Jay Bilas responds
My entry yesterday about Tyler Hansbrough might have left a wrong impression about Jay Bilas. I don't want to insinuate that I've detected elements of racial bias in Bilas' basketball commentary. My point was to use what Bilas said about Hansbrough Saturday as an example of how some stereotypes become pervasive, about how -- and I don't know that Bilas ever said this -- every Adam Morrison is the next Larry Bird.
Bilas responded with a thoughtful e-mail, which deserves an airing here. He again showed himself to be a classy individual. Here is his e-mail to me:
Please accept this in the spirit it is intended. I respect your opinion and judgment, and I would never contact you to question your likes or dislikes regarding broadcasts, broadcasters or the like.
However, I do take exception to your implication that the comments regarding Tyler Hansbrough were racially motivated. If you recall, I compared Hansbrough favorably to the hardest worker and greatest competitor the game has known, Michael Jordan. If you will recall as well, I have praised Curry all season for being a smart player and one that really knows how to play. I have praised countless others for their work ethics.
Reasonable minds can differ on the matters we normally discuss. However, the implication from your point that was directed toward me is offensive and contrary to clear evidence. Such matters require a higher level of discussion, in my judgment, and I believe your blog item regarding me was incorrect and unfair.
Comments
You deservedly got put in your place, Frager. Way to scar The Sun.
Posted by: JWBBZ | April 1, 2008 9:05 PM
Who knew Bilas reads "Medium Well"? :) Well, you know what they say, Frager, "Even bad publicity is good publicity!"
Posted by: Sugarbear | April 1, 2008 10:22 PM
As a Maryland fan, I've always respected Bilas. If I hadn't watched him at Duke, I never would have known he went there. That's how fair a broadcaster he is. Dukie V on the other hand??????????
Posted by: eric | April 1, 2008 10:26 PM
Refreshing to see you post his "rebuttal" in its entirety and also to explain the intentions of your article, Ray.
Posted by: Chuck in Edgewood | April 1, 2008 11:57 PM
Out of curiosity, did you get his permission to reprint the e-mail?
Ray replies: Yes, I did ask him first. In this context, it wouldn't have been fair to quote his e-mail otherwise.
Posted by: Christopher Byrne | April 2, 2008 12:03 AM
i am glad Jay Bilas responded to your blog, and as you said, he is always a gentleman. I think you showed fairness in printing his response. He is the last analyst at ESPN I would ever accuse of bias of any kind -- the best they got in any sport.
Posted by: ron nixon | April 2, 2008 9:34 AM
FWIW, Morrison is the college player most like Larry Bird over the last 20 years. And I'm talking game, not appearance. Now, Morrison couldn't pass, which was admittedly 75 percent of what made Bird unique, but as far as pure offensive moves and ground-level creativity, Morrison's as close as you can find.
Posted by: D.B. Cooper | April 2, 2008 11:01 PM
Bilas quote of the century:
"Looks like Hansbrough gave a bit of a walk there, except he was dribbling so they didn't call it."
Posted by: Hepstyle | April 3, 2008 12:15 PM
To accurately describe this, one would say that you pulled a small snippet of a comment from the best analyst in all of sports and then proceeded to portray it poorly. The rule of Sun continues. There are Roch and Schmuck, and then there are the worst collection of sportswriters in any major market in this land. Led by Captain Preston and the silly little intern Maese, it's hard to believe that the group of you have the nerve to criticize anyone.
Posted by: lefty | April 3, 2008 6:10 PM