I am working on a TMQR (no really I am), but then I saw this on Deadspin and I couldn't not cross-post it here. It's both sad and super entertaining. Bill Simmons, self-appointed god of all that is sports, has successfully annoyed the shit out of one of the 5 greatest NBA players ever. Was Magic a great analyst? No, but he wasn't horrible either. He was kind of good. More importantly, did he add legitimacy to ESPN's programming in a way that can't be easily replaced? Yyyyyup. But hey, at least Doug Collins is on board for the coming season. So ESPN can take solace in the fact that an all time great player is gone, but he's been replaced with a top 1000 all time player whose career coaching record is a mild shade over .500 and who couldn't get the late 80s Bulls past the conference finals.
On the plus side, Simmons had the good sense to kick Wilbon's condescending ass to the curb. So that's nice. As I've said before, I loved the way Wilbon talked down to Simmons on NBA Countdown because Simmons deserves that kind of treatment, but it didn't make Wilbon any less detestable overall. If I were Simmons, I would have had Wilbon fired before last season. Wilbon is a twat.
I see Doris is white, so she should be a good fit with Dougie and Bill. Maybe the shadow prez can also get House on board so Bill will feel even more comfortable when debating cornrows and dreds with Jalen.
ReplyDeleteHilarious story. I can't wait to see how many more viewers they get with a panel that is crafted for the NBA's target demographic.
ReplyDeleteCeltics analysis kicking off coverage every night? Who says no???
This might not be popular, but I think Collins is a way better analyst than Magic. I wish you could have both Collins and Magic on there and lose Simmons, but in terms of information and insight provided, I think Collins is much better. I've always enjoyed his TV work, way more than his coaching anyway.
ReplyDeleteIm sorry but Magic was perhaps the worst analyst I ever heard. He was absolutely horrible. Just because he was a great player doesn't make him a good analyst, just like Doug Collins being an average coach doesn't make him a bad analyst.
ReplyDeleteCollins is way, way better than Magic as an analyst.
Guys, can't we all just agree that Wilbon is a twat?
ReplyDeleteIf you've never read Michael Leahy's take on Wilbon in When Nothing Else Matters: MJ's Last Comeback, please do so; it's the best account of Wilbon's toolishness (by a then-colleague, which makes it even more enjoyable)
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