Anyone else see this opinion piece in the Washington Post by former PD Cavaliers writer Brian Windhorst?  It's a week old, but it just recently came to my attention recently.  Thoughts?

 

My home town of Akron, Ohio, is known for being the former “Rubber Capital of the World.” In basketball circles, though, it will forever be best known as the home town of LeBron James — the NBA superstar who kicked off a national controversy last summer when he left the Cleveland Cavaliers to play here for the Miami Heat.

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/lebron-james-just-followed-a-trend-leaving-ohio/2011/06/02/AGPEqMIH_story.html

my thoughts is that it is someone trying to rationalize his own personal decisions on a national stage. Crappy "journalism" on the forbes level. Where is the piece saying everyone wants to leave canada, didn't Chris Bosh decide to leave? No article on people trying to fight their way out of Denver? I mean Carmello Anthony forced his way out of there!

 

Stupid.

Windy's career hinges on his relationship with the James camp.  Sad... because he is a talented beat reporter.  But he has to put out pieces like this every now and then to maintain that relationship.

 

I'm sure the offer from ESPN to be 'the man' covering the biggest basketball story in decades, perhaps ever, had nothing to do with you leaving, Brian.  Using your situation is an awful example of the point you are trying to make.  It is about as relevant as why Halle Berry left.

I don't know why I ever read this sh!t.  I just end up feeling angry for no good reason.

Brian Windhorst was stat dork in high school.  He was the guy who showed up to all the games and kept the stats because he was unathletic and unable to play himself.  He hitched his wagon to LeBron James and that is a bad thing.  Lebron will go down, either on the court or off and Windhorst will have nothing left.  ESPN wont want him, im sure the PD wont give him his job back.  He is hardly a talented national writer.

 

That being said, he is clearly uninformed.  THere is a stigma about NE Ohio that there are no jobs, but it was just released last week that Cleveland is the number 5 city to find a job right now.  Uninformed journalism is a reflection of Windy.  He is good at one thing and thats followin around Lebron.

I disagree.  The guy knows his basketball and his journalistic integrity is above most in NBA media circles.  He doesn't have the looks or personality for TV, but is great on paper or the radio...... when talking about basketball

Eff you Windhorst.  I moved here for college from St. Louis and am staying.  My husband grew up here, went to college here, and is staying.  We're both engineers.  People move around the country all the time.  No need to bash Cleveland for no reason at all or just because it looks good in your story.

Why do you take sh!t like this so personal?  That is a serious and honest question.

Say what you want about Windy, but out Cavs coverage has seen a pretty big drop in quality since he left. He's one of the best beat writers in the business. But as far as this article goes, yeah, he needs to stick to basketball.

Yeah, he's a pretty good basketball writer.  Mary Schmitt Boyer is always in the running for the Regina Brett Award, given each year to the worst PD journalist/columnist (Ms. Brett is no longer eligible after winning the award 146 times in a row.)

As others have said, he is a great beat writer and knows his stuff when it comes to basketball, but he certainly should stick to that. The article seems pointless, and to a certain extent it appears to be a devious attempt at trolling.

I thought it was an excellent article. Ohioans, especially ex-Ohioans, got way too emotional over this thing. Windhorst hit the nail on the head:

 

I became a sounding board, and later a target, for the frustration of Cavaliers fans. The e-mails, online comments and tweets poured in, many of them from former Ohioans who were supporting the team — from someplace else. I felt the anger about James’s departure from places as far-flung as Tampa, Austin, Chicago, Atlanta, San Diego and Washington. Leaving home, many of them said, was a stain on James’s character — even though they apparently had left, as well

Does this mean Atlanta sucks because the Thrashers left?

Why do you take sh!t like this so personal?  That is a serious and honest question.

 

Because this is a piece in one of the most widely-circulated papers in the country perpetuating myths about our fine city and state.  I wouldn't take it personally if I didn't believe that it has a real and lasting impact on our region's ability to survive and thrive.  Because of pieces like this, there are folks out there that will continue to overlook this area despite the fact that, if they were to give the city/state a chance, may have  ended up finding employment and happiness here.

Why do you take sh!t like this so personal?  That is a serious and honest question.

 

Because this is a piece in one of the most widely-circulated papers in the country perpetuating myths about our fine city and state.  I wouldn't take it personally if I didn't believe that it has a real and lasting impact on our region's ability to survive and thrive.  Because of pieces like this, there are folks out there that will continue to overlook this area despite the fact that, if they were to give the city/state a chance, may have  ended up finding employment and happiness here.

