1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

The Power of Bill Simmons

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by DeAleck, Jun 29, 2013.

  1. PeppermintCandy

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2009
    Messages:
    4,388
    Likes Received:
    1,985
    Maybe but only because the fans' access to authentic information is so limited that we rely on speculators and commentators. (Personally, I wouldn't call Simmons a journalist, though his thoughts on the game can be entertaining.)

    If coaches and players really opened up about what they do to the rest of us, We wouldn't have to depend so much on these guys. But them's the breaks.
     
  2. thesonofsam

    thesonofsam Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2007
    Messages:
    954
    Likes Received:
    407
    May I ask why you keep bringing up Mel Kiper to compare to Simmons? Kiper is relevant 1 weekend out of the year and I would say has very little influence on anything. He just guesses where guys are going to get drafted. He has not created a media empire like Simmons. If you dont like the guy (which is pretty obvious) that is fine but to say the guy has no influence or relevancy in sports media these days is laughable.
     
  3. da_juice

    da_juice Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2009
    Messages:
    9,315
    Likes Received:
    1,070
    I really liked his book of basketball, some good stuff. I hate how ESPN bought out most of the good competition for basketball coverage, especially because it always seems like they're in bed with the NBA (ESPN reporters seem less critical of Stern and the owners, ESPN uses its sway in free agency).
     
  4. cjtaylorpt

    cjtaylorpt Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2009
    Messages:
    3,744
    Likes Received:
    210
    I believe Morey has done a lot for putting Houston on the map, but Bill Simmons has done a great job making the public recognize it. I think it is a contributing factor to our contention in the Dwight chase. No, I do not think it will make or break us. However, Dwight cares a lot about public image and Bill plants a lot of seeds into the viewer's mind. He talks a lot about how great Morey is and what he is trying to build.

    The reason I bring that up, is because I do think he has an influence past just "journalism" and someone talking about basketball. I am agreeing with the OP on a lot of things.
     
  5. parksn306

    parksn306 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2012
    Messages:
    1,158
    Likes Received:
    40
    I started reading Bill Simmons in like 1999. Personally I think his stuff was a LOT better then (less regulations, more irreverent, a lot funnier and fresher, apparently his pre-ESPN stuff was so full of "inappropriate material" that he systematically removed all of it from the internet), but it's hard not to be impressed by him.

    He's lived every fan's dream. He went from being a Boston homer, to a random blogger, to the biggest sports writer in America. And he earned every bit of success. He got big because he knew his audience and was good at his job. He totally changed the rules on how to become a successful sports writer (he got hated on at every step of his career by the traditional sports media) and did such a great job of understanding how to use new technology. He's not only a sports media success story, but also an internet success story.

    You can hate on him all you want but you have to appreciate how he became the No.1 sports writer in America simply because he loves sports and is good at talking about it.

    If they made him the centerpiece of the countdown show, it would be A LOT better (I'm so sick of seeing him make good comments and then being ignored so everyone can get on Magic's jock, before this season he predicted that Asik might lead the league in rebounds and got laughed off the set). If you want a good read, I HIGHLY recommend hunting down his old ESPN Page 2 stuff, his Video Game Bo Jackson article is my personal favorite and should be required reading for anyone that played Tecmo Bowl growing up. If you want to watch some awesome documentaries, go get some 30 for 30's, The 2 Pablos is an AMAZING film, not just sports documentary.

    So yeah the feud with Doc is not his best moment, and I am more than disappointed with Grantland (Zach Lowe aside, I just wish Simmons would stay closer to his "roots") but I think he'll be around longer than Doc (what happens if the Clippers have yet another short post-season?) and will be studied by future generations.
     
    1 person likes this.
  6. TheRealAllpro

    TheRealAllpro Morey only fan

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2012
    Messages:
    5,842
    Likes Received:
    4,999
    With Simmons and JVG... Rockets have two homers for the rockets.
     
  7. Mr. Clutch

    Mr. Clutch Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2002
    Messages:
    46,550
    Likes Received:
    6,132
    He sucks on TV.
     
