LA Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant and sports journalist Bill Simmons have at least two things in common–they both love basketball and they say what they think. Oh, maybe there’s a third thing. Both guys have had some problems lately with ESPN–which brings us back to saying what they think. ESPN released its 2014 NBA player rankings this week and Kobe Bryant is ranked #40, just behind, umm, Andre Iguodala and Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors. Asked about this Bryant promptly responded by saying “I’ve known for a long time that they’re a bunch of idiots.”
Simmons didn’t say ESPN, his generous employer, contained a bunch of idiots. But Simmons’ suspension by ESPN after he called NFL commissioner Roger Goodell a liar probably came because he implied it. In his now famous rant about Goodell’s dubious Ray Rice statements, Simmons taunted his employer, saying “I really hope someone calls me or emails me and says I’m in trouble for anything I say about Roger Goodell. If one person says that to me, I’m going public. You leave me alone.” Simmons was silenced for three weeks after that. He must think it’s idiotic, because he didn’t apologize–and wasn’t forced to. Kobe, by the way, can’t be the only one who thinks ESPN isn’t thinking straight: Dwayne Wade is #36. Where’s your are-you-kidding-me? tweet, D-Wade?
Kobe on ESPN ranking him 40th best player: “I’ve known for a long time that they’re a bunch of idiots.”
— Bill Oram (@bill_oram) October 17, 2014
