Golden State Warriors: Kevin Durant, Nas Join Bill Simmons On ‘Any Given Wednesday’
If you’re a basketball fan who hates former Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant for departing the organization that first gave him a chance to make it big, chances are you’re not alone. If you’re a basketball fan who hates former ESPN analyst and Grantland creator Bill Simmons for departing the organization that first gave him a chance to make it big, chances are you’re not alone.
Tonight, fans and haters of both Simmons and Durant will get to watch the two team up on this week’s episode of the former HBO’s show. The cable network sent a press release out to media on Wednesday afternoon saying the following.
“ANY GIVEN WEDNESDAY WITH BILL SIMMONS, a weekly talk show hosted by one of the most influential figures in contemporary sports media, continues its 20-show season WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 21 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT), followed by other new episodes subsequent Wednesdays at the same time, exclusively on HBO. This week’s guests include NBA superstar Kevin Durant, rap legend Nas and California-born rapper Vince Staples.”
On Wednesday morning, the show’s official Twitter account also teased the “Power Trio” all coming together.
Best Power Trio since Bird, Parish and McHale! @KDTrey5, @Nas and @BillSimmons are on #AnyGivenWednesday tonight at 10 PM on @HBO pic.twitter.com/ysECf4EwG3
— Any Given Wednesday (@AnyGivenWeds) September 21, 2016
Nas appearing on the show should appeal to many hip-hop fans, especially in light of the beef between The Game and Meek Mill that took a new turn with the former’s new diss track, “Pest Control.” Expect the “New York State of Mind” rapper to discuss beef in his segments, especially if Simmons’ former employer, ESPN, comes up in conversation.
Many have taken issue with Durant, a seven-time All-Star and former NBA MVP, leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder to form a superteam with two-time MVP Stephen Curry, sharpshooter Klay Thompson, and the rest of a Warriors team that is coming off a 73-9 regular season and their second straight NBA Finals appearance. Although Durant can opt out after the first season (which he most likely will), that actually seems to be causing more controversy and anger among diehard basketball fans.
Jerry West, the Los Angeles Lakers legend who currently serves as a board member for the Warriors, recently defended the acquisition in an interview with Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News on the TK Show (via Bleacher Report).
“It’s sour grapes. [The Los Angeles Lakers] signed Shaquille O’Neal and it wasn’t as big an uproar as this. Listen, the owners make the rules. They negotiate with the players. And for them to say something like that, to me it’s wrong on their part. The commissioner said something like that and I called him about it. I told him I didn’t think the comment was fair. It’s not fair to Kevin. It’s not fair to the Warriors. It’s not fair to any team going forward who will sign a free agent of this stature. The players bargained for this. They have a chance to go play where they want to. I only wish I had that opportunity in my career and I’m sure a lot of other people felt the same way.”
The Golden State Warriors will start their season on October 25 with a nationally televised home opener against the San Antonio Spurs on TNT. Just over a week later, on November 5, Durant will face former teammate Russell Westbrook and the Thunder in Golden State. The one-time Texas Longhorn returns to Oklahoma City on Saturday, February 11, a game that will be nationally televised as part of ABC’s Saturday Night package.
Those anxious for an NBA Finals rematch between the Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers, however, will get their wish when Durant and his new friends travel to Ohio for a Christmas Day showdown. Both matchups between the two teams — the second one is on January 16, or Martin Luther King Jr. Day — will be nationally televised; ABC has the Christmas game while TNT has the MLK Day game.
Other HBO playdates for Any Given Wednesday include September 22 (11:00 a.m., 1:05 a.m.), 23 (9:00 a.m., 2:50 a.m.), and 25 (9:00 a.m.), while HBO2 playdates are currently scheduled for September 21 (11:00 p.m.), 22 (7:45 a.m.), 26 (3:45 a.m.) and 27 (11:35 p.m.). Any Given Wednesday with Bill Simmons is also available on HBO NOW, HBO GO, and HBO On Demand, as well as other affiliate portals.
[Featured Image by Elsa/Getty Images]
