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

Jason Gay on Taylor and the NFL, Michael Lewis, and Six Months Since Evan Gershkovich Was Detained

Bryan and Jason also discuss the historic ousting of Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the House

By Bryan Curtis

Rare QB Redemption Stories and Harden’s Sabotage Excitement. Plus, Julian Edelman on Belichick and Mac.

Ryen talks the redemption stories of Baker Mayfield and Jared Goff, and Julian Edelman joins the show to discuss the high-flying Miami Dolphins motion offense, the development of Mac Jones, and much more

By Ryen Russillo

Is NXT More Entertaining Than SmackDown? Plus, Adam Copeland’s Potentially Perfect Curtain Call

Ben, Khal, and Brian also talk about Bobby Lashley wanting Jade Cargill in his emerging group and Mustafa Ali missing out on a championship opportunity

By Ben Cruz, Khal Davenport, and 1 more

Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens Are Leveling Up

New offensive coordinator Todd Monken has brought a new, more pass-friendly scheme to Baltimore. While there haven’t been fireworks yet, a close look at the X’s and O’s shows that we shouldn’t be surprised when this passing attack takes off.

By Ben Solak
Play

Bryce Young Might Be in Serious Trouble

Ben Solak discusses whether Young is truly to blame for his shaky start to the season

By Ben Solak

‘Ahsoka’ Episode 8 Instant Reactions 

The Midnight Boys are back to weigh in on the season finale of ‘Ahsoka’

By Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, and 2 more