The Ringer: All Posts by Any Given Wednesday with Bill Simmons2016-11-02T22:31:01-04:00https://www.theringer.com/authors/any-given-wednesday-with-bill-simmons/rss2016-11-02T22:31:01-04:002016-11-02T22:31:01-04:00Paul Pierce on LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, and Falling in the NBA Draft
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<p>The Truth shares his best stories</p> <p>On the latest <em>Any Given Wednesday</em>, Bill Simmons brought on Paul Pierce to talk all things NBA. The 18-year veteran shared his best stories, covering his relationship with LeBron James, what Kevin Garnett is really like off the court, and the time he accidentally stayed at a club until 5:30 a.m. before a game (and still won!).</p>
<h3>Mail Bag With Paul Pierce</h3>
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<h3>Paul Pierce on Kevin Garnett</h3>
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<h3>Paul Pierce on Falling in the NBA Draft</h3>
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<h3>Paul Pierce on the 2016 Warriors</h3>
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<p>No matter what happens in the World Series tonight, a sports curse will be broken. Are we running out of fun curses? Bill breaks down the ones that are still going strong.</p>
<h3>The Last of the Sports Curses</h3>
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<p>Then, the <em>AGW</em> crew imagines what would happen if Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook took out attack ads on each other.</p>
<h3>Durant and Westbrook’s NBA Attack Ads</h3>
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<p>Speaking of Westbrook, Jay Glazer came on the show to talk winners and losers, and their first look is at the Thunder guard.</p>
<h3>Winners and Losers With Jay Glazer: Russell Westbrook</h3>
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<p>Then they talked the Raiders, with Glazer taking pride in his preseason prediction that Oakland would be one of the best teams in the NFL.</p>
<h3>Winner and Losers With Jay Glazer: The Raiders</h3>
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https://www.theringer.com/2016/11/2/16042124/any-given-wednesday-bonus-clips-paul-pierce-jay-glazer-e2a2e4ebfc3eAny Given Wednesday with Bill Simmons2016-10-26T22:30:44-04:002016-10-26T22:30:44-04:00The Cowboys Are Making the Super Bowl, and the NHL Is Designed for the Modern Hockey Fan
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<p>Larry Wilmore, Wayne Gretzky, and Bill Burr discuss these topics and more on ‘Any Given Wednesday’</p> <p>On the latest <em>Any Given Wednesday</em>, Bill Simmons brought in comedian Larry Wilmore to discuss winners and losers from top story lines in the sports world. Wilmore offered his thoughts on Bill Belichick and the Patriots, predicting a New England Super Bowl win — but against a new opponent this year.</p>
<h3><strong>Winners and Losers With Larry Wilmore: Bill Belichick</strong></h3>
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<p>They also previewed the new NBA season, and Wilmore heckled Simmons about the Celtics-Lakers rivalry from the 1980s and explained why Cleveland might not reach the Finals again this season.</p>
<h3><strong>Winners and Losers With Larry Wilmore: NBA Parity</strong></h3>
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<p>Then, hockey great Wayne Gretzky and comedian Bill Burr discuss the state of the NHL and whether it needs to be changed in some way to appeal to a wider audience.</p>
<h3><strong>Wayne Gretzky and Bill Burr Discuss “Fixing the NHL”</strong></h3>
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<p>Gretzky and Burr also answered questions from the mailbag on partying with the Stanley Cup, hecklers, and the best place to sit in an NHL arena.</p>
<h3><strong>Mail Bag With Wayne Gretzky and Bill Burr</strong></h3>
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<p>And finally, Simmons addressed the black sheep in the Cleveland sports family: the Browns. With the Cavaliers celebrating a title and the Indians just three wins from a World Series title, the Browns are stuck without a quarterback and without a playoff win since the new team arrived in Cleveland.</p>
<h3><strong>Taking the Browns to the Super Bowl: The Plight of Cleveland</strong></h3>
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<p><em>Disclosure: HBO is an initial investor in </em>The Ringer<em>.</em></p>
