Book of Basketball 2.0

Latest Episodes:

Chris Webber: The Star-Crossed Superstar Dec 17, 2020

Show notes

In the sixth episode of Season 3, Bill Simmons and Joe House explain why Chris Webber should have been one of the best power forwards of all time had bad luck, bad timing, and bad decisions not conspired against him. He may have one of the ultimate “What If?” careers of all time, yet wasn’t he memorable and talented enough to make the basketball Hall of Fame anyway?

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Rick Barry: The Disagreeable Superstar (With Malcolm Gladwell and Tony Kornheiser) Dec 10, 2020

Show notes

In the fifth episode of Season 3, Bill Simmons, Malcolm Gladwell, and Tony Kornheiser explain why Rick Barry was one of the 35 greatest players ever, as well as one of the most influential stars of the league’s first 40 years. However, his prickly personality and a few unfortunate mistakes somehow overshadowed much of his basketball legacy.

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Chris Paul: The Almost Point God (With Ryen Russillo) Dec 03, 2020

Show notes

In the fourth episode of Season 3, Bill Simmons and Ryen Russillo explain why future Hall of Famer Chris Paul is so hard to evaluate historically. They compare him to Isiah Thomas and other smaller stars, break down his biggest playoff moments (and stumbles) and decide where Paul ranks in Bill’s Hall of Fame Pyramid.

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Kevin Garnett: The Stealth Superstar (With Jackie MacMullan) Nov 25, 2020

Show notes

In the third episode of Season 3, Bill Simmons and Jackie MacMullan explain why Kevin Garnett’s career should have been even greater than it was, compare and contrast him to Tim Duncan, break down what it was like to cover him every day, reveal why he may have been the most secretly impactful player of the past 25 years, and decide where KG ranks in Bill’s Hall of Fame Pyramid.

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Julius Erving: MJ Before MJ (With Brian Koppelman) Nov 17, 2020

Show notes

In the second episode of Season 3, Bill Simmons and Brian Koppelman explain why Julius Erving kept basketball fun before Bird and Magic arrived, why his barely seen ABA seasons added to his legend, why he eventually became an underrated superstar, and where he ranks in Bill’s Hall of Fame Pyramid.

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Allen Iverson: You Had To Be There (with J.A. Adande) Nov 12, 2020

Show notes

In the first episode of Season 3, Bill Simmons and J.A. Adande break down Allen Iverson’s incredible career, the surreal experience of seeing him in person, why he belatedly became one of the league’s most beloved superstars, and where he ranks in Bill’s hall of fame pyramid.

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2010 Redraftables: PG-13, Wall, Hayward, and the Snakebit 2010 Draft With Ryen Russillo Jul 01, 2020

Show notes

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to revisit the 2010 NBA draft and discuss some of its subplots, draft comedy, and NBA legends before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks.

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2009 Redraftables: Curry, Harden, and Kahhhhhhhhhn With Zach Lowe Jun 29, 2020

Show notes

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons and ESPN’s Zach Lowe revisit the 2009 NBA draft and discuss some of its subplots, draft comedy, and NBA legends before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks.

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2008 Redraftables: A Genius Westbrook Pick and Rose vs. Love With Ryen Russillo Jun 24, 2020

Show notes

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to revisit the 2008 NBA draft and discuss some of its subplots, draft comedy, and NBA legends before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks.

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2007 Redraftables: Oden vs. Durant With Ryen Russillo Jun 17, 2020

Show notes

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to revisit the 2007 NBA draft and discuss some of its subplots, comedy, and legends before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks.

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