ESPN and Espcially Bill Simmons Suck

[BIGCatBobcat]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/081113

Sports Guy and nominated sports czar (Mike Frutello should be the only one in basketball) Bill Simmons under his restructuring of sports proposes the Bobcats and Nets should be combined an moved to Vegas. He can suck it. I know we're not drawing crowds but just because we're not almighty Boston we don't need to be relegated. He has always hated Charlotte. I read his stuff because it's funny occasionally but I'm just tired of it.

We all agree ESPN, in every way, craps on us. The first thing I can recall them actually giving us credit for is J-Rich. Use this thread to voice how much you hate Simmons and ESPN, but acknowledge ESPN is the Daddy and Simmons is actually ok as a writer.

[BIGCatBobcat]

Scroll down and now he goes into the specific letter about the season tickets. Have you guys heard about this? Bobcats season tickets came out this year and they did call to warn people but they came out as standard printed tickets like if you walk up and they print them at the box office. Previous years, very nice booklet, full color on every page, nice letter(even if it was from Sam). They did a nice job with them, I'm sure you guys have seen them. This year there was a strike or something at the printing company, which I don't buy actually. I think that someone forgot to get them printed or someone was told in all the cutbacks that they were too expensive and no one really cared anyway. I do think it's stupid that they do not require a signiture. How someone with UPS or DHL (afterall a Black company so Bob has to support them) hasn't figured out they could steal these, sell them, even if they are reported stolen, they could make money on them, i just don't know. It is a long line of stuff but we're getting beat up in the national media now, and Simmons has always been quick to stomp on us for some reason.

The little imaginary story about 2 poker guys winning the team in a gambling loss by Jordan is rude as well. Jordan should be respected by this guy but because he's a Boston Guy, and Jordan went off for 60 on them in a playoff game, he craps on him and the Bobcats.

[Shrimpy_Jackson]

Well first off Bill Simmons does have some hilarious shit from time to time, but in regards to every Carolina team he just seems to rip us every chance he gets, so in my opinion he can go fuck himself that Boston homer, I can't wait for the day when Beantown is terrible then maybe he'll come back down a little bit, it's just a case of winning and having everything go his way with the Pats and the Celtics and the Red Sox that gives him some kind of weird sense of entitlement that allows him to heap praise upon every inch of Boston sports and piss on the rest. What gets me is he's a season ticket holder to the Clips!! You'd figure if he could actually sit there and pull for a second rate team in LA he'd be a little easier on the relatively new Charlotte team, and part of the reason why everyone gives us shit is because of people like him who talk out of their ass because they know they're funny and can pretty much say what they want. Pete Prisco used to give me the same feelings when it came to the Panthers so I say we tar and feather the both of them.

[DanielWheeler]

To be honest: Are you mad at Bill Simmons or are you mad (Just like me) That the team you love is indeed becoming an embarrassment in the NBA?

You know what on that Clippers comment...yeah they've been a big laughing stock for awhile, but do you know what they're different than us on? They saw that they had a weakness and signed Davis, then traded for Camby. The Bobcats, on the other hand, can't seem to do a damn thing when it comes to getting a big man. This has been going on for more than two years!!!

We low balled offers to Varejao and Landry. We did those teams a favor rather than us being benefited. We refuse to make any trade to go get a big man that could help. It's just frustrating and, to be honest, everyone has every right in the world to dog on the Bobcats because they're not doing a damn thing for themselves.

[Shrimpy_Jackson]

Well honestly I think Bill Simmons, albeit funny, is a dick. Also I don't think our team is coming anywhere near an embarassment to the league, 3-5 to begin the season, the guys are starting to figure out Brown's system and as the year goes on I expect an even greater improvement. The thing that bugs me is people sometimes seem to think that the NBA is just like whatever the hell the basketball video games are called nowadays where you can just up and trade like hell and do everything you want to do. Varejao was never going to go anywhere and with Landry especially with Battier going down wasn't going anywhere as well. As for trades it seems as if we've been looking around and trying to do something but we haven't found the right deal for us, which is okay with me cause I'd rather not get buggered in the ass in terms of value for value. Maybe I'm not as knowledgable as other's around here cause football is my main thing, but come on. And yeah the Clips signed Davis and got Camby......... but they're 1-8. So that doesn't seem like a very valid point at the moment, and I do stress at the moment because obviously the season's young and thing's could change, but give me 3-5 in the East over 1-8 in the West anyday.

