Damn. You're right. I see how I was led astray: Blue....technicolor....mediocre.....Jon Casey had the technicolor 5 hole.
I still have an autographed mini stick signed by John Blue though. So there's that.
Carry on.
Damn. You're right. I see how I was led astray: Blue....technicolor....mediocre.....Jon Casey had the technicolor 5 hole.
I still have an autographed mini stick signed by John Blue though. So there's that.
Carry on.
He was "Surfin" Johnny Blue, because I think he got injured surfing in Honduras or something like that.Damn. You're right. I see how I was led astray: Blue....technicolor....mediocre.....
to be fair, not a lot of well laid out sports websites out there any more. ESPN.com used to be good, SI sucked and now is copying neu-ESPN.com. NBCSports.com is meh. CBS Sportsline meh. TSN? Local sports websites?And it is worth mentioning that ESPN's website did everything to drive traffic away from its website. ESPN was literally one of my first bookmarks in the late 90s. I was visiting the site daily but it wore me down with a terrible interface and an extremely difficult site to surf. I haven't been to the site in years. And if you don't count Grantland, it's been almost a decade.
To lose a customer who is in the habit of using your service is hard to do. ESPN found a way, though.
as a sports fan, I would pay for a sports only bundle: ESPN, NBCSN, CBSSN, NFLN, MLBN any channel that is carrying sports. unfortunately, scripted has drifted past meRight. It sucks. They could have had an espn network set up that had espn classic, everything they offer as well as their live offerings for $9.99 a month
in the interview with Julia Boorstin, BS said they wanted to build their own. they just don't have the capital to invest in it now. I'm sure it's cheaper to try out what the new media companies are trying to do and his own team can learn from themEvery media company (as opposed to media personalities/"influencers") is a tech company today whether they want to be or not. You have to be. It's how you get to people's eyes and ears. The analogy that comes to mind is how Wal-Mart has one of the best, most forward-looking tech shops in the country--it's what you do, everything else comes from that core.
The Ringer's decision to partner with Medium, which is a failing tech company, was always weird to me. Vox makes a hell of a lot more sense.
Not sure how this helps them then or now or how that's their biggest mistake.I think they should have invested in a Silicon Valley office, I think that was their biggest mistake.
If only there was some analysis on all of this in this thread somewhere. Oh well.Bill was at a tech conference and said some silly things: http://deadspin.com/bill-simmons-says-espns-biggest-mistake-was-not-having-1795732523
Not sure how this helps them then or now or how that's their biggest mistake.
I like Bill as much as anyone but he has been saying a lot of dumb stuff lately. His take Monday was that Kyrie gets so hot that NOBODY makes threes like he does when he is hot, not even Steph Curry. It's the kind of dumb SAS take that he would normally make fun of.Bill was at a tech conference and said some silly things: http://deadspin.com/bill-simmons-says-espns-biggest-mistake-was-not-having-1795732523
Not sure how this helps them then or now or how that's their biggest mistake.
Also, his Finals predictions were laughably bad. His main thesis was that this Cavs teams knows deep down that they beat this Warriors team in the Finals last year in their building. That Warriors team is not this current team. They added Kevin Durant. Feel free to throw that feeling completely out.
I also enjoyed his "the Cavs can win because Kyrie thinks he's better than Curry" take. Good for Kryie that he has confidence, I guess, but one problem for the Cavs is that Kyrie is not actually better than Curry, no matter what Kyrie thinks.I like Bill as much as anyone but he has been saying a lot of dumb stuff lately. His take Monday was that Kyrie gets so hot that NOBODY makes threes like he does when he is hot, not even Steph Curry. It's the kind of dumb SAS take that he would normally make fun of.
Agreed. There are plenty of players who think they're better than they are or that they're better than some other star or rival, but it doesn't make it so. How do we know Kyrie actually thinks this? Body language? I haven't seen any quotes to back this up. I'm sure he wants to prove his worth but most star players feel this way.* Bill needs Zach to hold him in check on things like this.I also enjoyed his "the Cavs can win because Kyrie thinks he's better than Curry" take. Good for Kryie that he has confidence, I guess, but one problem for the Cavs is that Kyrie is not actually better than Curry, no matter what Kyrie thinks.