 

So what have you done to "fact check" this article? 

I thought it was an excellent article. Ohioans, especially ex-Ohioans, got way too emotional over this thing. Windhorst hit the nail on the head:

 

I became a sounding board, and later a target, for the frustration of Cavaliers fans. The e-mails, online comments and tweets poured in, many of them from former Ohioans who were supporting the team — from someplace else. I felt the anger about James’s departure from places as far-flung as Tampa, Austin, Chicago, Atlanta, San Diego and Washington. Leaving home, many of them said, was a stain on James’s character — even though they apparently had left, as well

 

Both James and Windhorst left Cleveland by choice.  A lot of people, however, do not.  Read the comments on that page and the one linking to it in the Plain Dealer.  There are a number of people expressing that they would have stayed if given the chance.  If LeBron and Windhorst love the area so much, why did the leave?  Unlike many other ex-patriots, both had every opportunity to stay and succeed in their chosen profession.

Why do you take sh!t like this so personal?  That is a serious and honest question.

 

Because this is a piece in one of the most widely-circulated papers in the country perpetuating myths about our fine city and state.  I wouldn't take it personally if I didn't believe that it has a real and lasting impact on our region's ability to survive and thrive.  Because of pieces like this, there are folks out there that will continue to overlook this area despite the fact that, if they were to give the city/state a chance, may have  ended up finding employment and happiness here.

 

So what have you done to "fact check" this article? 

 

What do you mean? 

Why do you take sh!t like this so personal?  That is a serious and honest question.

 

Because this is a piece in one of the most widely-circulated papers in the country perpetuating myths about our fine city and state.  I wouldn't take it personally if I didn't believe that it has a real and lasting impact on our region's ability to survive and thrive.  Because of pieces like this, there are folks out there that will continue to overlook this area despite the fact that, if they were to give the city/state a chance, may have  ended up finding employment and happiness here.

 

So what have you done to "fact check" this article? 

 

What do you mean? 

 

Have you contacted the author of the article or the editor of that publication to express your opinion - instead of just ranting here on UO?  You have hundreds of people on this very board that will also back you up.  "journalist" can no longer write articles that bash without being able to back up what they have written and answering the questions - and God know you love to ask a damn question - of his/her readers.

Damn straight! Clevelander, don't you DARE comment on an article without first contacting the author and fact-checking the work, especially if it's a subjective piece.  Lawd child, have mercy.

Why do you take sh!t like this so personal?  That is a serious and honest question.

 

Because this is a piece in one of the most widely-circulated papers in the country perpetuating myths about our fine city and state.  I wouldn't take it personally if I didn't believe that it has a real and lasting impact on our region's ability to survive and thrive.  Because of pieces like this, there are folks out there that will continue to overlook this area despite the fact that, if they were to give the city/state a chance, may have  ended up finding employment and happiness here.

 

So what have you done to "fact check" this article? 

 

What do you mean? 

 

Have you contacted the author of the article or the editor of that publication to express your opinion - instead of just ranting here on UO?  You have hundreds of people on this very board that will also back you up.  "journalist" can no longer write articles that bash without being able to back up what they have written and answering the questions - and God know you love to ask a damn question - of his/her readers.

 

Yeah, I sent three tweets to Mr. Windhorst expressing my disgust with the piece.  He didn't respond, nor did I expect him to.

Clevelander17's  last post hit the board before I had a chance to post...I was going to say "would Windhorst really care if he was contacted and displeasure was expressed or inaccuracies pointed out".  Clevelander has answered that question.  Of course inaccuracies could be pointed out to his editors....but really, will they care either.

I disagree.  The guy knows his basketball and his journalistic integrity is above most in NBA media circles.  He doesn't have the looks or personality for TV, but is great on paper or the radio...... when talking about basketball

 

Say what you want about Windy, but out Cavs coverage has seen a pretty big drop in quality since he left. He's one of the best beat writers in the business. But as far as this article goes, yeah, he needs to stick to basketball.

 

As others have said, he is a great beat writer and knows his stuff when it comes to basketball, but he certainly should stick to that. The article seems pointless, and to a certain extent it appears to be a devious attempt at trolling.

 

He may know the game and be a good writer, but I do have to question his integrity and objectivity when it comes to writing about James and the Heat.  From all accounts, he has almost unparalleled access to the team and James' day-to-day life.  He sees and hears things that most other NBA media members do not see.  He could have shed some light on what really happened last summer, but he didn't.  I believe that he is too close to James and that has gotten in the way of him doing his journalistic duty.  He passes on writing anything negative about James and instead uses his position to write puff pieces and essentially serve as James' PR guy.  And he is paid by and releases his stories through the biggest name in sports media...What a great set up for all parties involved!

