NBA Off Topic

[wwharton]

Re: NBA Off Topic

Are you confusing Bill Simmons with Skip Bayless?

Serious question.

Honestly, I wouldn't even acknowledge your post with a response if you were defending Bayless like this. I might actually put you on ignore for that, lol.

Simmons is good at his job... there are a number of people better. If we look at the entire population, even limiting to this country, he's in an elite %.

To suggest that Kaman isn't in the same situation at the VERY least is laughable. I don't care how tall he is. Just being 7 foot does not get you an NBA contract. The 7 footers in the league are freak athletes, especially considering their height. And there are an unlimited number of 7 footers buried on benches or quickly out of the league, and have been for as long as I've been watching basketball. This guy you're talking about is a starter on 90% of the teams in the league for most of his career, has been an all star, and considering he's a center is easily top 10 at his position. I give him more props for what he is able to do, regardless of hype, than I ever would Simmons or most sports writers.

Not a knock on writers, just a ton of respect for what it takes to be a quality professional athlete.

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




lol

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

just so far from the truth. That may be true in high school, and I'm sure any 7 footer can find one of the 200 colleges to give them a shot to sit on the bench. But it takes a ton of skill to post the numbers Kaman has as a starter in the NBA.

[wwharton]

Re: NBA Off Topic

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


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.

Yeah, you're looking at the wrong level. I've had a ton of experience with high school and college players... neither come anywhere close to even deserve mention with pro athletes. Even the highest level of college doesn't assure you of even getting drafted in the pros, let alone put up the numbers Kaman has. And that's not how kids develop across the board either. Bad coaching has some kids lacking skills bc they had an early growth spurt. Other kids just don't want it as much. There are other examples too but they get generally get weeded out before getting to a pro level, and if not, they get bounced soon after.

As for the exchange, if Simmons or anyone else in the public spotlight got as offended as you're suggesting from being called a douche then they're in the wrong business. I wouldn't even look at that as Kaman being offended by what Simmons said, just commenting on it. And he did it on twitter, not in an interview of anything.

[mKoz26]

Re: NBA Off Topic

Honestly, I wouldn't even acknowledge your post with a response if you were defending Bayless like this. I might actually put you on ignore for that, lol.

Simmons is good at his job... there are a number of people better. If we look at the entire population, even limiting to this country, he's in an elite %.

To suggest that Kaman isn't in the same situation at the VERY least is laughable. I don't care how tall he is. Just being 7 foot does not get you an NBA contract. The 7 footers in the league are freak athletes, especially considering their height. And there are an unlimited number of 7 footers buried on benches or quickly out of the league, and have been for as long as I've been watching basketball. This guy you're talking about is a starter on 90% of the teams in the league for most of his career, has been an all star, and considering he's a center is easily top 10 at his position. I give him more props for what he is able to do, regardless of hype, than I ever would Simmons or most sports writers.

Not a knock on writers, just a ton of respect for what it takes to be a quality professional athlete.



just so far from the truth. That may be true in high school, and I'm sure any 7 footer can find one of the 200 colleges to give them a shot to sit on the bench. But it takes a ton of skill to post the numbers Kaman has as a starter in the NBA.

Well, because this is an opinion that nobody can prove either way, I'm going to say that I really disagree on the 7 footer, but I don't really care to argue much about it. No point. But I will say that being 7 feet tall is such a significant advantage for a number of reasons. First, obviously, it basically gets you to high school where you can build your game. True story, I know a 7' tall kid (nice kid as far as I know, no issue with him personally) who can barely dribble a basketball, is agonizingly slow, and has nothing resembling a post game, but he makes varsity yearly because of height (since he was a sophomore at least). I don't know about his college prospects, but just based on height, he's already given the opportunity to practice, do drills, etc. with the team every day. Literally only because of his height. He has no game whatsoever.

Now, Kaman may have been the same way or not, but his height definitely gave him the opportunity to get better. Which is why I say, if he were a lot shorter (6'3", for example), he wouldn't receive the attention that a 7-footer receives completely based on potential. When you grow up that much taller than everybody else, chances are everybody around you is pushing you to a sport (usually basketball or volleyball). At the same time, because he's that tall, he has a truly realistic shot at being in the NBA, further pushing him to work on his game.

While I'll never blame him for being 7', his skills aren't nearly enough for me to say he'd have enough skill to be in the league as a guard (even if we did equate a post game to handles and a jump shot or whatever). Again, there isn't a way of proving that, it's an opinion, but that's what I think. And because I don't think he'd have had the work ethic (based on the skills he's gained as a center) to make it without his height, I don't think he has any right to act like he's above criticism.

