Bill Simmons writes an open letter to Blake Griffin.

One of those very clever Bill Simmons articles. I think people shoudl stop referring to him as a Clipper fan.

over 2 years ago Michael White 13 comments 0 recs |

Comments

LOL, no I like it

Just remember, when you point to Simmons’ analysis, you are the pointing to the analysis of a man who believes in magic.

"So what are the odds that the Clippers can compete next season given their limited flexibility? Slim and none."

by John R on Jun 24, 2009 9:39 AM PDT reply actions

Funny and informative

What, no mention of the average Clipper WIN/48 scores over the past 20 years? He must be stupid.

Remember, when you point to Simmons’ analysis, you are going to cause some angst in those who love the current regime.

by Jax on Jun 24, 2009 9:54 AM PDT reply actions

John R is right though, for the most part, the article is not analysis. No reasonable person would suggest that a Bob McAdoo trade in the 70’s (before any member of the current regime was around) has some bearing on how Blake Griffin will perform with the club.

I realize the article is supposed to be funny (and it is, Simmons is a very funny writer) but most of it is not analysis.

by Michael White on Jun 24, 2009 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions

I don't think Simmons is providing a serious analysis

Having said that, the factual information provided, including the recent information, is certainly helpful if one were interested in analyzing the possibility of future success and the factors that go into that.

I also think that historical information about the team we support is interesting for any informed fan.

by Jax on Jun 24, 2009 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Recent Information

You are certainly right about that. As I said, most of it was not “analysis” though certainly the recent stuff is. Using what he sees from the current management (MDSr, Sterling, etc.) he issues an opinion. Nothing faulty about that at all.

It’s just boiler plate Simmons stuff which I figured would drum up some conversation here. I understand that the “open letter” is nothing more than a literary device to make the article interesting, yet I just find it disingenuous to allow yourself to be called a Clipper fan and then tell the consensus number 1 pick to stay away from the team. I’ve actually read that sort of stuff from commenters here before- that they feel sorry for Griffin. I’m not sure why really, I don’t mean to sound cold or anything but, I don’t care about Blake Griffin one bit except for how he effects the Clippers. Why would you feel sorry for Griffin and call yourself a fan of the Clippers? I guess that doesn’t even matter with Simmons, as we know he has a “true” favorite team, and the Clippers are nothing more than access to live basketball games and column fodder. I just wish he weren’t speaking “for disgruntled Clipper fans” as he mentions yet again in his article (the bit about him charging the floor on behalf of the broken down fans sitting around him.)

I actually found the way he wanted to keep the—um, Native American Curse I guess— from the Bambino Curse. He writes that the Bambino Curse was made up to sell books. Didn’t he write a book about the Red Sox winning the W.S? I didn’t read it, but I can’t imagine there wasn’t some sort of equally illogical curse redemption stuff in there.

I agree with you on your last point too, as a fan of the franchise I did find the historical information interesting. I grew up in L.A and by the time I was old enough to become a fan, the team was already in the Sports Arena— so I don’t have much of a background of the Clipper’s history (particularly in Buffalo.)

by Michael White on Jun 24, 2009 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree that Simmons isn't really a fan

But I like what he’s doing because it fits with my agenda, which is to try to get Sterling to sell the team or change management. Maybe continued national embarrassment will help get that done. (Perhaps Simmons is really a fan too and that’s his aim.)

Simmons’ detractors here (cough, John R, cough) don’t like him not because he’s not funny, or not really a Clipper fan, but rather because he hits them where it hurts. There is no denying the facts set forth in the article, and to think a team with that sort of baggage can realistically succeed is somewhat farfetched.

My final point is that I think Simmons does understand the game of basketball. So many of his criticisms about MDSr as coach ring true – his inflexibility with players and plays, his horrible play-calling, and the like.

On balance, I appreciate his interest in the team. And if Sterling would ever change management, we could use the Simmons relationship to get some great national publ

by Jax on Jun 24, 2009 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions

I support the idea of Sterling selling the team...

…but wanting to the team to fail in order to force the issue is like Rush Limbaugh wanting Barack Obama to fail. You’re putting your ideology in front of national success (or recovery). Do you want the Clippers to succeed or succeed only your way?

by John Raffo on Jun 24, 2009 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions

I never said I wanted the Clippers to fail

I unfortunately don’t think that they can be successful under the current regime. Whatever Simmons sdoes, he’s not going to determine the success or failure of the team.

This is basketball. The only ideology is winning. MDSr can easily prove me wrong.

by Jax on Jun 24, 2009 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions

If he was really funny

he would make a joke about himself and why he keeps renewing his season tickets. Then again, where would he get any new material? Apparently the Clippers are his bread and butter. It’s old and tired though.

I didn’t realize how many guys actually had career ending/altering injuries while with the Clips. Amazing and sad at the same time.

Do or do not. There is no try.

by Clip Show on Jun 24, 2009 9:59 AM PDT reply actions

I think he sits in sect. 102

The clips have stunk for a long time, there’s not denying it. It doesn’t mean we can’t be hopeful, then again Eomer from “The Two Towers” said it best. “…do not trust to hope. It has forsaken these lands.”

by STUCK IN LA on Jun 24, 2009 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions

Nice!

That is so cool that you compared Clipperdom to Rohan (facing war on all fronts).

I am not a Clips fan but am a huge NBA fan, I despise the Lakers and my hometown team (Sonics) was just ripped away from my city, so I have to live vicariously to some extent. Any way, I would like to wish you the best of luck with Blake Griffin and defiling Simmon’s “Curse of the Braves.”

(Somebody needs to give a name to this thing if its ever gonna have any cache).

This whole feud between Dunleavy and Simmons is getting really funny. The blogs are popping and the tweets are flying. This was the first place I found online to get some legit fan perspective on it. Glad to see the real Clips fans see that article for what it is. A literary device that does have some A) interesting and slightly horrifying historical trivia B) fairly relevant critiques of the current Clipper regime.

Newsflash for Mike. Simmons may indeed be a joke (he certainly is entertaining, which is his job) but having your team quit on you is no joke. The terrible chemistry on your team is no joke. I watched about 10 Clips games this year and it was mostly because I was hoping to catch a glimpse of Eric Gordan. I was usually unsuccessful and changed the channel because the basketball was too dreadful to watch.

Seems to me after reading a couple threads in here that the real Clips fans know the score, no matter what the media tosses around.

by mattyN on Jun 26, 2009 12:49 AM PDT up reply actions

That would be funny

Perhaps there is a curse:

Total number of post-1976 All-Star appearances by a Clipper or Brave: Seven.
Number of winning Clipper/Brave seasons since 1976: Two.
Number of post-1976 seasons with 30 wins or less: 19.
Number of post-1976 division titles: Zero.
Number of post-1976 last-place finishes: 15.
Number of retired numbers by the Braves/Clippers: Zero.
Overall record since 1976: 944-1730 (.353 winning percentage).

by Jax on Jun 24, 2009 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions

No denying the numbers

and if ever there was a “curse” on a franchise, then the Clips sure have one. There should be some cool nickname for it though.
Maybe if the team were to change their name back to the Braves the curse would reverse itself. Or maybe, it’s one of those 80plus year curses, like the curse of the Bambino, and we just have to wait it out…you know, until 2070 or so…..or it could be worse…like the curse of the billy Goat for the Cubs…who knows when that one will end.
Anyway, I don’t really believe in curses. You reap what you sow, and the Clippers have been planting crap for years. A change in attitude and culture is needed first, and everything else will follow once that happens.

Do or do not. There is no try.

by Clip Show on Jun 24, 2009 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions