Whatever sarcasm found in Simmons’ writing is built on a foundation of deep love for his subject material, and in analyzing and re-evaluating the career of Elgin Baylor — who in the late aughts was known more for his disastrous run as Los Angeles Clippers general manager than for his innovations as a basketball player — Simmons provided an empathetic, nuanced understanding of one of the underappreciated legends of NBA history.
My opinion on what his best articles/columns/pieces are.