But what if Curry thinks that he's better than Irving? Does that mean GS wins?I also enjoyed his "the Cavs can win because Kyrie thinks he's better than Curry" take. Good for Kryie that he has confidence, I guess, but one problem for the Cavs is that Kyrie is not actually better than Curry, no matter what Kyrie thinks.
It depends on who's more scared of Edgar Renteria.But what if Curry thinks that he's better than Irving? Does that mean GS wins?
What this quote is referring to was the first time I started to think, "You know, maybe Bill Simmons isn't the deep sports thinker that I thought he was."It depends on who's more scared of Edgar Renteria.
Also Big Lebowski because everyone's seen it and likes it too much. Much like The Wire until he actually watched it and then wondered why others weren't.BTW, I decided that Simmons wasn't the pop culture deep thinker is when he said he never saw a Simpsons episode because "It was a cartoon, and as a rule, cartoons aren't funny."
Wow reading it again you have to take a deep breath to get past the stupid.BTW, I decided that Simmons wasn't the pop culture deep thinker is when he said he never saw a Simpsons episode because "It was a cartoon, and as a rule, cartoons aren't funny."
Where are you reading this?Wow reading it again you have to take a deep breath to get past the stupid.
Watching that complete mediocrity plug Silicon Valley buzzwords into a speech like he's Doug Rushkoff or something is fucking hilarious.
Which part, the techno-babble stuff? Earlier in the thread here--I was definitely exaggerating to make a dumb joke, none of what he said was so bad.Where are you
Where are you reading this?
Reminds me of my evolution on Perry Farrell. During my teenage years I always figured he was a super deep poet and I never really re-examined that. Then a few years ago I saw him on reality tv - Rock Wives (?) - and he seemed like a total airhead. I started re-reviewing lyrics and stuff like "Standing in the Shower Thinking" suddenly started to come across as pretty dopey.What this quote is referring to was the first time I started to think, "You know, maybe Bill Simmons isn't the deep sports thinker that I thought he was."
I felt like Mr. Burns when he found out that Homer Simpson wasn't the deft deal maker he made him out to be in the "So Long Dental Plan!" episode.
He makes this stupid ass take about everyone. "I think that when John Wall gets on the court and looks at Chris Paul...he REALLY thinks he's better".I also enjoyed his "the Cavs can win because Kyrie thinks he's better than Curry" take. Good for Kryie that he has confidence, I guess, but one problem for the Cavs is that Kyrie is not actually better than Curry, no matter what Kyrie thinks.
He's also become the very thing he used to make fun of. As someone mentioned up thread, the more airtime he gives himself the more "hot takes" he makes. The type of things that he would destroy Stephen A for saying, he makes every time he appears on a podcast.I still think he lost about 40-50% of what made him funny and interesting when he first went to ESPN and was no longer allowed to make fun of sports media.
Absolutely. Between that, his devotion to goofball (at times idiotic) theories, and increasingly outdated pop-culture references, I find little desire to read him.He's also become the very thing he used to make fun of. As someone mentioned up thread, the more airtime he gives himself the more "hot takes" he makes. The type of things that he would destroy Stephen A for saying, he makes every time he appears on a podcast.
He also used to talk about how it was important to him to remain afar from the locker room/clubhouse because he wanted to remain objective and that he had witnessed other journalists shift their opinions on athletes due to how much they liked or disliked them. I think his takes on Kevin Durant (and numerous podcasts with him) show that he's definitely lost sight of that
based on ESPN's shake up today (http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/06/16/ESPN.aspx) John Skipper finally replaced himselfI actually watched the video of the interview today. And I take back a little of what I said with respect to techno babble. Simmons is generally pretty evenhanded and his criticisms of ESPN are more that Skipper was great at his job overseeing content and that when he moved into the business role no one really replaced what he brought to the content side of things.
He also said a few things I thought were smart: that ESPN is taking all this heat for broadcast rights thing but that those deals are the biggest assets they have and would do them a hundred times over if they could. And he mentioned that notwithstanding everyone dancing on their grave that he thinks ESPN will ultimately be fine – that while they might not be an $8B business any longer they will still be a $6B business and that's hardly Blockbuster on its last legs.
