Book of Basketball 2.0

The Ringer

Bill Simmons’s new podcast breaks down the NBA's most important games, players, and teams, extending and reinventing his New York Times no. 1 bestselling book from 2009. Playing off the NBA’s dramatic changes during the past decade, Bill uses new commentary and fresh interviews with players and top media members to determine how the league has evolved and where it’s headed.Produced by Bill Simmons and Kyle Crichton Music by Jackson Lowe Lyrics and vocals by Tic Tac and Melatonin

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20 episodes
Updated Apr 10, 2025
Explicit

Episodes20

Newest first

Apr 10, 2025 · 35 min
Episode 9: Epilogue
Six years later, Seattle waits patiently for a chance to bid for an expansion franchise. Will the city have a team again? Host: Jordan Ritter Conn Producers: Bobby Wagner, Matt Dollinger and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 8, 2025 · 51 min
Episode 8: The End | Sonic Boom
The Sonics pack their bags, and Seattle spends more than a decade wondering: Where do we go from here? Host: Jordan Ritter Conn Producers: Noah Malale, Isaac Lee, Kara Kornhaber, Karan Nevatia, Catherine St. Louis, Jonathan Hirsch and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville and Vikram Patel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 3, 2025 · 37 min
Episode 7: The Last Season | Sonic Boom
Waiting, hoping, fighting: Seattle takes its final stand. Host: Jordan Ritter Conn Producers: Noah Malale, Isaac Lee, Kara Kornhaber, Karan Nevatia, Catherine St. Louis, Jonathan Hirsch and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville and Vikram Patel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 1, 2025 · 48 min
Episode 6: Ed Evans | Sonic Boom
For the first time, the man who brokered the deal between Howard Schultz and owners from Oklahoma City tells his story. Host: Jordan Ritter Conn Producers: Noah Malale, Isaac Lee, Kara Kornhaber, Karan Nevatia, Catherine St. Louis, Jonathan Hirsch and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville and Vikram Patel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 27, 2025 · 36 min
Episode 5: The Sale | Sonic Boom
Schultz and Bennett strike a deal, and Seattle wonders if all is lost. Host: Jordan Ritter Conn Producers: Noah Malale, Isaac Lee, Kara Kornhaber, Karan Nevatia, Catherine St. Louis, Jonathan Hirsch and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville and Vikram Patel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 25, 2025 · 31 min
Episode 4: Oklahoma City | Sonic Boom
Oklahoma City prepares for a major league opportunity. But will the NBA bite? Host: Jordan Ritter Conn Producers: Noah Malale, Isaac Lee, Kara Kornhaber, Karan Nevatia, Catherine St. Louis, Jonathan Hirsch and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville and Vikram Patel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 20, 2025 · 39 min
Episode 3: Olympia | Sonic Boom
Seattle vs. Schultz. Who really owns our teams? Host: Jordan Ritter Conn Producers: Noah Malale, Isaac Lee, Kara Kornhaber, Karan Nevatia, Catherine St. Louis, Jonathan Hirsch and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville and Vikram Patel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 18, 2025 · 34 min
Episode 2: Howard Schultz | Sonic Boom
Who is Howard Schultz? Getting to know the man who bought the Sonics and sold them away. Host: Jordan Ritter Conn Producers: Noah Malale, Isaac Lee, Kara Kornhaber, Karan Nevatia, Catherine St. Louis, Jonathan Hirsch and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville and Vikram Patel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 13, 2025 · 38 min
Episode 1: The '90s | Sonic Boom
In our pilot episode, we dive into the relationship between Seattle and the Sonics, telling the story of the franchise’s iconic teams of the '90s. And we see how decisions made in that decade ultimately laid the groundwork for the team’s move, more than a decade later. Host: Jordan Ritter Conn Producers: Noah Malale, Isaac Lee, Kara Kornhaber, Karan Nevatia, Catherine St. Louis, Jonathan Hirsch and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville and Vikram Patel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 11, 2025 · 2 min
Introducing ‘Sonic Boom: How Seattle Lost Its Team’
Did Seattle ever have a chance? Who are the villains in this story? Hear from the NBA legends, politicians, diehard fans, business executives, and more as The RInger's Jordan RItter Conn unearths never before heard truths about the NBA's greatest heist. Dive into the chronicle of a perfect storm of events: how Seattle went from an iconic NBA city to a basketball orphan. Host: Jordan Ritter Conn Producers: Noah Malale, Isaac Lee, Kara Kornhaber, Karan Nevatia, Catherine St. Louis, Jonathan Hirsch and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville and Vikram Patel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 12, 2022 · 1 hr 11 min
