After missing last week's Geico Plastic Ball Championship, which was won by Jeff Carter, Wes Malott (aka The Big Nasty) responded to the press as to why he didn't compete in it, as well as issuing a challenge to PTI (Pardon The Interruption) co-host Michael Wilbon to a one-game match.

What do you guys make of it?

Wilbon should respond back that he will do that if Malott accepts his challenge to a 500 word article regarding steroids.

Personally, I believe Malott should have handled it a bit better. Seems like a decent enough guy most times, but he let a little criticism get under his skin rather than just giving a simple explanation and shrugging it off. He seemed awfully defensive.

But on the other hand, ANY national news on bowling is good news. No such thing as bad publicity except for the law breaking type of publicity.

I'd like to comment but did not see the PTI episode. I looked around youtube and the web just a bit but could not find it. If someone can provide a link I would be greatful.

Either way, bowling can use the public drama.

Erin

...and everytime he struck, he kept it (the topic and the accomanying controversy that went with it) going, also finishing that he "has the best equipment in the world to work with..." and he does, but really, Wes.

Why don't you take some time next week before the next tournament (the Don Johnson Buckeye Eliminator Championship) to go on PTI (live from Columbus) and issue the challenge to Michael Wilbon outright. Let's see how Wilbon reacts, especially after seeing your great performance this morning/afternoon and that title-winning 250+ game you bowled against Ronnie Russell. I'll bet you'd scare the daylights out of him, especially since he (much like most of us) bowls on a house pattern as opposed to the tougher conditions you guys bowl on every week.

Well, here it is:

Wes Malott vs. Michael Wilbon

(Wilbon gets to pick the PBA pattern this match would be contested on)

I would buy a ticket to see this one, and if I couldn't make it, then I'll record it onto DVD, as I do every tournament week for the past 3 seasons (I use to tape it on my VCR well before then).

You know, some controversy might do bowling some good.

I didn't see the show either, but it sounds like something that might generate interest among the average sports fan who doesn't really watch bowling on TV.

Here it is, this is what started the whole controversy:



The piece I was talking about starts at the 1:13 mark.

Reactive resin balls are like "bowling on steroids"??? Come on!!!

I'd like to read the interview that Wilbon was talking about. A lot of times, writers take what is said and completely twist it. I have seen live interviews then read the newspaper and been like: Where in the heck did he get that from. Before I take anyones side on this, I would like to see an actual transcript.

If Wes is in the right, then I think that he has every right to do what he did on the air. He was called out on National TV on a show that is much more watched than the PBA (I love watch PTI btw and watch it whenever I get a chance). I think that it is great that the week after it happened, Wes made the #1 seed in the most grueling format. Then, won the tourney.

Here is the article from The Denver Post that may very well explain it all:

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_11726571

It's pretty clear that Wes didn't compete because he has a very strong 'A' game and not a lot of versatility. That's why I don't think anybody would put him on the level of Norm Duke, PDW or WRW (who finished 15th in the plastic tourney IIRC) even though he's leading the tour in points and average.

If he challenged Wilbon to a bowling match, he's embarrassing himself and confirming the doubters--as Wilbon will realize immediately since he reports on a wide range of sports. A controversy may benefit bowling, but it won't help Wes (to put it mildly).

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