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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

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