https://www.theringer.com/2016/10/26/16040904/the-cowboys-are-making-the-super-bowl-and-the-nhl-is-designed-for-the-modern-hockey-fan-d966df9016d6Any Given Wednesday with Bill Simmons2016-10-19T22:54:52-04:002016-10-19T22:54:52-04:00Al Michaels and Bob Costas Try to One-up Each Other’s Best Stories
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<p>On the latest <em>Any Given Wednesday</em>, Bill Simmons hosted broadcasting legends Al Michaels and Bob Costas to take a look at the NFL, tell stories, and discuss the state of sports broadcasting. First, the duo tackled the oversaturation of the NFL. Michaels recounted how he was part of <em>Sunday Night Football</em> becoming the no. 1 show on television — and said the <em>Thursday Night</em> games can dilute the NFL’s presence in prime time.</p>
<h3>Al Michaels and Bob Costas on NFL Saturation</h3>
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<p>In their mailbag segment, Michaels and Costas answered questions about how to fix baseball, who should play quarterback for the Cowboys once Tony Romo is healthy, and who has the most legendary stories.</p>
<h3>Mail Bag With Costas and Michaels</h3>
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<p>In a bonus clip available only on the internet, the two broadcasters talked about how their careers would be different if they were just starting out now.</p>
<h3>Extra Time With Costas and Michaels</h3>
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<p>Then, Bill (with the help of Tony Hawk) took a long look at San Diego’s upcoming vote to commit more than a billion dollars to a new football stadium in the city. Don’t do it, San Diego!</p>
<h3>San Diego “Convadium” Is Not a Thing</h3>
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<p>Then, Vince Staples joined the show to pick winners and losers with Bill. First up, old man Dirk Nowitzki: winner.</p>
<h3>Winners and Losers With Vince Staples: Dirk Nowitzki</h3>
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<p>The two also talked about another NBA star, Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins, who recently blocked Bill on Twitter. Should he have been an All-NBA selection?</p>
<h3>Boogie Cousins Blocks Bill Simmons on Twitter</h3>
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<p><em>Disclosure: HBO is an initial investor in</em> The Ringer.</p>
https://www.theringer.com/2016/10/19/16044630/any-given-wednesday-episode-14-clips-al-michaels-bob-costas-san-diego-chargers-8770fe1ef14Any Given Wednesday with Bill Simmons2016-10-15T10:58:00-04:002016-10-15T10:58:00-04:00Eight Tips for Cubs Fans
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<p>Bill Simmons has some advice for the Chicago faithful ahead of the NLCS</p> <p><em>On last week’s </em>Any Given Wednesday<em>, Bill Simmons gave advice to Chicago Cubs fans, speaking from his experience as a Boston fan who saw his beloved Red Sox break their own curse in 2004. With the Cubs now in the NLCS, we’re resurfacing his eight tips. Here’s an excerpt from the </em>AGW<em> clip.</em></p>
<p><em>This transcript has been edited and condensed.</em></p>
<p>The last time Cubs fans got their hopes up in October, the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vq8G81oOHhY">Bartman play</a> damn near broke ’em. By the way, it’s not Bartman’s fault — seven people were going for the ball!</p>
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<p>Hey, I’ve been there. By 2003, I was so scarred by baseball, I wasn’t sure if I should raise my kids as Red Sox fans. It just seemed like bad parenting — not <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ElddgJCgyg"><em>this</em></a> bad, but bad.</p>
<p>But <a href="http://grantland.com/features/this-our-papi/">Big Papi and the boys</a> taught me to believe again. And now, Cubs fans need to do the same.</p>
<p>This year a loaded 2016 Cubs team won 103 games and sucked them in. Even <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/07/21/oldest-american-year-old-jersey-girl/87373424/">113-year-old Adele Dunlap</a> got fired up about seeing another Cubs title!</p>
<p>But I don’t want Cubs fans to get psyched out like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9nG9RByMRI">Jonathan Mardukas</a> …</p>
<p>Here are my eight October tips:</p>
<aside><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"We Had to Invent a New Metric to Properly Appreciate the Cubs","url":"https://theringer.com/we-had-to-invent-a-new-metric-to-properly-appreciate-the-cubs-84f371e73b90"}]}'></div></aside><h3>1. Get Ready for Rock Bottom</h3>
<p>Sometimes, you can’t do the impossible until you hit rock bottom … then, that’s when <em>it</em> happens.</p>