[spectre]

We low balled offers to Varejao and Landry. We did those teams a favor rather than us being benefited. We refuse to make any trade to go get a big man that could help. It's just frustrating and, to be honest, everyone has every right in the world to dog on the Bobcats because they're not doing a damn thing for themselves.


We did NOT low ball offers to those two; we offered them the full MLE which is all we had. In Varejao's case we offered the exact contract his agent wanted which had the opt out year.

So far as refusing to make any trade, don't be confused that ANY trade is better than NO trade. No doubt NY would trade Curry for Ammo/Felton if we were so inclined...but personally I'd much rather hang with the status quo. We don't know what the offers are; with Jordan's reputation and our "desperate" need I expect he's getting lowballed right regularly.

[dnbman]

I think I've said this before, but if I haven't:

I don't necessarily get angry. I just think he loses respect in my eyes. In making so many jokes about the Bobcats, he's going for easy shots, the way athletes picked on fat kids. The only thing that frustrates me about it is that he continues to run with this stereotypical joke, reinforcing to his audience that we're this horrible team and franchise. Yet, we've never been the worst team in the league and often the play the role of giant killer, like beating the Hornets.

Basically, Bobcats jokes are easy and uninteresting. If it was a writer of any merit, he'd have more to offer. As far as him being funny, I think many people on this forum could have a weekly column and hit just as many high notes.

[Shrimpy_Jackson]

Yet, we've never been the worst team in the league and often the play the role of giant killer, like beating the Hornets.

Basically, Bobcats jokes are easy and uninteresting. If it was a writer of any merit, he'd have more to offer. As far as him being funny, I think many people on this forum could have a weekly column and hit just as many high notes.

Thank you! That's the thing that gets me the most dnbman, our team has always played hard even last year when they kicked Vincent's ass to the curb, I think that we have a reputation of going up against the top teams in the league, Lakers, Celtics, and the likes and we play them hard and knock them off some of the time due to sheer determination, the Cats are a very scrappy team that really if you look at it from a non fan perspective is one of those teams that completely defines the "underdog" status. That's how I wish people would talk about them, you know? They play hard, they give it their all and still no one gives any respect whatsoever.

[BIGCatBobcat]

I think I've said this before, but if I haven't:

I don't necessarily get angry. I just think he loses respect in my eyes. In making so many jokes about the Bobcats, he's going for easy shots, the way athletes picked on fat kids. The only thing that frustrates me about it is that he continues to run with this stereotypical joke, reinforcing to his audience that we're this horrible team and franchise. Yet, we've never been the worst team in the league and often the play the role of giant killer, like beating the Hornets.

Basically, Bobcats jokes are easy and uninteresting. If it was a writer of any merit, he'd have more to offer. As far as him being funny, I think many people on this forum could have a weekly column and hit just as many high notes.

Exactly. I said "He sucks" but dnbman summed it up perfectly. It's not what he's saying, it's the way he's saying it and the consistency of it. The ticket thing is a huge deal to me. The moves or non-moves by the FO don't do a lot fo me. This is the 5th year and the Bobcats have not made any big moves that make the rest of the league go "wow" the wins haven't piled up. No playoffs but seriously our 3rd year was the best 3rd year by any expansion team ever. We took a step back last year with 2 huge injuries and a truly horrible head coach that was a bad gamble that hit us hard.

Say it, but don't make fun of a professional franchise, don't be-little us repeatedly.

[DanielWheeler]

Well honestly I think Bill Simmons, albeit funny, is a dick. Also I don't think our team is coming anywhere near an embarassment to the league, 3-5 to begin the season, the guys are starting to figure out Brown's system and as the year goes on I expect an even greater improvement. The thing that bugs me is people sometimes seem to think that the NBA is just like whatever the hell the basketball video games are called nowadays where you can just up and trade like hell and do everything you want to do. Varejao was never going to go anywhere and with Landry especially with Battier going down wasn't going anywhere as well. As for trades it seems as if we've been looking around and trying to do something but we haven't found the right deal for us, which is okay with me cause I'd rather not get buggered in the ass in terms of value for value. Maybe I'm not as knowledgable as other's around here cause football is my main thing, but come on. And yeah the Clips signed Davis and got Camby......... but they're 1-8. So that doesn't seem like a very valid point at the moment, and I do stress at the moment because obviously the season's young and thing's could change, but give me 3-5 in the East over 1-8 in the West anyday.

