It’s on Bill…and in Your Face

Posted by Brian McCann on October 28, 2008

‘Who Disses the Mailman?!’ (AP)

So the pre-season hate-fest has begun. And while the Spazz-nation is freaking out about it, I’m feeling right at home. Why? Because, it happens EVERY year. It is what it is. If the Jazz win 60 games the previous year and go deep in the playoffs, they might be predicted to be a fourth seed the following year. Win 50, and the next year most national experts might pick them to make the playoffs, but only maybe. The media is too infatuated with the four or five teams that play every game on ABC to worry about talent, discipline, and depth; those things don’t make money.

What makes money? Kobe vs Wade does. So does Kobe vs James, Kobe vs Shaq, Kobe vs Pierce, and Kobe vs Paul. In fact, Kobe vs his toilet paper would probably be a big draw. It wouldn’t matter if his toilet paper had a good record or was even going to make the playoffs; it would only matter that Kobe was involved…get the picture? Just ask the Spurs. Championships don’t matter to the “experts”, ratings do. So, I can understand the disrespect, I don’t agree with it, but I understand it. It is all driven by the bottom line. Besides, all the ignorantly justified disrespect fires me up. I love the hate; it is sort of therapeutic to me in a weird, sort-of mental way.

That said, I can only accept so much. I can expect a certain national newspaper to pick the Jazz 13th in their power rankings-the guy who wrote it probably lives in LA, and his rankings probably reflect his sports-related emotional insecurities more than they do calculated thought. One thing I won’t stand for though is continuous disrespect that is unfounded and ridiculous on so many levels that I don’t even know where to start. Such was the case of a certain article that was displayed on a fairly prominent website yesterday, written by Bill Simmons, an avid Celtic’s fan. The self proclaimed ‘Sport’s Guy’ does not like the Jazz. He makes it clear every time they come up in one of his articles. I can take so much, but yesterday went too far. First he dissed Karl Malone. That flew me off the hanger. You don’t diss Malone’s career. EVER. You might not like him. You can think what you want about his personal life, but do not disrespect the Mailman’s basketball career. Doing so incites unholy rage in all that were witnesses to his greatness. Next he slammed Ronnie B. He then completed his trifecta of hate by condescendingly discounting Deron Williams as a player that should not even be mentioned in the same sentence as that squirrelly little dude that plays for the Hornets. To put it lightly, I was outraged. I felt nauseous, hurt, dejected. He might as well have slapped my mother.

Naturally, I immediately took action. The following is a copy of the email I sent to Mr. Simmons with regards to his article:

“I really don’t know what you have against Utah, but your overly biased, borderline emotional opinions about the Jazz are really getting old. Do yourself a favor and start giving credit where credit is due. You know, I hate Boston, but I actually pulled for them last year in a large part for you. The Celtics were so pathetic for the better part of two decades, that I actually felt sorry for Boston’s fans. Even though I don’t like Boston sports teams, I am still unbiased enough to give them credit.

Dissing Malone, Brewer, and Williams in one article says volumes about your ability to accurately report sport’s related information. You don’t like them, so I guess they are not great players huh? It might not mean anything to you, but enough is enough. I just read my last Sport’s Guy article. I’m done. You can hate the Jazz, Utah, and everything else you associate with the state, but the fact is Kevin Garnett will never hold a candle to Karl Malone, not even on his best days as a pro. KG might have a title, but it was bought and paid for; doing it the old fashioned way (you know-where you don’t buy super stars), he barely tasted playoff glory…the rest of his days were spent in Tracy McGrady style disappointment.

Ronnie Brewer will make a mark in this league-mark my words. I wouldn’t be surprised if you haven’t seen him play more than a couple of times; nothing is worse than an “expert” that misplaces ignorance for good judgment. Finally, Deron Williams is NOT someone to overlook. The fact that you would even dismiss him the way you so arrogantly did strips you of all credibility. Paul has become the NBA’s darling; I don’t discount how good he is, but time will tell who is better. Ten years ago, I read a four page article by a so called “expert” that claimed that Jason Williams would have a better career than John Stockton. Paul is no Jason Williams, but don’t start handing the guy all the love of the sport’s world before he even comes close to even some-what earning it. Fact is Williams has done more in his career to this date than Paul. Williams has a killer instinct that only a few players in the league have. He is driven. You can see it in his eyes. The best part is he feeds off of disrespect. You might not want to give him love, but those types of players don’t really care. They would much rather step into your plush little office and take it. If you don’t believe me, watch with your eyes wide open, ‘cause you’re in for a ride.

As for me, I’m out. You lost a reader. See ya Bill. Thanks for making the decision easy by finally pushing me over the edge with three Jazz slams in one article. Credible sport’s writers give respect to player’s who have earned it, and in turn get respect from their readers. By not giving those guys respect you have lost mine. See you around.”