<p>Like LeBron’s Cavs looking like road kill against a 73-win juggernaut until they rose from the ashes …</p>
<p>Or <a href="https://youtu.be/nPH9cWTJgdU?t=1m40s">the Indians winning the ’89 pennant even after Wild Thing banged Roger Dorn’s ex-wife</a>!</p>
<h3>2. Curses Are Bullshit</h3>
<p>Billy goats don’t ruin teams. Bad owners and bad management do.</p>
<p>Like, the Knicks are cursed by a ghost who looks <em>exactly</em> like James Dolan. See what I mean?</p>
<p>To that point —</p>
<h3>3. In Theo We Trust</h3>
<p>You have Theo Epstein now! He’s already done this!</p>
<p>If you’re losing your championship virginity on a cool October night, here’s the guy you want. Trust in Theo. He’s very gentle.</p>
<aside><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Everybody Wants Their Own Theo Epstein","url":"https://theringer.com/theo-epstein-market-inefficiency-cubs-red-sox-undeniables-ca36fd494ba1"}]}'></div></aside><h3>4. Losing Is for Losers</h3>
<p>Stop telling us “just making the World Series would be huge.” Enough — we know it’s bullshit.</p>
<h3>5. Baby Zobrist</h3>
<p>It’s a perfect time to decide what Cubs name to give your next child.</p>
<p>True story: In 2004, I wanted to name our kid Curt Pedro Simmons … thank God she was a girl! No — seriously — <em>thank God</em>. But it kept my mind off being nervous and stuff.</p>
<h3>6. Punish Joe Buck</h3>
<p>Speaking of nervous: We didn’t have social media in 2004 to fight announcers who kept bringing up 86 years and the Curse of the Bambino.</p>
<p>Well, you have Twitter!</p>
<p>If Joe Buck keeps bringing up billy goats and Bartman every five minutes …</p>
<p>Look — <a href="https://twitter.com/Buck">here he is</a>! GO GET HIM!</p>
<aside><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Joe Buck Is Underrated","url":"https://theringer.com/joe-buck-nfl-mlb-troy-aikman-announcer-f9657c5674f9"}]}'></div></aside><h3>7. Charm’s Race</h3>
<p>I don’t believe in curses, but I do believe in karma.</p>
<p>I believe the wrong decision can fuck up a hot blackjack table. I believe cheaters get what’s coming. And I believe in lucky hats, lucky meals, lucky sitting positions, playoff beards … I mean, I wore the same T-shirt during the ’04 playoffs because a pigeon shit on it. Italians believe that’s good luck. And it worked! PROVE ME WRONG.</p>
<h3>8. Party Like It’s 1908</h3>
<p>Finally, Cubs fans, <em>please,</em> do <em>not</em> act like you’ve been there before. You <em>haven’t</em> been there before!</p>
<p>Enjoy yourselves!</p>
<p>Get drunk after wins! Eat too much deep dish! Mock White Sox fans! Get an ill-advised Cubs tattoo!</p>
<p>Because if they win it all? There is nothing better. It’s like your own citywide Mardi Gras.</p>
<p>You’ll rest knowing that you won’t have to live your whole life, then <em>die</em>, without winning a World Series. It’s the best. I’m telling you.</p>
<p>And after the parade, you can even blow your kid’s college fund on world championship gear! I’m sure little Zobrist Bryant will understand.</p>
https://www.theringer.com/2016/10/15/16043564/eight-tips-for-cubs-fans-daacfc446ac5Any Given Wednesday with Bill Simmons2016-10-05T22:30:45-04:002016-10-05T22:30:45-04:00Bill Simmons’s Eight Tips for Cubs Fans
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<p>The Red Sox die-hard knows what it’s like to wait a lifetime for a World Series run</p> <p>Bill Simmons’s wait for a Red Sox World Series win became the subject of his first book: <em>Now I Can Die in Peace</em>. As a Boston fan since birth, he knows how crushing the MLB playoffs can be. Cubs fans know that heartbreak just as well, but they haven’t yet experienced the thrill of victory (at least, not for 108 years). Is this the year?</p>
<p>On this week’s <em>Any Given Wednesday</em>, Bill gave his advice to the Cubs fans yearning for a title on the eve of the playoffs.</p>
<h4>Bill’s Advice for Cubs Fans</h4>
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<aside><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"The Best Team in Baseball Shouldn’t Get a Third Ace","url":"https://theringer.com/kyle-hendricks-chicago-cubs-2016-mlb-playoffs-ffd1fe19614a"}]}'></div></aside> <figure class="e-image">
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<p>Bill also had Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin and actor Joel McHale on the program to talk about the NFL. In the mailbag segment, the two were asked: Does the <em>entire league</em> really hate the Patriots?</p>
<p>Their response, in unison: <em>Yes</em>.</p>
<h4>Mail Bag With Doug Baldwin and Joel McHale</h4>
