Simmons on Law

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

From Bill Simmons' column today, wherein he bemoans the poor state of the Sox farm system.  Say what you will about his Boston homerism, but he follows his teams to an insane level of detail.  So then he tosses in this nugget following his assessment of their prospects:

Note: ESPN's Keith Law had Boston ranked as his No. 2 farm system in February. When I e-mailed him for a July update, he wrote back that many of its top guys were underperforming and added, "They're not No. 2 anymore. Definitely still top-10." I'm not pumping my fist.

The lesson, as always: Keith Law is an asshat.

[Ron Brand]

I don't know how you do it. It's way too early for ESPN. I'm not even through throwing up yet.

[Arky Vaughan]

I don't know how you do it. It's way too early for ESPN. I'm not even through throwing up yet.

It's always too early to read ESPN.

[MusicMan]

The lesson, as always: Keith Law is an asshat.

The gross tonnage of what Keith Law doesn't know about baseball could stunt a team of oxen.

[drew corleone]

The gross tonnage of what Keith Law doesn't know about baseball could stunt a team of oxen.

Is that a John Hoynes quote on Sns? If so, bravo to you!

[MusicMan]

Is that a John Hoynes quote on Sns? If so, bravo to you!

The only TV drama I've ever bought on DVD.  Loved it.

[JimR]

The only TV drama I've ever bought on DVD.  Loved it.

have you tried The Wire? omg, i loved that series.

[MusicMan]

have you tried The Wire? omg, i loved that series.

If I ever get Netflix On Demand set up on my blu-ray, that will probably be first up.

But The West Wing hit my sweet spot because it appealed to by admittedly romantic/naive sensibilities that government and politics can be a force for good, whereas I don't think The Wire (from what I've heard) )has quite that sense of optimism.

[matadorph]

If I ever get Netflix On Demand set up on my blu-ray, that will probably be first up.

But The West Wing hit my sweet spot because it appealed to by admittedly romantic/naive sensibilities that government and politics can be a force for good, whereas I don't think The Wire (from what I've heard) )has quite that sense of optimism.

That depends on the character. Omar could be considered a force for good.The Wire might just be the best drama in the history of American television.

[chuck]

The Wire might just be the best drama in the history of American television.

There's nothing else that's close. It's an epic poem in video of urban America.

[subnuclear]

That depends on the character. Omar could be considered a force for good.The Wire might just be the best drama in the history of American television.

Its more about people who would like to make the government (or drug dealing) work, but fail.  I think McNulty, Carcetti , Sbodka and Stringer Bell are idealists to a certain extent.  

Amazing series. I've watched the whole thing 5 times I think.

[JimR]

There's nothing else that's close. It's an epic poem in video of urban America.

agreed. i was totally hooked after 2-3 episodes. too many great characters to list completely. i had many favorites.

[drew corleone]

I'm on my second pass through The Wire... F HBO for only keeping 6 at a time on On Demand, and then only rotating them out once a month.

Anyway, while I love The Wire, TWW is my favorite series of all time (surprising to many, given that I am a staunch GOPer). I have the exact same sentiment as MM... the optimism in its ideals was often inspiring (even in the post-Sorkin Era).

[hostros7]

I'm on my second pass through The Wire... F HBO for only keeping 6 at a time on On Demand, and then only rotating them out once a month.

Anyway, while I love The Wire, TWW is my favorite series of all time (surprising to many, given that I am a staunch GOPer). I have the exact same sentiment as MM... the optimism in its ideals was often inspiring (even in the post-Sorkin Era).

Optimism?  Who needs optimism? To me, the Wire is the best television series I have ever seen.  Admittedly, some seasons of the wire are better than others.  At its best, I echo Bench's apt description of "epic poetry" and would classify it as the best damn show I've ever seen, and, at it's worst, it's still really great TV. 

I forgot if this was posted here, but, either way, it's fun to revisit http://deadspin.com/5528834/a-brief-history-of-the-greatest-twitter-hashtag-of-all+time

[Bench]

have you tried The Wire? omg, i loved that series.

Far and away the greatest tv series ever.  It's the epitome of long-form visual narrative.  TV at it's very best.

[cc]

It's always too early to read ESPN.

