Bill Simmons has fired back at Mike & Mike. If you’ve missed the intra-ESPN conflict so far, here’s what you need to know…
On Wednesday, Simmons appeared on The Herd. While talking about LeBron James’ early season struggles, Simmons had this to say:
Anyone who thinks LeBron looks the same is fooling themselves. He doesn’t have the same impulsiveness. He looks 20 pounds lighter physically. Just his general force-of-natureness capacity — whatever you want to say — it’s not there. And he’s driving to the basket, and he’s under the rim now, and I don’t know what that means. I don’t know if he’s hurt, I don’t know if the big weight loss has affected his game or whatever. This is not a jump-to-conclusion thing. I have been watching this Cavs team since the preseason games started, and he does not look the same.
As the Big Lead reported, Simmons qualified the statement above by saying:
It’s really early to say this, so please, sports blogs and people, don’t throw this in my face.
Then, Mike Golic did exactly that, ripping Simmons on Mike & Mike.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AIyr1tomHQ
Here’s a transcript of what Golic had to say:
I think it’s one of the most ridiculous statements I’ve heard four games into a season in my life in any sport. That’s what I’ll say about Bill Simmons. So, you know, he grabbed a headline, which is something I know he loves — and that’s one of the most ridiculous lines I’ve ever heard in any sport in my life. Four games into a season. I don’t even … that’s ridiculous.
Now, Bill Simmons has fired back via Twitter.
What Mike and Mike did today was absolute garbage. I would say I lost respect for that show, but I never had it. http://t.co/LRd8YzFfO8
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) November 6, 2014
For an ESPN Radio show to pull an interview out of context from another ESPN Radio show, then play the moral authority card, is disgusting.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) November 6, 2014
Have the balls to call me to discuss it on the show. Don’t pull it out of context just because you need fodder for a segment. Pathetic.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) November 6, 2014
But hey – I’m just a guy who can’t evolve, right? http://t.co/XJ0GWbc5gJ
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) November 6, 2014
This all comes just a couple weeks following Simmons’ return from an ESPN suspension after he criticized NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. And, in case you were wondering, Simmons’ ESPN contract expires next fall.