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<aside><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Doug Baldwin on How NFL Owners Have Tried to Control Players During the National Anthem","url":"https://theringer.com/any-given-wednesday-episode-13-preview-clips-doug-baldwin-national-anthem-concussion-protocol-4dfd92fc0a64"}]}'></div></aside> <figure class="e-image">
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<p>Then, Michael Rapaport picked the week’s winners and losers with Bill. Their first subject: Tiger Woods and his disappointing Ryder Cup.</p>
<h4>Winners and Losers With Michael Rapaport: Tiger Woods</h4>
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<p>The two then crowned Vin Scully, the one 88-year-old we can all agree on, a winner.</p>
<h4>Winners and Losers With Michael Rapaport: Vin Scully</h4>
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<aside><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Meet Vinnie From Brooklyn","url":"https://theringer.com/meet-vinnie-from-brooklyn-e70c75087865"}]}'></div></aside>
https://www.theringer.com/2016/10/5/16037624/any-given-wednesday-episode-13-joel-mchale-doug-baldwin-michael-rapaport-chicago-cubs-3d1f7455f25cAny Given Wednesday with Bill Simmons2016-10-05T18:08:13-04:002016-10-05T18:08:13-04:00Doug Baldwin on How NFL Owners Have Tried to Control Players During the National Anthem
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<img alt="HBO" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7jTCWdwLbvb3KOcsO1kVRxnkw5E=/46x0:789x557/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55903969/1_XttiSz4Ka9tMuDoBV_3Fdg.0.png" />
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<p>He said one owner told his players: “You’re going to stand on the line with your hand on your heart … Because this is my stage”</p> <p>On the latest <em>Any Given Wednesday</em>, which airs at 10 p.m. ET tonight, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin came on the show to talk about the state of the NFL. In his sit-down segment with Bill Simmons and Joel McHale, Baldwin revealed that some NFL owners are forcing their players to stand for the national anthem.</p>
<h3>Doug Baldwin on NFL Owners and Political Stances</h3>
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<p>Then, Baldwin detailed how the NFL’s concussion protocol works. He said He said that it’s possible for players to “fake” their way through the protocol to get themselves back into games.</p>
<h3>Doug Baldwin on the NFL’s Concussion Protocol</h3>
<div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ExCa9VHMHHM?rel=0&showinfo=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen scrolling="no"></iframe></div>
https://www.theringer.com/2016/10/5/16040476/any-given-wednesday-episode-13-preview-clips-doug-baldwin-national-anthem-concussion-pr-4dfd92fc0a64Any Given Wednesday with Bill Simmons2016-09-28T22:30:29-04:002016-09-28T22:30:29-04:00Donald Trump Should Focus on Airports, and U.S. National Teams Should Dominate
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<img alt="HBO" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hw8xzwJBhA_APCjsWg0oYAxliv0=/46x0:786x555/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55909843/1_HIaZ-u45Iq7uhyR7EOeoxQ.0.png" />
<figcaption>HBO</figcaption>
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<p>Charlamagne Tha God and Abby Wambach discuss this and more on the latest ‘Any Given Wednesday’</p> <p>On this week’s <em>Any Given Wednesday</em>, Bill Simmons brought in radio personality Charlamagne Tha God to talk about winners and losers of the past week. They discussed Monday’s presidential debate and offered some advice on how Donald Trump can use airport design as an issue to broaden his campaign’s appeal.</p>
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<p>Politics are a hot topic in sports, as well, and Charlamagne offered his opinion on Steph Curry’s and Colin Kaepernick’s differing responses to the Black Lives Matter movement.</p>
<h4>Charlamagne on Athlete Responses to Black Lives Matter</h4>
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<p>Then, Abby Wambach joined the show and shared her expectation that all U.S. national teams should dominate in their respective sports.</p>
<h4>Abby Wambach: U.S. National Teams Should Dominate</h4>
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<p>But with the U.S. women’s national soccer team falling in an upset in the Olympic quarterfinals, Wambach explained why the coaching staff needs better tactics if it wants to keep winning tournaments.</p>
<h4>Wambach on Needed Tactical Changes Within the USWNT</h4>
