How much do Skip and SAS actually know about basketball?

[CavaliersFTW]

http://bossip.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/skip-bayless-e1345554366406.jpeg

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/001/899/427/stephen-a-smith_original_display_image.jpg

I have never once in my life heard them talk about actual basketball on their show... they talk about stars not teams, and they make references only to vague story-line abilities like "wanting it more" "choking" "willing the team to victory...."

Never heard them once talk about defending against pick and rolls, team A vs team B's ability to react to zone D, player abilities against a full court press, etc... wtf is the point of their show!? They talk about heroic sports tabloid stories they never ever talk about basketball :mad:

anyone got any links of these guys talking about actual basketball?

[chips93]

not exactly anything new op, but totally agree

its lowest common denomonitor stuff

they want as many viewers as possible, and dont want to scare any simpletons away. so they keep it simple. 'player X won because he has the heart of a champion', etc.

[D.J.]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5-A8Ao47nU


Smartest thing SAS ever said. :oldlol:

[jlip]

They are basically ISH posters with journalism degrees.

[StroShow4]

Hard to tell. They're trolling.

[Heavincent]

Mark Cuban went on First Take and pretty much said the same thing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv2jqFd2-qI

[jongib369]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAkVnlA9CJo




If I were to space out 2 lines, the further the gap the more they know about basketball...would look something like this


l

[DuMa]

the day you think those two ever say anything thought provoking and insightful is the day that you realize you just lost all grasp on what is truly thought provoking and insightful

[Rubio2Gasol]

When Cuban asked Skip about the defensive schemes the look on his face was priceless.

[Miller for 3]

The sad thing is that show is like the most watched ESPN program. They never offer anything intelligent. Literally every segment from that show I've seen is Tebow, Lebron, or "clutch time" related.

[CavaliersFTW]

Mark Cuban went on First Take and pretty much said the same thing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv2jqFd2-qI
that was awful to watch, and it makes me think SAS and Skip aren't merely trolling - they legitimately don't know jack sh*t about basketball :oldlol:

[Rubio2Gasol]

What's more sad is that they aren't even elite trolls.

I would enjoy a

NumberSix vs TheBigVeto Vs KenethGriffin Vs Pauk roundtable discussion more.

[ShaqAttack3234]

Yeah, they don't give any in-depth analysis on the show. In general, I think Stephen A. is decent, but Skip is a joke when it comes to basketball. He goes on and on with his stupid "clutch gene" shit, applies certain labels to players without anything to support them and often says outrageous things that would be called trolling here. His nonsense about how Wade was "Batman" and Lebron was "Robin" is an example of what a clown he can be.

it was hilarious when he was exposed for lying about his highschool basketball career.

Skip is more qualified to talk football. Granted, he gets carried away in football too. He's such an irrational fanboy when it comes to Tebow that he seems like he must be joking and loses a lot of whatever credibility he has when his name comes up. Similar to Lebron in basketball. In fact, a lot of Skip's name recognition the last 10 years came from his excessive criticism of Lebron similar to how he's so well known for overrating Tebow so much these days.

It's difficult to tell how knowledgeable some of these guys are because I believe they're pretty much paid to say controversial things.

[Asukal]

I picture jlauber is pretty much on the same level as those guys except he knows every statistic you can find on his man Wilt. :rolleyes:

[InfiniteBaskets]

You guys have to keep in mind that their job is not to perform an in-depth analysis of basketball strategies and match-ups. ESPN will ocassionally bring in ex-coaches/players like Avery Johnson or Bruce Bowen. And Hubie Brown does a good job getting into it as well.

I believe both of them got their career started in journalism, which is vastly different from basketball studies. But, over the years they have mastered the craft of selling themselves and storylining. They bring viewers, and that's their job. Steven A Smith and Skip both still have good reporting skills and they've retained some of their connections/sources close to NBA players.

But ultimately their job now is to just sell stories to keep you watching. It's similar to how the best singers are not always at the top of the billboards. It's a business, and ESPN will keep putting them on TV as long as viewers stay tuned.

