Magic Johnson

on that Jalen and Simmons are straight. First of all, Jalen is ok, but in no way should he be the “host” for this. He is not that dude. They don’t have a EJ, Kamla, Cellini, Weiner type to set things up and I just don’t think Jalen is very good at it. It’s strange that they wouldn’t use Wilbon in that role, but whatever. Jalen has good anecdotes on things from a former players perspective, but I don’t think he can steer the conversation and make sure things stay on track. Simmons was funny 8 years ago, but now has become a caricature of himself. He tries too hard to be funny and comes off as such a Boston homer. You are a journalist. Try being objective once in a while. Magic does seem like a really good guy. He just isn’t great at talking about basketball. It is a skill to be able to communicate what is happening in a game and translate it for the casual observer. Just because you were great at playing, does not mean you are great at talking, right Moses Malone? Fo-Fo-Fo. Just kidding Moses, you were a beast!

I always think about the line Simmons used in his book to describe listening Magic on t.v. It was something like, Magic sounds like he is eating a ham sandwich when he talks on t.v. I thought that line was hilarious, but then I started wondering if anyone had every pointed that out to Magic on the set. That would make for some awkward commercial breaks between those two.

on that Jalen and Simmons are straight. First of all, Jalen is ok, but in no way should he be the “host” for this. He is not that dude. They don’t have a EJ, Kamla, Cellini, Weiner type to set things up and I just don’t think Jalen is very good at it. It’s strange that they wouldn’t use Wilbon in that role, but whatever. Jalen has good anecdotes on things from a former players perspective, but I don’t think he can steer the conversation and make sure things stay on track. Simmons was funny 8 years ago, but now has become a caricature of himself. He tries too hard to be funny and comes off as such a Boston homer. You are a journalist. Try being objective once in a while. Magic does seem like a really good guy. He just isn’t great at talking about basketball. It is a skill to be able to communicate what is happening in a game and translate it for the casual observer. Just because you were great at playing, does not mean you are great at talking, right Moses Malone? Fo-Fo-Fo. Just kidding Moses, you were a beast!

I always think about the line Simmons used in his book to describe listening Magic on t.v. It was something like, Magic sounds like he is eating a ham sandwich when he talks on t.v. I thought that line was hilarious, but then I started wondering if anyone had every pointed that out to Magic on the set. That would make for some awkward commercial breaks between those two.