Bill Simmons: TV basketball analyst? Oh boy...

MC - that avatar is f'ing great. Probably the best I've seen on here. It definitely sums up my feelings, and in a hilarious way. Please, Lord, let them lose.

 

OK. So, does John Clayton lose credibility because he looks and talks like an accountant? That dude's sharp as hell, no matter what he looks or sounds like.

 

Well, I'm a Bears fan, which explains my affinity for it.

 

Works for me. I'm a huge Bears fan today. I hope the windchill is 0 or less.

 

Rokski:

Nail. Head.

It's exactly like that, with Simmons' credibility. His writing persona is completely different than how he comes across audibly. The reason his writing schtick works is because he's the guy you want to watch a game with and crack jokes with the whole time. The guy you want to have a beer with. The guy you want to have a fantasy draft with, even.

He's a writer, plain and simple. He's a bit socially awkward; he wouldn't be able to sweet-talk a doorman, let alone a woman; his thoughts come across better when he has time to think abou them. Most writers are like that. That's nothing to be ashamed of -- not everybody can pull off a Dane Cook persona.

But that's the kind of schtick that Simmons has as a writer -- and it just feels phony after listening to him and seeing him in action.

 

John Clayton doesn't act like a frat boy in print. He acts like a nerdy reporter -- and that's exactly how he comes across on TV. It's real. So no, he doesn't lose any credibility for that.

 

Wrong thread for this, I know, but it just bothers me how all the "experts" say the Bears have practically no chance. They're 14-3 and playing at home for Christ's sake. I think they have a chance. (/rant)

 

No, because Clayton doesn't make porn jokes or talk about different girls he dated and how hot chicks really aren't that hot, etc. It's the 'beggars can't be choosers' thing. You just don't buy any of the "I'm so cool and hip" from Simmons; it doesn't hold up with his appearance, voice, etc. You don't buy it.

He's sharp as hell, for sure. But he's not credible on things like women or 'macho man' stuff, not to me. Same would be the case for Clayton, but Clayton is smart enough to know he can't do that. Simmons isn't, at least not yet. He needs to get that or he'll never make it in another media.

 

I hope they have no chance. FuckabunchofBears!

As far as this thread, I think he will fail as an analyst because it is a hard job. I was on the radio earlier this year and despite the edits and everything else they do to make you sound smart, I sounded like an idiot. I can't imagine having to call a game when all I was doing was giving an update.

 

Thanks for the excellent summary, in both posts (Clayton post, too). You said it a lot better and more succintly than I could have.

Guess that ends my trying to pass myself off as a better writer than you on radio or tv, huh? Ha ha.

 

Exactly. And I'm sure you busted your ass, Angola (and I'm sure you sounded good, too).

Simmons whole radio week was constantly interspersed with "this is so easy" comments, you actually believed he wasn't preparing at all for the show, exactly what it sounded like. Again, if he had a Barry White voice, spoke in nice sound bytes, and was a natural, that might have worked.

But he doesn't, and isn't. So it was twice as annoying to hear this childlike voice telling you how easy this all was in between 'yeahs.' It actually made you feel cheated, like you'd never get those moments of silence pierced by William's shrill voice back.

I know Simmons hates the Sklar brothers, and I'm no fans of theirs, either. I HATE when they fill in for Jim Rome. But they are 1000 times better than he is on the radio and tv. That's reality, Bill. If you don't like it, you're going to have to work to change it. There's a reason one of them got a guest spot on 'Entourage' and you didn't.

The first step to change is realization. I hope Bill can look at himself realistically.

 

Couldn't agree more. Totally feel the same way. Many want the Saints to win, so they're fitting their analysis around that rooting interest.