Sports Guy Pimps AR

So what do LeBron, Wade, Paul, Duncan, Kobe, Durant, Howard and our own Anthony Randolph have in common? Well, according to the Sports Guy, they are the 8 guys you drop everything for and go watch in person if they are in your town.

Wow, that's quite exclusive territory. Simmons says he will explain later why Randolph is in that group, but I think we all know why.

8 months ago Dubbadown 44 comments 4 recs |

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Is it becuase he is exciting to watch?

by dungeness crabdribble on Mar 11, 2009 2:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Is it becuase he is exciting to watch?

No , it’s because he is more likely than the average player to crash and burn in a comical manner .

Now wheres the rubbers? Whose got the rubbers?
I noticed there's so many of them
and there's really not that many of us.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Mar 11, 2009 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh ok, like lebron, kobe, and the rest.

Thanks for clarifying that. Your wisdom is appreciated as usual!

by dungeness crabdribble on Mar 11, 2009 5:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Your wisdom is appreciated as usual!

Just going with the obvious usually makes sense

Now wheres the rubbers? Whose got the rubbers?
I noticed there's so many of them
and there's really not that many of us.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Mar 11, 2009 11:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sure, Skep

Given that Simmons is one of the most knowledgeable, serious and astute observers of hoops in the blogosphere, that’s the most obvious answer.

How can one cal themselves a Warriors fan and not be a little excited to see Randolph’s name on that list?

We’ll have to wait for BSG’s actual answer, but I’d be willing to bet my GSoM posting rights against yours that it isn’t “because he is more likely than the average player to crash and burn in a comical manner.”

Sometimes the most obvious answer is not to act like a smartass all the time. As an incurable smartass, I would know. ;-)

Thing 1

by Sleepy Freud on Mar 12, 2009 5:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Given that Simmons is one of the most knowledgeable, serious and astute observers of hoops in the blogosphere

A guy who rates Rudolf in the top 8 players of the NBA? A rookie who’s lucky to play 15 minutes without hurting himself or someone else? Who’s delusional now? You think this Simmons guy has watched as many Warriors minutes over the years as we have?

Now wheres the rubbers? Whose got the rubbers?
I noticed there's so many of them
and there's really not that many of us.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Mar 12, 2009 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A guy who rates Rudolf in the top 8 players of the NBA?

He didn’t rate him in the top 8 players in the NBA. Did you even read the piece?

A rookie who’s lucky to play 15 minutes without hurting himself or someone else?

Said same. If you haven’tt noticed, he’s been playing much more under control lately, and (as a consequence) much more often.

Who’s delusional now?

Is your implication that I called you delusional? If so, that’s pretty delusional. What I would say, if pressed, is that you tend to blur the boundaries between serious observation and being “funny” — sometimes to the point where I’m not sure you even know the difference.

You think this Simmons guy has watched as many Warriors minutes over the years as we have?

Irrelevant. I’m pretty sure he’s watched more hoops overall than we have over the past 5-10 years; and I maintain that he’s one of the fairest, most knowledgeable and most on-point NBA observers going. I would estimate 90% of so his comments are on target — as opposed to the 40-50% range you generally shoot at. I think this may be mostly because he draws a clear line between his real observations and his attempts at humor. (Though, in fairness, you’re way funnier than he is when you’re trying to be funny).

Thing 1

by Sleepy Freud on Mar 12, 2009 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He didn’t rate him in the top 8 players in the NBA. Did you even read the piece?

Yeah, he said the top 8 must see tickets. Now if that don’t mean Rudolf’s a top eight player why is he on the list? The only obvious reason is his out of control giant stickman character? otherwise pay to see ROY, Garnett, Gasol or Gay or someone else with better polish? Supposedly this guy is writing for the broad NBA fan base and not for Warrior homers??

Now wheres the rubbers? Whose got the rubbers?
I noticed there's so many of them
and there's really not that many of us.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Mar 12, 2009 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A must see player is different then a top player. Now I don’t mean to put words in BS’s mouth, but I’m guessing his reasoning is that with AR, anything can happen on a given play. We’ve seen flashes of it all year, and I’m sure BS has too. He watches A LOT of NBA games and being on the west coast I’d bet he’s watched his fair share of Warrior games. Think of the Laker game against Odom. I’m sure BS watched that game, and just the pure excitement he brought to that game with the put back dunk and the swats, and don’t forget the jumping on Odom’s back. Now granted there are other players that can provide excitement, but with AR there is the possibility of sheer ridiculousness that can happen (both good and bad).

by Dubbadown on Mar 12, 2009 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

with AR there is the possibility of sheer ridiculousness that can happen (both good and bad).

So you agree?