[Asukal]

You guys have to keep in mind that their job is not to perform an in-depth analysis of basketball strategies and match-ups. ESPN will ocassionally bring in ex-coaches/players like Avery Johnson or Bruce Bowen. And Hubie Brown does a good job getting into it as well.

I believe both of them got their career started in journalism, which is vastly different from basketball studies. But, over the years they have mastered the craft of selling themselves and storylining. They bring viewers, and that's their job. Steven A Smith and Skip both still have good reporting skills and they've retained some of their connections/sources close to NBA players.

But ultimately their job now is to just sell stories to keep you watching. It's similar to how the best singers are not always at the top of the billboards. It's a business, and ESPN will keep putting them on TV as long as viewers stay tuned.

True. Its their job to induce thought provoking statements. One has to look beyond the stupidity and just enjoy their folly.

[Eric Cartman]

The only insightful analyst takes part of that show is Eric Mangini. Man does that guy know his football. Even John Salley said Magic Johnson is the GOAT. F*ck First take in the a$$.

[tmacattack33]

I like Stephen A as like a TV personality...his talk show wasn't bad. He had some great stars on there and was able to get Iverson to break into tears. He got him to talk about stuff that no other interviewer ever did. Great interview.

He also had good shows when Shaq was a guest, and Kobe, and many others.

But yeah, straight up x's and o's, he doesn't bring much to the table.

[rodman91]

Both don't know anything but fun to watch.. They are acting like lunatics on TV. They are hillarious.

[wally_world]

I think they're just trying too hard to make things interesting, exciting and controversial. Im sure they know the technical stuff more than what we see, but they're just doing this for the viewership.

[blablabla]

they are entertainers nothing more

[pauk]

Stephen A Smith has basketball knowledge and is pretty logical/reasonable compared to Skip Bayless.... but hey anybody is that compared to Skip Bayless, he is a real life troll... thats why he makes a living afterall...

[Mr Know It All]

ESPN = Fox News of Sports.

[Mr. I'm So Rad]

Probably just as little as most people on this site do.

[CarlosBoozer]

As much as I know, and I just started watching the nba last year:lebronamazed:

[kilmor]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAkVnlA9CJo&feature=related

watch the whole thing first, especially the last part

[ILLsmak]

http://bossip.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/skip-bayless-e1345554366406.jpeg

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/001/899/427/stephen-a-smith_original_display_image.jpg

I have never once in my life heard them talk about actual basketball on their show... they talk about stars not teams, and they make references only to vague story-line abilities like "wanting it more" "choking" "willing the team to victory...."

Never heard them once talk about defending against pick and rolls, team A vs team B's ability to react to zone D, player abilities against a full court press, etc... wtf is the point of their show!? They talk about heroic sports tabloid stories they never ever talk about basketball :mad:

anyone got any links of these guys talking about actual basketball?

Yeah, I think you're right... I am sure I know more than those ****s. They just go by what they heard or what happened.

-Smak

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Mark Cuban went on First Take and pretty much said the same thing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv2jqFd2-qI

The problem is Cuban wants to give his Mavs ALL the credit when most of us know Lebron played tight and choked in those 4th quarters. Did their defense have something to do w/ that? Yes. Of course - but not exclusively.

Cuban made Skip look like a giant tool, but SAS had great points that he (Cuban) couldn't address.

Did Lamar Odom want it bad enough? Classic. :oldlol:

[ralph_i_el]

They're journalists. You wouldn't expect a CNN journalist covering a war to know military strategy would you?

that doesn't excuse the fact that they are shameless trolls though

[CavaliersFTW]

They're journalists. You wouldn't expect a CNN journalist covering a war to know military strategy would you?

that doesn't excuse the fact that they are shameless trolls though
They don't go by the title of "Journalist" (even if that's what they are) - they go by the titles of "ESPN Sports Analysts". They trick sheeple into thinking they know basketball so that they follow their phony storylines. Shameless indeed.

[MavsSuperFan]

http://bossip.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/skip-bayless-e1345554366406.jpeg

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/001/899/427/stephen-a-smith_original_display_image.jpg

I have never once in my life heard them talk about actual basketball on their show... they talk about stars not teams, and they make references only to vague story-line abilities like "wanting it more" "choking" "willing the team to victory...."

