Great excerpt from Bill Simmons...

Suntan Superman

WC's Resident Samoan

On a side note, I agree with Tom on Simmons, he's lost his touch, pretty much since Boston has become the "City of Champions" He's really lost his touch, in my opinion. Which is unfortunate, because he was one of my favorite reads each week.

On the topic of the NBA, it's great that they have all these high character guys, but you're never gonna shake the thug image in my opinion.

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

There's more thugs in the NFL than any other sport and it's still the most popular. I don't think this has anyhting to do with racism. Michael Jordan was black and the most popular basketball or star of any sport that this nation has ever seen. The quality of play sucked and there was a lack of star power for a while.. That's my reasoning. Now we have guys like LeBron, Kobe stepping it up, Nash, Howard, Dirk, Chris Paul, and the Celtics on the rise.. it's great for the league. If only they could get New York back in the mix, that'd also do wonders.. I'm really going to enjoy these playoffs. Like I said, the West is awesome.. I've never seen it so stacked.

Dr. Giganto

"In a recent poll commissioned by The Mag...Nearly 50% of those polled think "it's a shame what's happening to the league (NBA)" versus 38% who feel the same about baseball (even in the wake of the daily steroids headlines) and 21% about the NFL (despite the recent doings of Michael Vick and Pacman Jones). The poll also reveals that you think the typical NBA player is less likely than his counterparts in the three other major leagues to respect the fans, remain loyal to his team or even love his wife—and more likely to carry a gun, use recreational drugs and have an entourage."

-ESPN.com

You guys still in denial about the NBA having an image problem?

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

I'm not in denial, I just think the lack of star power and shitty play hampered them a lot more. Maybe they do have an image problem, I'm not sure it is racism.. I think that fight in the crowd has a lot to do with it. Fans don't want to get punked out even when in my opinion a lot of them deserved what they got lol.

Dr. Giganto

well, speaking of people in denial, Ric Bucher was on Mike and Mike this morning...talk about a guy who's out of touch with reality.

Listening to him, you'd think the NBA doesnt have any problems whatsoever...

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

I've never really liked him. In fact, I can;t stand Bill Walton at the moment either. He's taking his rivalry with Shaq too far to a place where no analyst should ever go. During the Lakers/Suns halftime he was embarrassing, ripping on Shaq for no reason.. it was Shaq's 1st game!! Plus, shaq ended up playing very well in the 2nd half. Idiot.