Bill Simmons For Bucks GM

Milwaukee Scoop

2009-10-15T23:17:00.002-05:00

Thanks for reading the Bill Simmons for Bucks GM Blog...unfortunately, our dream did not come to fruition. But at least we are able to continue reading Bill's hilarious blogs and Twitter updates.

For readers in Milwaukee, or those that plan to visit, check out my new website -- www.MilwaukeeScoop.com. We are putting together the best of Milwaukee attractions, entertainment, dining and night life according to the people of Milwaukee. Hope you enjoy, and thanks for the support.

Comprehensive GM List

2008-04-03T20:45:00.003-05:00

Gery Woelfel, columnist for the Journal Times (Racine, WI newspaper), recently wrote an article detailing a dozen-or-so candidates he believes are possibilities. No mention of Bill, but a reader is quick to ask "What about Bill Simmons?" in the comment section of the article. Check out the article here.

Another Video

2008-04-03T20:40:00.002-05:00

Another video supporting Bill. This was posted on YouTube.

Bucks GM Position: Recent Developments

2008-04-01T17:26:00.008-05:00

JSOnline is reporting that the Milwaukee Bucks asked the Detroit Pistons permission to speak to their VP of Business Operations, John Hammond, but Detroit refused.

The paper also reports as recently as yesterday (March 31) that Donnie Walsh, former Pacers CEO and President, and Rick Sund, former Sonics GM, are also considered candidates for the open GM position at this time.

Still no word on the right man for the job, Bill Simmons, and where he stands.

Kohl on the next GM: “I’d rather not say anything about anybody except it’s wide-open for the best person we can find.”

OnMilwaukee.com: Give Simmons An Interview

2008-03-31T18:27:00.003-05:00

OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Jeff Sherman, also a Bucks season ticket holder, wants Senator Kohl to "at the very least, fly [Simmons] to Milwaukee for an interview..." He'll even buy the ticket. Hell, get all the Bill Simmons for Bucks GM fans to throw in a penny, and you've got a roundtrip flight, a stay at the Pfister and enough money leftover to buy out the contract of Dan Gadzuric! Well, maybe not that much. Check out the article here. Well done, Jeff.

Milwaukee Bucks Salary Situation

2008-03-29T22:22:00.006-05:00

As I stated in the previous post, the Bucks have several players tied up long term with huge contracts. SportsTwo.com has it laid out very well through the 2012-13 season. The glaring figure to me in this table is toward the bottom, where it predicts the salary cap and how far above or below the cap the Bucks are with the salaries they have tied up in their current players, with $57 million and $61 million in player salaries the next two years, respectively. Hopefully the new GM that comes in doesn't have plans to sign any free agents until 2010!

Sounds like we need someone who can come up with some brilliant trades...someone, perhaps, who has mastered ESPN's Trade Machine? I don't know if there is such a person, but if there is...he should probably get some consideration....

Fixing the Bucks

2008-03-29T21:44:00.005-05:00

Fixing the Bucks is a difficult proposition. Many times, teams that lose 50+ games in an NBA season do so because they lack talent. But on paper, this is a Milwaukee Bucks team that should compete for a playoff spot in the weak Eastern Conference.

The Bucks have a star-in-the-making at center, Andrew Bogut...who, by the way, has quietly become among the top centers in the East. He's no Dwight Howard, but he's very solid. At power forward, the Yi/Villanueva combination--talent-wise--rounds out an intriguing young front court. Small forward has been a disappointment. But again, on paper the Desmond Mason/Bobby Simmons duo should be able to hold there own at the position. And the back court of Mo Williams and Michael Redd can shoot with the best of them. Salary-wise, I don't think the Bucks expected their bench to be half bad either (that would be Simmons, Bell, Gadzuric and co.).

So with this team, how are the Bucks about to fail to win 30 games for the second consecutive season? That's the question that a lot of us Bucks fans are asking. The solution may not be clear, but the problems are very evident...and very abundant. Coach K might say its defense--and to a great extent it is. But most fans, including myself, would diagnose the major problem as a lack of desire. The Bucks can come out motivated and play a great game and win (the recent Cavs game), then they can come out and play like they don't care and lose to Miami...twice...in one week.

When you have a problem with players who are not motivated to play a game that they are payed millions each year to play, you can have all the money in the world to spend on a team and the end result is going to be the same. A disappointing, underachieving team...and fans who want drastic changes immediately.

It's a shame this is the 40th anniversary of this once proud franchise. Every time a Bucks legend returns to have his jersey rededicated, the 2008 version of the Bucks seem to play exactly the opposite of their predecessors.

Whoever comes in as the next GM will need a completely fresh approach. Thus, the reason many of us support Bill Simmons. Salary-wise, the Bucks have so much money tied up in the current players that it could be years...or several brilliant trades...before they are able to recover.

It's sad to think about when you have a team that is as young and talented as the Bucks. But any casual fan can see that changes must be made, and they must be vast.

What do you think?