The obvious fact is that a disproportionate percentage of the NBA population is of great height due to its inherent advantage in the sport. The percentage becomes even more disproportionate as you climb towards 7' and past it. So Kaman was born with an absolutely incredible advantage.

Also, quick point, but Kaman was never a top-3 center IMO. Certainly not for an extended period. I don't think you actually meant that percentage, though, so I won't dwell on it.


And I'll absolutely never agree that Simmons is being an ******* or acting maliciously by saying he's not crazy about the Mavs' additions. That's ridiculous.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: NBA Off Topic

Marv Albert's "YES!"(pause) or Mike Breen's "BANG!"(pause)?

Which one does OS enjoy/prefer more?

[DukeC]

Re: NBA Off Topic

Marv Albert's "YES!"(pause) or Mike Breen's "BANG!"(pause)?

Which one does OS enjoy/prefer more?

I prefer "Bang!". Why, because it reminds me of Cheif Keef's gun noises. Honestly the best part of any of his songs.

"BANG! BANG!" is just so darn catchy

[wwharton]

Re: NBA Off Topic

Gotta break this one up...

Well, because this is an opinion that nobody can prove either way, I'm going to say that I really disagree on the 7 footer, but I don't really care to argue much about it. No point. But I will say that being 7 feet tall is such a significant advantage for a number of reasons. First, obviously, it basically gets you to high school where you can build your game. True story, I know a 7' tall kid (nice kid as far as I know, no issue with him personally) who can barely dribble a basketball, is agonizingly slow, and has nothing resembling a post game, but he makes varsity yearly because of height (since he was a sophomore at least). I don't know about his college prospects, but just based on height, he's already given the opportunity to practice, do drills, etc. with the team every day. Literally only because of his height. He has no game whatsoever.

Now, Kaman may have been the same way or not, but his height definitely gave him the opportunity to get better. Which is why I say, if he were a lot shorter (6'3", for example), he wouldn't receive the attention that a 7-footer receives completely based on potential. When you grow up that much taller than everybody else, chances are everybody around you is pushing you to a sport (usually basketball or volleyball). At the same time, because he's that tall, he has a truly realistic shot at being in the NBA, further pushing him to work on his game.

While I'll never blame him for being 7', his skills aren't nearly enough for me to say he'd have enough skill to be in the league as a guard (even if we did equate a post game to handles and a jump shot or whatever). Again, there isn't a way of proving that, it's an opinion, but that's what I think. And because I don't think he'd have had the work ethic (based on the skills he's gained as a center) to make it without his height, I don't think he has any right to act like he's above criticism.

The obvious fact is that a disproportionate percentage of the NBA population is of great height due to its inherent advantage in the sport. The percentage becomes even more disproportionate as you climb towards 7' and past it. So Kaman was born with an absolutely incredible advantage.

You sound bitter, man. What does any of this have to do with a man who has been a pro, and a more successful one than hundreds of 7 footers that have been good enough to make it that far? Maybe Simmons had professional writers in his family that taught him how to properly research and form pieces when he was 13? Why would that matter with what we say about him now?

Who cares how Kaman got the skills he has today, he has them... and they've been very effective. Comparing a 15 year old 7 footer making a varsity team to a guy in the NBA is insane. Especially if you're doing it to prove Kaman can't call a guy a douche, lol.

Also, quick point, but Kaman was never a top-3 center IMO. Certainly not for an extended period. I don't think you actually meant that percentage, though, so I won't dwell on it.


And I'll absolutely never agree that Simmons is being an ******* or acting maliciously by saying he's not crazy about the Mavs' additions. That's ridiculous.

Are you getting top 3 because I said he's a starter on 90% of the teams in the league? Obviously I just threw out 90% without going through team by team for his entire career, but I did say top 10. Are you suggesting he's not a top 10 center today? Or at any point including when he was an all star? And if so, are you suggesting he got there by just being 7 feet? Come on man.

[SteelersFreak]

Re: NBA Off Topic

Marv Albert's "YES!"(pause) or Mike Breen's "BANG!"(pause)?

Which one does OS enjoy/prefer more?

Bang! Mostly because it gives me memories of the 2011 Finals.

[8and9]

Re: NBA Off Topic

Bang! Mostly because it gives me memories of the 2011 Finals.

As a fellow Mavericks fan, I agree. :wink:

[DieHardYankee26]

Re: NBA Off Topic

Marv Albert's "YES!"(pause) or Mike Breen's "BANG!"(pause)?

Which one does OS enjoy/prefer more?

Marv Albert, mainly because it reminds me of a time when I could be a Knicks fan and didn't want to kill myself.

