WHAT MY READERS ARE SAYING …
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Lefty (via e-mail June 6, 2008)
I just want to congratulate you on your work throughout this season. Real talk.
Your blend of traditional journalism sense mixed with your own opinions and insight seem to be exactly the formula that sports blogging should aspire to contain, but sadly, almost never does.
It is a shame, though, that so many sports blogs are called out for their incredulous content, methods and style. I almost expected to hear your rebuttal following the Bissinger/Leitch showdown on HBO. Or maybe I missed it?
My point it, as a self-proclaimed writer, photographer and journalist with 5 years full-time in the newspaper business (though some of my readers might argue otherwise – you can never please them all), I truly find your writing enjoyable. It’s very cool to see you transition away from FoxSports to your own site and I really hope that there are nothing but brighter things in your future.
I’d like to add that the addition of Rick has been great. In my opinion he has maintained the level of informed-and-opinionated-but not facetious -style that you have cultivated, while allowing for a more comprehensive and timely approach as far as the posting goes. The fact that I remember he is a North Dakota native as well does not rub this ND son wrong!
In my humble opinion, the strength of your work lies in the series previews and game analysis, not in the Big Board, or ranking of the 1-5 positions. I do realize that that is something you worked hard at to invent and it’s something that many find interesting. Even Dick Vitale needed a gimmick. Maybe that’s a terrible parable, since he’s quite untalented as a broadcaster, while you remain a knowledgeable and entertaining writer. Terrible Parable – heh, sounds like a RIDGE rhyme …
But as I sit down every day to bang out some column or feature story that seems irrelevant to me, though I must approach it with a serious attitude, I quite enjoy the opportunity to leave a post on your blog. Sometimes I may be deadly serious. Sometimes I may just want to clown on Josh Howard. But I always try and convey the fact that I am a true hoops fan with at least a respectable modicum of knowledge, because i love the fact that LOTL seems to be a congregation of just that: TRUE HOOPS FANS.
As your sight becomes more popular – and I am absolutely certain that it will – there will of course be more nothing-point comments and various other hate-comments from an influx of new readers, some who will be valuable to your cause and of course some who are absolutely ignorant.
But such are the burdens of today’s modern blogger. It is my own hope that someday your site will be included in the short-list of legit sports blogs with world-wide appeal and influence, with the Deadspins and the Free Darkos.
Sorry for such a long message, bro, but as far as I’m concerned, you deserve a big round of applause for your work this season. I have no doubts that you will end the year with some fantastic Finals coverage as well as some keen draft talk.
Sorry to pen you such a long letter at such a late hour, MEAN, but I’m fresh off deadline and full of coffee!! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on what should be a great finals series, and you should expect to see me around there, whether that’s cool or not.
Later,
Lefty
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Tom (ea7777) (re: THE L: KEYS TO THE VIP)
I just want to point out, Mean is the best writer around! That’s why we Basketball fans, BLOGers are here to support the best writer! …
Justanothefan (re: My Talent Maybe Marginal …. !)
MeanDovine
In all honesty, I bow to your prose and the clarity with which a subject matter to light. Each of us bring our own talents to the respectve forums by way of the passion and intensity shown in composing a piece. You’ve been lauded by your peers and with a great deal of justification I might add. And as I’ve gotten to know you through your writing I’ve come to admire you even more. Just keep on keepin’ on my brother! You deserve all of the plaudits that you’ve been getting and more! justanotherfan aka tophatal …. kdjs (re: Best Damn Guard: Jerry West)
MoonDog (re: Lord of the League: Superstar!!!)
These kids …. Teach them the right way Mean! You’re an important voice, one that needs to be heard.
… while i am a crazed NBA-buff of today’s game, i have to say that reading about the all-time greats through your column has opened my eyes alot. while i knew their names, their games and some of their famous accomplishments, i never bothered to really getting to know them. growing up in ice-hockey and soccer crazy switzerland, i never got a taste of any of the old-school NBA legends, and admittedly, never really bothered to read up on them, either. through BDG i now get to know these so-called fathers of our game on a much better basis … once again, props to BDG and to you MeanD. thanks for giving this poor lazy sob a place to be educated.
HeatGeneral (re: Best Damn Guard: Play That Tune)
MeanD, you are a great writer. I look forward to several more posts like this in the future.
(The following raves were received via blogging at FOX BLOGS.)
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vearlthepearl
I only can say that you personally are the best damn NBA writer out there, I wish and hope that you get the chance that you deserve. You write with a passion like no other, MeanDovine. I have personally enjoyed every single article you have written. I love ya brother……keep the faith you will make it!!!
