Hey Sam, Jay's Waiting for a Christmas Card
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- But make up the quotes? I'd say Skiles better stop playing journalism watchdog and concentrate on fixing his terrible team. If the Bulls don't start winning, those "Kobe! Kobe!" chants in the United Center might turn to "Fire Skiles! Fire Skiles!" - Jay Mariotti
It doesn't get much worse than this in the world of sports journalism.
Chicago Tribune basketball columnist Sam Smith launched a tirade against Scott Skiles a few days ago citing the following anonymous quotes allegedly from NBA coaches :
- "I thought they were the toughest, best at sharing, best defensive team we'd play," one coach said. "They were so mentally strong. Not this time."
- "They're not spirited," another coach said. "There's something funky going on there. They're not together."
- "We trap [ Ben ] Gordon on the pick-and-roll," said a third coach. "There doesn't seem anyone else who can beat you now. I don't really have an explanation."
- "They're very quiet on the court," said still another. "It seems only [ Andres ] Nocioni plays with fire and gusto."
- "It's almost like they're waiting to get beat," said one more.
Not surprisingly, Skiles was a little more than upset. He was downright angry:
- "My only response to that is — if that's not made up and [Smith] actually talked to some people that are saying that — they ought to mind their own store."
Mariotti, of course, rushed to the defense of Smith's cowardly refusal to name his sources while at the same time questioned the integrity of the Chicago Tribune:
- Hey, the Tribune does some curious things. I'm still wondering why editors removed "Chicago Sun-Times" from the credit line of an Associated Press story breaking the news of Michael Jordan's comeback with the Washington Wizards. I'm also wondering how the Tribune confused a classy, law-abiding Chicago native, former University of Illinois star Eddie Johnson, for a criminal of the same name last year.
Why even the need for Smith to "protect his sources"? Is this a matter of national security? If these alleged sources are indeed NBA head coaches, why even comment if afraid to reveal your identities?
Memo to Sam, you already know you are in the wrong on this matter when Jay Mariotti is battling in your corner.
This really is beyond idiotic. Only Mariotti would blast Skiles for questioning the authenticity of Smith's sources and suggesting that his coaching peers mind their own business, while in the same hyperventilating breath also accuse the Chicago Tribune of universal wrongdoing itself.
So apparently we should unconditionally accept the back page pundit's Solomon-like judgment that Smith is on the up and up while at the same time distrust the Tribune for being an inaccurate, unethical source of the news?
Stay classy Jay.
