A Rockets Gut Punch and a Vegas Tourism Slump | The Bill Simmons Podcast
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Zach Lowe to react to the Fred VanVleet injury and to discuss how it may have derailed the promising Rockets season. Then, Bill and Zach check in with the Celtics and the Pacers ahead of the season. Finally, Chris Ryan and Sean Fennessey join to talk about what’s going on in Vegas.
Host: Bill Simmons
Guests: Zach Lowe, Sean Fennessey, and Chris Ryan
Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo
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32 Comments
“Does Jimmy Kimmel even need ABC” – Bill Simmons
Bill's old Vegas columns are epic.
"I wonder why Vegas tourism is so different now … anyway, The Ringer is committed to responsible gambling and please go listen to these other sports podcasts sponsored by sports books."
JB is not likely to be as efficient without Tatum on the floor drawing most of the attention. 32 ppg is wildly unrealistic.
Didn’t the rockets just draft a PG top 3?
38:52 there’s no extension because he probably knows he deserves 20M based on play & Rockets don’t want to give that up until he’s healthy.
"Vegas tourism down, wonder why" maybe because everyone everywhere can gamble in every way imaginable on their phone 24/7 which this podcast and dozens of others constantly promote in content and actual advertisements?? Nah must be the sphere or something.
I think Houston was and is way overrated. You are getting 2025 Durant not 2018 Durant. Phoenix was bad last season and he was part of that. Green and Brooks were two of their best 3 shooters. Vanvleet was the other. I think Houston is a play in team at best.
Canadian here. I've heard about all the hidden fees and how expensive it's become … and that's probably just as valid a point where 20-somethings simply do not have the financial wherewithal to afford a Vegas weekend. But c'mon … Vegas isnt even a travel option for the international community any more … and we all know which orange person is responsible for that.
hard pass.
A Sheppard for Quickley deal actually makes sense for both teams. Idk if the Raptors would ask for more though
Multi millionaire clamors for more underground cheaper and niche places to go despite himself, his former employer and his friends being a large reason why said place isn't "cool" anymore.
Might as well move to Austin and ruin that place like Joe Rogan.
Feels like Bill is edging ever closer to being a relic of the past these days. And not even in an entertaining self aware way.
I just recently left Las Vegas after 21 years at the bartender on the Las Vegas Strip. Everything started getting a little more expensive wheb Aria opened in Dec 2009, beers were going for 10 bucks well drinks were starting at 15 and then the other major casinos followed suit. The problem is the companies now running the casinos it's not about customer service anymore it's about getting as much money as humanly possible because MGM and Eldorado who owns Caesars properties are so ridiculously in debt they have to find a way to make that money. That's why at Caesars Palace now you can't even get a cup of water at the bars anymore you have to spend nine bucks for a small bottle of Fiji.
Looks like Spotify censored Bill Simmons for talking about Jimmy Kimmel. That part got cut from his Spotify cast and it's not showing here. Guess government censorship is in and no First Amendment protections for Americans if you say something Trump doesn't like
Where are my timestamps
What is the unique appeal? It’s too hot. It’s not cheap any more. Casinos are almost everywhere now, so that’s not special. Sure, it has nice restaurants, but so does every major city.
Mavs are not going to be great and will probably land as a sub 50 win team in a projected stacked west, but I think they'll be a tough out if they make the playoffs. Biggest weakness will be the HUGE gap in guard playmaking similar to the issues the Rockets will experience.
You guys are so lost on why tourism is dying in Vegas… it is solely because the International community is appalled by what we see happening in the US… and we want no parts of supporting this administrations economy.
50:26 they out value on who they have when it comes to odds, but it certainly doesnt have to be based off ESPN rankings. Cade was 67 last year. That ranking is awful
Simmons has aged.
Vegas is crumbling because America is losing both global hegemony and domestic stability. It's kind of hilarious watching everybody trying to reckon with this and find a new take. It's simple. It happens quite often actually. This is the norm, great powers rarely stay in pole position more than 100 years. We've been in said position since WW2. Now it's China's turn. America will be fine in about 10-15 years, we just will have to adapt to a new reality of just being "one of the nations". We're literally like a trust fund kid who is kicked off the fund and forced to work for a living right now.
Awfully quiet on the kawhi bs here
“Nutrafol is a drug-free supplement.” Words that haunt my dreams
McConnell is much better than PP. He's just older
No way Tatum should or could be back this year. That rupture was severe. 18 month timetable. Also, if Brown is putting up 30+ points a game, prepare for a 35 to 38 win season. And Jokic, if he puts up the same numbers, and the team wins the same number of games, automatic MVP. He should have won last year, considering how stacked with talent OKC was.
2 dumb-asses , agreeing with each other doesn't mean you're any better than …about anybody with half a brain
Canadiens have blacklisted Vegas and I can’t imagine how much revenue that is. Plus other countries to a slightly lesser extent have trepidations coming here when there are military in our streets and Trump insults their home countries.
They don’t have votes so they use their wallet.
As a big hawks fan I wouldn’t even want to trade Jalen Johnson for Giannis, let alone also trade Risacher AND Dyson for him AND picks
If Rockets want to win it all this season, Rafael Stone should pick up the phone and call Spurs' Brian Wright to discuss a trade for De'Aaron Fox in Feb. Houston will have to give up Jabari or Eason and draft picks to make it happen but it's win-win for both teams. Spurs need someone on Wemby's timeline, they have Castle, Harper, Jabari/Eason, and two 2027 picks. Rockets get Fox, Thompson, Sengun and Jabari/Eason as the corner stone for the championship run. Fox isn't a great shooter, but he's an all-star and is worth building around. Alternatively, use this year to train the young players and don't do any major trade until next season.
Vegas is run by 🧃
Dismissing the Lakers as usual
DAMN YOU LOWE! We Magic fans are legion!
I’ve been in LV from NY from 1988. I’m 46. When they legalized gambling I knew that was one thing that would kill us and I don’t give a fuck what anyone says. And giving us sports teams was the other dumbass thing. It killed our Aura