The Footnote Title (Bill Simmons)

[Andrew]

I enjoyed reading it, so I figured I'd share it for those who haven't seen it yet.

The Sports Guy ranks the 20 most fortunate breaks an NBA champion ever received

When Derrick Rose's knee injury ruined the spring of every Chicago fan, I tweeted that 2012 was suddenly an "asterisk title." The more I'm thinking about it, "footnote title" makes more sense. A basketball season always features collateral damage, whether it's injuries, lucky breaks or someone stupidly assaulting a fire extinguisher. Asterisks should be saved for fishier achievements like Bonds's 73 homers, Roger Clemens's last few Cy Youngs and Pia Zadora winning a Golden Globe. A "footnote title" respects the champion while also acknowledging that, "Look, SOMETHING funky happened and you can't discuss that postseason in detail without mentioning that one funky thing."

Who'd have thought Bill Simmons would like footnotes?

I do like the approach though, footnotes rather than asterisks. The latter always seems to carry negative connotations and often takes away credit where it's due.

[Dc311]

and often takes away credit where it's due.

Damn you Phil Jackson.

[shadowgrin]

Hakeem the Dream deserved to win at least one championship. (Look at this clip, for god's sake.)

phpBB [video]

I kept replaying the first clip in that one. Just absolutely beautiful how he used that right foot.

[[Q]]

that was a good read. i don't like how in 2009 he dismissed the idea that the Magic were worthy Finals opponents, ignoring Jameer's labrum injury in an otherwise all-star year, plus Courtney Lee's missed layup for the win in Game 2 of the Finals (In LA)

[Andrew]

The Olajuwon mix is definitely a must watch.

As far as the 2009 Magic are concerned, I think he's got a point. His Celtics bias is a little obvious there as Nelson's injury is also an important footnote, but the Cavs still probably should've won that series and the Celtics would've had a pretty good shot at repeating if not for their injuries.