Bill Simmons as CBB "Guru" is AWFUL

[RDF]

I enjoy his work on ESPN and usually find him entertaining but he's tried to go into a world he knows little about and it's painful in it's SUCKAGE. Due to Boston having lottery pick--and likely a top 5 pick or higher--he's decided this year he'll watch CBB. Well he's done a Blog and it really blows--he knows nothing about the sport--makes statements that are not only false--they aren't backed up by anything that shows he's actually followed the sport outside of to see who his "Celts might pick".

From him worshipping the likes of Chase Budinger, to him calling Billy Packer the ultimate "Duke Apologist"--which Packer isn't and how this could be written when Simmons is affiliated with a network that employs 2 of the biggest Duke homers EVER--Vitale and Mike Patrick are not mentioned--is just some proof. Packer was the guy who brought up how Coach K's record is altered due to his "time off" during Pete Gaudet's time as acting coach, criticizes things that happen in a game no matter who is playing and is opinionated--which means he'll put himself out there and not change his mind or suck up to appear to be right--he's actually admitted to being wrong before which is something Vitale NEVER does or Patrick hides behind in mentioning the "greatness" of every event.

Kevin Durant is a wonderful offensive player--he's had a fabulous FR year and is Simmons "boy"--he's going to worship at the alter of Durant no matter what. Meanwhile he continues to bash Greg Oden for what exactly I'd like to know? I am not saying Oden is as great as Russell, Wilt, etc.... but he's done nothing to disprove his importance--he's a dominant force and his team is #1 in country with him in middle. The fact that Simmons is gobbing over Durant when Oden is out there and can dominate a game on the defensive end of court--where championships are won--not always pretty but they are won with defense/rebounding/intimidation and bigs--in the history of the NBA--the team with dominant Bigs usually wins/dominates an era. Simmons is viewing Durant as his "Larry Bird"--well Bird had Parrish and McHale too--and without them--do the Celts win? Durant with Kendrick Perkins and Al Jefferson isn't envoking any Larry Bird era recreation in my eyes. You give the Celts Oden and see what happens--you give any team Oden and see the impact he'll have--but Simmons is a "Guru"--he knows all about CBB now--due to watching a month's worth.

Last but not least--hyping Kansas--and basically saying that nobody is as "potent/high powered" which I agree with and wondering why others are skeptical--well anyone who follows CBB knows the ONLY reason people have doubts at all involves the man on the sidelines for the Jayhawks and not their talent.

Simmons needs to stick to what he knows best--Boston teams and being funny--when he actually thinks he's right in knowing talent/leagues--he's shown to be a fool--see him doing NFL picks--it's comical but not on purpose.

Stick to NBA ball and making jokes-but then again he could still be on the "Contact" high from NBA All Star weekend.

[SFHoya99]

I usually stick up for Simmons because I find him amusing once in a while, but you're right on RDF.

He's watched a bunch of Texas games. That's all.

While Kansas is talented, putting up 48 on Texas in a half isn't all that difficult. Their defense is mediocre at best and they will run with you, stupidly, even when they have a 20 point lead. Someone will have to email Simmons that if he thinks Rick Barnes is bad, Bill Self ain't much better.

[ExcitableBoy]

Simmons is a rare collumist in that I like reading his stuff and I often look forward to his articles. I actually think his observations and his (often rediculous) theories, corollaries, etc are kind of interesting.

BUT, in no way do I think of him as a serious sports reporter guy in the way I think of Bilas as an analyst. Bilas uses facts and figures (often to the chagrin of his ESPN colleagues) instead of hyperbole and "I think..." statements. To me, Simmons' columns are kind of like lots of stuff I read on this board. I come here to be entertained, find out some interesting facts I probably wouldn't otherwise hear about, and to hear (often) knowledgable opinions about sports.

He should stick to his mailbag schtick because it is the perfect combination of humor and a nice factoid or two, all wrapped together for someone with a 5 second attention span to be able to digest as he or she toggles back and forth between work and wasting time on the internets.

[PDRHoya99]

Looks like we won't be seeing his sleeper sweet 16 pick in the tourney either: sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/blog/index?entryDate=20070213&name=simmons.

In fairness, I kinda bought into his logic on that one.