Skip Bayless once said Lebron could improve if he "played like he did in HS" so Jalen Rose, or someone forget who, looked up his HS stats and called him on live TV and confronted him on his 2 minutes a game he played at the varsity level. Asked him how Lebron could improve by sitting on the bench. He stuttered just as much as he did in the Cuban vid.
Now, while I don't think a successful sports writer/personality has to necessarily have a playing background, when you say something like that you really open yourself up to be exposed to what you really are. I do believe that having played high level sports gives someone an extra dimension to draw from which obviously gives them an edge in the profession.
Most sports writers are like Skip, just less abrasive and annoying. They make up these superlatives and whatnot about athletes, not realizing what actually goes into preparing for games, seasons etc... Ratto is another one of those fluff guys, Kawakami (sometimes) another.
Skip's lack of respect for players really made me hate him. Glad Cuban did what he did in the matter he did. He didn't outwardly trash skip, he did it with far more class than skip ever has.
IMO the good sports writers have actual sources and players who talk to them. Why? Because they respect what the player does and understands or tries to understand things from the player's eyes. Maiocco and Barrows (less so) have legit sources from the 49ers, and Baggarly for the Giants and it's evident in their writing/reporting.
From an NHL standpoint, I think LeBrun and McKenzie (more so) are really fair in their reporting and have a good rapport with players. I don't get the feeling Pollak is that "inside" the Sharks as much as Maiocco is to the Niners. But that's just a gut feeling, can't say for certain though.
Skip Bayless once said Lebron could improve if he "played like he did in HS" so Jalen Rose, or someone forget who, looked up his HS stats and called him on live TV and confronted him on his 2 minutes a game he played at the varsity level. Asked him how Lebron could improve by sitting on the bench. He stuttered just as much as he did in the Cuban vid.
Now, while I don't think a successful sports writer/personality has to necessarily have a playing background, when you say something like that you really open yourself up to be exposed to what you really are. I do believe that having played high level sports gives someone an extra dimension to draw from which obviously gives them an edge in the profession.
Most sports writers are like Skip, just less abrasive and annoying. They make up these superlatives and whatnot about athletes, not realizing what actually goes into preparing for games, seasons etc... Ratto is another one of those fluff guys, Kawakami (sometimes) another.
Skip's lack of respect for players really made me hate him. Glad Cuban did what he did in the matter he did. He didn't outwardly trash skip, he did it with far more class than skip ever has.
IMO the good sports writers have actual sources and players who talk to them. Why? Because they respect what the player does and understands or tries to understand things from the player's eyes. Maiocco and Barrows (less so) have legit sources from the 49ers, and Baggarly for the Giants and it's evident in their writing/reporting.
From an NHL standpoint, I think LeBrun and McKenzie (more so) are really fair in their reporting and have a good rapport with players. I don't get the feeling Pollak is that "inside" the Sharks as much as Maiocco is to the Niners. But that's just a gut feeling, can't say for certain though.
LeBrun is much better than Bobby Mac. I get what you're saying though. Pollak is a good beat writer and seems to have a good connection with the Sharks. Skip and others like him just seem bitter and have an axe to grind.
Missed the Giants game because I crashed hard after work, but I heard on KNBR on my way to Safeway that the shutout streak ended on the first pitch? Bahaha, I'm not disappointed...that's hilarious.
In addition to Cuban and the Jalen Rose story, Skip Bayless has also gotten into it with Charles Barkley (who called him an ass-hole and the one person on TV he couldn't stand), Terrell Suggs (called him a d-bag after Bayless insinuated Suggs was making excuses for the Ravens losing a game), Troy Aikman (Bayless wrote in his book that Aikman was gay based on a whole bunch of unsubstantiated rumors), Shaq (when Shaq announced his retirement, Bayless slagged his career, calling it a "disappointment"), Chris Carter (disagreed about the magical mystical powers of Tim Tebow), and Chris Bosh (invited Bosh on his show, then showered him with insults for 10 minutes while never really engaging in a proper conversation/debate)
Skip Bayless is the Jerry Springer of sports journalism, a sideshow designed to get eyeballs and mouse clicks by being as sleazy and smarmy as possible. Only difference is that with Jerry Springer, the show was an act. Can't be so sure with Bayless.
__________________ "Do you know what "nemesis" means? A righteous infliction of retribution manifested by an appropriate agent." '13 Shark CI Tracker: 48 gms, 19-23-6 (SJ-Opponent-National/Market feed)19 SJ feeds in HD Sorry, I am not taking signature requests at this time.
Sounds like he's going to be ok, but hopefully this is a reality check for him. I don't know Aldon or claim to know him, but he might need to evaluate who he hangs out with. Being a successful millionaire can attract a lot of people from the wrong crowd.
I hope Aldon recovers in speedy fashion. He needs the benefit of a full offseason, especially regarding dropping and coverage responsibilities.
If Aldon isn't careful he very easily could end up dead the next time. In order for him to learn about smart decision making, he should move in with Patrick Willis. Maybe Pat's maturity would rub off on him.
Great game, but man Beckham was pissed at the end - lol at him kicking the ball at the downed player at the end, then acting like he wanted to fight after his mates were in front of him.
Panda and Posey also made it. But Only Cain from the rotation. boo to that.
Late last week I would have preferred Bumgarner over Cain but this is good. Really surprised Sandoval is starting though. Probably should have been Wright.
Late last week I would have preferred Bumgarner over Cain but this is good. Really surprised Sandoval is starting though. Probably should have been Wright.
And Yadier Molina should be starting behind the dish as well. But hey, it's a popularity contest. I'm just happy the Giants are on the right side of it. Been a while. haha.
what a sham...Josh Reddick not making the All-Star team...
Yep. Did they really need three DH's? Reddick has been better than Dunn and Butler. What should happen: Swap Reddick for Dunn straight up OR swap Reddick for Butler then Cook for Collins/Crow (because KC needs a rep). You could make the same argument for Austin Jackson deserving to be there: remove Cook, Butler, Dunn; add Collins/Crow, Reddick, Jackson. Stupid Ron Washington.
