Bill Simmons is a genius...

...I just finished reading his latest column regarding the NBA all-star weekend [It can be found at www.espn.com on the front page...easy to find]..Go read it now.

Much of his appeal comes from his "average guy persona". He was working as a bartender and writing for a personal website he set up when the internet was just getting started (in the mid 90's). He essentially uses common sense, some creative thinking, and a bit of comedy to rethink and retell our sporting (and other pop culture) experiences (essentially, he is exactly like our friend Matt).

I think that Bill S. is a bit more genius though than he comes across. He has transformed the relationship between fans and professional sports. To use one of my dad's favorite words, he shifted our "paradigm". He saw a new technological medium untapped and a public hunger for connectedness. He prides himself on being an "average fan" and writes from that perspective versus an elitist or superior level...He has bridged the gap between casual fan and super star athlete by making them more human and giving us (casual fan) more of a voice. He also makes me laugh. A lot. Laughing is good.

I like him. I look forward to his columns...

The end.