Charles Barkley’s NBA-NFL Summer Takes, Plus the Jewish Pop Culture Pantheon With Juliet Litman and Mallory Rubin

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Zach Lowe to react to the Pacers taking a 2-1 lead against OKC in the NBA Finals (1:55). Then, they talk about Indianapolis as a sports city, Bennedict Mathurin’s impact, and SGA not playing well enough in Game 3 (24:28). Finally, they discuss what it would mean if OKC lost to the Pacers in the Finals, preview Game 4, and predict Kevin Durant trade destinations (51:05). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Zach Lowe Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo This episode is presented by State Farm®. Dishing the assists you need off the court. State Farm® with the Assist. Get anything delivered on Uber Eats. www.ubereats.com 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

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Chuck Klosterman to talk about the NBA's popularity and foul baiting (2:58), before they discuss the biggest sport franchise moves and the possibility of a new international basketball league (31:53). Then, they talk about Cooper Flagg, and ‘The Rehearsal’ (58:38). Finally, they dive into prison escapes and AI fears (1:25:27). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Chuck Klosterman Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo This episode is presented by State Farm®. Dishing the assists you need off the court. State Farm® with the Assist. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠ www.rghelp.com⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to react to OKC taking Game 2 at home against the Pacers in the NBA Finals (2:25). Then, they discuss the bad ratings for these Finals and why the NHL Stanley Cup final may be more interesting this year (18:07). Finally, they play a game of “I wouldn’t be surprised if …” for the NBA offseason, discuss trade targets around the league, and more (46:33)! Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Ryen Russillo Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo #ULTRACourtside could get you closer to the game! michelobultra.com/courtside/champsbottles ENJOY RESPONSIBLY ©️ 2025 ANHEUSER-BUSCH, MICHELOB ULTRA®️ LIGHT BEER, ST. LOUIS, MO. This episode is presented by State Farm®. Dishing the assists you need off the court. State Farm® with the Assist. 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

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe react to the Pacers stunning OKC in Game 1 of the NBA Finals (2:32). Then, they preview Game 2 and discuss fixes for OKC to turn the series around (30:31). Finally, they discuss the Knicks' coaching drama, who the new head coach could be in New York, and trade rumors (46:30). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Zach Lowe Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo Get started today at HubSpot.com/AI 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

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons reacts to the news of the Knicks firing Coach Thibs, and he makes his NBA Finals predictions (3:33). Then, Bill is joined by Pablo Torre to squash their Bill Belichick beef once and for all before discussing journalism, conspiracy theories, and Tony Kornheiser (29:21). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Pablo Torre Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo 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