Now wheres the rubbers? Whose got the rubbers?
I noticed there's so many of them
and there's really not that many of us.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Mar 12, 2009 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If we go back to your original point of crashing and burning, I would say Yeah. I really like AR and look forward to watching him blossom as a player (hopefully as a Warrior), but I think some of his appeal to BS would be some of the “bad crazy” stuff he does, i.e. jumping on or over players, going after loose balls with reckless abandon, blocking shots by going through the rim. Add to that, the fact that he looks like he’s about to bust out crying at any given moment, I think that all appeals to BS. I never disagreed with your original argument, I was just stating the difference between “Top Players” and “Players you want to watch”.

by Dubbadown on Mar 12, 2009 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Add to that, the fact that he looks like he’s about to bust out crying at any given moment,

He’d be perfect with one of those sad circus clown faces. the refs might even give him sympathy calls :>)

Now wheres the rubbers? Whose got the rubbers?
I noticed there's so many of them
and there's really not that many of us.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Mar 12, 2009 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ah well.

I guess we’ll have to wait for BSG’s explanation, won’t we.

If I had to guess, I’d say Dubbadown’s close with his “anything can happen [good or bad] on a given play” hypothesis. Note the good part, though. If it was just about slapstick comedy, I don’t think all the other guys on the list would be future hall-of-famers.

Randolph’s already a better player than Rudy Gay, overall (not as polished a scorer but much better defensively and on the glass). He’s also three years younger and just now starting to learn the game. In case you missed it:

FG% by month
Oct .343
Nov .452
Dec .488
Jan .500
Feb .528

His per minute numbers are now pretty comparable to those of rookie-year KG, who was also, if you recall, a 19- year-old “giant stickman character.”

Thing 1

by Sleepy Freud on Mar 12, 2009 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

His per minute numbers are now pretty comparable to those of rookie-year KG, who was also, if you recall, a 19- year-old "giant stickman character.

So? Didn’t put KG in the top eight acts either when he was a rookie. That’s just disrespecting a lot of guys who have played more minutes and contributed more to the game.

Now wheres the rubbers? Whose got the rubbers?
I noticed there's so many of them
and there's really not that many of us.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Mar 12, 2009 8:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow

what is your deal? you seem like you resent the fact that BSG calls him an exciting player to watch.

by randolphforpresident on Mar 19, 2009 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Randolph’s already a better player than Rudy Gay

Dude! I could have totally used your backup in the our youth vs. Memphis’ youth argument. Not that I’d go so far as to say Randolph is better than Gay…

"No no Nene!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB5DxNl4EB0

by Dubs fan in Boston on Mar 13, 2009 7:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Randolph’s already a better player than Rudy Gay, overall (not as polished a scorer but much better defensively and on the glass).

Gotta disagree there. Would you really not trade Randolph for Rudy Gay right now? Randolph has the potential to be a better player, but I’ll take the sure thing in Gay who has a much more diverse offensive game and is a better on-ball defender. Comparing rebounding numbers between a guy who has played exclusively at the 3 and a guy who has played exclusively at the 4 this year isnt really fair.

Thing A

by sam23 on Mar 16, 2009 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

he said 8 players u stop what you're doing to see if theyre on TV

thats fair… when randolph is in, i watch.

by tafkasam on Mar 24, 2009 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

when randolph is in, i watch.

to see what he’s gonna pull?

Now wheres the rubbers? Whose got the rubbers?
I noticed there's so many of them
and there's really not that many of us.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Mar 24, 2009 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's good to hear

Now maybe we wont be in the bottom 5 lowest selling away teams anymore. He better be a starter next season

by Monta08 on Mar 11, 2009 3:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I read that too...

I’m curious to see what he says!

by krazybalr on Mar 11, 2009 3:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I dunno why

Duncan would be there.

Don’t get me wrong, he’s a stud and a future HOFer. I just don’t see how he’s on that list. He doesn’t really do anything spectacular when he plays.

by disguy on Mar 11, 2009 6:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

SG Loves Duncan

Well if you read the Sports Guy with any regularity, you would know that he is a BIG FAN of the Spurs and Duncan and Popovich. He calls Duncan the best teammate ever who makes sure that no one on his team ever loafs or pouts. SG’s season tickets for the Clippers are right behind the Opponent’s bench so he always likes to watch the demeanor of the opposing team and see how they react to certain situations and players. The Spurs are always so loose and always on the same page and its because of Duncan and Popp.

Now granted, he isn’t the most spectacular player to watch, but he does get the job done, and you have to respect that.

by Dubbadown on Mar 12, 2009 1:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh I do respect that

It’s just the fact that he’s on that particular list with those players is strange to me. I would have said a combination of Parker/Ginoboli/Duncan because most nights, at least one of them will do something sick. When they’re healthy, of course (Manu).

Anyways, looking forward to see if he’ll ever answer why he put AR on there.

by disguy on Mar 12, 2009 8:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

SG’s season tickets for the Clippers are right behind the Opponent’s bench

I bet he either gets those tickets straight from his employer. And even if he doesn’t, they’re still tax write-offs. Maybe I need to find a new profession.