[Boltman]

Re: NBA Off Topic

Marv Albert's "YES!"(pause) or Mike Breen's "BANG!"(pause)?

Which one does OS enjoy/prefer more?

I prefer "Bang!". Why, because it reminds me of Cheif Keef's gun noises. Honestly the best part of any of his songs.

"BANG! BANG!" is just so darn catchy

Bang! Mostly because it gives me memories of the 2011 Finals.

Maybe because I'm older and I have some great memories going back with the "YES!".

That was my preface, I'll say I like both but I give the slight edge to "YES!".

But I really do like both of them a lot, almost a tough decision actually.

[The 24th Letter]

Marv Albert's "YES!"(pause) or Mike Breen's "BANG!"(pause)?

Which one does OS enjoy/prefer more?

No contest!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPs3LejANx4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Oh, and you forgot "put's it in!!!" (pause)

[Basketball GURU]

Re: NBA Off Topic

Marv Albert's Yes!

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/B3et6qAsOxo?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[bigeastbumrush]

Re: NBA Off Topic

/discussion

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[mKoz26]

Re: NBA Off Topic

Gotta break this one up...



You sound bitter, man. What does any of this have to do with a man who has been a pro, and a more successful one than hundreds of 7 footers that have been good enough to make it that far? Maybe Simmons had professional writers in his family that taught him how to properly research and form pieces when he was 13? Why would that matter with what we say about him now?

Who cares how Kaman got the skills he has today, he has them... and they've been very effective. Comparing a 15 year old 7 footer making a varsity team to a guy in the NBA is insane. Especially if you're doing it to prove Kaman can't call a guy a douche, lol.

Bitter? C'mon, man, you're better than that. I suck at basketball and always have. I couldn't care less if a guy does well because of his height.

Looking at relative success, Simmons is higher in his field than Kaman is in his... there's no doubt. You might have more respect for basketball players, but Simmons is undoubtedly higher in his field. Also, Simmons' place in his field is based on a presumed, intangible talent, while Kaman's is obvious and tangible, which is why I have more respect for Simmons' hard work to get where he is. But that aside, as an athlete, one should understand that the media has a job to do, and comments on a player's athletic ability should be accepted because, HELLO, it's their job. If invalid, the player can state why or whatever, but don't call the guy a douche. It's his job. Personally, this is why I liked Cuban's response: though snide, it was very true, in that Simmons has never run a professional team. Kaman's comment wreaked of "saltiness" or bitterness or plain being a douchebag. Call Simmons a douche for doing his job? Okay, Chris. You're in the NBA, you're so special, you're above criticism. That's the way I look at it. Your view is fine too, but I disagree.

Are you getting top 3 because I said he's a starter on 90% of the teams in the league? Obviously I just threw out 90% without going through team by team for his entire career, but I did say top 10. Are you suggesting he's not a top 10 center today? Or at any point including when he was an all star? And if so, are you suggesting he got there by just being 7 feet? Come on man.

I did the easy math on 90% of 30 = 3, but that's just my reading too into the number, which is no big deal. I agree that he was once top-10 (even 5) and an all star, but I don't think that makes him immune to criticism or better than Simmons. Again, when you have such a natural talent, I don't think you should act like you're above others. That's what I got from Kaman.



I like Albert's "YES!".

[GTRx Assassin]

Bitter? C'mon, man, you're better than that. I suck at basketball and always have. I couldn't care less if a guy does well because of his height.

Looking at relative success, Simmons is higher in his field than Kaman is in his... there's no doubt. You might have more respect for basketball players, but Simmons is undoubtedly higher in his field. Also, Simmons' place in his field is based on a presumed, intangible talent, while Kaman's is obvious and tangible, which is why I have more respect for Simmons' hard work to get where he is. But that aside, as an athlete, one should understand that the media has a job to do, and comments on a player's athletic ability should be accepted because, HELLO, it's their job. If invalid, the player can state why or whatever, but don't call the guy a douche. It's his job. Personally, this is why I liked Cuban's response: though snide, it was very true, in that Simmons has never run a professional team. Kaman's comment wreaked of "saltiness" or bitterness or plain being a douchebag. Call Simmons a douche for doing his job? Okay, Chris. You're in the NBA, you're so special, you're above criticism. That's the way I look at it. Your view is fine too, but I disagree.

I did the easy math on 90% of 30 = 3, but that's just my reading too into the number, which is no big deal. I agree that he was once top-10 (even 5) and an all star, but I don't think that makes him immune to criticism or better than Simmons. Again, when you have such a natural talent, I don't think you should act like you're above others. That's what I got from Kaman.



I like Albert's "YES!".

Ummm... 90% of 30 is 27


Sent from my omnitrix!