This is why Jay Bilas is cool
At some point, when we switched to a 24-hour news cycle, it became painfully obvious that it didn't matter what someone was saying quite as much as how they said it. There were simply too many hours to fill in the day to always have insightful, intelligent commentary about sports or politics. Those who squawked loud enough began to realize they could use their television show, radio program, column or blog as launching pad for ridiculous opinions that could make them famous and make them a lot of money despite the fact that these arguments lacked anything resembling merit or reason.
Miami radio host Dan Le Batard (also a columnist for the Miami Herald, in addition to his role as the unofficial Hurricane football apologist) had one of those moments yesterday. On his show, he tried to bait ESPN's Jay Bilas into a conversation that suggested NBA teams might not be that interested in North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough because he is white. Bilas, one of the few talking heads who always favors substance over style and stupidity, didn't want any part of the conversation and properly pointed its moronic nature before hanging up, much to Le Batard's obvious dismay. Give it a listen here:
Bilas is an extremely classy individual, and one who even Maryland fans have learned to like and respect despite his Duke roots. I had a chance to meet him a few years ago when I was at the Final Four in New Orleans, and I was working on a long narrative piece about Oakland Mills basketball player Rayna Dubose. Dubose, who lost both her hands and both her feet after a bout with meningitis that almost killed her, was in town to receive an award from the Basketball Writers Association and she desperately wanted to meet ESPN announcer Dick Vitale. When I explained the situation to Bilas, he gladly offered up Vitale's cell phone number and asked if there was anything he could do to make it happen. (Dubose did get to meet Vitale before the weekend ended.)
With more and more media types getting a forum for their ridiculous opinions, it's nice to see someone like Bilas decline to participate in the clown parade. He can actually write pretty well too -- check out this Billy Donovan column that won an award from the U.S. Basketball Writer's Association -- which puts him in a elite company when it comes to ex-athletes. (And I say that, reluctantly, as an ex-athlete.)
Comments
Go Jay Bilas! He is by far the most intelligent, thoughtful, well-spoken analyst on TV today. Here's hoping ESPN is never stupid enough to let him go!
Even if he is from Duke.
Posted by: Walter Hollman | April 10, 2008 11:02 PM
lebartard has one of the worst radio shows in the country.
Posted by: fkterp | April 11, 2008 5:09 AM
What's sad, to me, is that Le Batard is actually a very gifted writer. But he's become a caricature of himself with his constant race-baiting and stories that always take the apologist tone for "wronged" or "misunderstood" athletes. I don't think he even believes half the stuff he writes or says. But ESPN and the Miami Herald love him for saying it, so I guess the marketplace has spoken.
Posted by: Kevin Van Valkenburg | April 11, 2008 7:14 AM
Dan L. was bitten by the PTI bug (outspoken and loud) as a fill-in for TK and MW. This is a credit to Jay and his professionalism, not feeding into it. I remember when he played at Duke (I'm old enough to remember) and didn't like him as a player, but respected him as a team player. This is also an example of achieving your potential academically. He understood that the NBA (brief career) and overseas play is not within everyone's reach.He has the degree (I think LAW) to fall back on, unlike today's players who let any or everyone get inside their head filling it with misinformation, leading them astray and abandoning them when things don't work out. Jay's professional career is a story that deserves attention as a good example of getting that education while it is available and taking advantage of it.
Posted by: kdog | April 11, 2008 10:45 AM
This is one of the best and more indepth articles of reporting that I have read out of the Baltimore Sun in a few years. I admit that the reporter shows a bias toward Jay Bilas; but it is reporting. Also, I have ALWAYS enjoyed listening to Jay's comentary. I have not always have the same opinion; however I do respect and listen to Jay's reasoning. And with that generally I will learn something. That cannot be said for a lot of the "HOT AIR SUITS".
Posted by: johnjames44 | April 11, 2008 11:10 AM
It may have been race baiting, but it is a valid question. I think Jay took the easy way out by not answering it.
Posted by: Bob Kelley | April 11, 2008 11:32 AM
Bob,
I'd not sure what's valid about it. NBA General Managers would draft someone who was purple if he could beat his man off the dribble and hit open jumpers. Le Batard tried to say that GMs might be apprehensive about drafting a white player because none have been successful, but then tried to take white Europeans out of the equation. It's a loaded argument for Bilas to even engage in, and it's a phony one at that. The beautiful thing about sports is that it's the ultimate meritocracy. Any NBA GM that wouldn't draft a white player who might help his team wouldn't have a job for very long. Some bar arguments aren't even worth of addressing.
Posted by: Kevin Van Valkenburg | April 11, 2008 12:05 PM
Mr. Kelley,
Bilas did not evade the question. Le Batard asked him if race was an issue with Hansbrough and Bilas said no. That seems pretty clear to me.
It's valid to ask if people are racist but how are you going to prove that? How are you going to give such a question the depth and respect it deserves in 45 seconds on a radio show? Le Batard was trying to spice up the issue with the race question and Bilas gave Le Batard the respect the attempt deserved, which was none.
Le Batard , an otherwise fine writer and columnist, has a habit of injecting race into a topic whenever he sees an opening. I don't know him well enough to know why but it appears as if he does it to promote interest in himself. In his case, attention equals money, no matter how its done.
Posted by: DECO | April 11, 2008 8:36 PM
Bilas is the best commentator in the media regardless of sport. It used to pain me to agree with him due to his Duke roots, but I have gotten over that. His preparation is amazing and his analysis always is backed with justifications that make sense. My wish is that there were more like him.
Posted by: lefty | April 12, 2008 8:06 AM
LeBatard is a Tool. I don't like his condescending, laugh in your face,know-it-all style on PTI. Whenever he is substituting on PTI, I switch channels.
Posted by: Kirk | April 12, 2008 10:20 AM
Bilas favors substance over style? That's why Hansbrough was his POY over Beasley?
Absurd. And yes, Race matters.
Posted by: fatty fat fat | April 14, 2008 1:18 PM
Jay Bilas is a class act from top to bottom - I love the way he handles himself. He spoke out about the Lacrosse hoax and Duke's admin blundering it and he now he squelched this idiot. Jay you are awesome - that was stupid - Good Bye - way to go JAY - you da man!!!
Posted by: Randal | April 15, 2008 12:16 PM