So, there it is. I am done with his articles and will never read another one so long as I live. I can handle disrespect-I’m a lifelong small-market sports fan, I’m use to it. But he went too far. He finally pushed me over the edge, and I aint comin’ back. I would love to see Utah thrash the Celt’s in the Finals this year, just in spite of this guy. That would be justice at its best. Who knows, maybe it will happen, and then maybe the Jazz will crack the top five in some of these power rankings. Whatever the case may be, I’m just stoked for another opportunity to prove these guys wrong.

10 Comments

Mallory Meyer on October 28, 2008 said:

Wow Brian. Nice email. I’m impressed. You really put Mr. Simmons in his place. And I’m so sick and tired of hearing his “non-comparisons” of Deron and Paul. He can pick a side, but to totally discredit Deron the way he does is just ignorant and petty. Now you’ve got me all fired up again.

Boondock Saint on October 28, 2008 said:

After reading the email you sent I only have sound effects and this retort to Bill…..BOO YA! Nicely done Brian, nicely done.

Travis on October 29, 2008 said:

Um… did you even read his article? He said Deron will go down as one of the best players of his generation and CP3 will go down as a top 25 player ever. I don’t think that there was disrespect. When someone thinks that a player will go down as one of the best players of his generation I think that is nothing but respect. As far as Paul as a top 25 player ever… time will tell. As far as this argument goes I agree with Bill, let end it… because as you have said… only time will tell.

Brian McCann on October 29, 2008 said:

It wasn’t the what he said about Williams goig down as one of the best PG’s of his generation that got me fired up, it’s the conescending way he said it. Not even Morris vs Slater? Ok…D-Will has pushed his team further, has had a more successful all-around career (I’m not just looking at a one-season snap shot), plus he owns Paul everytime they step on the court. Also, they both played together this summer, and I have heard numerous annalysts claim that Deron was the more reliable player on that team, so to just dismiss him from the argument is a bit much. Plus, this was just one of Mr. Simmons many articles that detail his feelings about D-Will and the Jazz in general. It’s getting old…

Boondock Saint on October 29, 2008 said:

“More importantly, the number 42.4 allows us to leave out three of Karl Malone’s six 42 Club seasons (’88, ‘92 and ‘93). I fully support any statistical tweak that undermines the Mailman historically.” WHAT!? The nice thing about statistics in theory is that you aren’t supposed to be able to manipulate them. However, with with every type of statistical analysis you can bend it to fit your whims. At least he admits that he “tweaked” the stats. Furthermore, “Utah’s Ronnie Brewer. Ronnie Brewer? Really? I can’t let this stand. When one of my colleagues announces a breakout sleeper and that breakout sleeper can’t fully bend his shooting elbow, that’s when I have to intervene.” Wow, I’ll agree that Ronnie Brewer doesn’t have the most beautiful shot but that is nothing new in the NBA. Jerry Stackhouse goes to a full squat, butt an inch from the ground before shooting a free throw and yet shoots amazingly well from there. We have people like Shaq and Ben Wallace who can fully extend their shooting arms but can’t hint a freethrow to save their lives. As far as the whole Deron Williams/Chris Paul thing goes….it’ll always be around no matter how much we want to just focus on basketball and enjoy the games.

lee on October 29, 2008 said:

Hi, I new to this blog. Just testing it out. Go Jazz. Get better soon D-Will. We are going to need you.

Linda McFarland on October 29, 2008 said:

The guy writing that article is the biggest jerk I have ever read!!!!!!!!! Welcome lee to the blogs. Anxious to hear more from you. Tonight…GO JAZZ!!!!

Travis on October 29, 2008 said:

Actually Bill is quite funny not a jerk at all. In fact, he is my favorite writer. What he said about Ronnie Brewer is hilarious. I hope Ronnie proves him wrong but was still really funny. I dig the whole “D-Will owns CP3 every time they play against each other” but overall CP3 has been better than D-Will so far. If you want a Jazz homer’s point of view in the media look up John Hollinger on ESPN. He is the guy Simmons is referencing as his colleague. The guy loves us. But statistically he acknowledges CP3 is better. I look at it like this. D-Will fits Sloan’s system better than CP3 and visa versa. Both teams are ecstatic to get who they got. Let’s see who wins more championships. Bill obviously doesn’t watch Utah games… or he would see Brewer tearing up the alley-oops.

Linda McFarland on October 29, 2008 said:

I wasn’t concerned with just what the writer said about any Jazz players, I was appoled at what he said aout everyone! You can say the same things in a nicer way. I’m probably a little on the old fashion mode but hony will catch more bees than vineager will.

Bob McCann on October 31, 2008 said:

Nice article Bryan. I couldn’t agree with you more. These writers that always push the big market players are all PINHEADS!!!

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