The Bill Simmons Podcast
The Invincible OKC, Knicks Nirvana, and Acceptable Giannis Trades With Zach Lowe, Ariel Helwani, Sean Fennessey, and Ben Thompson
Wed, 21 May 2025
Bill Simmons is joined by Zach Lowe to react to Game 1 of the WCF between the Thunder and Timberwolves (5:23). Then, Bill talks with Ariel Helwani and Sean Fennessey about the Knicks’ playoff run and their excitement for the new MMA film ‘The Smashing Machine,’ directed by Benny Safdie and starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (54:35). Finally, Ben Thompson joins to talk Giannis trade scenarios (01:38:53). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Zach Lowe, Ariel Helwani, Sean Fennessey, and Ben Thompson Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo This episode is brought to you by Degree Deodorant. Grab the original Cool Rush at Walmart or Target today. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What happened in Game 1 of the Thunder vs Timberwolves series?
And it's a beautiful thing to witness that and to experience that with them and also to not have the hurt that we have. They don't have any of this. And so it gives me hope that perhaps this is truly a new era, at least in my life.
My buddy Sully's kids who were like early 2000s kids. And that was kind of how they saw sports because they didn't have any of the DNA because like when they were little, Brady won the first Super Bowl and then the red side. And they just kind of assumed that's how it was. And they're surrounded by all these tortured older people who are just waiting for the other shoe.
43?
I'll be 43 in July, yeah. Yeah.
Yeah. It hasn't been a great sports run.
What day in July? I'm turning 43 in July too.
We're like kindred spirits, you and I, Sean. 26th, Ariel. What day are you? I'm July 8th. But anyway, stop being such a cynic. Enjoy it, man. I am.
The thing with Sean, I've known Sean since 2012. This is easily the best sports run he's been on. But Soto, you got rid of Aaron Rodgers, your least favorite New York athlete ever. And then the Knicks run. This is kind of weirdly the peak.
I, speaking of John Jastrzemski, John and I were talking about this last week. I feel like the franchises are in very good hands. That's something that has been, has defined my fandom is feeling like the franchises, you know, you mentioned Lowell Knicks, Lowell Mets is an ongoing and Lowell Jets are ongoing bits for all the teams I care about.
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