Letter to Bill Simmons-I need some advice

I wrote this letter to espn.com writer and pop culture expert Bill Simmons. I had a dilemma and I was I hoping he would help me with. He may never see it...but I wanted to post it anyway. I admit...I am a little bit stalk-y.


Dear Bill--

First of all, I know I am pretty late with this and I know there is little chance you will read this time...much less answer it. But you are my last resort. I have racked my brain to figure out the solution to this problem. I can only find options, but no answers. So I come to you the Sports Guy with this peculiar scenario:

On January 2nd I received the following text from my roommate: "Are you interested in spending approximately $40 to go to cavs-clippers on Saturday, 2 weeks from now...7:30?"

Of course I said yes to seeing the Clippers play the Cavs on January 16th . Between money, work, and other commitments....I don't get to go to clips games as much as I would like. I love the NBA...big Wizards fan (so very sad)....and enjoy going to Clippers game. The last Clippers game I went to was the last game of the year last season against the Thunder....where the Clips lost by 47 and Dunleavy was thrown out of the game in the 3rd quarter. The NBA is FAN-NNNTASTIC! Anyway, a big group was going too see the game agianst the LeBrons (all from Ohio, but me). So of course, I said yes.

On January 3rd, the Ravens clinched a playoff spot with a win over the Raiders. I am also a big Ravens fan. As far as the Ravens and Wizards go...probably the same amount of fan-ship.....follow blogs, scores, watch games as much as I can (I have Sunday Ticket...so I watch the Ravens every week).

On January 10th, the Ravens defeat your beloved Patriots to move to the divisional round.

On January 11th, the NFL assigns the Ravens-Colts game the primetime Saturday slot, January 16th.

So here in lies my problem: I have tickets to see the basketball game at 7:30 pm west coast time on Saturday. The Ravens-Colts game...the biggest game of the year at 5 pm west coast time. The game won't be over until 8:30 pm west coast. As I am you know, due to LA traffic I have to leave at least an hour for travel time. So that puts me out of the house by 6:30...probably right around half time...if I stick by this sensibile plan. That's quite a dilemma.

I want to reiterate that I purchased these tickets before I knew the Ravens would be in the playoffs, before I knew that they would defeat the Patriots, before I knew they would have the Saturday 8 pm game. I do not believe that I did anything wrong in this circumstance. I had a chance to see LeBron James in person and this offer came along way back in week 15 of the NFL season.

Anyway, I figure I have three options:

1. Watch the first half at home, in my normal spot. Go to the basketball game and avoid the score of the football game totally. No radio. No watching the out of town scoreboard. No looking at the TVs in the concourse. Turning off my phone. The chance of this actually succeeding and me avoiding any mention of the game: 1:2

2. Go the ESPNzone below the Staples Center at 4:30 pm. Stake out a table and watch the whole game there and then go upstairs afterwards and be late to the game. Its loud and noisy (I prefer to watch with a few people. I like to hear what the announcers are saying and really take in the game. Plus,no fat guy is blocking the television. While, besides myself.

3. Don't go to the basketball game. Stay home and watch the football game. Relax. Enjoy it. Screw the $40. Hopefully your friend understands. Remember its a big group...so I am not completely ditching.

If you were 25 and the Patriots were playing instead of the Ravens, what would you do? What option would you choose? Are there any other options I am missing?

Anyway, thanks for considering my conundrum. I will stand by what you tell me to do. You were the only one I could think of to turn to in my time of need. Thanks again Sports Guy.

If anyone reads this, I would love your opinion on the matter.