Im sorry, I disagree.  Im a big sports fan and i dont think he knows more than me about basketball.  He wrote about Lebron at St. V, then for the Akron-Beacon, then PD, now ESPN...he cliings to Lebron.  I can fill a room with people who can do his job as good as him.  Mary Schmitt Boyer is no good as a replacement...thats not a good comparison of what good journalism is.  Actually, Cleveland doesnt have good beat writers for any of their teams.  We have the best announcers in the business, but the writers are poor.

Wyndhorst knows basketball but no more than about 10 million other people. He has lost all credibility especially during the finals. Perhaps he is too close to LeDouche but whatever the case he has become the ultimate lap dog for ESPN and LeChoke. ESPN is so pathetically biased towards Miami and LePuke it's sick. Even when Dalls wins you would never know it by the post game coverage which is completely focuse on what Miami did well.

What I always appreciated about Windhorst was his conservative and diligent approach to the rumor mill.  When he or A. Woj. from Yahoo report a trade rumor,x you know it has legs.

 

As far as sports writers in this town, I enjoy Pluto"s stuff bit that is about it.  I guess Mary Kate does a good job with the Browns, but I ?ay be bias because I think she is hot.  Women who can talk Browns all day appleal to me :)

What I always appreciated about Windhorst was his conservative and diligent approach to the rumor mill.  When he or A. Woj. from Yahoo report a trade rumor,x you know it has legs.

 

As far as sports writers in this town, I enjoy Pluto"s stuff bit that is about it.  I guess Mary Kate does a good job with the Browns, but I ?ay be bias because I think she is hot.  Women who can talk Browns all day appleal to me :)

 

Chris Broussard has it in more than anything other NBA writer....if there is dirt out there unreported, he has it.  Windy and co...they are on it, but kow more than the rest of this world.

 

Terry PLuto is a great writer, and a great man.  I think his work is real strong, i was referring to the beat writers (Boyer, Grossi (yuck), Hoynes). Cabot is neither great or bad.  Yes she is good looking

I dont follow sports at all (except for some desultory following of UofL and UofK basketball),  but this article..the reactions to James leaving reminded me of the reactions to the Browns leaving...since I was up in Cleveland for a visit around the time that happened.

 

Sounds like James wanted that championship win, and was just not getting it with the Cavs?  So he goes to a team that might have given him a better chance?  Sounds like a simple career move on his part?

 

Which is I guess the case with the top level talent like James, in non-sports things.  They go where they can be the big winners or work with the winning team.  That was Richard Floridas example in The Rise of the Creative Class, with Pittsburgh vs Boston when it came to IT talent.

 

I guess also, it depends on what your priorities are.  Do you self-actualize by becoming footloose and traveling across the country and abroad following career advancement, or are you more place-based, close to family (extended and immediate) and freinds, and prefer to live a place that might not have these optimizing/maximizing career benefits for reasons that are not career-related?

 

 

^ Cavs had the best record the previous two years when he left and had the cast to get it done.  It wasnt about winning...if he did his part, it would have been enough.

 

The reason its not a simple career move is that Lebron coronated himself King and potentially best ever.  The best ever would take his organization to the top...not need help from other stars.  he did this to himself because of the expectations that he got from A.) his insane talent B.) His massive ego that proclaimed he will be the richest athlete ever and best player ever.

 

Also,

 

In professional basketball, you have reached the top of your career.  Being in Cleveland or being in Miami doesnt matter, you travel half the year, makes millions and can do whatever you want in the off-season.  Its not like I wanted to have a career in like Youngstown and then decide "there is so much out there, i want to go to NYC and see my opportunities."

 

It's absurd for windy to compare him and Lebron leaving to brain drain.  First of all them leaving isn't exactly "brain" drain, but seriously, those two have very specialized jobs that people would kill for .  Jobs that they could have continued to do with great financial success in Ohio.  Everyday joes, like the rest of us, sometimes have to face the real issues of whether we can find a job in our professions in Ohio.  My brother does special effects, so he had to go to California. 

Anyone else see this opinion piece in the Washington Post by former PD Cavaliers writer Brian Windhorst?  It's a week old, but it just recently came to my attention recently.  Thoughts?

 

My home town of Akron, Ohio, is known for being the former Rubber Capital of the World. In basketball circles, though, it will forever be best known as the home town of LeBron James the NBA superstar who kicked off a national controversy last summer when he left the Cleveland Cavaliers to play here for the Miami Heat.

