Sean Fennessey

Fennessey notes that most of the front office's big moves looked like mistakes to him at the time but all worked out.

“I would say six of the eight big moves that they've made since this new administration came in, when they happened, I was like, that's not a good idea”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: OKC Gets Wobbled, Cleveland’s Done, and Knicks Nirvana Is Here (Maybe) With Zach Lowe and Sean Fennessey (May 25, 2026) · Listen from 1:21:46

Fennessey suggests the run feels less stunning nationally because the Knicks are beating teams they have beaten before and were expected to contend.

“It doesn't feel like as triumphant and stunning a run to the finals”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: OKC Gets Wobbled, Cleveland’s Done, and Knicks Nirvana Is Here (Maybe) With Zach Lowe and Sean Fennessey (May 25, 2026) · Listen from 1:16:49

Fennessey says Brunson is unlike any previous Knick and is entering the franchise's all-time conversation.

“There has never been a New York Knick like him. There are very few players in the NBA like him”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: OKC Gets Wobbled, Cleveland’s Done, and Knicks Nirvana Is Here (Maybe) With Zach Lowe and Sean Fennessey (May 25, 2026) · Listen from 1:04:36

Fennessey credits Mike Brown's flexibility and willingness to play the bench for the Knicks' run, calling Thibodeau's firing a relief.

“Mike Brown is flexible, man. And he plays the bench and the bench has been a huge part of this run”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: OKC Gets Wobbled, Cleveland’s Done, and Knicks Nirvana Is Here (Maybe) With Zach Lowe and Sean Fennessey (May 25, 2026) · Listen from 57:17

Fennessey said Tom Holland's performance as Telemachus was the weakest part of the film for him.

“least effective part of the movie for me”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: Messi Takes England Out of the World Cup, Plus Preparing for Christopher Nolan’s 'The Odyssey' With Ian Wright, Anthony Dabbundo, and Sean Fennessey (Jul 16, 2026) · Listen from 1:34:40

Fennessey agreed that Nolan is the definitive filmmaker of the century and said this is no longer controversial.

“Yes, and I don't even think it's controversial anymore”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: Messi Takes England Out of the World Cup, Plus Preparing for Christopher Nolan’s 'The Odyssey' With Ian Wright, Anthony Dabbundo, and Sean Fennessey (Jul 16, 2026) · Listen from 1:03:49

Fennessey called The Odyssey an awards contender and suggested competing films like Dune Part 3 and Project Hail Mary would help it stand out.

“I mean, it's an awards contender for sure. It's fascinating to think about him pulling the Coppola”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: Messi Takes England Out of the World Cup, Plus Preparing for Christopher Nolan’s 'The Odyssey' With Ian Wright, Anthony Dabbundo, and Sean Fennessey (Jul 16, 2026) · Listen from 1:39:56

Fennessey argued that fewer, more comfortable premium seats are an underreported reason movies have regained momentum.

“I do think this is an underreported component of why movies are back a little bit”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: Messi Takes England Out of the World Cup, Plus Preparing for Christopher Nolan’s 'The Odyssey' With Ian Wright, Anthony Dabbundo, and Sean Fennessey (Jul 16, 2026) · Listen from 58:39

Fennessey attributed his growing appreciation of Nolan's recent films to editor Jennifer Lame's influence on his style.

“I think it's because he changed editors. And Jennifer Lame is his editor now. And with Jennifer Lame, he's changed his filmmaking style”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: Messi Takes England Out of the World Cup, Plus Preparing for Christopher Nolan’s 'The Odyssey' With Ian Wright, Anthony Dabbundo, and Sean Fennessey (Jul 16, 2026) · Listen from 1:08:01