8. Modern Icons | Icons Club
The faces of the modern NBA take on many shapes, sizes, and brands, but have a few things in common: more money and influence than any of their predecessors. In the face of this increased responsibility, will they continue the club? And if so, who’s coming next? In the series finale, Jackie takes a look at how far the league has come, and where it might be headed. Host: Jackie MacMullan Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 8, 2022 · 1 hr 7 min
7. Shaq and Kobe | Icons Club
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal are one of the most successful—and combustible—duos in NBA history. Their contrasting styles led to tension in the locker room, but dominance on the court. And in the end, each of them changed the rules of the Icons Club forever, just maybe not in the way you’d expect. Host: Jackie MacMullan Producers: Bobby Wagner, Kaya McMullen, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier, and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 5, 2022 · 1 hr
6. The Enigmas | Icons Club
Some players have unassailable Icons Club resumes–MVPs, championships, iconic playoff moments–but find themselves on the outside, looking in. In this episode, Jackie lays out the criteria for becoming a club member, and examines a few of the most enigmatic stars. Host: Jackie MacMullan Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 1, 2022 · 1 hr 1 min
5. The Dream Team | Icons Club
The Dream Team was an unprecedented experiment for the Icons Club—an opportunity for the game’s best players to form bonds and swap notes. It also gave the NBA a chance to show off its best players to the world, and the league did not miss. Host: Jackie MacMullan Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 29, 2022 · 1 hr 2 min
4. MJ | Icons Club
Michael Jordan built his career—and his billion-dollar brand—by going it alone. But Jordan himself explains how he pulled from Dr. J’s business acumen and Magic’s charisma to chart his flight, and even offered pointers to certain Icons who followed in his footsteps. Host: Jackie MacMullan Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 25, 2022 · 52 min
3. Magic and Larry | Icons Club
Magic vs. Larry is the rivalry that, for many, defines the NBA. On-court battles between these bitter foes showed a ravenous public just how enticing the NBA could be. But how about Magic and Larry: friends? In this episode, Jackie compares and contrasts the icons of the '80s, tracing a bond how that went well beyond the court. Host: Jackie MacMullan Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 22, 2022 · 49 min
2. Dr. J and the ABA | Icons Club
Julius Erving ushered in a new era of the Icons Club. His unique style, on and off the court, brought a jolt to the game and opened doors to new marketing opportunities. And even as punches flew during his era, Dr. J forged relationships with his peers—and future Icons, like Michael Jordan—that made him arguably the most beloved member of the club. Host: Jackie MacMullan Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier, and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 18, 2022 · 49 min
1. Wilt & Russ | Icons Club
Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell are the founding members of the Icons Club. The big men navigated a completely different NBA than the one we know today and, along with stars like Oscar Robertson, put the league on course for unimaginable growth and success. Host: Jackie MacMullan Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier, and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 18, 2022 · 11 min
Prologue | Icons Club
When Jackie started covering the NBA, it was every player for himself. But during Kobe Bryant's final season, he revealed to Jackie a secret mentorship with Michael Jordan, unlocking the door to a club that only the game's greatest players have access to. Host: Jackie MacMullan Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier, and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 15, 2022 · 1 min
Introducing: ‘Icons Club’
From The Ringer and Spotify, ‘Icons Club’ will examine how an exclusive group of NBA superstars made the league what it is today. These icons were not just the best of the best on the court, but they also changed the NBA’s culture. Host Jackie MacMullan interviews Michael Jordan, Julius Erving, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Isiah Thomas, Hakeem Olajuwon, Dwyane Wade, and a host of other NBA icons about their relationships with each other, their places in the club, and how much superstardom has changed since the early days of the league. ‘Icons Club' premieres on March 18. Host: Jackie MacMullan Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier, and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices