NBA Off Topic

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: NBA Off Topic

Calling Bill Simmons a douche because Simmons said he isn't crazy about the Mavericks newest frontcourt additions?

Simmons isn't allowed to criticize moves now? What the hell does that make all of us on OS who criticize whatever about the NBA?

Simmons is a sports writer. That's his job. Analyzing moves? His job. And he entertains as he does it. He's one of the best sports writers in the world. Chris Kaman? He's a seven-footer who, even if he is a decently skilled player, owes his place in the NBA to his height. And he's mad at Simmons for judging his basketball ability? You serious?

The standards for Sports Journalism have been lowered significantly if Bill Simmons of all people is considered one of the "best Sports Writers in the World".

[mKoz26]

Re: NBA Off Topic

The standards for Sports Journalism have been lowered significantly if Bill Simmons of all people is considered one of the "best Sports Writers in the World".

Just in terms of writing.

Not reporting, interviewing, investigating, or commentating.

Who do you prefer?

[DieHardYankee26]

Re: NBA Off Topic

Juwan Howard has been a joke for nearly a decade (Since 04-05). Jokes about him are not jokes, but FACTS.

That's sig worthy

[wwharton]

Re: NBA Off Topic

Kaman's not nearly as good at what he does as Simmons is at what he does.

And Kaman's 7' tall, i.e. incredibly talented by genetics.

Funny, but Kaman comes off as a douche.

Really? There are only a handful of people good enough to be starting NBA players. We can break them down all we want from our couches, but I think it's a stretch to say the man isn't good at his job (DukeC posted his stats). At worse it's a push, and Kaman may have height but he doesn't have the luxury of throwing out garbage for a reaction to gain/maintain relevance.

[mKoz26]

Re: NBA Off Topic

Really? There are only a handful of people good enough to be starting NBA players. We can break them down all we want from our couches, but I think it's a stretch to say the man isn't good at his job (DukeC posted his stats). At worse it's a push, and Kaman may have height but he doesn't have the luxury of throwing out garbage for a reaction to gain/maintain relevance.

Are you confusing Bill Simmons with Skip Bayless?

Serious question.

[SteelersFreak]

Re: NBA Off Topic

I missed the part of Kaman's career when he was only in the league because of his height.

Ryan Hollins is only in the league because of his height, Brendan Haywood is only in the league because of his height, Chris Kaman averaged EIGHTEEN points a game and made an All-Star team at points in his career, you don't do that by just being 7 feet tall.

[RedSceptile]

Re: NBA Off Topic

For what it's worth, I'm a douche, I'm ok with it, I accept who I am.

[mKoz26]

Re: NBA Off Topic

I missed the part of Kaman's career when he was only in the league because of his height.

Ryan Hollins is only in the league because of his height, Brendan Haywood is only in the league because of his height, Chris Kaman averaged EIGHTEEN points a game and made an All-Star team at points in his career, you don't do that by just being 7 feet tall.

Kaman is not in the league if he's 6'7". That's what I'm saying. If he wasn't a freak by genetics, he wouldn't be anywhere near the NBA. If somebody wants to criticize what he does/has done with his talent, I don't have an issue with it.

Now, if Kaman were a 6' PG with excellent skills (shooting, handling, awareness, etc.), I wouldn't say anything. When you're 7' tall, you only need so much skill to do well in basketball. Stop acting like you're better than everybody and above criticism just because you play in the NBA. You're there in largest part due to genetics.

/minirant

For what it's worth, I'm a douche, I'm ok with it, I accept who I am.

lol

I am too. That's not the point right now.

[DieHardYankee26]

Re: NBA Off Topic

For what it's worth, I'm a douche, I'm ok with it, I accept who I am.

I think there's a thin line between being a douche and giving constructive criticism. And as a fan, we basically live on that line, and can go either way depending on how our teams our doing.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: NBA Off Topic

Just in terms of writing.

Not reporting, interviewing, investigating, or commentating.

Who do you prefer?

I prefer the douches and ***holes(myself included) of OS over that clown Simmons.

But then again, I've never been fan of Simmons or his Grantland stuff.

[DieHardYankee26]

Re: NBA Off Topic

Kaman is not in the league if he's 6'7". That's what I'm saying. If he wasn't a freak by genetics, he wouldn't be anywhere near the NBA. If somebody wants to criticize what he does/has done with his talent, I don't have an issue with it.

There's no way for any of us to know that. If he was 6'7 he may have just developed a different set of skills. Too many hypotheticals to say that definitively.

[mKoz26]

Re: NBA Off Topic

There's no way for any of us to know that. If he was 6'7 he may have just developed a different set of skills. Too many hypotheticals to say that definitively.

Well, regardless, he didn't earn his height, and it's his greatest asset as a basketball player.

He needs to be appreciative of that rather than acting like he's above criticism.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: NBA Off Topic

What do you THINK his skillset would've been if he was 6'7?

Serious question.

[SteelersFreak]

Re: NBA Off Topic

Well, regardless, he didn't earn his height, and it's his greatest asset as a basketball player.

He needs to be appreciative of that rather than acting like he's above criticism.

Except Simmons didn't actually criticize him, he was just being an *******.

You're acting like Simmons got up on ESPN and broke down all the things that are wrong with Chris Kaman's game and Kaman turned around and called him a douche. No, Simmons decided to be a smartass on Twitter instead and Kaman called him a douche. I might do the same thing.

[mKoz26]

Re: NBA Off Topic

What do you THINK his skillset would've been if he was 6'7?

Serious question.

Like DHY said, there's no way of knowing, but from what I've seen, kids on that relative growth track tend to build a center's skillset because it can carry them through high school and possibly into college with a scholarship. I know plenty of tall guys who are playing ball in college (6'3" to 6'7") who didn't put nearly as much into their game as the 5'9" PG, but are having their college paid for because they have more potential. It's different when the player is incredibly skilled through hard work. (obvious example is Hakeem Olajuwon

Except Simmons didn't actually criticize him, he was just being an *******.

You're acting like Simmons got up on ESPN and broke down all the things that are wrong with Chris Kaman's game and Kaman turned around and called him a douche. No, Simmons decided to be a smartass on Twitter instead and Kaman called him a douche. I might do the same thing.

Simmons was being as ******* by questioning the Mavs' adding Kaman and Brand? He didn't make it personal. He didn't even aim the tweet at either of the players. Elton Brand didn't say anything (as far as I know), because age is a valid question for both players Simmons mentioned (which is essentially what he commented on by mentioning 2006).

I'd cringe at whatever words LeBron might get to rightfully say to you after your various "criticisms" of him. Same with me and Carlos Boozer. Or everybody and Juwan Howard.

Athletes shouldn't take offense to criticisms of their game if they're even slightly based. Simmons' criticism of the Mavs' moves is obviously based in the age of the two players they picked up.