  8. DeAleck

    DeAleck Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2003
    Messages:
    3,204
    Likes Received:
    224
    He is better than anyone else on the NBA Countdown. As someone mentioned, ESPN needs to think about building the show around him and find people who can compliment him. Magic Johnson is really bad on TV, and Wilbon is painful too.
     
  9. J Sizzle

    J Sizzle Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2012
    Messages:
    43,837
    Likes Received:
    30,145
    I don't mind him. Might not be the most knowledgable dude, but he has a fan's perspective, and that's fun to listen to, at least for me.
     
  10. t_mac1

    t_mac1 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2008
    Messages:
    26,614
    Likes Received:
    211
    He's talking to Jalen Rose and Magic Johnson. What do you expect?
     
  11. 713

    713 Member

    Joined:
    May 6, 2011
    Messages:
    5,821
    Likes Received:
    926
    [​IMG]

    "When do you think we will see Derrick Rose back for the Bulls? Magic your thoughts?"

    [​IMG]

    "Derrick Rose will play when he feels comfortable to compete. Both mentally AND physically folks."

    [​IMG]

    "Have you guys ever considered with social media and Adrian Peterson's amazing comeback has made it tougher for other athletes to come back? I was thinking for every Athlete has ...."

    [​IMG]

    "If Derrick Rose is healthy he should be out there playing, Bill."

    [​IMG]

    ....

    [​IMG]

    "Lets take it to Jeff Van Gundy courtside in Miami!"
     
  12. VBG

    VBG Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2009
    Messages:
    7,990
    Likes Received:
    307
    The one who screws it up is Magic Johnson
     
  13. GoRox2013

    GoRox2013 Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2013
    Messages:
    1,981
    Likes Received:
    84
    Don't see how you'd think this guy's smart. He's a immature overly sensitive column writer that doesn't know the game of basketball
     
  14. rocketjunkie

    rocketjunkie Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2006
    Messages:
    942
    Likes Received:
    251
    He probably came close. What are doc's chances of getting Simmons fired from espn? Ha.
     
  15. ItsMyFault

    ItsMyFault Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2009
    Messages:
    15,646
    Likes Received:
    978
    His Grantland and B.S. Report podcasts are awesome. One of the funnier analysts/writers out there. Really enjoyed Grantland Live during March Madness.
     
  16. Jontro

    Jontro Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2010
    Messages:
    35,779
    Likes Received:
    24,308
    I heard Simmons once made Chuck Norris' fist hidden under his beard punch himself in the face.
     
  17. professorjay

    professorjay Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2006
    Messages:
    9,676
    Likes Received:
    388
    It's like Artis is having a totally unrelated discussion with himself in this thread.

    BTW he wrote for the Jimmy Kimmel show for a little while. He's got an impressively varied resume. I'm a fan.
     
  18. OlajuwonFan81

    OlajuwonFan81 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2008
    Messages:
    2,671
    Likes Received:
    186
    I think his podcasts are fantastic.....as far as TV goes i think he comes off nervous and unsure of himself. That whole NBA countdown show is a complete joke. They need to start from scratch and get 4 new commentators.
     
  19. Rocket Freak

    Rocket Freak Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 1999
    Messages:
    604
    Likes Received:
    160
    Don't get fired Bill!
     
  20. johnstarks

    johnstarks Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2008
    Messages:
    1,505
    Likes Received:
    65
    Tell that to Rupert Murdoch who has been the kingmaker for the past few British Prime Ministers (who all have had to kiss his ring), not to mention framing much of the debates of American presidential debates. And Murdoch has only been copying the tried and true template left by William Randolph Hearst back in the day.
     

Share This Page

  • About ClutchFans

    Since 1996, ClutchFans has been loud and proud covering the Houston Rockets, helping set an industry standard for team fan sites. The forums have been a home for Houston sports fans as well as basketball fanatics around the globe.

  • Support ClutchFans!

    If you find that ClutchFans is a valuable resource for you, please consider becoming a Supporting Member. Supporting Members can upload photos and attachments directly to their posts, customize their user title and more. Gold Supporters see zero ads!


    Upgrade Now