Quote · The Bill Simmons Podcast
Steph in Purgatory, a LeBron Mini-Mailbag, Jaylen Trade What-Ifs, and the Revived Red Sox With Joe House and Bill’s Dad
Where this was said
Mailbag
At 42:50 · chapter starts 25:46
Prompted by a listener asking about Celtics Shaq and Wizards Jordan, Bill builds his all-time 'one season too long' team: George Mikan coming back with the shot clock in 1956, Hakeem going to Toronto in 2001, Elvin Hayes playing 48 minutes for a tanking Houston team, Allen Iverson on the Grizzlies, and Chris Paul at the Clippers with two teammates at his birthday party. The segment gives way to the 'baggage handler' concept — athletes who arrive at cursed franchises and immediately end championship droughts. Bill's all-time list includes Big Papi, LeBron in 2016, Jalen Brunson, Mark Messier with the Rangers, and Johnny Podres on the 1955 Dodgers. House nominates Joe Gibbs for Washington. A Fight Club / Conspiracy Bill parallel gets Bill to laugh at himself. The mailbag also covers a WrestleMania analogy for the Sixers' embarrassment of star riches, a 2011 redraft debate over Butler vs. Klay, and whether Chris Ryan is having the best year of 2026. Bill closes with a one-name athlete Hall of Fame that includes Bo Nix, Isaiah Joe, Grant Hill, and Chris Paul.
The top three teams in the league — OKC, San Antonio, and New York — didn't want LeBron. Cleveland couldn't trade Harden. Miami had nothing to offer. Golden State wouldn't make the moves. Philly was the only path to a title.
LeBron James won the NBA assists title in the 2020 season averaging 10.2 assists per game while also winning the championship with the Lakers.
In the next two years, who plays more total games for Philadelphia: LeBron James or Joel Embiid? Embiid played only 109 total games over his last three seasons. LeBron projects to play 57 of 60 if managed right. Both Bill and House take LeBron.
Joel Embiid has played only 109 total games (regular season + playoffs) over his last three seasons, raising questions about whether LeBron will outlast him in games played as a Sixer.
When Brady joined Tampa Bay in 2020, their win total over-under was just 8.5 and they were 12-to-1 to win the Super Bowl — far better odds than LeBron's current Sixers situation.
The new Blazers owner arrived and immediately began antagonizing Portland — no arena lease in three years, public disrespect for the community, and Adam Silver staying silent. Bill and House see Oklahoma City all over again.
