I don't think NBA sportswriters work as hard as they should

I agree

Anyone who reads an ESPN chat probably also agrees.

 

Kelly,

I enjoy reading your analysis on yahoo and appreciate how many games you watch and how carefully you write it up. However, I wonder if the "laziness" of the NBA writers is a function of their audience. While you and I like to dig into the details of the game, perhaps most fans are happy enough with just looking at the "per game" fantasy stats and the "suprestars" being hyped on TV?

 

So you're basically saying everyone else out there is pulling a Barkley to some extent? At least he admits to not watching games (other than the occasional Phoenix Sun game on his home TV), being biased towards teams he loves/hates, never watching film or doing any research. I can see where many can fit that bill, but just hate to admit it. It's rare to read something that isn't hashed from old information, or conclusions based on a few games. Well, I'm glad you still work hard Kelly. You have my respect, for what it's worth.

 

Of the writers regularly covering the Rockets, Jason Friedman is the only one I can think of that consistently produces thoughtful, creative copy.

 

Regrettably, I agree. However, are you referencing 'real' NBA writers or all those 'signing off' as NBA writers?

For example, I find Feigan's material vaccuous yet I believe he could fill space well but either has his hands tied or ties them 'his own self'.

For example, Bleacher Report. Grand idea, poorly executed. The BR 'writers' (sic) are amateurish (to be kind) and I have quit BR.

If you are referencing the Barkley School of Sports Journalism then please enlighten me how that once dynamic player and constant misdemeanor and felony fellow continues the less salient aspects of life with a Get Out of Jail Free card paid-up on a lifetime card.

If you are referencing the Peter Vecsey School of Sports Journalism then please enlighten me how that once dynamic reporter continues without anything new or sage or sensical (with the exception of his obits and his insightful pieces of days long gone (Connie Hawkins et al) thrice weakly.

I understand the inability to get out on the road to follow teams but there is League Pass...and the Internet. Writers could write the right way. Thanks for that, KD.

 

Its because they are all in the Colin Cowherd mentality and mold....If it isn't a big market or a big personality they won't or don't do the research....Kobe Vs Lebron....LA NY...thats all they talk about it so we reward their laziness with our ratings....A cycle of crap

 

I agree.

It's like all they do is watch sportscenter and read each others crappy articles.

They don't want to go against the gain not because they are afraid but because they don't know WTF is going on.

I don't know if it's because of their ages and their requiem for the 80-90's.

It's time for fresh blood and J.A. Adande is not what I'm thinking of. He gleams the cube.

 

youre absolutely right, but hard work always pays off. keep up the good work

 

Pretty much all of the former NBA players get on by name alone.

 

There are like 2 obscure radio personalities out there whose basketball insight I kind of like. But they definitely don't see enough of the big picture. Its just too easy to write basketball. Or seems too easy. Football, you can't fake that. You HAVE to watch and be a student, and at the very least you have NFL Redzone. Baseball guys are just weird, its like a cult but at least the game is part of their souls.

 

It's driven by the market. If they get audience by being lazy, they will continue to do so.

I suggest you guys use a sports writer filter (in your mind) like using a spam filter. That'll save you tons of time.

 

Anyone ever notice how most of ESPN and NBA.com's reporters seem to inaccurately report games? Whenever they talk about a team out of the mainstream, i.e. Kobe, Lebron, DH, etc., they tend to get a lot of things wrong, scores, plays, it's as if they don't even watch the game, the NBA.com highlights are stupid, they show one good play and then a bunch of crap. For instance, the other day Chase has a monster slam over Caspi, the video available on the clutchfans front page, yet in the highlights this dunk wasn't even mentioned! (wow, what a run-on)

I stopped reading most of their articles, but I still notice it in their video commentary, pitiful.

 

That's absolutely true, the insight that guys like Barkley and Kenny Smith offer is complete crap. Though they are not column writers it's the same mentality. What makes it even worse is that these columnists aren't even accountable in any way. When they make predictions, it's not conjecture, it's complete guess work based on looking at box scores for hours on end. It's only a matter of time before the industry catches on though, while these guys are celebrities in their own minds far too often, I'm elated at seeing new blood like Morey in the NBA, which should make the average fan more educated and a little bit more pensive.

 

Kelly: You've hung out in the media room before games, I would assume. My question is this: of the rooms you have been in during the course of your life, does that group seem like one of the more energetic, creative, full of life group you've been around? To me, its a profession that seems to attract a fairly lethargic personality type. There will always be exceptions. But when I think of sportswriters, they seem to me to be about one rung up from Paparazzi on the "joyful energy" scale. Not that they are bad people. Just sort of... unkempt and anhedonic.

 

Yeah, I just don't get it and I'm tired of it. I am a basketball fan first and foremost, but the level of research and analysis in football on TV just completely destroys everything NBA. Now there is a lot of Hollywood NFL stupidity out there too, but at least there's the NFL Network, NFL Matchup, some cool features on NFL Live (some), and that John Grudden special on the the 4 draft prospect QBs was amazing.

It's very rare that I find myself learning something new by listening to or watching NBA related shows. It's a shame. It's like they send all the flunkies to do NBA shows and put the best talent and $$ into NFL shows.

Is there no market for a show based on JVG in a film room breaking down plays and turning points in a game? I would be all over that.

 

I think 50% of sportswriters don't understand the salary cap (the nuances), that's why we have crap like that fanhouse piece on the Tmac trade.

People are killing ESPN, but their sportswriting is actually very good. The actual reporting by reporters is serviceable, although those guys are surely distracted by having to be on TV. Bill Simmons reaches the biggest audience and he turns out some good NBA pieces (as opposed to the crap he writes on MLB). John Hollinger brings a stats based approach to sportswriting and he certainly knows his stuff.

So generally if you ignore the on air BS, ESPN's NBA site is actually very very good. It's their terrible on air segments that get ESPN in trouble. Sometimes they'll bring 2 guys on during sportscenter and have them take opposite points, then 1 guy has to argue for a ridiculous point even though he doesn't believe any of what he's saying.

 

Play calling is huge in football, not so much in basketball. There is just so much to break down in a single NFL play. What is there to break down in basketball? Oh look a pick and roll, wow they double teamed and rotated, oh man they gave the ball to Kobe and he scored.

 

Don't expect it to change any time soon.

 

I agree with you KD. Once again I want to thank you for such thorough and accurate reporting. It's one of my daily reads, and IMO required reading for any hoops fan.

I think mainstream sportswriters are a lot like mainstream news media. They follow the big headlines, the big names, and report trivial fluff often without knowing the underlying detail. It's often more important to satiate a viewer's desires instead of reporting the facts. You should get together with Andrew Sullivan for a few pints to commiserate. However, the flip to this is that there are now thousands of blogs and sites that have good info. It sometimes takes a bit more digging to get good info, but the information is out there whether it's political, current events, or sports.

I think the majority of people still get their news from a few mainstream sources, but more and more people are starting to look at alternate sites. Traditional mainstream media is continually bleeding market share, and at some point, they'll have to get leaner and provide better output or they'll go under.