So, why did Magic make his sudden announcement that he's leaving ESPN, less than three weeks before the NBA season begins? An announcement so sudden that the newest addition to NBA Countdown, Doris Burke, appeared to have had no idea it was going down?

ESPN sources tell us that Johnson's departure was the result of an old-fashioned power war, with one very clear winner: Bill Simmons. "It's Simmons's show now," said one source.

Is he positive?

Is he positive?

Is he positive?

Is he positive?

To be fair, Doris Burke never knows what the hell is going on.

Is he positive?

You are dangerously close to winning the internet today my friend.

I am now more of a fan of Bill Simmons.

Can't do any worse than he did at the back door.

Agreed. Magic might be a great greeter at the front door, but thats about it.

for the life of me, I cannot figure out how that guy hasn't been taken for every dollar he has earned. Cookie must be a fantastic accountant and money manager.

You assume that Magic Johnson is a dumb guy just because he isn't eloquent on television. Why do you make that assumption?

You assume that Magic Johnson is a dumb guy just because he isn't eloquent on television. Why do you make that assumption?

You don't find it strange for a brother to spend considerable quality time with a broad who calls herself "cookie"?

I would if I had the opportunity.

The most obvious answer is that facility with language is often equated with intelligence. It has been pretty much since the beginning of time. Those who can read, write and speak well are very often the leaders of the tribe.

In Magic's case I back that with little complexity of thought displayed in his commentary even beyond NBA analysis, a personality that could not temper his basest desires despite the harm it caused to him and others and a fairly slow wit in extemporaneous situations.

Is there some other evidence that should sway my opinion other than that he has money?

I'm not sure about that. I wouldn't equate intelligence with articulateness; it obviously is tied to one's ability to process information, but there are several thousands of absolutely brilliant folks who fail in being ably to convey that intelligence in eloquent and cogent verbal speech. Just anecdotally I know of several computer scientists and engineers who can't write or speak well if their life depending on it, but they are absolutely brilliant in their own fields despite the absence of articulate speech. On the other hand, we know of several smooth-talking politicians who are as dumb as bricks and, since you brought up Magic's indiscretions, quite unethical as well, although I realize we're not talking about knowingly or unknowingly spreading AIDS here.

I have known some incredibly intelligent people at my day job in healthcare, most of whom have absolutely no idea how to form a complete written sentence. I don't think articulation equates intelligence in the least.

Magic might not have been the most well-spoken television commentator/host in the world, but his real-world basketball experience is absolutely higher than that of a guy who wrote a book on the history of basketball. If I want a historian of the game spewing information at me, I certainly would not be going to ESPN for that information.

Having an appreciation and understanding of a game's history is all fine and good, but when I tune in to a game I want real, "been there done that" analysis from someone who excelled at that sport. Magic offered that.

I'm not sure about that. I wouldn't equate intelligence with articulateness; it obviously is tied to one's ability to process information, but there are several thousands of absolutely brilliant folks who fail in being ably to convey that intelligence in eloquent and cogent verbal speech. Just anecdotally I know of several computer scientists and engineers who can't write or speak well if their life depending on it, but they are absolutely brilliant in their own fields despite the absence of articulate speech. On the other hand, we know of several smooth-talking politicians who are as dumb as bricks and, since you brought up Magic's indiscretions, quite unethical as well, although I realize we're not talking about knowingly or unknowingly spreading AIDS here.

I have known some incredibly intelligent people at my day job in healthcare, most of whom have absolutely no idea how to form a complete written sentence. I don't think articulation equates intelligence in the least.

Magic might not have been the most well-spoken television commentator/host in the world, but his real-world basketball experience is absolutely higher than that of a guy who wrote a book on the history of basketball. If I want a historian of the game spewing information at me, I certainly would not be going to ESPN for that information.

Having an appreciation and understanding of a game's history is all fine and good, but when I tune in to a game I want real, "been there done that" analysis from someone who excelled at that sport. Magic offered that.

I'm not sure about that. I wouldn't equate intelligence with articulateness; it obviously is tied to one's ability to process information, but there are several thousands of absolutely brilliant folks who fail in being ably to convey that intelligence in eloquent and cogent verbal speech. Just anecdotally I know of several computer scientists and engineers who can't write or speak well if their life depending on it, but they are absolutely brilliant in their own fields despite the absence of articulate speech. On the other hand, we know of several smooth-talking politicians who are as dumb as bricks and, since you brought up Magic's indiscretions, quite unethical as well, although I realize we're not talking about knowingly or unknowingly spreading AIDS here.