clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

The NBA’s Vaccine Battle, 20 Years of ‘PTI,’ and Billy Crudup

Bill is joined by Bryan Curtis and Derek Thompson to discuss vaccine hesitancy in the NBA, the importance of on-air chemistry in television, and more

By Bill Simmons and Bryan Curtis
SLUG-PH/WILBON&KORNHEISER—DATE-06/24/2004—LOCATION—Washington Post Newsroom—PHOTOGRAPHER-MARVIN Photo by Marvin Joseph/The The Washington Post via Getty Images


The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Bryan Curtis and The Atlantic’s Derek Thompson to discuss NBA media day and vaccine hesitancy among some NBA players. They discuss how certain local mandates can prevent unvaccinated players from playing, the NBA and NBPA, media coverage of the pandemic, and more (3:20). Then Bill and Bryan Curtis discuss the upcoming 20th anniversary of ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption, how PTI revolutionized the argument show, and the importance of on-air chemistry (36:05). Finally Bill talks with actor Billy Crudup about his career, including training for his portrayal of long-distance runner Steve Prefontaine in Without Limits, becoming a rock star for Almost Famous, as well as his character in the AppleTV+ show The Morning Show (57:30).

Host: Bill Simmons
Guests: Billy Crudup, Bryan Curtis, and Derek Thompson
Producer: Kyle Crichton

Subscribe: Spotify / Apple Podcasts / Stitcher / RSS

Next Up In The Bill Simmons Podcast

The Latest

The ‘Survivor’ Season 45 Premiere Is Here!

Cassidy Clark of Season 43 joins Tyson and Riley to break down the first episode of Season 45!

By Tyson Apostol and Riley McAtee

Eagles Film Breakdown: Hello Jalen Carter! Plus, Week 4 Preview and Picks.

Shawn Syed joins Sheil to break down the Eagles-Buccaneers game and talk about the Dame trade

By Sheil Kapadia

Bill Simmons on the Lillard Trade and the Celtics Going After Jrue Holiday

Plus, reacting to the rest of the fallout in the East

By Brian Barrett and Bill Simmons

Lillard to the Bucks, and Miami Gets It Wrong. Plus, Burrow, Fields, Caleb, and More QB Talk With Jordan Palmer.

Ryen reacts to the blockbuster trade involving the longtime Portland star

By Ryen Russillo

How the Dame Deal Affects the Bucks, the NBA Title Race, and the Jrue Holiday Derby to Come

Is Milwaukee now the favorite in the East? Does Phoenix jump into pole position in the West? And where is Jrue going next? Here’s a look at Wednesday’s blockbuster trade from all angles.

By Michael Pina

What the Writers Guild Won, With a Negotiator

Adam Conover joins Matt to go over the details of the WGA-AMPTP deal

By Matthew Belloni