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/lebron-james-just-followed-a-trend-leaving-ohio/2011/06/02/AGPEqMIH_story.html

 

I wasn't aware that Ohio's population was approaching zero.

Yeah, he's a pretty good basketball writer.  Mary Schmitt Boyer is always in the running for the Regina Brett Award, given each year to the worst PD journalist/columnist (Ms. Brett is no longer eligible after winning the award 146 times in a row.)

Ms. Brett is no where near the PD's worst writer.

I never claimed she was the worst writer.  I only said she won the "Regina Brett Worst Writer Award" 237 times in a row.  Everyone knows that the most deserving don't always get the award.  See the 1995 MLB MVP award.  However, Ms. Brett IS the worst writer at the PD.

Clevelander17.  I don't know you so please take my questions as "trying to understand your train of thought/thought process and not ridicule".  I want to make this clear, I'm trying to understand.

 

So you can clearly understand where I'm coming from.  I sit here with absolutely puzzled look on my face, reading, "Yeah, I sent three tweets to Mr. Windhorst expressing my disgust with the piece.  He didn't respond, nor did I expect him to."

 

You tweeted? Are you fucking kidding me?  Of course he wasn't going to respond to a tweet!  He wrote this article as an employee of the Washington Post.  Why would not contact him at his WP contact information along with the Editor and Publisher?

I am not going to bother to read this....Windy is a good sports/beat writer that won the lottery by covering LeBron from the start. He has no business writing an op-ed piece like that in WaPo...

Clevelander17.  I don't know you so please take my questions as "trying to understand your train of thought/thought process and not ridicule".  I want to make this clear, I'm trying to understand.

 

So you can clearly understand where I'm coming from.  I sit here with absolutely puzzled look on my face, reading, "Yeah, I sent three tweets to Mr. Windhorst expressing my disgust with the piece.  He didn't respond, nor did I expect him to."

 

You tweeted? Are you f$&king kidding me?  Of course he wasn't going to respond to a tweet!  He wrote this article as an employee of the Washington Post.  Why would not contact him at his WP contact information along with the Editor and Publisher?

 

I had a feeling that wouldn't be good enough for you.  I've sent tweets to other semi-important people like Windhorst and gotten responses, so yes, sometimes it does work.  But it doesn't matter.  As much as I'd like to change perceptions and see less of these articles written, there's not much that I can do, because nobody important cares.  Cleveland and Ohio have an image, as developed in large part by the media, and it's easier to just keep perpetuating that image, even if it's way off-base.  We'll see more crapping on "poor old Cleveland' from the national media next week if the Heat win the championship, count on it.

Clevelander17.  I don't know you so please take my questions as "trying to understand your train of thought/thought process and not ridicule".  I want to make this clear, I'm trying to understand.

 

So you can clearly understand where I'm coming from.  I sit here with absolutely puzzled look on my face, reading, "Yeah, I sent three tweets to Mr. Windhorst expressing my disgust with the piece.  He didn't respond, nor did I expect him to."

 

You tweeted? Are you f$&king kidding me?  Of course he wasn't going to respond to a tweet!  He wrote this article as an employee of the Washington Post.  Why would not contact him at his WP contact information along with the Editor and Publisher?

 

I had a feeling that wouldn't be good enough for you.  I've sent tweets to other semi-important people like Windhorst and gotten responses, so yes, sometimes it does work.  But it doesn't matter.  As much as I'd like to change perceptions and see less of these articles written, there's not much that I can do, because nobody important cares.  Cleveland and Ohio have an image, as developed in large part by the media, and it's easier to just keep perpetuating that image, even if it's way off-base.  We'll see more crapping on "poor old Cleveland' from the national media next week if the Heat win the championship, count on it.

 

I agree 1000%. In fact I'm inclined to believe that the indignation by some national sports media folk at the Indians hot start was because it didn't fit with the "Cleveland sucks" storyline planned if the Heat win it all.

 

Of course nothing will beat last summer when the Cleveland area was a portrayed as a dying rust belt area even though it had an unemployment rate 2% below Miami and actually was posting job growth when Miami was still in recession. Or when Cleveland was considered "racist" even though its residents elected the first black mayor of a major US city while the city was 75% white and places like Atlanta were just integrating their bathrooms. Spike Lee lost all my respect with his accusations of Cleveland after the LeBron move.

 

Then again, who cares about the truth when you are scripting a storyline in order to boost TV ratings. It's all WWE antics for an audience thinking it's getting actual journalism.