So that's the answer to say whenever your team isn't doing anything about their problems and relying on an out of shape Sean May as their answer. Now i'm not saying pull a million trades, but damnit they've needed a Power Forward for 2 f'n years and they're doing shit about it. There's pulling a million trades and then there's just getting a deal done to bring in something you need. This isn't just a problem that we woke up this morning and saw...this problem has been going on for 2 damn years and our answer to this crisis is Nazr Mohammed!?

Varejao, after reading, was the MLE, but Landry got a 3 million a year offer and that's just a lame deal for acquiring something you need. I would've felt better if they gave Landry a legit MLE offer like they did with Varejao, but they didn't and it shows.

Do you know why people don't give a flying f' about the Bobcats? Because the moves (or lack of moves) they make are pure and utter jokes. Everyone I talk to about the Bobcats goes and immediately mocks them. I'm sorry for being so pessimistic and I really want to start loving this team again but the matter of the fact is that this defense is no better than last season. Sure the stats will tell you that teams are scoring less, but we're a slower paced team. Less chances to score means you're bound to give up less points.

3-5 means shit. We were 4-4 last year with shithead Vincent at the same point. Listen, i'm mad and I have a different view than most here and I want this team to win as bad as most of you, but my opinion is that they're not doing enough to fix their needs. Hell, try something except of making excuses to try to cover up their errors. You can't be serious to think you're happy with the decision that our answer to the big man crisis is ALEXIS AJINCA, a big man who scored 5 a game in f'n France. A project is our answer!?

This is the shit why this team isn't taken seriously.

[Shrimpy_Jackson]

It's cool Dwheel and your opinion is definitely nothing that I can argue against because it's good to have that balance between homer and realism, but I just find it hard not to like this team with Brown at the helm, because I know when we do address the problem with PF we'll be a lot better, but that problem won't be addressed until the right opportunity presents itself.

[DanielWheeler]

It's cool Dwheel and your opinion is definitely nothing that I can argue against because it's good to have that balance between homer and realism, but I just find it hard not to like this team with Brown at the helm, because I know when we do address the problem with PF we'll be a lot better, but that problem won't be addressed until the right opportunity presents itself.

When is becoming the problem. I was never a believer in this school of thought, but maybe they should just suck hard so they can be in position to get Blake Griffin.

[coordinator0]

So that's the answer to say whenever your team isn't doing anything about their problems and relying on an out of shape Sean May as their answer. Now i'm not saying pull a million trades, but damnit they've needed a Power Forward for 2 f'n years and they're doing shit about it. There's pulling a million trades and then there's just getting a deal done to bring in something you need. This isn't just a problem that we woke up this morning and saw...this problem has been going on for 2 damn years and our answer to this crisis is Nazr Mohammed!?

Varejao, after reading, was the MLE, but Landry got a 3 million a year offer and that's just a lame deal for acquiring something you need. I would've felt better if they gave Landry a legit MLE offer like they did with Varejao, but they didn't and it shows.

Do you know why people don't give a flying f' about the Bobcats? Because the moves (or lack of moves) they make are pure and utter jokes. Everyone I talk to about the Bobcats goes and immediately mocks them. I'm sorry for being so pessimistic and I really want to start loving this team again but the matter of the fact is that this defense is no better than last season. Sure the stats will tell you that teams are scoring less, but we're a slower paced team. Less chances to score means you're bound to give up less points.

3-5 means shit. We were 4-4 last year with shithead Vincent at the same point. Listen, i'm mad and I have a different view than most here and I want this team to win as bad as most of you, but my opinion is that they're not doing enough to fix their needs. Hell, try something except of making excuses to try to cover up their errors. You can't be serious to think you're happy with the decision that our answer to the big man crisis is ALEXIS AJINCA, a big man who scored 5 a game in f'n France. A project is our answer!?

This is the shit why this team isn't taken seriously.

Ajinca scored 5 a game in France while only averaging around that many minutes. He was stuck behind established veterans that were pretty good in their league, so don't take that stat for face value.

