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Posted on 4/24/12 at 5:07 pm to OBUDan
I like Simmons when he's not on his NBA kicks. I don't really care about the NBA, so I don't care when people write about it.
Posted on 4/24/12 at 5:16 pm to Jcorye1
I like Simmons in concept. I like that he essentially invented the idea of a respectable blogger, and when he started his career, the idea he could ride that to an ESPN gig was unthinkable. So good on him for that, and some backlash is inevitable. I also like that he approaches things as a fan, and attacks the Big Lie in sports journalism that these guys aren't fans. Just be honest in your biases.
That said, he's a lazy, lazy writer. He's still churning out 90210 and Karate Kid references. Yeah, he's added the Wire, but seriously. It's like he's not even trying. He's like your "cool uncle" desperately trying to stay relevant. He also doesn't know nearly as much as he thinks, and he's unwilling to learn new things. Some of the hit pieces he's written on Wilt Chamberlain are borderline unethical. He also is unabashed sycophant as soon as someone gives him a little bit of access.
I don't think he's as good as he's supporters think, and not as bad as his detractors think. I do like him as an editor -- Grantland is a good idea (let other people write) and he supports longform writing. Also, 30 for 30 is the best thing ESPN's done in a decade. He's a great idea man. He should just hand it off to other people. (And the pop culture and especially the music writing are the weak points of Grantland -- I love the idea, but the Hollywood Prospectus and Reality Show Fantasy League both suck out loud). His taste is music is so bland that I don't think it counts as an opinion, I skip anything he writes on music in its entirety now.
ETA - Joe Posnanski is far and away the best sportswriter on the planet. It's not close.
That said, he's a lazy, lazy writer. He's still churning out 90210 and Karate Kid references. Yeah, he's added the Wire, but seriously. It's like he's not even trying. He's like your "cool uncle" desperately trying to stay relevant. He also doesn't know nearly as much as he thinks, and he's unwilling to learn new things. Some of the hit pieces he's written on Wilt Chamberlain are borderline unethical. He also is unabashed sycophant as soon as someone gives him a little bit of access.
I don't think he's as good as he's supporters think, and not as bad as his detractors think. I do like him as an editor -- Grantland is a good idea (let other people write) and he supports longform writing. Also, 30 for 30 is the best thing ESPN's done in a decade. He's a great idea man. He should just hand it off to other people. (And the pop culture and especially the music writing are the weak points of Grantland -- I love the idea, but the Hollywood Prospectus and Reality Show Fantasy League both suck out loud). His taste is music is so bland that I don't think it counts as an opinion, I skip anything he writes on music in its entirety now.
ETA - Joe Posnanski is far and away the best sportswriter on the planet. It's not close.
This post was edited on 4/24/12 at 5:17 pm
Posted on 4/24/12 at 5:33 pm to Clemens
I think Simmons is an awesome writer, but he only has about 6 columns a year now. Plus you have to ignore everything he says about the celtics, lakers, and clippers b/c he's the most biased sportswriter ever. As for other good writers, Luke Winn at si for college hoops is the shite
Posted on 4/24/12 at 6:54 pm to OBUDan
I loved the "The Book of Basketball" but he isn't even the best writer on his site that would be Jonah Keri
Posted on 4/24/12 at 7:48 pm to Waffle House
pete thamel does a good job covering CFB for the NY Times.
Posted on 4/24/12 at 8:29 pm to shuke33
I will admit I don't care for Simmons whenever he is on television but his columns are fantastic
Posted on 4/24/12 at 9:30 pm to Souljah
Joe Posnanski
Jon Wertheim
Bomani Jones
Henry Abbott - his voice is insufferable though
There are plenty of good sportswriters out there. Some just appeal to your taste more than others.
Jon Wertheim
Bomani Jones
Henry Abbott - his voice is insufferable though
There are plenty of good sportswriters out there. Some just appeal to your taste more than others.
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