I obviously disagree with his opinions of Yao but I thought this was a pretty good read... Simmons article
You know, I think it is absolutely essential that we retain a record of all the anti-Yao columns for future reference. I can't wait to bring these babies back in a few years. Sweet.
Simmons cracks me up, but his experise lies in obscure B-movie actresses and other pop culture references. The fact that Bill Simmons thinks Yao will be a bust is the least of my concerns. In fact, he probably wrote most of that stuff for comedic value. It's much funnier to reference Sam Bowie than Kareem when writing the article. Love the David Byrne reference, tho.
I think that guy is absolutely hilarious. If you haven't seen his other NBA draft diaries, you need to check them out: http://espn.go.com/page2/s/simmons/010628.html http://espn.go.com/page2/s/simmons/020625.html
Simmons is quite simply the man. The one thing that people can't come to grips to: What if he is right?
And what people like you can't come to grips with is what happens when he turns out to be a star? As for being the man, if making jokes makes him "the man" the people have low standards.
What if he is wrong? He has already guaranteed everyone that Yao will fail. None of us can guarantee that Yao will be a success, but he has the good potential to be one. He compared Yao to Bowie and Bradely... so Who picked Bowie and Bradely? ?? Who picked Yao Ming? Rudy T Not hard to think who is a better talent spotter out of those three huh? -G'day-
Who picked Mirsad Turckan? Who picked Rodrick Rhodes? How can you tell me that Rudy T is a better talent spotter just because Bowie and Bradley flopped and Yao has yet to play an NBA game? Did you even read what he said about Yao Ming? "At best, Ming develops into a bigger, more athletic Rik Smits. Fine." He says Yao Ming will be a fine player, he just won't be a superstar like many other people think. I think that is a fair judgement. He might make a few A-S teams by default, as not one center will be better than him other than Duncan (Shaq will basically be in the twilight of his career when Yao's potential is realized, sometime during the end of his 2nd year, or 3rd year). Don't judge that as a compliment, but as a disrespect to the rest of the foolish players that try and pose as NBA centers.
Uhh, you don't "come to grips" with things that MIGHT happen. You come to grips with things that HAVE happened, that you don't want to accept. I don't think people have a problem admitting that it is possible that Ming could bust. Anything is possible. What people have problems with is that many writers bash on Yao and claim he will be no better than Shawn Bradley when they have no logic, facts or proof of any kind to back up that statement outside (maybe) of mention that Manute Bol existed.
Here's another Simmons-like rant.. It's got the obligatory Shawn Bradley comparison, but there are still some laughs. By the way, has anyone found a link to a shot fo Casey Jakes' date? I missed the draft on TV ...
He didn't say Yao was Shawn Bradley. He said Yao--best case--is a bigger more athletic Rik Smits. I don't think thats the "best case" but I think its the most realistic assessment of him right now. "b) that after next season, you can use all of the cap room you cleared by getting rid of Camby and Mark Jackson to re-sign McMonster or go after Duncan or Kidd …" That is not a Simmons-like rant. That is a moron speaking.
I was thinking the exact same thing. I would love to keep a track of every person who thinks he's going to be a dominant big man, and bring them back up in 2 years. Sweet.
As Long as we're spreading doubt, and misinformation, what about the "fact" that Yao is a certified martial arts master. Word is that part of the Rockets agreement with China is to send Charles Barkley to conduct a private clinic to teach the Chinese National team his Shaq take-down. And that's a "fact," Jack. Oooooooh!
The infamous Shaq take down... brings a smile to my face every time I think about it... The whole league should be schooled in that one move! Shaq's punk statement though that he's prepared to give Yao an elbow to the nose when simply asked what he thought about the future draft pick was about as low down a statement as can be made. I hope Yao makes him pay for that comment.
By that statement, you, infact, showed that you are one. They didn't poke fun at the Knicks, they are just too ignorant to realize that the Knicks can't go after Kidd or Duncan unless a VERY stupid team takes off much, much more salary than what McDyess will in 2004 (he isn't opting out after next year).
Dude, you need to calm waaaaaay down and quit calling people names. I never said I agreed with the column or that it was an accurate predicter of the future. The columnist says, "To all the people chanting "Fire Layden," realize a) how much better your squad is right now by adding McDyess and Frank Williams and b) that after next season, you can use all of the cap room you cleared by getting rid of Camby and Mark Jackson to re-sign McMonster or go after Duncan or Kidd" So, you're right, he's not making fun of the Knicks. He's actually making fun of Knick fans. He's using an absurd assumption (that they could sign Duncan or Kidd), but he's still poking fun. How is he not poking fun? And all I was pointing out was that it was amusing that you went to great lengths to defend Simmons' column but jumped all over another columnist when he joked about Knick basketball. I even included a smiley to show you it was all in good fun. Yet that somehow makes me a moron. Whatever.
