Bill Simmons, the founder of The Ringer, recently took an unusual step by personally driving 20-year-old NBA rookie Kon Knueppel back to his hotel after a podcast appearance, rather than calling him an Uber. This took place following Knueppel’s appearance on Simmons’ show in January and was shared during a live episode featuring Chris Ryan, Van Lathan, Rob Mahoney, and Nick Wright.
Respect and Care Behind the Unexpected Ride
The decision to drive Knueppel instead of sending him off with a ride-share stemmed from Simmons’ desire to avoid what he considered disrespectful. He described Knueppel as his “second son” and expressed concern about leaving such a young player to navigate the city alone. Simmons explained,
“I drove him back to his hotel after the podcast. He’s 20. I didn’t want to put him in an Uber. He’s two years older than my son. We talked about a lot of stuff. We talked about life.”
Conversation During the Drive Highlights Rookies’ Challenges
During the 30-minute car ride, the conversation included topics beyond casual small talk. Simmons brought up the Charlotte Hornets’ unusual practice schedule, which Knueppel revealed had not included a session at the team’s own facility in six weeks. This insight came up in discussion around NBA team practices and scheduling challenges, a point Simmons recalled during Nick Wright’s segment on the podcast addressing tanking and player development.
Simmons reflected on this revelation, saying,
“He’s a rookie, he’s 20. We think, like, man, it might be important for Kon to practice. He just got in the league. He said they hadn’t had a practice at home in six weeks. How is that? In six weeks, they hadn’t practiced in the practice center at Charlotte.”
Afatherly Gesture That Resonates With Fans
The image of Simmons escorting Knueppel to a Santa Monica hotel after the show, much like a protective father, struck many as both strange and heartwarming. Questions arise about whether Simmons made sure Knueppel reached his room safely or stayed until Knueppel entered the lobby. Although these details remain unconfirmed, the tone suggests Simmons went beyond a simple car ride.
Given this unusual display of care and attention, it would not be surprising if Simmons continues to follow Knueppel’s development closely, perhaps even sharing updates on his progress on future shows under a playful “Parent Corner” segment. This episode illustrates how personal relationships and mentorship can intersect unexpectedly in the world of professional sports.
on the newest bill simmons show bill says that after he had kon knueppel on the pod he personally drove him 30 minutes home cuz he felt like putting him in an uber was disrespectful
— scoob (@MostCrucified) February 13, 2026
