Time To Take it to The Next Level

It’s time to take this blog to the next level! We’ve got the advice part covered with daily posts ranging from fantasy alerts to insights on how to work the competition. We’ve got the analysis part covered by discussing trades, looking at them through a quantitative lens and ensuring we achieve the right goals in dealing. There’s still one piece though, and it can’t be done without a little collaboration from you.

You see, in all the years that I’ve watched sports, and all the years I’ve traded stocks, I’ve learned to be able to tell the difference between real news vs. opinion and speculation. When it comes to researching a company, nobody gives it to you straighter (except in those rare unethical cases) that the company’s own people. After those guys, the next best group to follow is the industry professionals. For instance, if I want to check in on Electronic Arts (EA), I’m first going to see what the CEO has to say, then I’m going to check in with different gamer magazines and places like IGN (a website that covers video games). Likewise, if I’m going to find out information on the Boston Celtics, first I’m going to listen to Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers, and then I’m going to listen to the Boston Herald and Bob Ryan or WEEI (local sports radio), ya feelin me bro?

When Lady Thief starts hearing rumors about her favorite star QB Peyton, or hears some guy on ESPN comment that the Colts are in a state of disarray, she immediately turns to the Indianapolis Star (local newspaper) and then she tunes in to hear what Tony Dungy (former coach of the Colts) has to say. WHY you ask? Because it all boils down to jobs. It’s Bob Ryan’s job here in Boston to cover the Bruins, the Celtics, the Red Sox and the Patriots. Sure he keeps up to date with other teams, but his specialty is local juice. He’s ‘in’ with the teams. He gets scoops no one else gets. He talks to them weekly, that’s his job. Doc Rivers job is to coach the Celtics. When a reporter asks him a question, he answers, he doesn’t lie (notice I didn’t say Bill Bellichick, cause he does lie). It’s not his job to lie, it’s his job to tell you what he knows, and get back to coaching. On the flip side, what’s Stuart Scott or Mike Wilbon or Tony Kornheiser’s job? It’s to report on everything everywhere, which means they simply can’t get down to the same level of detail as the local guy.

So where am I going with all this? Well, hopefully I’ve convinced you to focus on local news over national news for the real juicy stuff. ESPN is for entertainment and big picture stuff, but your local newspaper is for getting ‘the scoop’. Now here’s where you all come in.

We need to get some collaboration going on these message boards. Plenty of you were hitting the comments section asking for any status updates on Gilbert Arenas or Paul Pierce. While I was able to offer the news as I heard it for Pierce, I’m not as ‘in tune’ with local DC news. But YOU are. If you live in or around DC, if your favorite team is the Wizards, you’re the guy we need to hear from. If you’re out in Indiana, give us the local scoop on Danny Granger’s status (his coach spoke to the Ind. Star last night, said Granger is 2 – 2 and a half weeks away). If you’re out in Miami, give us an update on what you’re hearing about Rafer Alston. Cause 9 out of 10 times it’s your local newspaper and your local news reporters that will get the info first.

I read the statement Jim O’Brien made on Danny Granger, then watched as several ‘entertainment’ based sports outlets reported it in 6 different ways. We need the words, we need the facts.

So I’m making a call to you all, every single person reading this blog. Open up and drop the juice. You out in LA? What’s the status on Blake Griffin? You out in Detroit? How’s Charlie V sounding after his recent performance? Let’s work together to make it easier on each other. Cause if it’s one thing this whole Gilbert Arenas affair taught us, it’s that TIMING IS EVERYTHING. Oh, and please quote the source too.

THIS is the kind of stuff that takes our game to the next level.

P.S. This goes for you too Christo. Even though you’re out in Bulgaria, we know you’re in love with Tyreke Evans, so get us the scoop on his playing time when Martin comes back!   =)