Blog Featured in Page 2's Weekly Links Page

2008-03-28T21:50:00.004-05:00

The Bill Simmons For Bucks GM blog has been mentioned in Bill's weekly links page (little less than half-way down the page), along with the Facebook group, and new Hire Bill Simmons petition. We haven't given up hope, and neither has Bill...although he calls it his "not-a-chance-in-hell campaign." Hang in there Bill, because we will.

In Bucks news, Andrew Bogut has broken his nose for the second time in three years. He underwent surgery today, and he will be playing the rest of the year with a protective mask. Sound familiar?

By the way...what's Jiri Welsch up to these days?

HireBillSimmons.com: Sign the Petition

2008-03-28T16:38:00.000-05:00

Check out http://hirebillsimmons.com and sign the petition! Its a pretty slick looking site, plus they link over to our site...so what's not to like! Nice work, the more people we can get talking about The Sports Guy, the better our chances are of being heard.

This Blog Mentioned on Facebook!

2008-03-27T18:15:00.005-05:00

This blog has been mentioned on the Facebook group "Bill Simmons For Milwaukee Bucks GM!" Awesome! Check out the group here. If you haven't joined already, what are you waiting for!? 10,887 people have already beaten you to the punch!

Quiet in the news for Bill. But that won't keep our spirits down...because as long as the Bucks GM position is open, we keep on supporting the cause.

Check out a sweet picture from Adam Crew posted to the Facebook group...

Contact Herb Kohl

2008-03-25T22:40:00.005-05:00

I was browsing the Bill Simmons for GM group on Facebook and came across a website somebody was sharing. It is a contact form for Senator Herb Kohl. Technically, it is a form to share congressional concerns...but maybe it is a better way to get a hold of Senator Kohl in order for our voices to be heard. Here's the link.

(Photo from JSOnline, http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/buck/img/apr02/herb417.jpg)

Simmons Remaining Humorous

2008-03-24T11:42:00.001-05:00

Despite inexplicably not being contacted by the Bucks, now 5 days after the firing of Larry Harris, our man Bill is keeping his sense of humor in his Page 2 post today. Here's a quick exerpt. I'd recommend reading the post in its entirety on Bill Simmons' blog on ESPN.com.

(Source: ESPN - Page 2: Bill Simmons Blog, http://proxy.espn.go.com/espn/page2/blog/index?name=simmons&entryDate=20080324)
--"Hey, did you hear that the Bucks finally interviewed Simmons for their GM job?"
--"Who's that?"
--"Bill Simmons, the guy who writes the 'Sports Guy' column for ESPN."
--"No, I know who Simmons is -- who are the Bucks?"

Classic B.S. Yes We Can!

IGN.com Discussion on Simmons for GM

2008-03-22T15:05:00.000-05:00

The gaming site IGN.com, which also has several sports discussion boards, is taking on the question of whether or not Bill Simmons would make a good GM. They even have a poll question asking readers to give their opinion either way. The general concensus is that Bill Simmons would make a pretty good GM...or at the very least, suck less than Isiah Thomas and Billy King.

You can throw in your input here.

Bucks GM Candidates

2008-03-21T23:49:00.002-05:00

Perhaps I spoke too soon when I said Bill Simmons was the only man in line for the job. Yahoo! Sports reports that Doug Collins, former Sonics GM Rick Sund and Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh are all candidates for the now open position of Bucks GM. Wasn't Doug Collins a candidate for the head coaching job a couple years ago? And how could a man who once had a curly mullet be considered before our own Bill Simmons, founder of Page 2's "B.S. Report?" Must have gotten the resumes mixed up.

(Picture from JordanExtreme.com, http://www.jordanextreme.com/nikegallery/AJ3/8788DougCollinsWhiteRed.jpg)

This also in, the internet in Herb Kohl's home has been down for the last month--as he has missed the cries of tens of thousands of Bucks fans begging for Bill Simmons to be given a shot.

We just have to speak louder. Let's do this, Bucks fans. Let's make ourselves heard!

Step 2 In Progress

2008-03-20T22:31:00.000-05:00

Well, step 2 is underway. So far pretty quiet on the Bucks end. Probably waiting until after Chris Paul explodes for 40 against the Celtics on Saturday to bring The Sports Guy in for an interview. That why, in addition to proclaiming "Yes We Can," he can say "I told you so" right to the senator's face.

We'll keep you posted.

Larry Harris Fired As Bucks GM; Step 1 Complete

2008-03-19T17:24:00.000-05:00

Well...thought it would happen after the season. Nevertheless, Larry Harris is out as Bucks GM. This means it is time to line up the candidates for the position. Wait, what's that you say? There is only one? Who is he/she?

His name is Bill Simmons.

Step 1, fire Larry Harris, is complete.

Step 2, getting Bill Simmons as interview, is officially underway.

Sign the petition...join the Facebook group. Let's make this happen. Yes we can!

