Bill Simmons Gets Fired Up, Rants about Mike Golic and ESPN on Twitter

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Bill Simmons, relatively fresh off of an ESPN suspension for speaking his mind about the NFL, is now speaking his mind about fellow ESPN employee Mike Golic. It all started yesterday when Simmons guested on Colin Cowherd’s stupidly-named radio show and compared LeBron and the Cavs’ early season struggles to when the Angels signed Albert Pujols. Simmons said LeBron’s slow start reminded him a “tiny bit” of the big deal that was made out of Pujols’ move to Anaheim, and Pujols’ subsequent decline. He suggested, via The Big Lead, that LeBron’s play “might be evidence of a permanent decline in skill.” Mike Golic disagreed. Strongly.

The Mike and Mike Show this morning played a clip, which featured Simmons suggesting the above very slightly. Golic responded:

“I think it’s one of the most ridiculous statements I’ve heard four games into a season in my life in any sport. That’s what I’ll say about Bill Simmons. So, you know, he grabbed a headline, which is something I know he loves — and that’s one of the most ridiculous lines I’ve ever heard in any sport in my life. Four games into a season. I don’t even … that’s ridiculous.”

For his part, in context, Simmons said, “It’s really early to say this, so please, sports blogs and people, don’t throw this in my face,” and implied that LeBron isn’t having the same forceful impact on the floor from the pre-season to now. But Simmons did not care for being called out, especially the “he loves to grab headlines” part. And then this happened:

By now, an ESPN higher-up has already gotten the “Code Green” text and set into motion whatever punishment Simmons will be handed next. But even if he’s not punished it’s becoming more and more unlikely that he re-signs with ESPN after his contract expires next year. After that, he would be free to do what he pleases. Hell, he can even go back to Massachusetts, and really, that might be like when Pujols went to the Angels.