Oldhead said:
Billy Walters is for Billy Walters- why does everyone make such a big deal out of this guy? It seems to me he isn't trying to prove anything to anyone or to share anything with the gambling community. I wouldn't think anyone would expect to learn anything from his gambling efforts or prowess.
BW is the Keyser Soze of the sportsbetting world; a guy who gets credit for every line move and every betting opinion, regardless of whether he was actually involved. People care because there aren't many -- any ? -- sportsbetting superstars. Jimmy-teh-Greek was a crossover star, a household name. Billy Walters hasn't enjoyed the same cross-over appeal, but he's the one guy who EVERY SINGLE serious sportsbettor is familiar with. In other words, he's got a great brand in an industry that lacks great brands.
In my opinion, Fezzik and Malinsky both deserve mention as guys who can compare and compete with BW as sports bettors, true exceptionally successful longtime pros. But neither guy (yet) has beaten the feds three times, gotten a 60 Minutes interview or turned their individual sports betting success into a string of shopping malls, golf courses and car dealerships. And that's why, here in 2015, it's Billy who still gets the maximum 'buzz' from his rare public comments.
After he threw my good friend Dave Malinsky under the bus with his intentionally hurtful and untruthful public comments, I have an even lower opinion of BW as a human being than I did before. He's still one heck of a sports bettor, though.....