Well there goes the only thing SI:NBA had going for it, keep us posted on wherever you go. It amazes me that there are only a handful of good NBA scribes out there and we are now down one, now we're stuck with Charley Rosen (He knows his stuff but man he bugs me) Perhaps now you'll appreciate basketball more without having to consider it 'work' anymore. Good luck with everything, hope it all works out.
As someone who is dying to get into sports journalism (but only published in Canadian local papers and volunteer online sites)...can I ask you, Kelly, how you ever landed the gig at SI??? You're one of the best basketball writers out there, and it's a shame they can't pay you the money you deserve.
The reason I got out of sportcasting was the lack of pay at the entry and mid levels. You get tons up top, but at the low end, or just starting out, crap. Back in 92, I was offered weekend sports anchor at KGNS Pro 8 news in Laredo.....it was a starting gig, and one which I was well ready for.... But, their offer of $12,000 a year was more than $20,000 less per year that I was making as a bartender, I just could not live on it....so, I went into computer games. No regrets....well, some I think......but man....you think teachers are underpaid. Heck, I could do Gene Peterson's job today......as I stole most of his sayings....doing college ball.. DD
LIes, lies, lies. Kelly I know that you are just pulling a Yi. Admit it, you wanted to go to an online site with more Irish-American writers so you would feel more at home.
Before I get to the rest of the thread -- is there someone named "Chad Kettner" that posts here? Look at this: http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/index.php/topic,44410.0.html I've never heard of, talked to, or corresponded with this guy. Ever. Just checked the email archives. I'm pretty pissed off at that first post. Googled the guy but couldn't find an email address.
Seems like you got some regular readers of your work from there. At least a couple. However, I do like that comment about you paying too much attention in details about the Rockets because you're apart of the message board (CF.net). How do they know this? Actually I just remembered while typing that question that you mentioned this bbs to be one of the best in the country or something . Also it seems like we have lots of lurkers from fans all over the country. That's awesome, kudos to Clutch and crew for making this site what it is today.
I don't know who that is, but u can also take it as a complement that people like ur writing enough to gossip about u . Are u going to be filling in for henry for a while?
After about 30 minutes of searching I have discovered that Mr. Chad Kettner is in fact, Clutchfans member 3814. He replied to you in this thread last November where he publically revealed his email address to be ckettner@gmail.com. Incidentally, he also replied FIVE POSTS ABOVE YOU IN THIS VERY THREAD. Also, 3814 has a link to sports-central in his CF sig which Kettner's blog says he contributes articles to. So have fun with all that and make sure not to get me wrapped up in a murder trial.
Well, good that it's someone like 3814 -- I love his posts. But don't do that, Chad. I didn't talk to you personally, and I don't like the idea of former (potential, current, whatever -- I know specific people that pour over that site) reading that I told one person that. I shouldn't have posted what I did yesterday, it was a quickie thing done on a borrowed computer (my HD crashed and created this whole mess, this is why I haven't been able to reply quickly to all the posts in this thread), and I assumed it would stay here. The only person I told about the (quite embarrassing) money situation was the NBA ED at ESPN. It was my fault for posting it, and I don't want Chad to change his post at the other site. As far as being pro-Rocket because of my time spent on this BBS, that's just bunk. I started coming here during the lockout year and started posting two years later just because it was the first BBS of it's kind: intelligent, reasoned discussion that made me feel like I didn't know a damn thing about the NBA. It could have just as well been a Magic or Raptors board. If anything, I think twice before filing something about the Rockets or Bulls because I DON'T want to be viewed as a kiss-ass. Some of you have said some really sweet things on this thread, and I want to thank you for that. It's been a tough couple of months, hopefully things will turn out solid enough.
I sent you an email Kelly... ...I never realized it would get this reaction - I just didn't want to say "I heard from Kelly on a Houston Rockets board" - seeing as how that might portray a bias. Nonetheless, I understand your reasons for being upset and I want to let you know that it was simply shortsightedness on my side...didn't think it all the way through. Anyways - I kinda said the same thing in the email. Again, sorry. Let me know if there's anything I can do...other than not doing that again .
Kelly, I hope you land some place where you're making good money and continue to write your articles. I'd certainly miss them if you have to stop. I really enjoyed the GM rankings recently. I didn't agree with them all but it was a really great resource for me because, honestly, it's hard to keep up with who all the GM's are and what moves they are and aren't responsible for. To be honest though, I'm not all that optimistic about your future in sports writing. It seems like in Sports writing, as in most things these days, if you're not pandering to the lowest common denominator you're not commercially viable. It's sad really. And you're definitely not a lowest common denominator kind of a guy. I sincerely hope you prove that to be wrong though. I really do. But dear god if I had a nickel for every Peter Vescey....
Kiss-Ass kelly? I guess that means you'll be foxsports.com bound (or writing for the Astros). But, seriously - keep writing. Just keep writing.