Bill Simmons would have to be the exception for me, if ESPN has one.  He's mainly basketball-focused (and loves Daryl Morey!) but he will take any and every player, coach, manager, GM or owner to the woodshed on any occasion, and then convincingly prove they deserve it.

His critique of the Tiger apology is priceless, particularly juxtaposed to his fellow-ESPN talking/writing heads (not naming names Rick Reilly but there are plenty to go around online and on TV) who want so badly to to not dislike this guy that they'll almost tear up everytime he looks away from the camera and sighs.

Simmons is too good for ESPN.  The dotcom version or the "family of networks" they boast.

[drew corleone]

I can really only tolerate Simmons' pop culture commentary. His sports stuff makes me cringe more than it makes me laugh.

[subnuclear]

I can really only tolerate Simmons' pop culture commentary. His sports stuff makes me cringe more than it makes me laugh.

I liked his NBA book.

[Bench]

I've always liked Simmons, all the way back from his Boston Sports Guy web site.  He's hardly 100% insightful or accurate (in fact he's generally delusional), but he's always entertaining reading.

[cc]

I can really only tolerate Simmons' pop culture commentary. His sports stuff makes me cringe more than it makes me laugh.

Just the opposite for me.  I have no interest in his marathon podcasts discussing the virtues of the Jersey Shore cast with one of his pals, but I love his NBA analysis and especially his candor on anything sports-related.  He really doesn't care who's offended or flattered.

[Bench]

Just the opposite for me.  I have no interest in his marathon podcasts discussing the virtues of the Jersey Shore cast with one of his pals, but I love his NBA analysis and especially his candor on anything sports-related.  He really doesn't care who's offended or flattered.

Heh.  I'm wondering when and how I'm going to be able to fit in his marathon Jersey Shore 2/Real World New Orleans-toothbrush-pissing-incident podcast tonight. 

[austro]

I'm thankful that he's come out for the abolition of the DH.

[roadrunner]

Once you get over the fact that he writes about Boston sports and east coast teams 95% of the time, he really is fantastic.  I read his book of basketball in 3 days and have read his weekly column since (last 6 months or so).  He's not perfect, but he is easily the most entertaining sportswriter out there.

[drew corleone]

I don't pay much attention to the NBA, anymore so his basketball stuff does little for me (though in my previous life as a big Spurs fan, I would have loved the general praise he has given over the years to Timmy D and the boys).

[moriartp]

have you tried The Wire? omg, i loved that series.

Sorry to drag the thread back a page, but I have to voice my complete agreement with this statement. Amazing program.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I love The Wire but not anymore than I do Deadwood.  My favorite non-HBO series are Mad Men and Breaking Bad.

[moriartp]

Deadwood is another fantastic series. I watched Mad Men last winter and enjoyed every minute of it (new season looks solid, too). I've only seen the pilot of Breaking Bad, but just from seeing it I know I need to watch more when I've got the time.

[roadrunner]

I love The Wire but not anymore than I do Deadwood.  My favorite non-HBO series are Mad Men and Breaking Bad.

Deadwood was fantastic.  Best HBO series by far.

[Lefty]

Anyone else watch the first season of Treme?  From the same creator/writer as The Wire and has quite a few of the same actors (plus John Goodman, who has some great moments).  I thought it was excellent. 

[moriartp]

Having seen everything but the season finale, I'd say that it's and well-written and well-acted but lacks the cohesive story that held The Wire together (and thus didn't hook me quite as well). It's an enjoyable watch, and I think it can turn into a great series if it puts all the pieces together.

[Lefty]

I spent a good bit of time in NO pre-storm, haven't gotten around to going back since.  I guess the show kind of reminded me what I loved about that town - food, music, history, that sort of thing.

[Bench]

Having seen everything but the season finale, I'd say that it's and well-written and well-acted but lacks the cohesive story that held The Wire together (and thus didn't hook me quite as well). It's an enjoyable watch, and I think it can turn into a great series if it puts all the pieces together.

Treme is fantastic.  But it's not a plot-based show, it's completely character-driven, with New Orleans being the main character.

[JimR]

Treme is fantastic.  But it's not a plot-based show, it's completely character-driven, with New Orleans being the main character.

which was exactly The Wire's formula with Baltimore as the main character.

[moriartp]

But it's not a plot-based show, it's completely character-driven, with New Orleans being the main character.

Aye. And I really ought to finish the season before I make any judgments.