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<p>And finally, Simmons examined the “dead money” issue in college football. With more coach firings on the way this fall, it seems more and more schools will be struck by this problem as the season continues.</p>
<h4>Bill Simmons on “Dead Money” in College Football</h4>
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https://www.theringer.com/2016/9/28/16044996/donald-trump-should-focus-on-airports-and-u-s-national-teams-should-dominate-27f347465090Any Given Wednesday with Bill Simmons2016-09-22T12:54:18-04:002016-09-22T12:54:18-04:00Kevin Durant on How Colin Kaepernick’s Protest Might Cross Over to the NBA
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<p>Bill Simmons’s full conversation with Kevin Durant and Nas couldn’t fit into last night’s episode of <em>Any Given Wednesday</em>. In these bonus clips, the onetime NBA MVP and legendary rapper talk Colin Kaepernick’s protest; the intersection of sports, music, and politics; the 2012 NBA Finals; and Oklahoma City’s haunted Skirvin Hotel.</p>
<h4>Kevin Durant and Nas on Politics in Sports</h4>
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<h4>Extra Time With Kevin Durant and Nas</h4>
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https://www.theringer.com/2016/9/22/16042892/any-given-wednesday-episode-11-bonus-clips-kevin-durant-nas-ab0bb0b00e84Any Given Wednesday with Bill Simmons2016-09-21T22:55:06-04:002016-09-21T22:55:06-04:00Kevin Durant Says His Relationship with Russell Westbrook Is Competitive Only on the Court
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<figcaption>HBO</figcaption>
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<p>On the latest <em>Any Given Wednesday</em>, Bill Simmons brought on former MVP Kevin Durant and Grammy-nominated rapper Nas to talk basketball, hip-hop, and “beefs.” Durant talked about how he was hurt by his portrayal as “weak” in the media after he left Oklahoma City for Golden State this offseason.</p>
<h4>Durant on His Move to Golden State</h4>
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<p>But there are no hard feelings between him and Russell Westbrook. To hear Durant tell it, their relationship is only competitive when they step onto the basketball court.</p>
<h4>Durant on Russell Westbrook</h4>
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<p>Then, Nas and Durant talked about rivalries, both in basketball and in hip-hop. Nas discussed how his rivalry with Jay Z went too far, and detailed what he would say to Biggie and Tupac if he could go back in time.</p>
<h4>Rivalries in Hip-Hop and Basketball</h4>
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<p>In the episode’s Speed Round, Simmons asked Durant if he brought up the James Harden trade too much. Durant’s response? “You should have got over it.”</p>
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<h4>Speed Round With Nas and Kevin Durant</h4>
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<p>Then, Vince Staples came on to help Bill with some dis tracks. His first target is exactly who you might expect: Roger Goodell.</p>
<h4>Dis Tracks With Vince Staples — Roger Goodell</h4>
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<p>The next target, though, is one you might not expect: Bill Simmons himself and his beloved Patriots.</p>
<h4>Dis Tracks with Vince Staples — Bill’s Patriots Self-Diss</h4>
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https://www.theringer.com/2016/9/21/16039392/any-given-wednesday-episode-11-clips-kevin-durant-nas-vince-staples-448359536cc6Any Given Wednesday with Bill Simmons2016-09-15T13:40:18-04:002016-09-15T13:40:18-04:00Week 5 Is the New Week 1 in the NFL
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<p>Cris Carter and Amy Trask explain why you shouldn’t overreact to anything that happens in the first week of the season</p> <p>Pro Football Hall of Famer Cris Carter and former Raiders CEO Amy Trask joined Bill Simmons for the latest episode of <em>Any Given Wednesday</em>, then stayed to continue their conversation. In this extra clip from the show, the two talked about how the new NFL collective bargaining agreement has changed the way teams prepare for the season—possibly leading to sloppier starts to the campaign (looking at you, Rams). They touched on Jared Goff, Colin Kaepernick, and more.</p>
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https://www.theringer.com/2016/9/15/16087148/any-given-wednesday-episode-10-bonus-clip-extra-time-cris-carter-amy-trask-a08fe2d7ac53Any Given Wednesday with Bill Simmons