Sports Thread #2 for 6/15/09: When Bill Simmons Talks NBA, he's Great. And He Speaks The Truth Here

Bill Simmons is something the typical American sports writer who can be a condescending fool on sports like soccer and tennis. But when he talks about basketball, he is definitely relevant and knows what he is saying most of the times.

His criticism of the fawning over Kobe being a different person is definitely astute indeed.

Did you hear about Gasol's sacrifice during the playoffs? Not really. Just like you didn't hear about Odom's willingness to give up minutes and touches during a contract year (a rarity in the NBA these days), or Ariza's red-hot shooting and the irony of Orlando giving him away last season. We always heard about Kobe sacrificing, but really, the key to the 2009 title was that he finally found three talented sidekicks willing to sacrifice for him. Big difference.

Read the whole thing, it is actually good stuff.