FOT Forum

The Best Show on WFMU => Show Discussion => Topic started by: Dave on March 24, 2011, 03:35:45 PM

Title: Me and Tom go to an NBA game, talk about hoops and writing and stuff
Post by: Dave on March 24, 2011, 03:35:45 PM

i figured if i put this in the NBA thread, not as many people would see it.  it's about basketball, sure, but also some really interesting insight into Tom's career and philosophy...

http://www.negativedunkalectics.com/2011/03/nba-will-expose-you-tom-scharpling-and.html (http://www.negativedunkalectics.com/2011/03/nba-will-expose-you-tom-scharpling-and.html)

Title: Re: Me and Tom go to an NBA game, talk about hoops and writing and stuff
Post by: Kormod on March 24, 2011, 04:36:22 PM

That was a great read. Thanks!

Title: Re: Me and Tom go to an NBA game, talk about hoops and writing and stuff
Post by: jbissell on March 24, 2011, 06:13:07 PM

It was very exciting to read about 2 of my favorite things. Great work!

Title: Re: Me and Tom go to an NBA game, talk about hoops and writing and stuff
Post by: Mr. Spacely on March 24, 2011, 10:19:29 PM

Great piece.  I am the exact same as Tom.  I'm totally disinterested in college bball.  Love -- LOVE -- the NBA.  I also enjoy Tom calling that Nets beat-writer "a blob."

Title: Re: Me and Tom go to an NBA game, talk about hoops and writing and stuff
Post by: Big Plastic Head on March 24, 2011, 11:06:44 PM

Thanks for sharing that!

Title: Re: Me and Tom go to an NBA game, talk about hoops and writing and stuff
Post by: Sarah on March 25, 2011, 08:34:41 AM

I enjoyed that very much. 

Title: Re: Me and Tom go to an NBA game, talk about hoops and writing and stuff
Post by: Greggulator on March 25, 2011, 09:30:21 AM

Awesome story! Great job using the NBA as a way to profile part of Tom's personality.

Tom's anecdote about the Nets beat writer is spot on. I wrote for the New York Knicks website for a little bit. When I got the gig, I couldn't have been more thrilled. I interviewed Nate Robinson about his preparation for the dunk contest. Getting him to say anything beyond cliches was impossible and, on top of it, I had a Knicks PR person looming over my shoulder despite my job was pretty much serving as a Knicks PR person.

This was the day Obama was sworn in. I sat next to Dan D'Antoni. I'll at least always have that.

Title: Re: Me and Tom go to an NBA game, talk about hoops and writing and stuff
Post by: Dave on March 25, 2011, 11:01:42 AM

I left out the story Tom told me about the last interview he ever did.  It was with John Salmons, on the phone in the parking lot of a restaurant.  He was already working for Monk at the time and he said Salmons was reacting basically like you describe Nate did, short, uninterested (and uninteresting) answers.  He said he was so frustrated he decided to just give it up so he could focus on his other writing, where at least he wouldn't have to deal with that kind of roadblock to doing good work.  I liked the story but didn't want to end on a negative note.  But it shows the other side of this kind of writing.  There is a real vapid element to a lot of sports writing, and I think players who are accustomed to it play into it by regurgitating the same old stock answers all the time.

I suppose now that I think of it this happens in a lot of media, not just sports.  Even in tv shows, etc. 

Title: Re: Me and Tom go to an NBA game, talk about hoops and writing and stuff
Post by: buffcoat on March 25, 2011, 12:00:57 PM

Both teams played hard, my man.

Title: Re: Me and Tom go to an NBA game, talk about hoops and writing and stuff
Post by: AaronC on March 25, 2011, 12:24:41 PM

That was fantastic.

Title: Re: Me and Tom go to an NBA game, talk about hoops and writing and stuff
Post by: LesSavyFan on March 25, 2011, 05:18:19 PM

That was a very good read Dave!

Also correct me if I'm wrong but that looks like Mr. Wurster in the photo with him.

Title: Re: Me and Tom go to an NBA game, talk about hoops and writing and stuff
Post by: Cori on March 27, 2011, 12:55:21 PM

Wonderful article (non-basketball fan here)! I love the inspirational bit towards the end. I think it could encourage some newcomers to check out Tom's work.