04/26/24
June 28, 2004
Then of course there is Joan Rivers Vescey: In the Entertainment biz, they have very honest job descriptions. Someone who creates and reports gossip is called a gossip columnist. Joan Rivers, Page Six, Cindy Adam, etc, etc dont pretend to be reporters. They get well paid to dish out gossip. Can we please start calling the Sam Smiths and Peter Vesceys and Norman Chads of the world what they really are? Sports Gossip Columnists. They dont have regard for the truth. Why pretend they do? Looks like Mark Cuban is tired of all the Shaq speculation.
posted by dusted to basketball at 12:21 PM - 11 comments
I really wish more owners/coaches/players would keep blogs. Unfettered access to their thoughts is so interesting. Im off to see our new guys workout.. We play against China this week. I cant wait to see Pavel against Yao! I can't either. They're playing a game walking distance from my apt. on Saturday.
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:53 PM on June 28, 2004
Here's my fav: How about this for a challenge Sam the Sham Smith ?….I will donate 10k dollars to the charity of your choice if you can prove that you have ever seen Pavel play, in person, or on tape (excluding the footage on the ESPN draft shows, 2 mins of ESPN tape doesnt qualify as scouting). If you lose, you change your business card title, and Tribune byline to Sports Gossip Columnist.. I will even pay for the cards. Cuban is a whole lotta fun.
posted by dzot at 01:04 PM on June 28, 2004
Personally, my fave is: Vescey .... Arent you embarassed that Page 6 in the Post has a better track record than you do ?
posted by Mike McD at 01:12 PM on June 28, 2004
Here was my take, which I posted: Mark, I completely agree with your sentiments about some sports columnists. It's irresponsible to go to press without checking your sources, and although many guys get a free pass on it, I'm glad to see you call them out. The problem is that it leads to blanket statements such as this one from Meg: Most media types (not limited to just sports media folks)do not care about the truth...just whatever BS will sensationalize the story the most to attract the biggest audience to help pay the bills (get the cash). I'm a member of the press, and it's simply not true. The vast majority of us would never print anything with making sure our facts are straight, and the few bad apples (Jayson Blair et al) tar us with a damning brush. I'd ask people this question -- are all accountants crooks because of Enron? I don't think so, and I bet you don't either. There is sensationalism, yes, and it's wrong, but I'm sure you also must realize if the press were making up the stories they ran, they'd be sued out of business. I'd also add this -- you calling Smith out on the hearsay of a Trib employee is not much different than what you're accusing him and Vescey of. They take rumor and innuendo and make a living out of it rather than find people willing to go on-record with statements and opinions. I think you've done the same.
posted by wfrazerjr at 01:18 PM on June 28, 2004
I just sent Cuban an e-mail telling him about SpoFi and inquiring if he'd be up for an interview here. I'll let you know if I hear back.
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:01 PM on June 28, 2004
I already asked him a while back and he said no. Apparently the blog is the only "interview" he's granting to anyone.
posted by dusted at 03:23 PM on June 28, 2004
Oh, pants. Maybe he's changed his mindset. Maybe not.
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:27 PM on June 28, 2004
I've tried, but I can't hate Mark Cuban. That entry was awesome, particularly the line dzot posted above.
posted by 86 at 04:03 PM on June 28, 2004
Hate the haircut, not the victim.
posted by yerfatma at 04:47 PM on June 28, 2004
Personally, I'd like to see Cuban let the rock ripen from the vine and go for a full fledged mullet. It could catch on. Imagine Cuban, Dirk, and Nash all rocking the mullet, with Finley pimping a jerry curl. A guy can dream can't he?
posted by lilnemo at 07:21 PM on June 28, 2004
There's also this little gem: And while we are on the topic of fantasy masquerading as fact, let me set everyone straight. The Mavs will not trade Dirk.