Bill Simmons gives big interview to Oregonian

Very interesting points, less critical than some things you might have read but still pointing out a few potential issues. He'll be in town Wednesday for the Pistons game - and his book signing hoping fans don't throw it at him.

4 months ago Norsktroll 29 comments 1 recs |

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Ih8UBS!!!

*Unless KP has a secret plan that makes this statement incorrect.
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by staylost on Nov 14, 2009 2:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

So there's no cussing on this site, right?

This guy is just twisting the screws, obviously still bent that boston didn’t get that top draft pick.

I got news for you BS the playoff team you meant to say would have a bad season this year was The New Orleans Hornets.

I would give it all up for a billion dollars

by Tyler Durrden on Nov 14, 2009 2:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

that just makes sense

I would give it all up for a billion dollars

by Tyler Durrden on Nov 14, 2009 2:25 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

I doubt it.

I’m sure diehard Blazer fans all of them are going to be mad about my 41-41 prediction. Hopefully they’ll have a good sense of humor about it.

by Nick Van Excellent on Nov 14, 2009 2:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Well, we did go " really, really super, super crazy upset about it."

Little advice to Bill: Might want to show up wearing an Oden jersey or a rain coat. (and not for the rain)

by xedubx on Nov 14, 2009 3:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It’s my opinion that Bill Simmons is more about raising controversy and making jokes he believes to be funny, then actually analyzing basketball. I don’t get angry at him for it, it’s his schtick and he’s made some money at it. He’s a performer, not a true or serious sports journalist. His articles don’t carry any more weight with me than the average Dave Barry Column.

by Tshann on Nov 14, 2009 3:28 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

He really comes off as a self important

condescending fool.

by santeesioux1 on Nov 14, 2009 3:59 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Indeed...

The Kings have the best bench I’ve seen. There are easily 14 guys on this team good enough for every bench in the league. Now if we could only get some starters, I’d totally jizz in my pants.

Kings fan

by dyshooter182 on Nov 14, 2009 5:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Seems like BIll Simmons doesn't want to run into rabid Blazer fans.

The Kings have the best bench I’ve seen. There are easily 14 guys on this team good enough for every bench in the league. Now if we could only get some starters, I’d totally jizz in my pants.

Kings fan

by dyshooter182 on Nov 14, 2009 5:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Bill Simmons is awesome

I’d read his analysis any day

by 50backflips on Nov 14, 2009 6:22 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

The book is a fun read

I’m about halfway through, and the only issue I’m having with it now is that he’s leaning on a few jokes as crutches, and there aren’t enough Shawshank Redemption jokes.

by robrun2 on Nov 14, 2009 7:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Man

You guys are haters…the guy is just like you and me: Passionate about his home teams. He brings humor and relatable pop culture references to basketball analysis. Holding a grudge against him because he predicted a 41-41 record is kind of ridiculous in my opinion. I get upset about his constant Oden-bashing, but you cant really fault him. He clearly doesnt watch every game like we do and probably relies rather heavily on box scores to tell the whole story. I just hope we show up for the Pistons game to show him what we all know to be true, they are better than 41 wins.

by abobo84 on Nov 14, 2009 7:14 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

he's not like me

when I write, I’m concise

by 8volumesthick on Nov 14, 2009 7:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

and modest.

by chnews on Nov 14, 2009 9:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

apropos user name then

by 50backflips on Nov 16, 2009 12:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, Bill

The Blazers will have to finish 33-38 to “reach” 41-41. Unless the players keep dropping like flies, I think you need a new crystal ball

LBJ possibly coming to Portland as a FA? That was so never gonna happen

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Nov 14, 2009 7:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Love Simmons. He's always entertaining.

His stance on Oden is the only big bone I have to pick with him. It’s okay to admit that you’re wrong, dude, and that Oden might just be a great player after all.

"The best team in the county right now wears green and goes quack, quack." -Chris Dufresne, LA Times
formerly rockingharder

by Mr. Knox on Nov 14, 2009 7:36 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

He has already upgraded him to "franchise center" in the interview

by Norsktroll on Nov 15, 2009 12:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Love Simmons & will be OVERJOYED when he's horribly wrong about the 2009 Blazers. 41-41? Um, NO CHANCE BOSTON BOY!