"No no Nene!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB5DxNl4EB0

by Dubs fan in Boston on Mar 13, 2009 7:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, he and his buddy pay for the tickets out of their own pockets. He talks every year about how he struggles with the decision to renew, and even in the original article, he and his buddy agree that just seeing Lebron do what he did that night was worth the tens of thousands of dollars they have laid down on Clipper tickets. Now, whether they are a write off or not, I can’t speak to that.

by Dubbadown on Mar 13, 2009 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

As a sports writer, his job requires that he go to games

There’s no way he doesn’t find some way to work that into his taxes.

"No no Nene!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB5DxNl4EB0

by Dubs fan in Boston on Mar 13, 2009 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

AR is on the list

Because of the ridiculous blocks that he comes up with, the putbacks over Yao and resultant showboating, the raw emotions, the relentless rebounding attempts. It does seem slightly odd to me that AR would be put up on this list right now, but I am starting to become a believer in his abilities, and in a couple years I don’t think anbody would question his inclusion on this list. Already this season we have seen a huge metamorphosis from a young immature player with immense talent but no patience for the game to a hardworking and energetic player who recognizes what he does well now, works vigorously on what he doesn’t, and lets the game come to him more. Granted there is no guarantee he will continue to get better, but considering he is the youngest player in the NBA, I think there is still a lot more to expect from this guy.

by Pearlsofwisdom on Mar 12, 2009 10:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

im just happy i got on the AR bandwagon really early, so now in a couple years i can clown all the other peeps for the pointless hate

by 123707THIZZ on Mar 13, 2009 1:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

lol ya

You know I spit technique to the freshest freak
Gimme a call you will see results in just a week
With the soul of a LOST HAWK
Is there a heaven for a Rap Cat, let's talk

by LostHawk on Mar 13, 2009 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

Cuz that’s what life is about. Making fun of people who were waiting for something to materialize before calling it great. This is the mentality that leads sports writers to post unfounded rumors on the hopes of getting credited for the “scoop”. Congrats.

"No no Nene!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB5DxNl4EB0

by Dubs fan in Boston on Mar 13, 2009 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol i can honestly say, that you my friend have never written a comment worth reading. i wish there was an "ignore" button

And im not a sprorts writer like you probably like to pretend you are. Im just a warriors fan casually commenting on a website…

by 123707THIZZ on Mar 13, 2009 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

. i wish there was an "ignore" button

there is but you gotta recognize it, close your eyes and look inside?

Now wheres the rubbers? Whose got the rubbers?
I noticed there's so many of them
and there's really not that many of us.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Mar 13, 2009 4:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

a sprorts writer like you probably like to pretend you are

I write about sports for a public reader base. That makes me a sports writer :)

I’m just glad I got on the “blog members calling themselves sports writers” bandwagon early on, so I can clown everybody who jumps on at the next stop. Man, that’s gonna be so awesome!!!

"No no Nene!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB5DxNl4EB0

by Dubs fan in Boston on Mar 15, 2009 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

so I can clown everybody who jumps on at the next stop.

too late , I was writin this crap on bathroom walls long before the internet.

Now wheres the rubbers? Whose got the rubbers?
I noticed there's so many of them
and there's really not that many of us.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Mar 15, 2009 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

See...

I know you’re lying because “blogs” didn’t exist before the internet. Weaksauce… trying to bite my game. I’m the original sports writer.

"No no Nene!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB5DxNl4EB0

by Dubs fan in Boston on Mar 16, 2009 7:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know you’re lying because "blogs" didn’t exist before the internet.

we din’t call them blogs in those days, we called it vandalism

Now wheres the rubbers? Whose got the rubbers?
I noticed there's so many of them
and there's really not that many of us.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Mar 16, 2009 9:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol you tell your parents your a sports writer dont you

by 123707THIZZ on Mar 15, 2009 8:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My parents worship my sports writerness

Just like you should. You just jealous of my silky sweet original analysis.

"No no Nene!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB5DxNl4EB0

by Dubs fan in Boston on Mar 16, 2009 7:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

haha you make it silky smoove

by 123707THIZZ on Mar 17, 2009 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

materialize....

while Randolph made a lot of mistakes during the first part of the season, he always brought the energy, emotion and hustle that just makes basketball fun to watch. he just seems to want it more than most nba players. so even when he wasn’t playing well (beginning of the season) I just don’t understand how people wouldn’t want him getting as many minutes as possible, and staying with the warriors for as long as possible.

by randolphforpresident on Mar 19, 2009 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just don’t understand how people wouldn’t want him getting as many minutes as possible

Cause he’s dangerous to his health and the health of those on the court anywhere near him. Until he learns to play like a professional he should sit, he’s finally getting it now so he deserves a little more time.

Now wheres the rubbers? Whose got the rubbers?
I noticed there's so many of them
and there's really not that many of us.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Mar 19, 2009 3:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Excited to see AR on the list

whether he deserves it or not, it’s nice to see a warrior, especially a 19 year old rookie, be on the list. And as warriors fans, we shouldn’t argue about it either.

by KeepdaCore on Mar 13, 2009 5:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs