Skip Bayless is an idiot and an asshole.

[Dave Gray]

So, I was watching/listening to the sports talk circuit after the HEAT won the title.  The narrative differed slightly from those that held up Lebron and those that criticized him, but one thing was constant: He did it.  Give him full credit; he finally came around.  No more criticism.

Except for Skip Bayless.  On "First Take", he proceed to backhandedly compliment Lebron on getting it done, then managed to bash him for 8 straight minutes on how long it took.  His co-host, Steven A. Smith (one who was critical of Lebron in the past), then went off on Bayless, and then Mark Cuban came on and bashed him.

On top of that, Bayless is all over Tebow's jock.  That just makes him an idiot.  There are plenty of idiots, though, so whatever...

What really bothers me is that Bayless tries so hard to make the story about him.  He only cares about being the controversy, so he intentionally finds a ridiculous contrarian position.  ...and he's a smug asshole.

[Brian Fein]

It appears that everyone in the sports media thinks Skip Bayless is a joke.  I call him Skip Clueless.  There's a reason why his ugly face only shows up on one single show, while Stephen A. shows up on SportsCenter and a number of other areas.

You should watch this video.  I love it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQnu83R5CuM

I only watch First Take to laugh at Skip.  He's completely ridiculous, and I'm sick of hearing his "opinions."

[Spider-Dan]

I've said it before: Skip Bayless is a professional troll.  It doesn't matter that you watch him and think he's an idiot, as long as you're watching.

Mark Cuban obliterated him the day after the Finals.  Jalen Rose humiliated him a few months ago.  It doesn't matter.

[Brian Fein]

I loved watching Mark Cuban on that show.  I seem to really like Mark Cuban, except for when he was trashing the Heat after last year's finals.

But, Spider is right, he's exactly what he is - a walking controversial opinion.

[el diablo]

Its just painful to listen to somebody argue the minor points that they may be right in. Partial victories are total victories in the eyes of politicians & skip bayless. Both Stephen A. & Mark Cuban showed him up on Friday. Then today, he doubles down in wanting credit for "showing Lebron the way."  As if Skip had a direct line to Lebron, coaching him every step of the way, for the last 9 yrs. I guess the saying goes: those who can, do. Those who can't, commentate.

[TonyB0D]

We pay Skip to have the contrarian/troll view, and he plays the part to perfecton.  We gotta have SOMEONE here who doesn't talk the party line the whole time.

[mecadonzilla]

Skip is so stupid, he's made a living doing this for 40 years.

Don't get me wrong, his opinions are worthless, but people love to hate all the stupid shit he says.

[Phishfan]

There really is nothing ne to this shtick. The local paper has done it with sports writers for some time (I still cannot bear hearing the name Jerry Greene).

[Dave Gray]

^ Is Jerry Greene out of the Orlando area?


Edit: I thought he sounded familiar.  He called me and interviewed me for an article he did: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2007-12-12/sports/greene12_1_dolphins-today-topic-goat-trailer

[Phishfan]

Apparently people who knew him said he really wasn't a Dolphin hater but he wrote that way to get readers (those who loved what he said and those who hated it). Each week he would pick whoever the Dolpnins played and called them the Fish.

[masterfins]

We pay Skip to have the contrarian/troll view, and he plays the part to perfecton.  We gotta have SOMEONE here who doesn't talk the party line the whole time.

exactly

[CF DolFan]

Apparently people who knew him said he really wasn't a Dolphin hater but he wrote that way to get readers (those who loved what he said and those who hated it). Each week he would pick whoever the Dolpnins played and called them the Fish.

That is true. He was a big fan of Shula. I think he was a Miami writer in the 70's.

Anyway I think it's a pretty common formula to have an antagonist in anything in entertainment. When reporting went from informative to entertaining I'm sure it was a natural transistion for many.