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"I literally don't care what he says" - Bill Simmons reacts to Michael Jordan's halftime insights on NBC
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- "I literally don't care what he says" - Bill Simmons reacts to Michael Jordan's halftime insights on NBC
While the 2025–26 NBA season opener between the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder was nothing short of thrilling, Michael Jordan's appearance during the halftime segment was just as captivating.
Bill Simmons certainly thought so, posting his reaction in a YouTube Short on his channel soon after the broadcast had ended.
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"His Airness" returns to the screen
Despite decades having passed since his prime with the Chicago Bulls , MJ's influence is still impossible to miss. His voice continues to carry weight, as Simmons's reaction to Jordan 's debut as a "special contributor" for NBC's NBA coverage made clear.
During the network's halftime show, the Bulls legend returned to the spotlight with the debut of his new series, "MJ: Insights to Excellence." Many viewers figured that if it captured even a fraction of the magic of Jordan's 2020 Netflix hit "The Last Dance," it was bound to be another success.
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After all, "The Last Dance" showcased an unfiltered Jordan sharing sharp, sometimes spicy stories about his teammates, rivals, triumphs and controversies from his storied 15 years in the association.
After its first airing, some were not entirely convinced that "MJ: Insights to Excellence" could live up to that standard. That hesitation seemed fair — Jordan's conversation with play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico in the premiere wasn't packed with headlines.
Instead, the cameras found him reminiscing about simpler times: the house he once rented with its own basketball court, or a laid-back night out with friends. Even so, Simmons, who said he couldn't recollect a single thing from the half-time segment, admitted he was completely hooked.
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"His insights, his observations, his thoughts about the league — it just doesn't matter because anything he says, I'm captivated," emphasized "The Ringer" founder.
MJ is must watch TV
Simmons has a point, and part of the reason that is the case is that over the decades, Jordan has built such an incredible aura — a myth, a legacy — that anything he touches turns intriguing. Even his most ordinary stories feel magnetic when he tells them.
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"He (Jordan) told some story about renting a house that had a basketball court. I don't even know what happened and I was just nodding like, "Yeah, this is great," said Simmons.
Bill even joked that next time Mike shows up, he could talk about ordering a medium-rare steak, sipping two glasses of Pinot Noir and paying the check and fans, himself included, would still hang on every word.
"Could watch him talk about anything, " Simmons summed up.
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It's safe to say Simmons will tune in next week when Jordan returns. He reportedly will discuss load management in today's NBA and why he himself always tried to play all 82 games each season. After that, "MJ: Insights to Excellence" will continue airing weekly throughout the year.
Even though Simmons suspects much of it is pre-taped — probably a two-hour sit-down with Tirico that NBC chopped into segments — he doesn't mind at all. In fact, he thinks His Airness might be the first guest on a pregame or halftime show where he says, "I literally don't care what he says."
"I just like having him around. It's just nice to have MJ," Simmons addedand it's hard to disagree.
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After all, it's not every day you get arguably the greatest basketball player of all time breaking down X's and O's. And even if the analysis might get a little dull here and there, remember — it's not about what's said but who's saying it: a six-time NBA champion, five-time MVP and 14-time All-Star.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Oct 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