Zooming out a bit, I actually got the sense that Simmons may finally be getting past his anger toward the WWL. As much as he left guns blazing, I have to believe that he probably ate a bit of humble pie with Any Given Wednesday being canceled and the somewhat slow uptake with the Ringer (and now switch over to Vox). As he tries to find his footing, you can see why he might not be as judgmental toward the ESPN layoffs as some – there's just a ton of transition in media right now and no one is immune. And while he's obsessively focused on developing good content (the one area where he did sound like an industry schmo), it's not so clear where it will be living 5-7 years from now.
In some ways I wouldn't be surprised if he's actually been talking to folks at ESPN – there may be more of a mutual fit there some time in the future than you might think.
It was good since Durant is really smart.Anyone listen to the pod today w Durant? The first two he did with KD were tremendous.
This is super-judgmental and probably exposes me as an overprotective parent, but I continue to be amazed by the shit he allows his kids to watch. His 9 year-old is watching "Daddy's Home" and "Step Brothers?" Really?Snark aside, the Will Ferrell podcast is fantastic.
Movie choices aside, it sounds like Sporty Simmons is actually a great dad, but I too (not a father, btw) find myself 'judging' the choices he makes on movies. What's also weird, is the amount of times he seems to off-handedly mentions movies he 'allows' his kids watch... almost like he's proud or trying to sound cool?This is super-judgmental and probably exposes me as an overprotective parent, but I continue to be amazed by the shit he allows his kids to watch. His 9 year-old is watching "Daddy's Home" and "Step Brothers?" Really?
This was painful. Complaining about Avery Bradley at 19? That was a brilliant fucking pick. Would he rather have James Anderson, Elliot Williams or Dominique Jones (the SGs who went immediately after Bradley)?Listening to him complain about Danny successfully drafting good role players like Tony Allen late in the first round did not make great listening. Really the whole podcast fell apart once Kevin O'Connor left.
I assume it had to do with the recent ESPN org announcement linked above. The guy promoted to EVP of Content was the other guy who came up with the 30 for 30 idea, so I imagine it had to do with corporate politics of some sort.What was the reference to his Dad not reading ESPN about? At first, I assumed related to Bill's firing, but as they innuendo-ed further, I got the sense it was about something more topical/recent.
ESPN.com actually had an interesting 'piece' today that assessed the best picks in each slot [1-60] in NBA Draft history. The methodology is based on career win shares. By this measure, Al Jefferson is the third best pick at 15 of all time. Even when Kawhi passes him, he's safely in 4th place. Somehow, Ryan Gomes is the 4th best 50th pick of all time.It was insane. He was questioning Delonte at 24 who was pretty solid for a few years and Tony Allen who is still in the league 13 years later, made three All NBA 1st team Defense and two 2nd Team All Defense at 25! He begrudgingly admitted Al Jefferson was a good pick for 15. Also he wanted to get Jahlil Okafor because at least he's a low post presence.
He seems like a nice guy and he can be pretty funny when not complaining about Boston sports but most of the time he comes off as no better than a WEEI caller.
Most people set the bar ridiculously high when determining whether or not someone is a good drafter.ESPN.com actually had an interesting 'piece' today that assessed the best picks in each slot [1-60] in NBA Draft history. The methodology is based on career win shares. By this measure, Al Jefferson is the third best pick at 15 of all time. Even when Kawhi passes him, he's safely in 4th place. Somehow, Ryan Gomes is the 4th best 50th pick of all time.
http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/19657372/the-best-picks-every-nba-draft-slot
That's really interesting thanks. I'll read through that. As a PC/Celtics fan who once drunkenly shook Ryan Gomes' hand in a McDonalds I could be convinced he was better than Steve Kerr. Not really but Gomes is exactly what you should hope for around 50.ESPN.com actually had an interesting 'piece' today that assessed the best picks in each slot [1-60] in NBA Draft history. The methodology is based on career win shares. By this measure, Al Jefferson is the third best pick at 15 of all time. Even when Kawhi passes him, he's safely in 4th place. Somehow, Ryan Gomes is the 4th best 50th pick of all time.
http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/19657372/the-best-picks-every-nba-draft-slot