February 16, 2023

Episode 4: State of the Sub - Does it Need Moderation? Plus, Russillo Strawman Inception, NBA Ratings are Healthy, is "Promiscuous Businessman Bill" Aiming to Join Apple, and #EmbraceDebate on Rihanna

1 hour 14 minutes

Welcome to Episode 4! We start off with a discussion on the state of r/BillSimmons. What is causing the increase in posts on the sub discussing the sub itself, including certain sub "characters", rather than Bill or the podcast? We provide our theories, and debate whether the sub needs additional moderation and what that could look like (0:00-24:00).

Next we discuss NBA Ratings guy and opine on how, contrary to those posts, the NBA is actually in a pretty good spot when compared to non-NFL sports and media (24:00-30:00). Then we comment on the recent Spotify article shared in the sub, "How Spotify's Podcast Bet Went Wrong," coupled with strange comments by Bill praising Apple in a recent "Where things are going in media" CNBC article. Just what is Bill's motivation here? (30:00-39:00).

Then we re-visit Bill's past TV gigs, focusing on Grantland Basketball Hour and NBA Countdown. Why didn't those shows work? Bill was handed the car keys to Countdown his 2nd season, but we theorize that Sage Steele brought down the show, while someone like Rachel Nichols would've been a better host (39:00-48:00).

We then look forward to Russillo and Bill season for NBA pods, also discussing how hilariously reactionary he was last NBA playoffs (48:00-57:00). Then we discuss the state of Bill's Playoff Gambling Manifesto and how bad of a gambler he likely is (57:00-1:04:00).

We finish the pod debating Rihanna's halftime performance - was it more Shaq on the Celtics or Jordan on the Wizards? Should she have accepted the gig? Why wasn't the show more flashy, or include guests? Each co-host has a different take (1:04:00-end).

Thanks for listening to the pod, and be sure to check us out on Twitter at @rBillSimmonsPod!

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