Video: Where Simmons for GM Happens

2008-03-18T14:35:00.000-05:00

I've just been informed of a video supporting Bill Simmons for Bucks GM posted on YouTube. It was posted by amazzzing2008 a couple of days ago. Check it out below.

Petition to Have Bill's Voice Heard!

2008-03-15T16:57:00.001-05:00

There is now a petition online that you can sign to support The Sports Guy in his attempt to become the Bucks new general manager. So now in addition to a growing Facebook group, Bill Simmons fans can have their voices heard by signing a petition.

The petition also reiterates some sticking points in terms of why Bill Simmons would be a good GM, not just a publicity stunt. Those include:

- "In 2005, [he] wrote that the Bucks should take Chris Paul instead of Andrew Bogut."
- "In 2006, [he] won the NBA Cares Celebrity Fantasy League."
- "In 2007, [his] preseason prediction (San Antonio over Cleveland in the Finals) came to pass." (Bill Simmons for Bucks GM - http://www.petitiononline.com/bs4gm/petition.html)

So sign the petition and spread the news! Bill Simmons for Bucks GM! YES WE CAN!

Others Want to be Like Bill

2008-03-13T20:00:00.000-05:00

"Yes We Can!" is taking on a whole new meaning across the internet. A Cleveland Cavaliers blogger posted a blog making a case for himself as GM of the Cavs. Suddenly, fans everywhere believe they have what it takes to be a GM themselves. I found this one to be a particularily amusing read.

The Bratwurst Bucks Blog: Approves a Simmons Hire

2008-03-09T13:54:00.000-05:00

Add one more supporter of Simmons over at The Bratwurst - Milwaukee Bucks Blog. Brett Boyer thinks The Sports Guy would actually be a good hire, all kidding aside. Still not convinced Bill Simmons would be more than a publicity stunt? Read this article.

Facebook Members Joining the Cause

2008-03-08T19:02:00.000-06:00

A group on Facebook entitled "Bill Simmons for Milwaukee Bucks GM" is up and growing quickly. It looks promising that this group will push into five-digits and eventually surpass the actual number of seats in the Bradley Center. If that happens, how can Herbie refuse to listen?

Well done by Evan Pellegrino to put this together. And there have been some great posts by members already:

--Oliver from UCLA says: As probably the only milwaukee bucks fan on the west coast, nothing would thrill me more than for this to happen
--Daniel from China says: For the love of all that is good in heaven!!!!!...... I live in Beijing and 40% of the games available to me to watch are Bucks games!!!! Bill Simmons save me!!!
--Colin from Maryland says: I'm not even a Bucks fan, and I badly want to see this happen.
--Petteri from Finland says: WHAT THE HELL DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE?

I think that last one sums it up...we have nothing to lose. A once proud franchise needs to take a stand and take a chance at hitting the jackpot. Can't think of too many times this type of thing has even been done before. This could make the Bucks relevant again.

Not Everyone on Board

2008-03-07T18:26:00.002-06:00

Shockingly, not everybody is on board with the idea of Bill Simmons as Bucks GM...

While reading this article, I couldn't help but notice there was someone being blogged about on the site a lot more than anymore else...a site, by the way, entitled "Awful Announcing." It was Erin Andrews, God's gift to male sports fans across the world...whenever we turn on ESPN to watch a game, she magically seems to be there. Multiple places each night, it seems.

Well any website that's going to associate awful announcing with Erin Andrews loses all credibilty in my book. So chalk another one up to Mr. Simmons...YES WE CAN!

(Picture from MixMakers.net, http://www.mixmakers.net/images/erin-andrews/erin-andrews-big7.jpg)

Despite Favre's Retirement, Simmons Still Stealing Headlines

2008-03-05T18:55:00.000-06:00

Even on this day of apocalyptic proportions in the state of Wisconsin, OnWisconsin.com is reporting that The Sports Guy is stealing away some of the headlines from the beloved Brett Favre. Yes, the Bill Simmons cause is this important...and this proves that our cause will not rest until something is done. We will mourn Brett Favre (I've been in shambles now for a day), but in the end our cause will go on. Because......YES WE CAN!

Also a cool picture from the article, although I'm not a huge fan of the purple...gotta love the flag behind our man Bill though. He looks...well, like a general manager.

(Picture from hardwoodparoxysm.blogspot.com)

Does Bill Simmons Really Want to be GM of the Milwaukee Bucks?

2008-03-04T19:29:00.000-06:00

In one word -- Yes.

Whether you think he's qualified or not, Bill Simmons really does want to be the gereral manager of the Milwaukee Bucks. Either that, or he has mastered the art of sarcasm.

Check out this site, which references an interview Simmons had with local sports radio voice Steve "The Homer True." Sounds pretty serious to me.

Another Fan's Take on B.S. for GM

2008-03-01T19:40:00.001-06:00

Check out this fan's page, which includes a pretty slick (I'm being a little sarcastic) photoshop job of what it might have looked like if Bill were around a year ago when the Bucks drafted Yi.