Deshaun Vs. Cleveland, and a Mega-Mailbag With Joe House. Plus, UCLA’s Bob Chesney.
Summary
Bill Simmons and Joe House tackle a mailbag covering the Cleveland Browns' Deshaun Watson disaster, the Lakers' post-LeBron future, and a humorous proposal to trade Bronny James to guard his father. They also discuss the Red Sox's surprising success, the "Mendoza line" for NFL quarterbacks, and create a "Mount Rushmore" of players with massive contracts but poor playoff resumes.
Topics discussed
State Farm ad and intro
UCLA interview teaser and PNC Bank ad
Baseball odds and Red Sox pennant
NFL tanking and AFC/NFC over/under bets
Critique of Baker Mayfield and Browns QB situation
Snyder era checks and Anthony Rendon
Preseason trial run and quarterback depth
Assessing Shadur and Stroud win totals
Shadur's media presence and C-plus Stroud
Rams rookie receivers and Miles Garrett trade
Bronny James guarding LeBron in playoffs
Schroeder trade and Max Strus podcast invite
Parental instinct to protect kids in sports
The Mendoza line for Fernando Mendoza
Defining the floating Mendoza line via QBR
Fantasy basketball team names and D3 matchups
Pacers home game and beloved team status
Pacers popularity and Tyrese Haliburton
MVP debate: Brunson vs Curry
Conspiracy Bill promo and Lakers Mark Walter
Reaves and Luka efficiency and departure
Suspicious YouTube video and market movement
OJ Simpson trial betting and gloves
James Harden contract and GM game watching
Harden's playoff resume and 2017 Game 6
Harden's best run and Rushmore names
Bradley Beal and Caleb Wilson Jizz Room
Westbrook trade rescind and NBA championships
Westbrook over 80 rating in playoffs
Reasons for optimism in current sports climate
NBA TV schedule and USA Network history
90s college stars and short NBA careers
Internet fantasy leagues and high school connections
Modern stadiums vs old arenas
Inside the park home run story
College football championship and Spurs/Knicks
Bad team owners and Peter Angelos
Giants and Dodgers all-time tie
Seahawks Legion of Boom and Darnold
New stadium demographics and Aaron Reich
50-day wait and basketball season excitement
Paul George contract and draft picks
Skill-based sports apparel items
Masters jacket exclusivity
Tremphaya prescription ad
NFL Sunday Ticket ad
Jalen Duren and Herb Jones trade value
Dallas Mavericks original sin and Cooper Flag
Vegas expansion team and Kyrie airport ride
Player stress eating and weight issues
Triple double attempts and Washington trade
Ersan Ilyasova and decade-specific players
Todd Day selfishness and Mark Blount
Attic photo and group of young men
CMJ weekend vs water polo tournament
Workday and NBA 2K27 ads
UCLA football team welcome and James Madison
UCLA search committee and program energy
400 text messages and team meeting
Playing by the rules and culture building
Coaching in bowl games and media handling
NFL vs college hiring chaos
eBay auction for players and budget management
Agent incentives and player fit
Kawaii free agency and under-the-table deals
67 new transfers in one year
450K NIL budget vs 40M competitors
NFL feeder program and agent percentages
Worcester Polytech and Holy Cross football
Assumption stadium and tailgating
Staying at JMU and town history
Scholarship crisis and crying player
Tracking AD flights and feedback loops
The Cubs Way and minor league cuts
Entitlement and Southern Columbia game
Weightlifting groups and preparation
Hydration, diet, and peak performance
Survivor mentality and self-identification
Simmons watching and competitive practice
Success depends on surrounding talent
Living in hotel for 60 days
Quarter system and player visits
Optimism and UCLA university power
Treating the team well and karma
Lazy criticism and proving yourself
UCLA fan energy and belief
Movie roles: Hoosiers vs Blue Chips
Gambling help and Whole Foods ad
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