Bill Simmons and Ryen Russillo love Nikola Jokic so much?
They admire his basketball IQ, his ability to process the game quickly, and his reliability as an entertainer. They also appreciate his low-key personality and the mystery surrounding him compared to other NBA stars who are highly visible on social media.
How has Nikola Jokic improved this season?
Jokic has moved from playing chess to speed chess, solving game situations instantaneously. His shooting efficiency has increased, and he's shooting more now than at any other point in his career while maintaining high efficiency.
What are the concerns about Jamal Murray's health and performance?
Murray looks creaky and not fully healthy, lacking his usual explosiveness and lift on his shots. His performance has been inconsistent, raising questions about his impact on the Nuggets' success.
Why are Bill Simmons and Ryen Russillo worried about the Philadelphia 76ers?
They are concerned about the team's chemistry and Joel Embiid's commitment to winning. Embiid's recent behavior, including a leaked team meeting and taking an extension quickly, suggests potential issues with his dedication and the team's direction.
What is Bill Simmons' and Ryen Russillo's stance on Scoot Henderson?
They are still optimistic about Scoot Henderson's potential but acknowledge that his early performance has not met expectations. They are holding onto hope that he will turn it around, similar to Jalen Suggs' improvement after a rough rookie year.
What are the biases Bill Simmons and Ryen Russillo admit to having?
They admit biases towards Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets, and against the Los Angeles Lakers. They also have specific player biases, such as rooting for Jamal Murray and being optimistic about Scoot Henderson, while being critical of certain players like Joel Embiid and LaMelo Ball.
What is the 'worry scale' and how do Bill Simmons and Ryen Russillo use it?
The worry scale is a segment where they rate their concerns on a scale of 1 to 10 for various NBA topics, such as team performance, player health, and potential trades. They discuss their worries and analyze the potential impact on the league and specific teams.
What are Bill Simmons' and Ryen Russillo's favorite movie/TV girlfriends?
Bill mentions Blake Lively's character in 'The Town' and the girl from 'The Goonies.' Ryen mentions Megan Markle and the girl from the Charlie's Angels Hawaii episode. They discuss characters they were infatuated with after watching certain movies or TV shows.
How did Bill Simmons and Ryen Russillo first meet?
They first met at a Celtics playoff game in Boston. Bill was out with friends, and Ryen was there with his soon-to-be wife and her parents. They had a brief interaction at the bar, which marked the beginning of their professional relationship.
What is Bill Simmons' prediction for the Denver Nuggets' season?
Bill predicts that the Nuggets will be in the mix for the playoffs but are not the favorites. He highlights the challenges of making impactful trades due to salary cap constraints and the need for Jamal Murray to stay healthy and perform at a high level.
Shownotes Transcript