Never heard them once talk about defending against pick and rolls, team A vs team B's ability to react to zone D, player abilities against a full court press, etc... wtf is the point of their show!? They talk about heroic sports tabloid stories they never ever talk about basketball :mad:

anyone got any links of these guys talking about actual basketball?

Talking about actual basketball or any sport in depth wouldnt garner good ratings. Talking about clutchness and choking will.

Also a huge reason Inside the NBA is so popular is because of all the non-basketball humor based things they do.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Talking about actual basketball or any sport in depth wouldnt garner good ratings. Talking about clutchness and choking will.

Also a huge reason Inside the NBA is so popular is because of all the non-basketball humor based things they do.

Pretty much

[MavsSuperFan]

Stephen A Smith has basketball knowledge and is pretty logical/reasonable compared to Skip Bayless.... but hey anybody is that compared to Skip Bayless, he is a real life troll... thats why he makes a living afterall...

Skip Bayless is why that show is successful. His haters comprise the majority of viewers and he has made Stephen A Smith more popular because of it.

[LakersReign]

http://bossip.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/skip-bayless-e1345554366406.jpeg

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/001/899/427/stephen-a-smith_original_display_image.jpg

I have never once in my life heard them talk about actual basketball on their show... they talk about stars not teams, and they make references only to vague story-line abilities like "wanting it more" "choking" "willing the team to victory...."

Never heard them once talk about defending against pick and rolls, team A vs team B's ability to react to zone D, player abilities against a full court press, etc... wtf is the point of their show!? They talk about heroic sports tabloid stories they never ever talk about basketball :mad:

anyone got any links of these guys talking about actual basketball?

Stephen A, used to write for a Philly newspaper, or still does, but he does know ball. I remember him being one of Iverson's biggest defenders back in the day. He did that up until the incident where Iverson grabbed a gun and went looking for some dude he was told was supposedly having sex with his wife, or some crazy nonsense like that. For those of us who know who he is, prior to ESPN, that's always been his style, it's nothing new.

[wang4three]

Very, very little. They only know sensational, emotional journalism. They think this sport is a piece of literature that they analyze on a sunny day at a college quad instead of real life that is mostly meangingless. They like to only speak about the mentality of players and not the game on the hardwood.

[Euroleague]

They know what a basketball is....that's about it.

[Euroleague]

When Cuban asked Skip about the defensive schemes the look on his face was priceless.

Like Mark Cuban has any freaking idea about basketball either.

[CavaliersFTW]

Like Mark Cuban has any freaking idea about basketball either.
A self-made billionaire... and the active (and very vocal, and involved) GM of a recent NBA championship team - he is probably pretty smart - and he probably knows a thing or two about basketball :lol

[Euroleague]

A self-made billionaire... and the active (and very vocal, and involved) GM of a recent NBA championship team - he is probably pretty smart - and he probably knows a thing or two about basketball :lol

Wow, you REALLY are a clown.

[CavaliersFTW]

Wow, you REALLY are a clown.

*Net Worth = $2.3 billion
*Didn't win a billion $ in any lottery
*Family was not billionaires
*No other billionaire decided to gift him all their investments and net worth

Please enlighten us the all-wise and knowin Euroleague - why is Mark Cuban not a self-made billionaire? :oldlol:

[All Net]

Very little

Skip knows very little.. Very clueless

[brandonislegend]

*Net Worth = $2.3 billion
*Didn't win a billion $ in any lottery
*Family was not billionaires
*No other billionaire decided to gift him all their investments and net worth

Please enlighten us the all-wise and knowin Euroleague - why is Mark Cuban not a self-made billionaire? :oldlol:

:roll: :applause:

[Asukal]

Wow, you REALLY are a clown.

You're 100x more of a clown than he is. :roll:

[RaininTwos]

I believe SAS knows a ton about basketball, more than the average ISHER for sure.

Skip doesn't know anything about anything. This guy makes people dumber.

[chips93]

does anybody have any articles or videos of stephen a showing his basketball knowledge?

[Money 23]

SAS knows the game. He just doesn't have time to go into detail in a show that revolves around headlines, and contrived TV personalities with overly strong opinions.

