ESPN has a feature on their website called, ‘Insider‘. They have basketball opinionated people writing blogs in which they charge ‘x’ amount of money to subscribe. Guys like Fran Fraschilla, Dick Vitale, Doug Gottlieb and everyone’s favorite analyst, Jay Bilas; all give us their thoughts on the greatest game in the world.
I am not a subscriber to the Insider feature. But if you click on this link, it will take you to Bilas’ blog on physical play.
ESPN.com gives you a ‘tease’ where you can read his first two paragraphs on this topic. Bilas starts to explain how he thinks the college basketball game is more physical than the NBA.
If you talk to any knowledgeable basketball person, he or she will tell you that the college game is far more physical than the NBA, especially on the perimeter.
LOL.
Which knowledgeable basketball people does Bilas talk to?
After reading Bilas’ two paragraphs on physical play I quickly spoke with a few ‘knowledgeable’ basketball people and they laughed at that notion.
I’ve been watching NBA games since I was five years old and have been watching college basketball games since I was 14; from the 70′s up until now, the pro game is way more physical than college.
I listen to Bilas on ESPN often; it seems like he does 50% of the games televised. He’s the type of guy who says things that makes you go hmmmm… But he’s also the type of guy who, when he makes a statement, you’re like, ‘did he just say that‘?
JB played and coached at Duke. He is an attorney and works Nike Skill Development camps in the summer. I like him, overall he does a good job. (I especially liked the skit when he was reffing a make believe game and Digger was on the sidelines and Bilas called Digger, ‘Al Capone’ because of his pinstripe suit). I also have been told JB has a great sense of humor.
When I watch college basketball games (mostly on TV) I see officials call fouls on kids for just blowing on them. It’s what we call ‘ticky tack’.
When I watch NBA games, again mostly on TV, I see guys getting hammered, without any call being made.
My good friend on Twitter, Clarence Gaines Jr. tweeted this today:
In reference to Bilas, Men are Men and Boys are Boys. Guess what level has the most men playing the game?
My main man C-Gaines, A.K.A., @cgrock24 has a valid point…
-Coach Finamore
Hoops135@hotmail.com
Espn.com and Jay Bilas are just selling controversy. How many people payed x amount of dollars to read the rest of that outrageous statement? I suppose a few..1st of all Steve,you read 2 lines and prejudged that entire article. 2ndly, Jay’s a pansie and wouldn’t know what it feels like when an adult male athlete’s elbow collides with your body.You know Steve, that Jay, Fran, espn,com, are all selling us a bag of goods..
Garcia, thanks for stopping. I like some of the material on the internet; but some of it is garbage.