I know you don’t know me, but I’m a silent reader of all your blogs. I love your rankings, analysis, and comedy in your writing. You’re extremely talented, and if more and more people read your blogs, I quite frankly think the interest in the NBA would increase greatly, because your comparisons and thoughts involving the league interest me, and others, I am sure. Since the Foxsports blog community isn’t as large as it seems, if, WHICH YOU DESERVE, wrote for a big time magazine or such, you would be world famous. You’ll definitely get your name out there sooner or later, and improve the league in which you love; no doubt. Give that NBA the love it deserves, and sooner or later, you’ll get the love you deserve.
Keep chuggin’ ’cause as a community, many love you and your writing. Soon, as a country, many will love you and your writing
MeanD, if anybody has a shot on this site it’s you my brother. You write with heart and passion and you display extensive knowledge of the topics at hand. I also enjoy reading your stuff because it’s not the “copy and paste” from the AP/ESPN/FOX that dominates this site. You are with out a doubt an original.
Hey DoughVEEEEEN – I realize that basketball season is over…but how about thowing us a bone to chew on. How about another classic car post? SOMETHING…ANYTHING. The blogs are lacking the sanity that you seem to bring.
You are truly the go to guy for the NBA.
Well done this season on BDG. A consistently good read, the best hoops talking on a week to week basis on this blogosphere. Party On, Garth.
Mean I’ve always maintained that you should have something on a network. Better yet, Hollywood needs someone to step up and give them a proposal that looks into the heart of basketball and make as real a movie as possible. That and Baseball are two sports that Hollywood has never tried to make look real. I bet you could pull off either one bro.
I also I want to wish you the very best in all of your sports endeavors. I absolutely believe you deserve an opportunity to help revive the sports reporting landscape as it now stands. You would bring a much needed new voice to the same old, same old that’s out there right now.
As always, the epitome of excellence cloaked in the confident humility of a humble gentleman. Where YOU lead…all must follow! PS – Your opening prose was some of the finest poetic music you’ve ever played on the instrument of this space. Bravo!
Another fine season of BDG. Now you need to start an NFL BDG.
Thanks Mean… BDG was great this year. I hope that you will at least still be around a lot, and why not… maybe even toss out a few posts here and there. Maybe you could start up BDC? You know …. Best Damn Cub …
Congrats on another great year of BDG rankings! I’ve really enjoyed each edition. As I’ve mentioned before, I do hope you get the chance to take your terrific insights to the national stage.
Mean Daddy Oh,
When you gonna’ hit us up with a new and thought provoking post ? I’m going cold turkey for one of your pieces buddy !
You are my favorite Mean. I enjoy your blogs and posts on other blogs. You not only know your stuff you bring class and respect to this small world. You HAVE to start loving another sport and writing about it! We can’t wait until next year!! You will be writing more stuff won’t you?
MeanDovine is Numero Uno on my sports blogging. Shouldn’t be wasting his talents here truth slinging it just bringing it man of la mancha writer!
MeanDovine is da bomb. The man can write and his BDG is superb.
Wow! What a write. Standing “O” from the crowd.
Mean – yet again, a fine piece of wordsmithing.
MeanDovine, great article. You really should be a sports writer. You have way above average writing skills. Plus you really know the game well.
Impressive…Fox should pay you for this! Seriously!
Keep up the amazing work. You’re the best basketball writer out there.
WOW ! I read this and I have to say man you are something! What a mind you have. I had to keep reading it drew me in deeper and deeper because I wanted to see where you were headed. Punch line saved for the end. You ever thought about writing books, doing mystery movies? Man, what in the heck do you do for a living? I just have to know! I know you are an all around sports fan! Most guys are just for one team or a few. You see the game from all directions —great vision. WOW !
Great post as usual. Once again let me say that I appreciate the thought and effort you put into your posts.
Mean – this post is one of the reasons that you are widely considered one of the best bloggers on Fox Sports. Your stuff just reads well. It is interesting, well thought out and articulately presented. Thanks for your contributions to this community. You are one of our most talented bloggers and what makes you what YOU ARE is the way you make the rest of us better bloggers.
Mean, once again you hit the ball out of the park with this one. Great read from start to finish …
Hey Mean – I originally read this last night but had a hard time figuring out how to phrase my comment in a way that would measure up to your high standards of writing …
Your voice adds depth, meaning and interest to pro sports. If you ever tire of the NBA come to KY sweetie and college basketball!! You will be welcome with open arms!!
Very awesome post, in most senses of the word. These types of essays help us all understand ourselves better. Thanks.
MeanD…It is a guard’s league, you put together such great info for us, why are we so privileged you really bring it every week, thanks MeanD! “The leaping lords of small ball”, great stuff!
as usual, a great article bro. unusual for me to be here this early but heck, i was waiting for BDG all day. and i’m not disappointed.
MeanDovine – Great stuff about Buss and Kupchak. I haven’t been around much lately but it is always good to have time to drop in on The Best Damn Blogger around. See ya!
$500,000.00 job mean…cut yourself a check.