[chips93]

any of you guys remember this article (http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/columns/story?columnist=smith_stephen&id=6747406)?

stephen a bashes deron for going to turkey during the lockout, saying it hurts the union, calls him a 'filthy rich scab'. which made no sense at the time, since it was clear that stars going abroad, showed the owners, that playing in the nba wasnt the only option, and gave the union leverage

this flew straight over SAS' head.

a few days later hunter, or some union representative came out and encouraged nba players to seek teams abroad.

stephen a is clearly an idiot

[KyrieTheFuture]

They know a good amount but they're bad at dumbing it down for the masses so they seem like morons.

[KingBeasley08]

Both don't know anything but fun to watch.. They are acting like lunatics on TV. They are hillarious.
This. First Take is good for a couple of laughs

And Stephen A is hilarious. Just love the way he articulates and conveys his thoughts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sd9OW4sAlIE :oldlol:

[Heavincent]

The problem is Cuban wants to give his Mavs ALL the credit when most of us know Lebron played tight and choked in those 4th quarters. Did their defense have something to do w/ that? Yes. Of course - but not exclusively.

Cuban made Skip look like a giant tool, but SAS had great points that he (Cuban) couldn't address.

Did Lamar Odom want it bad enough? Classic. :oldlol:

Yeah, but his stance is much more reasonable. Skip thinks Lebron choked because of "excruciating pressure" while Cuban thinks the Mavs defensive play and scheme was the biggest reason for Lebron's failure.

[MavsSuperFan]

Does anyone really want to watch knowledgeable ex-coaches with no personality break down game film from any sport? It would have lower ratings than nbc.

[MavsSuperFan]

Yeah, but his stance is much more reasonable. Skip thinks Lebron choked because of "excruciating pressure" while Cuban thinks the Mavs defensive play and scheme was the biggest reason for Lebron's failure.

Honestly I think Lebron choked against the Mavs. If he plays up to his potential the heat win.

[Miller for 3]

SAS knows the game. He just doesn't have time to go into detail in a show that revolves around headlines, and contrived TV personalities with overly strong opinions.

lol you only think this because he's black. he's utterly clueless.

[pauk]

does anybody have any articles or videos of stephen a showing his basketball knowledge?

All articles/videos where he argues with Skip Bayless.... compared to him he has basketball knowledge.. :D

[And 1]

Their personalities? I guess not much.

But how much do we actually know about Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith? :confusedshrug:

[D.J.]

"Kwame Brown is a bonafide scrub. He can't play."

"We're talking about Kwame Brown"



:roll:

[Nevaeh]

What's more sad is that they aren't even elite trolls.

I would enjoy a

NumberSix vs TheBigVeto Vs KenethGriffin Vs Pauk roundtable discussion more.

These 3 aren't Trolls, they just keep it real.

I wouldn't even qualify Griff as a troll either. He's just a "Throw sh!t out there, and see what sticks" kind of poster.
http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Heavincent]

These 3 aren't Trolls, they just keep it real.

I wouldn't even qualify Griff as a troll either. He's just a "Throw sh!t out there, and see what sticks" kind of poster.
http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif

TheBigVeto and NumberSix are blatant trolls. They don't even try to hide it. Pauk...well he's just an idiot. You think callnig Yao Ming a better player than Kobe is "keeping it real"?

NumberSix is actually hilarious though.

[Remix]

I haven't really watched much of either talk bball, but from listening to them talk about football, SAS knows his stuffs -- Skip is just an idiot.

Skip has his mancrush on Tebow, still gets his panties in a bunch over last year. I remember in one of his talks with Terrell Suggs he went as far as to say that Tebow was better than Flacco.

[Nevaeh]

TheBigVeto and NumberSix are blatant trolls. They don't even try to hide it. Pauk...well he's just an idiot. You think callnig Yao Ming a better player than Kobe is "keeping it real"?

NumberSix is actually hilarious though.

Oh, I didn't know he said that, sorry. That's what I like to call having a "97 Bulls" moment, where you post nonsense because you're bored. Everyone here's been guilty of that though.

[upside24]

Both know ball but Skip has the antagonist role so sometimes he makes moronic points like LeBron was Robin.