 

Sorry, rant over.

Spike Lee? What did he say and when did he have credibility in the first place? I only heard Jesse "look at me, look at me" Jackson's rediculous quote.

Spike Lee? What did he say and when did he have credibility in the first place? I only heard Jesse "look at me, look at me" Jackson's rediculous quote.

 

Spike Lee said that the National Guard was going to have to come to Cleveland the first time Miami arrived. He also said it would be a scene out of 1964 Birmingham. A bit over the top, even for him.

amrapinVA we agree on many things, but to say nothign will change by contacting the appropriate parties is BS to me.  Publisher count on people NOT saying anything so they dont have to respond.

 

If a person can bring it up on UO, why can't that same person bring it up to the proper parties?  To me that says you really dont care.

amrapinVA we agree on many things, but to say nothign will change by contacting the appropriate parties is BS to me.  Publisher count on people NOT saying anything so they dont have to respond.

 

If a person can bring it up on UO, why can't that same person bring it up to the proper parties?  To me that says you really dont care.

 

MTS is right. If it p!sses you off, you should send it to the Post. So I presume you sent a letter to the editor, MTS?

I made a phone call to discuss the inaccuracies.  Time and time again, if shit is wrong, I'm going to call you on it.  Even if nothing is done, I can say, I've done my part to attempt to correct a situation.  And not just discuss it here on UO.

there you go. Someone in the media (well, sort of... ;-) ) calling out this junk is better than joe blow off the street sending a letter.

That said, I sent one out as well. Can't hurt.

Lawwwwwd child

I think I'm with the majority of those who are rooting against LeBron to win in that I'm pissed about HOW he left, not WHY.

 

Had it been just a simple press release I think most would eventually come to agree with it, but it was "The Decision" brought on all the hatred.

I think the "most recommended" comment sums it up nicely:

 

"I grew up in Akron in the 60's and 70's and now live in Columbus which is probably the only city in Ohio where there is some semblance of job growth - and hope. Columbus has been steadily growing over the last 20 years thanks in large part to Ohio State University. Buckeye Graduates know well in advance that it is pointless to return to Akron, Canton, Warren, Dayton, or Portsmouth. NO JOBS. So they stay in the greater Columbus area and plug-away in $30K per year jobs hoping to climb into $40K, maybe even $50K per year positions. In the state of Ohio, $50K per year is a damn good paying job.

 

When Lebron left the Cleveland Cavaliers it hurt because the team was guaranteed to lose for years -- but it mostly hurt because his departure was a reminder to Ohioans that the grass is always greener anywhere but Ohio. He made us face that reality and we didn't like it.  "

Enough with the baiting.

I think the "most recommended" comment sums it up nicely:

 

"I grew up in Akron in the 60's and 70's and now live in Columbus which is probably the only city in Ohio where there is some semblance of job growth - and hope. Columbus has been steadily growing over the last 20 years thanks in large part to Ohio State University. Buckeye Graduates know well in advance that it is pointless to return to Akron, Canton, Warren, Dayton, or Portsmouth. NO JOBS. So they stay in the greater Columbus area and plug-away in $30K per year jobs hoping to climb into $40K, maybe even $50K per year positions. In the state of Ohio, $50K per year is a damn good paying job.

 

When Lebron left the Cleveland Cavaliers it hurt because the team was guaranteed to lose for years -- but it mostly hurt because his departure was a reminder to Ohioans that the grass is always greener anywhere but Ohio. He made us face that reality and we didn't like it.  "

 

Sums what up?  That comment is riddled with inaccuracies, too.

When it comes to Greater Cleveland and even Ohio, especially in the face of outside criticism, I'm one of the biggest "cheerleaders" around.  I spend more time than I should on the interwebs defending this city, and particularly, our sports teams.  I would have absolutely no problem writing to the editors of the WaPo if I felt it would be a step to really change things.  But I don't think it would make a difference and I truthfully feel powerless when I read these types of articles.  I do, however, get some comfort out of coming to UO to vent about such nonsense where I know most will agree with me. ;)

MTS,

 

I agreed about his last sentence about the way Cleveland will be treated if the Heat win.

 

Of course you should complain, if you have the time, if something is in error.

 

That being said, when I've had issues with the Post recently they've taken a very disturbing and ESPN-like stance: As long as you read it, who cares if it's "technically" correct. It's all about the eyeballs. I can see how it could be very discouraging to fight the Cleveland fight.

 

 

On a side note: Is Windy working for the Post or ESPN? I thought the piece was a "special" for the Post.