He’s a Clippers season-ticket holder.

THE ULTIMATE REVENGE HAHAHAHAHAHA

by Marvin100 on Nov 14, 2009 8:09 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

His criticism of Oden is driven by his adoration of Durant.

Simmons doesn’t think Oden is necessarily a disaster, per se. It’s all about Durant, and I think he believes Durant is still under-appreciated around the league.

I admire his principled stand about the Seattle Sonics, btw.

by chnews on Nov 14, 2009 9:07 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

He doesn't criticize Oden that much anymore, really. In fact he's quite gracious in the interview, and he was right: Durant's a star & will be for a long time.

He’s wrong, though, that Durant would have made Portland a better team. We needed a beastly defensive-minded center, and it looks like—a couple years down the line—we finally got one.

Go BIG GREG!

by Marvin100 on Nov 14, 2009 9:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not true unfortunately

30th of October, “I tweeted last night that somebody needs to release a poster of Greg Oden squinting at the Jumbo-tron to see how many fouls he has. Because that is all that his career is right now. But, he went to the line and they were down one with like six seconds left. You could tell by the look on his face that he was just going to brick them and he did brick them. The weird thing is that he is just not that good. It not like he isn’t healthy, it is just if you watch him . . . I have Clippers season tickets and the Clippers have a back up center named DeAndre Jordan, and I watch Oden and the whole time I think, is this guy better than DeAndre Jordan? I can’t even tell. I don’t think he, from what I have seen, I don’t think he will ever even make an All-Star team. Pretty unbelievable.”

From an interview with a Boston sports radio station.
Audio here

Seems he alters his opinions to suit the market they are intended for.
Boston: Needs to hear Oden is a bust cos they missed out on him
Portland: Wants to sell some books so says he can be a franchise center if healthy

Dude is a complete hypocrite and I will credit anyone who calls him out on this at his book signing. 16 days ago he was calling Oden out as “just not that good” and now this. Get outta here.

Bill Simmons = Joke

"What happened to Bayless anyway? Did he turn into a pumpkin? Most teams don’t just let #11 picks rot." - Xiane

by MadBlaze on Nov 15, 2009 1:22 AM PST up reply actions 3 recs

+ 1

Major joke !!!

It's GO time !

by walkoff41 on Nov 15, 2009 2:25 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Veeeeerrry interesting

I assume his opinion will change upon seeing Oden up front and personal. So far this season Oden is maybe the team’s MVP due to completely dominating on the inside, blocking shots and rebounding especially.

by goblazer1 on Nov 16, 2009 1:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Never Assume

Most sports writers will never admit to being wrong.

Changing his opinion will be admitting he was wrong.

I expect him to either say “Oden’s play was disappointing,” or not even mention him.

by Anim8rguy on Nov 16, 2009 1:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I enjoy Bill Simmons.

“The Worst GM Conference” is one of the funniest articles I’ve ever read.

Patty Mills - PG of the future. Book it.

by Blazerholic on Nov 14, 2009 9:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Where and when will he be plugging his book in Portland?

Anyone know?

I don’t have any problem with sports writers making bold predictions they feel are based on sound reasoning.

The problem i have is when a writing makes a prediction just to do something bold, and they will not accept accountability for their prediction.

You want to say that Portland will finish the season .500, fine. Just remember to post your “I was an idiot when I said Portland was going to finish .500” when it is obvious Portland is going to finish way over .500.

by Anim8rguy on Nov 16, 2009 10:33 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

hate him or love him

You can’t deny the guy is a good writer. I enjoy his podcast as well. Looking forward to reading his book.

"There are a lot of computers in Portland and a lot of people with time on their hands, or who are passionate enough about their Blazers to make time. After several years of writing about basketball on fake paper, that's a conclusion I will fight to the death to defend. It's a small city, and yet no fanbase so passionately and so adroitly makes its presence felt in this sphere." Word.

by doggpound84 on Nov 16, 2009 11:19 AM PST reply actions 0 recs