I think I have a favorite Sportswriter

Mar 2nd 2005 2:17AM

Finally, a sportswriter/columnist I look forward to reading. No wasted time on trying to break scoops or reporting 9th party rumors from friends of friends that they met in a bar. There is finally a column that I look forward to reading because the author actually looks for new information about how the game of basketball is being played in the NBA.

Someone who actually takes the time to look for information that has impact and substance rather than writing the 15 mins to deadline column.

http://proxy.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?id=2003043

http://proxy.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=holling...

If I can rail on them, I have to praise the ONE I find to be my first read.

Congrats

Reader Comments

(Page 1)

1. No way am I joining that ESPN Insider bullsh*t. But looked good from what I saw.

Posted at 11:02AM on Aug 28th 2006 by Sherwin

2. Hi Mark....My comment isn't directly related to your blog entry, however....since Chris Webber is mentioned in one of your linked articles....I thought I would take this opportunity to ask your opinion regarding the recent C-Webb trade. As a Sacramento Kings fan, (no offense to you or the Mavs, but I live 1/2 hour from ARCO Arena/the Kings,) I was a bit disappointed with the trade. It wasn't so much the loss of Webber, but it was disappointing to see who we (the Kings) received in the trade. I would have thought trading a talent like C-Webb would have brought Sacramento an All Star caliber player? It seems as if the Maloofs have given up on the team's prospects. Does the breakup of the Kings core have more to do with the lack of support for a new downtown arena? Just my thoughts.....Take care, James Parham Jr. Yuba City, CA

Posted at 11:02AM on Aug 28th 2006 by James Parham Jr.

3. I thought you were gonna say eric neel. He just wrote an article pimping your boys in his basketball jones weekly contribution

Posted at 11:02AM on Aug 28th 2006 by richard lynch

4. Odd. I don't like Hollinger because he avoids nuances and looks for big picture indicators, indicators that the more big picture they are the less accurate they are. His pace factor applied to defense is a really good example. It is admirable to look for a simple "one size fits all" description of a team's defense efficiency, but it really isn't going to illustrate the Mavericks' spectacular perimiter defense or their ability to get in the defender's face, forcing lower percentage shots.

Posted at 11:02AM on Aug 28th 2006 by Jim Kerr

5. I thought it was interesting that you didn't mention Espn.com's Eric Neel who wrote a very favorable article on the Mavericks today. He wants to know why nobody is paying any attention to them.

Posted at 11:02AM on Aug 28th 2006 by Michael T.

6. oh no. mark cuban pays for insider. i am saddened by this. i thought you were better than that.....

Posted at 11:02AM on Aug 28th 2006 by Jackson

7. also, you are indirectly paying chad ford's salary........and that is just sick.

Posted at 11:02AM on Aug 28th 2006 by Jackson

8. Mark, if you want a good nba writer try Charley Rosen. Here is his archive: http://msn.foxsports.com/writer/archive?authorId=227

Posted at 11:02AM on Aug 28th 2006 by Pete

9. Mark, John Hollinger is great, if youve never checked out his yearly Basketball Prospectus its a must read. He invented the stat PER, and he's pushing the field to try to come up with better defensive stats then blocks and steals, hes the Bill James of Baseball.

Posted at 11:02AM on Aug 28th 2006 by Scott Sewell

10. Bill James of basketball actually.

Posted at 11:02AM on Aug 28th 2006 by Scott Sewell

11. You may be a bit too old, Cubes, but IMO Bill Simmons is the most entertaining sports writer I've ever read: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/simmons/index

Posted at 11:02AM on Aug 28th 2006 by Scott

12. If you want sports columns/writers without the subscription crap, try this: http://www.sports-central.org

Posted at 11:02AM on Aug 28th 2006 by MJ

13. This guy on Fox Sports rocks--- he tells it like it is: http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/3428860

Posted at 11:02AM on Aug 28th 2006 by Big Perm

14. I agree with Mark that Hollinger is great. However, how ironic that Mark is lauding a guy who said exactly what Chad Ford did a few weeks ago. Yes, Hollinger cites stats to back it up ... but the conclusion is still the same: Cuban blew it when he balked at re-signing Steve Nash. I wonder if Mark read the whole article or just became enamoured by Hollinger's opening lines about how Cuban helped create the scoring influx in the NBA. Here's what Hollinger said: It's ironic that Cuban helped create a monster in Phoenix that could be a roadblock to the Mavs' title hopes. Of course, it was Cuban's decision not to match Phoenix's offer for free agent Steve Nash that made Nash a Sun. But additionally, it was the rule changes Cuban helped effect that opened the floodgates on Phoenix's blistering offensive onslaught. Considering Phoenix is one of Dallas' main competitors for the Western Conference crown, it seems like Cuban might get blindsided by an unintended consequence of the changes he urged. Maybe Ford isn't as big of an idoit as Mark says.

Posted at 11:02AM on Aug 28th 2006 by Langston

15. i agree with most i dont pay for articles online, with the number of online news sources, why pay? i also thought you were going to say Neel's article, that was a good one, what do yo think of neel?

Posted at 11:02AM on Aug 28th 2006 by Luis

16. C'mon guys... I'm willing to bet that Mark doesn't HAVE to pay for ESPN Insider. ESPN gives those subscriptions away to sports "Insiders". Free publicity, as just seen in Mark's post.

Posted at 11:02AM on Aug 28th 2006 by Brian

17. Several people have commented on this, but I also enjoy eric neel's work. And simmons is both funny AND knowledgeable (a rare combo, like a 7-footer who shoots threes). This guy sounds like he has some interesting stuff, but add me to the list of people not paying to find out. Scott Wickett Fort Myers, FL

Posted at 11:02AM on Aug 28th 2006 by Scott Wickett

18. Hey Mark, I enjoyed that article but I get the impression you have an obsession with statistics. You are always comenting on referees and now you love an article that breaksdown shooting percentage. This is great but ultimately sports are about players. You could have the best statistical team on paper and not win (sort of like your mavs). I think you should stop worrying about stats and worry about putting together a team. You just traded for another overated player in van horn. Look at the spurs then look your team. You have an all star team , the spurs have a championship team. The Mavs will problably make a nice run but I think we will be reading an article in late May about how the officials did you wrong again. You are great owner I think you need to get a quality x and o coach in the offseason. Run and gun is not going to win you a championship. Shooters can go cold, defenses don't. Problably got off the subject, sorry. Anyway best sportswriter is bill simmons "the sports guy". He is funny yet very knowledgable.

Posted at 11:02AM on Aug 28th 2006 by James

19. You can�t pull the wool over my eyes that easily Mark. You like this new reporter because he put that fab pic of you in the article. He talks more about shifting the refs around than the problem with crappy calls. Put them in the paint, wherever you place them, they�re still making bad call. Why can�t the NBA use some type of technology for instant reviews in a booth someplace. If it isn�t a blatantly obviously a bad call then the official in a booth someplace lets it stand? If it just a flat out bad call, it would only take a few seconds to review it and get on with it. Even catalogue the obviously bad calls and somehow punish the most egregious ref in some fashion. Maybe having a reward system at the end of the year for the lowest error rate. Make it like capitalism instead of a monarchy.

Posted at 11:02AM on Aug 28th 2006 by Rob Thrasher

20. Saying Rosen is a good sportswriter was a joke, right?

Posted at 11:02AM on Aug 28th 2006 by larryh

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