It appears that Nick Wright will have to wait a bit longer for his eagerly awaited debut on The Bill Simmons Podcast. In the latest edition of his What’s Wright? With Nick Wright podcast, the FS1 star addressed the recent developments surrounding LeBron James’ groin injury. During the discussion, Wright aimed some criticism at Bill Simmons — and somewhat at Charles Barkley — for their inconsistent coverage of the four-time MVP.
Wright commented, “This is just kind of a tale as old as time with LeBron, which is folks will find a way to be wrong. Folks so badly want to find ways to take shots or poke at this guy that they will find ways to be wrong on both sides of the equation. Two very prominent voices in basketball media, right after the LeBron injury, said, ‘Oh, I mean, he’s probably done for the rest of the regular season.’ Barkley and Simmons both. Simmons expressed, ‘No, he’s probably done for the rest of the regular season…probably not gonna be eligible for All-NBA.’ Barkley stated that he wouldn’t play again this year until the playoffs.”
“Maybe the guy who’s played more minutes of NBA basketball than any human alive tweaked a soft tissue injury… I think that probably makes more sense” @getnickwright on why it’s ridiculous to think LeBron is “faking” his groin injury pic.twitter.com/DIU3Z2xvhL
— What’s Wright? with Nick Wright (@WhatsWrightShow) March 19, 2025
Wright pointed out that although Simmons initially claimed that James’ injury would likely derail the rest of his season, he has since shifted to downplaying the injury’s severity. In fact, Simmons even suggested that the injury could be a ruse to allow the 40-year-old player to take an extended break before the playoffs. “A week later, they’re throwing out there — and Barkley hasn’t done this, but Bill did — ‘Are we sure he actually got hurt? Or did LeBron in that Celtics game…’ which is now being framed as, ‘Oh, he knew they were gonna lose, that game was over. Even though it’s a four-point game with five minutes left. He knew the schedule, knew Bryce [James] might be playing for a state championship, needs some time, you know, a little PTO and just, you know, is faking essentially the injury.”
Bill Simmons Thursday:
“I don’t know how the Lakers are gonna hold on if LeBron misses 3-4 weeks”
Bill today with Russillo (below):
“How hurt do you actually think LeBron is? I think he’s fine”
Bill providing unbiased, non-overreactionary higher-level NBA takes once again 🤣 pic.twitter.com/9ivPEWihPw
— The r/BillSimmons Podcast (@rBillSimmonsPod) March 17, 2025
While James’ behavior at his younger son’s state championship victory over the weekend did raise some eyebrows regarding his injury, Wright is not convinced there is any malicious intent involved. Instead, he believes the simplest explanation is often the best: a 40-year-old in the middle of his 22nd NBA season is likely to encounter some soft tissue injuries along the way.
Ultimately, only James truly knows the extent to which his recent absence is due to injury or rest. Regardless, Bill Simmons’ abrupt change of stance has prompted Nick Wright to rekindle a feud that was reportedly resolved last August.
