Comments on: Layups: Simmons on the Lakers

By: Lawrence

Lawrence — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:52:30 +0000

Let us remember that Kobe's career average finals FG%, of 41.5% is equal to Jordan's WORST finals FG% in any one finals--96 sonics.
Worst Jordan = Average Kobe.

By: Roland

Roland — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:48:12 +0000

#41 Roland, hah, no the Forum Blue and Gold joke of an article did not own anything. It cherry picked stats and contradicted itself multiple times. It was good for a laugh, but nothing else.

By: AhmedF

AhmedF — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:18:55 +0000

Blamed Kobe for last year? If anything, Gasol and Odom got the most heat for disappearing last year.

I have no clue what you are talking about Steve.

By: Ty

Ty — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:08:32 +0000

The basketball blogosphere seems to be purposely not acknowledging that FBG post. It took Abbott a day to finally link to it. It's a shame really, because it's one of the best blog entries I've read. Simmons' article is crap because challenges the media's fawning over Kobe with his absurd and perverted observations and assumptions. The Celtic collective's M.O. is to discredit anything the Lakers/Kobe do. See Paul Piece's tweet. I may be wrong, but I don't remember journalists/bloggers who cover the Lakers discrediting the Celtics last year. Just the ESPN/RealGM/etc trolls, which Simmons is really just a glorified version of.

By: Paul Verrin

Paul Verrin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:07:08 +0000

That forum article was really good. I am still amazed sometimes at how much better bloggers can be than sports writers. Just a well written, thoughtful piece. I was glad to see its stout defense of kobe's personality and his relationship with his teammates, which takes way too much flack from people (not just simmons).
However, the Lebron part was just fatuous. Its like the guy did not even consider any other possibilities, which, you know, is sort of important when you make an argument. 1) Kobe does have a more diverse arsenal than lebron, but kobe didnt seem to post up enough to appreciably change the offensive efficiency of the lakers. his 3pt shooting was good, but not otherworldly, and orlando played kobe as closely as they played lebron, so I dont really see how one player opened things up more than the other. Sometimes its really simple: the lakers made open shots, cleveland did not.
2) Pau Gasol. If you are looking for a laker who really opened things up, this is your man. Amazing playoffs. It seemed like every time he touched the ball something good happened. Maybe by their third championship the media will realize just how good he is.
3) The Cavs actually scored enough to win, but their defense--especially at the 4 and 5-- was horrendous. This is really why they lost, and they should have been killed, its just lebron was so amazing it seemed like they were in it. They werent.

By: Walter

Walter — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:02:49 +0000

We still don't have any comments from Neil with regards to the Forum Blue and Gold article which completely owns any of Simmons B.S. (that is what he calls his 'report' after all).

By: steve norris

steve norris — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:26:06 +0000

i know kobe didnt do it by himself but last year i guess he lost it by himself right? everyone knows horry is a role player.if gasol is a HOFer than the a-train should have steam rolled in already. i love you guys!

By: Roland

Roland — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:06:59 +0000

Neil, it would be very interesting if we could get PER, Ortg, Drtg, etc. for Kobe and Jordan in the finals.

By: Lawrence

Lawrence — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:42:43 +0000

Hey, not sure why my post got deleted. But Gils, every writer who expresses OPINIONS can be wrong, Simmons is not exactly unique there. He is undoubtedly a basketball expert when it comes to the history of the game and statistics. He hit the nail right on the head in this latest article as far as I'm concerned. Obviously lakers fans will not like it, but that's irrelevant, since they are inherently biased.

By: Gils_Keloids

Gils_Keloids — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:31:38 +0000

"# Lawrence Says:
June 16th, 2009 at 5:17 pm

Thanks for this link Neil. Simmons is one of the best writers on ESPN, knowledgeable, informed, and accurate. Good stuff."

Best Writer on ESPN? Check.

Knowledgeable? Sure.

Informed? Why not.

Accurate? Errrr. Not quite. Just see Forum Blue and Gold's latest listing of the times Simmon's has been dead wrong (which he usually brushes off with "the lesson as always ... I'm an idiot).

Simmons writing is for entertainment purposes only!