Sports Guy's Man-Crush on KD

by Kahuna on Jan 17, 2007 12:55 PM CST Comment 16 comments

Looks like Bill Simmons agrees with PB and thinks Durant can be the next savior of basketball.

After last night's performance, I think I agree as well.

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Am I the only person...

who finds Simmons to be the biggest asshat? I'll concede he's kind of funny sometimes, but his whole operation stinks of him wanting to be the person who says, "See, I told you so, I told you such and such would happen."

If I were a Suns fan and I had to read Simmons (an avid Celtics and Clip fan) gush over MY Suns, I'd be pretty pissed.

The annoying part is when Durant starts dominating the L, we'll get to read countless Simmons articles where he'll quote back to his articles in 2006 where he professed his love for Durant. The issue I have with this is anyone with two eyes and a funcitoning knowledge of the game can see what the 'prophetic' Simmons sees.

Plus I hate his guts because he doens't watch college football. Dick.

by trot on Jan 17, 2007 1:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Don't hate the sports guy, hate the game

Honestly, I think we're all just jealous as hell and would give our left nuts to be getting paid that kind of money for what we're basically doing on this site everyday for free.

Simmons' rise from his beginnings as a Boston sports pundit is fascinating. He really is a conundrum. He's in his late 30's and much of his schtick references Gen X pop culture, but I'd argue that it's Gen Y that gives him his clout and leverage to challenge the established ESPN hierarchy and accredited sports media of the day.

I've enjoyed many of the articles over the years and his following is huge, but he definitely lost something when he moved to LA. It may also have something to do with the fact that he recently became a dad. He's lost that "Tucker Max," 20-something, single, post-college, bad-ass, chick ogling, chauvinistic mentality that made him so popular in the first place.

He seems like he's lost his edge to some extent and you can tell he's desperately trying to hold on by the preponderance of reader mailbags he does. In an ironic twist of fate, he's now dependent on the same reader base that used to hang on his every word.

But you can't make your fate as a Gonzo-Journalist and then expect people to hold you in the same regard as the respected sports journalist of the day. Simmons problem is he wants to be loved and revered by the both the young and old guard. Unfortunately, in his attempt to appeal to everyone, he's become relevant to no one.

Also, you alluded to the fact that he doesn't really follow college football. I think that's another really big problem for Simmons. Sports fans are getting much more specialized. This blog being a prime example. Why read a guy who writes a little about every team when you can read many guys who write about the one or two teams you're most interested in. Which is ironic considering Simmons became popular because he mainly focused on Boston sports teams but had to branch out in order to work for ESPN.com.

My guess is his popularity will continue to erode to a certain extent as his Gen Y readers find a new idol to commit too. Though, while I'm sure there are tons of Simmons imitators waiting in the wings, we've yet to see one really step up. So who knows, maybe he's the Gen X version of Rick Reilly. And though we Gen Xers don't have the numbers that Gen Y does, we'll probably remain pretty loyal to him and keep him fat and happy.

by 54b on Jan 17, 2007 2:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll agree with you

in that Simmons has to straddle that line of appearing hip and young while being readily accessibly to the masses. He does it poorly, but it is indeed a tough job.

I just get the feeling that all his writing has an agenda, and that's to be the first to discover something new - be it Vince Young (who he finally realized is the ultimate winner around week 12 this year), or Kevin Durant, or the next big TV drama or reality show.

But while I wouldn't trade a nut, I would maybe trade both pinkie toes for his job. It is pretty sweet.

by trot on Jan 17, 2007 4:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I get that

I think the reason he tries to pass himself off as some sort of a Sport Writing Magellan is because it's his depth of sports knowledge that keeps him on top, not his jokes. So if he can pass himself off as an authority of some sort or be recognized as the first to do discover some talent or come up with some theory by his peers, he can keep his gig. Once he loses his position as an authority, than he's just another sports bum like the rest of us because writes in a vacuum. He doesn't beat the pavement like most writers.

I also don't like it when he tries to come off as self-deprecating or like he's above all the LA materialism and superficiality. He obviously relishes it, otherwise he wouldn't be living in the most plastic city on Earth in the first place.

I think he moved there so he could do both ESPN and the Jimmy Kimmel show, but he quit the Kimmel Show. Yet he stayed in LA.
Gee, wonder why.

by 54b on Jan 17, 2007 5:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Great analysis all around

54b, I think you really nailed it: namely, that the entire way we follow our sports teams on the internet has changed, and Bill's lagging behind.

We don't read one guy who knows a little about a lot - we read a host of our favorite writers who know a lot about the few things we like.

Further - and you were getting at this too - Bill is the one who opened the door for bloggers. He was sort of the first guy to do this, and to do it well, and to be successful at it. What's most strange is that he treats bloggers and specialized, semi-anonymous internet writers like creepy folk who are beneath him. It makes no sense. Bill's the most successful sports blogger of all time. Yet he disdains sports bloggers? C'mon, Bill.

I think you're right, 54b. He's settled down, got a kid, is growing up, and getting just a little out of touch. His retreat is disappointing, but makes sense. My best guess is he finishes out his contract with ESPN and then hides for a while, writing solo stuff on his own. Probably movies.

by PB @ BON on Jan 17, 2007 6:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You really shouldn't trade those

they say it throws off your balance.

by bamfor on Jan 17, 2007 7:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Simmons is...

In MAN LOVE with KD. I don't think he could get any more creepy. Watch out for him showing up at games, blowing him kisses. Oh well, KD could be the next Larry Bird and it wouldn't make me mad.

by txnpwrlifter on Jan 17, 2007 1:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Whatever

I'll take the press. This is good for KD AND Texas BBall.

by whoopspat on Jan 17, 2007 1:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Wait...

