http://www.1080thefan.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=6490631 This link is about the Ducks, and for fans who follow the Ducks closely, totally useless. But the first few minutes (if you read between the lines) is telling on how totally bored he was with talking with NBA players. And how refreshing college athletes are.
Yeah he was tough to listen to (and read) because it was apparent how much he seemed to hate his job. Zero excitement. There seems to be a lot of burnout in sports writing. Looks like he is done with the Blazers for good.
Yeah, you could really tell he hated his job when you would listen to him being interviewed on the radio these last few years. I don't understand it, anyone of us would kill to have his job.
You say that, but having worked in sports for roughly seven years, I can tell you that it damages your perspective on your favorite team. You get burned out, and it takes all the fun out of something that you used to love. You find that the guys who never play are really cool and fun to talk to, and the guys who are the stars are guarded and standoffish. You'll root for the players that nobody cares about and you'll find yourself disliking the guys you used to love to watch because they're assholes. Also, if the team is playing horribly, you have the option to turn it off and walk away as a fan. You can get fed up and watch something else. As a writer you can't do that. You have to sit through the loss, figure out questions to ask a guy who really doesn't want to talk about the loss, and then go through the same song and dance from the coach, team, and media relations people after every loss. I was there during the Bassy, Ha, Martell years and it was horrible. The Rose Garden was 1/3 full, the team was getting blown out, and the players had no interest in discussing basketball. Trust me, it's very easy to get burned out and it will completely rob you of something you used to love. It took me years to rediscover my love for sports.
Before the season starts, I pick a favorite player and ride him all season. Khryapa! Ime! Joel! Sergio! Petteri! (Then Pritchard wouldn't sign him.) Rudy! Nic! Juwan! J.J. and Viktor! And now, Earl! Notice the pattern?
You say this because you have soured on players after spending time with them also? Sent from HCPs Baller-Ass iPhone 5...FAMS!
I was just thinking about you. You were there through the hills and valleys. You seem to be enthusiastic about the team. I love Nate, put quick is a pompous prick that needs to get kicked in the nuts. Fuck him