Snapshot · The Bill Simmons Podcast
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.
Where this was said
At 33:23 · 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.
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.
The new Blazers owner is reportedly antagonizing the Portland community and demanding a new arena while operating with no lease agreement in just three years, drawing comparisons to the Oklahoma City Sonics relocation.
Thomas's wife is already ranked in the top 2,000 CrossFit athletes in the world — roughly the top 1% — and Thomas wants her to pursue the sport professionally now that he is graduating law school.
Research shows athletes who mentally imagine practicing basketball or soccer have better performance than those who do not include imagination in their training.
Rico Verhoeven dominated approximately 10 of 12 rounds against undisputed heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk before a controversial post-bell stoppage.
Rico's appeal confirmed the fight was stopped after the bell rang, and the ringside doctor found no concussion or disorientation — yet the result was never overturned.
Glory Kickboxing uses 5 judges rather than boxing's 3, which Joe Rogan argues reduces the chance of a corrupt or incompetent minority swinging the result.
Rico Verhoeven had only one professional boxing match before fighting undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk for the WBC title.
Despite having just one pro boxing match, Rico Verhoeven had been training boxing for 15 years alongside his kickboxing career.
Rico used a full 6 months to transition from kickboxing stance to a proper boxing stance under trainer Peter Fury, calling it essential rewiring.
Rico Verhoeven has had approximately 75 professional kickboxing fights, giving him a massive combat sports experience advantage over pure boxers.
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