The Dontonio Wingcast Episode 008

Basketball Prospectus's Kevin Pelton has been going crazy as he puts the finishing touches on his book.  Last night, in one of his typical fits, he wondered aloud whether an efficiency rating might be of use to the producers of the Blazer Dancer tryout show.  "These cuts they are making are just overwhelmingly subjective," KP2 moaned, "Where's the data? WHERE'S THE DATA!?!?!?!"  

Lo-Co.  

While doctors were attending to Pelton, I went mind-to-mind and heart-to-heart with one of the great guys in the local sports media -- a true mentor-- Brother Wendell Maxey. Our conversation was taped a few weeks back but our discussion is less topical and more philosophical and is a fun behind-the-scenes tour about what life is like as a dedicated basketball writer.

On this episode, Wendell...

• Recalls his time covering the Knicks, Nets and Blazers over the last six years. He tells the story of his first ever basketball interview... with Patrick Ewing.
• Explains the impact having access to players, coaches and GMs has on writers and gives you a good idea why I consider him to be an "old soul."  
• Talks about how the online writing game has changed over the 6 years he's written online.
• Walks us through the classic Shaq quote about Greg Oden, Shoguns and Ninjas from last season.
• Details the reasons he decided to leave HoopsWorld.com.
• Chides me for running players out of town.

Music selections:

Big Daddy Kane -- Nuff Respect
The Streets -- Blinded by the Lights
Blackalicious -- Blazing Arrow
Masta Ace -- No Regrets

You can subscribe to our iTunes feed or stream/download the mp3 here:   The Dontonio Wingcast Episode 008 

The mp3 is 47 megabytes.

Mild profanity warning is always in full effect.

Next week we'll resume our regularly scheduled podcasting with Kevin Pelton.  Assuming he's still with us mentally.

-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)