[ReesieNCPantherCatfan1]

Piggybacking on the bobcats media hate, I just got my sports illustrated and it's got an article about the cats that is certainly not favorable, but probably not false. http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1148518/index.htm?eref=fromSI

Interesting read, I am not sure how I feel about it, especially that Bonnell only talks to Jordan once or twice a season. I hope he didn't mean that is all that he is around the team. I would've thought that Jordan would try harder to lay that absentee perception to bed, with all the criticism of him in washington and the Kwame Brown pick. While Jordan has been a little more visible this season, I think it would help the team and fans immensely if he were at more games and practices, and just around more in general. How can you not play harder when you know that your direct boss, the greatest player of all time, is watching you?

I wish I could, but I really can't say I disagree with the article. Not to beat a dead horse, but I think long term, that winning will solve all of our perception and attendance problems, and until then it will still be cool to hate on the bobcats.

[spectre]

Remember the article a while back about James Worthy where he criticized Jordan for not being around more? Maybe he should buy a stake in the team (or is he on the outs with Jordan now because he criticized?) and he could be the "face". I think he'd actually enjoy it.

That guy had one of the quickest moves I've ever seen.

[TheBeagle]

Piggybacking on the bobcats media hate, I just got my sports illustrated and it's got an article about the cats that is certainly not favorable, but probably not false. http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1148518/index.htm?eref=fromSI

Interesting read, I am not sure how I feel about it, especially that Bonnell only talks to Jordan once or twice a season. I hope he didn't mean that is all that he is around the team. I would've thought that Jordan would try harder to lay that absentee perception to bed, with all the criticism of him in washington and the Kwame Brown pick. While Jordan has been a little more visible this season, I think it would help the team and fans immensely if he were at more games and practices, and just around more in general. How can you not play harder when you know that your direct boss, the greatest player of all time, is watching you?

I wish I could, but I really can't say I disagree with the article. Not to beat a dead horse, but I think long term, that winning will solve all of our perception and attendance problems, and until then it will still be cool to hate on the bobcats. That's the difference right there: McCallum, who did the SI piece is a professional; this ESPN guy is a johnny-come-lately hack with an agenda. I absolutely loved McCallum's article, which was the best Bobcats article ever written....sorry Bonnell, et al.

Just wondering: why isn't there ever any talk of the lousy attendance in Memphis, Indiana, Miami and Philly? I think for all that has transpired in Charlotte since 2002, averaging 13K paid seats a game isn't bad at all considering our all-time W/L record....and the debacle of last year.

[Muttley]

Just wondering: why isn't there ever any talk of the lousy attendance in Memphis, Indiana, Miami and Philly? I think for all that has transpired in Charlotte since 2002, averaging 13K paid seats a game isn't bad at all considering our all-time W/L record....and the debacle of last year.
Just like with the win-loss record at the end of the year, a lot is lamented about the Bobcats being 26th (or thereabouts) in the league record-wise AND attendance-wise.

Have they ever been 30th?

[TheBeagle]

Just like with the win-loss record at the end of the year, a lot is lamented about the Bobcats being 26th (or thereabouts) in the league record-wise AND attendance-wise.

Have they ever been 30th? I'd have to say no. Maybe year one attendance at the Coliseum they were 30th, but I really doubt it.

I was looking in this year's media guide the other night, and it lists announced attendance for every season. I noticed that Year 2, the Arena's inaugural season was very solid with the lowest attendance being something like 13,250 or so; it was mostly 15 and up. Since then, as is painfully obvious, there's been a downward trend, which will likely continue this season unless we get hot and the right teams come to town, and/or we make a late season playoff push, or are trying to hold onto a spot. Still, if none of this happens, I don't see us finishing below Memphis and depending on what they do, Indiana. Two of the regular bottomfeeders before last year's postseason, ATL and NO, have seen a massive increase in ticket sales, brought about by one reason: Wins. I'd be shocked if the same didn't happen to us, but we may have to wait another season or so to find out....

[Shrimpy_Jackson]

Umm I found this today and this takes him up 1,000 hilarious points for finding this and having this as one of his greatest childhood sports memories. This is epic!!

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?section=magazine&id=3712343&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab3pos1

[BIGCatBobcat]

Yeah, he's funny and readable but as far as reasonable sports related relevant content, he blows!

[coordinator0]

ESPN does suck. I had just heard that there wa something big going down with a guy named Jordan. Naturall, I thought it was about Charlotte making a trade. Nope, only that the Wizards fired their coach Jordan. I hate you ESPN. >:(

[Alex]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/081126&sportCat=nba

Check out the "FIVE FANTASY PICKUPS FOR YOU" box on the right side. Did he really just admit to being wrong :hypo: