Tim Legler

Legler argues the champion Knicks should be ranked as the favorites in the Eastern Conference entering next season.

“for me, the Knicks should be the team that's placed at the top of the pecking order in Eastern Conference going into the season”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: NBA Draft Questions, Harper vs. Fox, and the USMNT’s World Cup Ceiling (Jun 19, 2026) · Listen from 1:30:55

Legler says Karl-Anthony Towns' reliable, physical rebounding kept the Knicks winning even when his offensive fit was questioned.

“It was like death, taxes, and and 13 rebounds from Carl Anthony Towns”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: A Spurs Fumble, CarusoMania, Brunson’s Mega-Rise and a Knicks Appreciation With Tim Legler and Brian Koppelman (May 27, 2026) · Listen from 52:19

Legler attributes Mikal Bridges' shooting surge to an offensive change that keeps him moving rather than waiting on high ball screens.

“His natural motion now within the spacing they have is so much more suited to him than standing around waiting and watching high ball screen 45 times a game”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: A Spurs Fumble, CarusoMania, Brunson’s Mega-Rise and a Knicks Appreciation With Tim Legler and Brian Koppelman (May 27, 2026) · Listen from 49:27

Legler argues Jalen Brunson's defining trait is a certainty about his shots that exceeds any other player in the league.

“I think Jalen Brunson is more certain And especially in big spots, when he goes up to release the basketball than any player in this league”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: A Spurs Fumble, CarusoMania, Brunson’s Mega-Rise and a Knicks Appreciation With Tim Legler and Brian Koppelman (May 27, 2026) · Listen from 42:51

Legler says it would be foolish to deny the Knicks could win the championship given how they are playing.

“I think it'd be foolish for any person to watch the Knicks right now and not say that they absolutely could envision them being NBA champions”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: A Spurs Fumble, CarusoMania, Brunson’s Mega-Rise and a Knicks Appreciation With Tim Legler and Brian Koppelman (May 27, 2026) · Listen from 32:41

Legler reports that only the 1984-86 Lakers had a higher collective starters' field-goal percentage this deep into the playoffs than this Knicks team.

“had a higher field goal percentage collectively amongst starters than the Knicks team this year were the 84, 85, and 86 Lakers”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: A Spurs Fumble, CarusoMania, Brunson’s Mega-Rise and a Knicks Appreciation With Tim Legler and Brian Koppelman (May 27, 2026) · Listen from 25:20

Legler endorses the Kevin Love comparison for Cameron Boozer, citing his rebounding positioning and quick outlet passing.

“With Boozer, it's Kevin Love. I thought that was a pretty good comp”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: NBA Draft Questions, Harper vs. Fox, and the USMNT’s World Cup Ceiling (Jun 19, 2026) · Listen from 16:56

Legler says he does not see Darryn Peterson as a true point guard but as a natural raw scorer.

“I see a guy that wants to go score and get his bucket”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: NBA Draft Questions, Harper vs. Fox, and the USMNT’s World Cup Ceiling (Jun 19, 2026) · Listen from 22:15

Legler says AJ Dybantsa should be the first pick because of his combination of size, toughness, athleticism and skill.

“I think for me, combination of size, the toughness, athleticism, with the skill set, I think this is the right pick”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: NBA Draft Questions, Harper vs. Fox, and the USMNT’s World Cup Ceiling (Jun 19, 2026) · Listen from 11:54

Legler argues that draft player comparisons set analysts up to be embarrassed years later, either by overreaching or underselling a prospect.

“And I feel like either way, five years from now, like you set yourself up to just get absolutely taken apart”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: NBA Draft Questions, Harper vs. Fox, and the USMNT’s World Cup Ceiling (Jun 19, 2026) · Listen from 5:08

Legler says Victor Wembanyama's biggest area of growth is learning to dominate from 15 to 20 feet.

“You answer that by dominating from 15 to 20 feet”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: NBA Draft Questions, Harper vs. Fox, and the USMNT’s World Cup Ceiling (Jun 19, 2026) · Listen from 1:17:32

Legler argues the Spurs should not give up on De'Aaron Fox after his poor Finals and that Fox is unlikely to be traded given his contract.

“I don't think Fox is going anywhere at that number coming off of that series. So you better kind of wrap your head around it as a Spurs fan”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: NBA Draft Questions, Harper vs. Fox, and the USMNT’s World Cup Ceiling (Jun 19, 2026) · Listen from 1:02:50

Legler argues that Wembanyama's physical build prevents him from creating his own scoring at will the way other NBA stars can.

“there are nights, man, where you need your best player to go get you 30. And he is not going to be able to do that whenever he wants because of the way he's built”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: A Spurs Fumble, CarusoMania, Brunson’s Mega-Rise and a Knicks Appreciation With Tim Legler and Brian Koppelman (May 27, 2026) · Listen from 4:34

Legler calls Jalen Brunson's 45-point Game 5 against the Spurs' defense one of the greatest Finals performances ever.

“it's one of the greatest finals performances of all time. And, and again, he did it very matter of factly and very routine”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: NBA Draft Questions, Harper vs. Fox, and the USMNT’s World Cup Ceiling (Jun 19, 2026) · Listen from 1:12:31

Legler predicts the NBA Finals will be competitive rather than a lopsided five-game series.

“Whoever comes out of the West, I don't see that being a five-game series with like three lopsided games”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: A Spurs Fumble, CarusoMania, Brunson’s Mega-Rise and a Knicks Appreciation With Tim Legler and Brian Koppelman (May 27, 2026) · Listen from 1:07:09

Legler would trade Donovan Mitchell for Giannis Antetokounmpo because of Cleveland's immediate championship window.

“Oh, for sure. For sure. Because of the... Where Mitchell is in the stage of his career”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: A Spurs Fumble, CarusoMania, Brunson’s Mega-Rise and a Knicks Appreciation With Tim Legler and Brian Koppelman (May 27, 2026) · Listen from 1:03:25

Legler says that if Cleveland must move one of its core players, it should probably be Evan Mobley rather than Donovan Mitchell.

“Probably Mobley. And I think I was a little disappointed in this series”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: A Spurs Fumble, CarusoMania, Brunson’s Mega-Rise and a Knicks Appreciation With Tim Legler and Brian Koppelman (May 27, 2026) · Listen from 1:02:32