Bill Simmons finally started writing again and graced us with his NBA Trade Value Chart. This is version 2.0 and version 3.0 will come out I assume after the season ends. I will make no secret that I love the Ringer. I have a few of their shirts (Blog Boy and Irrational Confidence Guy) and enjoy their podcasts daily. The provide me with hours of entertainment and content while working, relaxing, driving or cleaning the house. I can’t deal with silence ever; it drives me crazy. Thanks to my children I must always have something on or I feel weird.
After reading NBA Trade Value 2.0 I started thinking about who is actually the most valuable to the Ringer? Is this list subjective? Of course. These are my Ringer Trade Value Rankings in reverse order.
Category 1 Ringer Friends and Family
House From D.C. – I really like when he is on a podcast, but don’t like when he hosts. Is that a weird take? I just want videos of him eating posted daily. Should be Simmons Friday Rolling co-host every Friday during NFL season.
Cousin Sal – I like AAO as a podcast, but Simmons and Cousin Sal in the Fall is everything. Moving to Sunday night was genius. I wake up every Monday and dive to work excited to hear them guess the lines. It feels like all is right in the world when it’s early September and Cousin Sal and Bill Simmons are back discussing gambling.
Nephew Kyle – The only podcast producer I wish talked more. Plus, the only Ringer employee who should have a reality show on before The Challenge.
Category 2 I like what they do, but wish there was more.
Sean Fennessey – I want him on more episodes of the Rewatchables. I don’t listen to enough of the Channel 33 stuff, but I enjoy his historic takes on movies and the Oscars. I know he does a ton at the site, but I want more.
Andy Greenwald – I love The Watch. I am part of the Facebook group. He has to be this low on the list because his own show means he will do less and less for the Ringer. I already miss the old Watch Pod and it hasn’t even changed yet.
David Shoemaker – I want more WWE content. I want him to write a column and have the Masked Man Show Pod consistently once a week. He also needs a solid consistent co-host for MMS. We can’t find one Ringer person to fill this roll?
Chris Vernon – My Favorite NBA Pod host. The man with the voice of a sixty-year-old in the body of a thirty something. Nothing was more shocking than seeing a picture of Chris Vernon and thinking “wait what? That’s not him.”
Category 3 The People Who Should get more love
Kevin O’Conner – Like him on pods and like his writing. I want Bill Simmons to raise his minutes like Tom Thibodeau would to all of his starters in early December. Run him into the ground during playoffs, lottery, draft and free agency.
Pat Muldowney – Social Media Specialist for the Ringer. As a Pittsburgh guy I am happy there is SOMEONE representing Pittsburgh at the Ringer. I want him to pop up on every Simmons pod and defend the Steelers for one minute a week. Boston, New York and Philly are so well represented by employees. This man has to carry the Pittsburgh flag into battle.
Category 4 I’m in and going to try everything they do
Mallory Rubin – The mother of dragons was great on the GOT after show and made binge mode work due to depth of knowledge. Those pods can be long and there are lots of them, but she makes them work. As a Steeler fan I enjoy her Ravens despair.
Jason Conception – I wanted to just call him Network, even though that’s not his name. Everyone loves NBA Desktop. It’s my favorite web based show. (Netflix excluded obviously) Every Pod he is on he raises the energy level and comedic value. His laugh is so unique and makes me laugh too. I want a Shea and Jay Pod weekly. Can that happen?
Shea Serrano – The best on Twitter and when I hear he is joining a pod I get pumped. I listened to episodes of Villains about movies I have not watched because of Shea. Shea’s journey from educator to writer is inspiring. I respect his journey and cheer for his continued success. I purchased the Book on Basketball and will be ordering his new movie book as well. FOH Army is strong.
Category 5 Without them there is no Ringer
Chris Ryan – This guys will jump on every pod, web series, live stream, or anything he can. He always seems so knowledgeable and his diverse interests fit the Ringer and what I enjoy so well. Without him I am not so sure the Ringer is what it is. I don’t think Chris Ryan can go any higher on this list, but if I was a media company I would try to hire him away.
Bill Simmons – I have been with Bill Simmons since 2001. I remember the first words I read of his. “You know that blurry circle they put on naked people in the Real World, why don’t they call it a Blurcle.” I was in after one line. College age me was like “yeah, that’s a great idea.” I have followed every destination along the way. ESPN, Grantland, HBO and now The Ringer. I don’t know who else could build a following like this in diverse ways. I’m in and will always be in. He makes a documentary; I’m going to watch it. New Podcast, I’m going to try it. He gets the benefit of the doubt for me. Much in the same way I trust any movie The Rock makes, I trust any content Simmons Makes.
I know I missed a whole bunch of people. But this is who I like and my power rankings! What does yours look like? Let me know on Twitter and follow us here!
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