Best of luck to you, Kelly. You're an A-list columnist because a) you're an excellent writer, and b) you look at things in a calm, non-reactive manner. Those of us who follow you can expect you NOT to jump on the latest bandwagon just because all your colleagues are doing it. If that cost you a job, then more power to you (assuming you can still eat, of course). Being uncommonly great is NEVER as easy as being just good enough. Hang in there, bro -- you have lots of blue sky ahead. Seriously. P.S. The Dan connection enhances your status, of course.
Why did you leave again? IIRC it was about them not paying you enough right? Sports Illustrated is my favorite site and I got upset when you left. I also thought you said you were going to ESPN to write for them? Is any of this true?
I wrote for ESPN on a freelance because the people at ESPN were beyond cool, the stage was lovely (TrueHoop), and the pay was great. The people I worked with directly at SI were great, but the top editors at that place are pretty out of touch and their writers (seriously, who reads Burns, Mannix, etc?) are even worse. But it's all a challenge to try and figure out how to pay bills. Nobody wants to hear some whining bit from someone who gets to write about basketball for a living; but a lot of times, some hoops scribe with a chick's name has to run a cash register for a liquor store just make thing meet. It's not as simple as, "why did you leave the place that made you write "Top 20 NBA Players!"?"
I actually think Burns is pretty good, although when it comes to the NBA, McCallum and Thomsen are all I need. Kelly, who are some of your other favorite NBA scribes?
Amazing that high paid editors just don't get it. I've always enjoyed your writing even if I always didn't agree. You definitely have some hoops knowledge. We should take up a collection and have you right a weekly article for Clutchfans. I'd be up for donating.
I'm all square, now, but thanks for the kind words. There will be a Rockets piece going up tomorrow, I had planned on writing it even before last night's debacle, but I couldn't get a good feel on it despite several re-writes today.
We need you. Hell, I need you. I'm a mess without you. I miss you so damn much. I miss being with you, I miss being near you. I miss your laugh. I miss your scent; I miss your musk. When this all gets sorted out, I think you and me should get an apartment together.