Simmons gives props all the time to bloggers, and he mentions how the media landscape has changed quite frequently.

Writing for ESPN.com will dull anybody's wit--it's an extremely corporate company, and I'm sure he has to walk a very fine tightrope with his editors.

I still think he's awesome for no other reason than he gives love to Austin ALL the time, and is acute enough to realize that Durants is something special.

What's there to complain about??

Btw, he's right about the Suns. The product they put on the floor every night is remarkable and may not be matched (in terms of entertainment value at least) for years and years. All basketball fans (at least ones with lots of time on their hands) should take every opportunity imaginable to watch them.

by Blitzburgh on Jan 17, 2007 6:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Um

You should probably read this.

by PB @ BON on Jan 17, 2007 7:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Read it

And completely agree with Simmons. He's talking about the number of people out there who live to just shit on everything they can because they have a blog. I think it's ridiculous, too, and I avoid those sites like the plague.

Plus he admits to losing a bit of an edge due to ESPN. Personally, I look forward to both his columns every week. He's a good writer who knows his stuff. Of course, I don't have any kind of axe to grind, either.

by Jason Mayer on Jan 17, 2007 7:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, but...

There's a decided lack of distinction between anonymous mud-slinging blogging and guys out there doing EXACTLY what he's doing. He throws half a bone to the editor of Deadspin, saying he's a "pretty good writer," but falls well short of noting the parallels between what thousands of competent folks out there are doing that's exactly what he does.

If anything, he should be the proud father of all this. But he's sort of above it... which leaves a lot of folks scratching their heads, wondering, "Wait... what's the difference between you and me?"

Simmons is very good at what he does. It mystifies me, however, that he's so skeptical of the many folks that do exactly what he does.

For the record, I don't have an axe to grind here, either. What Simmons and BON do are very different. But take 54b - what he does is precisely what Simmons does. In many cases funnier. Certainly more relevant to my tastes. But Simmons dismisses him out of hand, by dismissing bloggers as a whole.

It's silly. And he's a smart dude - he should know better.

by PB @ BON on Jan 17, 2007 9:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i don't know

SI: What about blogs? BS: I do get a little concerned about this whole blog thing. I love it, obviously, and I love the spirit of it and I think a lot of good can come from it. But at the same time, there's really no accountability and it's become like the Wild West. People posting these stories like, "My girlfriend banged Kenny Rogers last night and there's a picture."

I guess I'm reading it incorrectly because I don't see where he dismisses bloggers as a whole. He did say that he doesn't read a lot of it, but I don't see that as a dismissal nor a condemnation. I think what he expresses about blogs is accurate. Because for every BON or similar site, there are about five that are highly questionable, unfunny, tasteless, or irresponsible with people relishing the fact they can hide behind anonymous monikers. But I'm not here to become the defender of Bill Simmons. I just fail to see where a lot of the hate comes from. He's watching all Texas games because he wants to watch Durant and hopes his Celtics can draft him, but that's just another example of him trying to be first in discovering him or something like that. I don't get it and I fail to see the point in trying to tear down a sportswriter of all things. If you like him, then read him. If not, then don't. But I don't know why he should become the champion of all sports blogs.

by Jason Mayer on Jan 17, 2007 9:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

my fault

i meant to break up that second paragraph, but my html coding got all screwed up. i apologize.

by Jason Mayer on Jan 17, 2007 9:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Fair

Fair points all around, as always, Jason.

There are other instances of him being sort of highfalutin about the whole enterprise of blogging. And, more to the point, I think he's proven himself a highly, highly intelligent person and writer. He's had ample opportunity to make that distinction, and failed to do so on numerous occasions. He's literally snobby about all the folks out there doing what he's doing.

I'll note, too, that I'm not trying to tear him down. I read his columns every week. I think he's the best NBA writer that I've ever seen. Period. And it's not close. I think he's the most acceptable non-wonk baseball writer that I've ever read. I think he's a wickedly talented writer. Very insightful. Delightfully creative.

I just fail to understand his lack of leadership or foresight on blogging and the Voice Of The Fan (which is what this is all about). He's proven himself - over and over - to be on the forefront of issue after issue in sports and, yes, sports journalism. But his commentary on blogging is decidedly without nuance, surprisingly shallow, and without appreciation (at least explicit appreciation) of how the entire vehicle by which we follow our teams is changing.

It's just odd. And out of character.

And disappointing.

by PB @ BON on Jan 17, 2007 9:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Tough to be an original all the time

One last comments about Simmons...I think he's victime of his own success. He's a lot like those bands that come out with a great first album, but then can't keep it up.

His early stuff set the bar so high that now his readers expect a certain level or originality every time they click on his page. So when he writes what I call his Schtickless or straight sports pieces, there is invariably some backlash.

He's human like the rest of us. It's nearly impossible to pump out an extremely original piece 3 or 4 times a week. And if you read enough of Simmons, you'll spot his crutches easily. He references the same pop culture a lot and sometimes I don't think he'd be able to write if the Rocky and Karate Kid movies were never made.

But I still respect what he's done and empathize with his struggle to stay relevant. It's impossible to win in a "what have you done for me lately" world unless you die trying. As long as you're alive, you're just another rat in the race.

I just wish Simmons would stop trying to be a cross between Hunter S. Thompson and Frank Deford and just be The Sports Guy.

by 54b on Jan 18, 2007 9:25 AM CST reply actions 0 recs