Chris Parker/Cleveland Scene answers your questions

[blommen]

Can we get a bronze statue of Chris Parker outside RCF headquarters? homeboy is straight ethering NEOMG.

 

[Chris Parker]

Great piece, Chris. Thanks a lot for writing it and getting much more to the core of what real Cavs fans care about.

Unlike some of those writing in Akron and Cleveland, we care about the team's success and support our guys. We're not interested in settling personal grievances through our game write ups, an exercise which clearly both demonstrates the immaturity of the writer and which deprives the reader/fan of what they are looking for in such a piece.

I am thrilled you called out Jason Lloyd. Until this season, I considered Lloyd one of the best Cavs resources that there was. Now I look at him with pity and contempt. Except that, well, I don't really "look at him" anymore because I will not click on his columns again after his transparent, dead-ender vendetta against Blatt began.

Note to Jason Lloyd: No one gives a flying f*ck about you or your vendetta against our coach. Grow up, do your job and try to be a professional. Just as fans don't read articles to hear what a reporter thinks about the press' buffet spread, we don't read or listen to have you go on irronal, personal witch-hunts against a coach who is in the midst of a playoff run that could take us to the Finals.

There are posters on here who can and do blow away many media members who cover the Cavs. It's not even close. In statistics and in understanding strategy.

As you said, Chris, it's ironic (or telling) that the too-good-for-RCF media members suddenly don't like it when the Princeton grad puts them in their place.

Until about two weeks ago, I don't think I ever swore on this site. But this media berserker rage against Blatt has brought out the anger in the fans, including me. As has the criticism of the team and its coaching by some Cavs fans.

Glad we have someone like yourself to give a true voice to the fans. Also on that score, Sam The Bullshit Whisperer did a great job the other day of defending Blatt as well against the media scrum. Credit where it's due.

You and The Bullshit Whisperer presently have the real pulse of the Cleveland fan. And as such, you will be receiving my hits and clicks while others such as Lloyd will be willingly denied the same.

Thanks again. Writing is a lonely profession. You guys really make my day.

Also want to say a big ups to The Bullshit Whisperer and to Tony Zarella have been nice guys without the cliquish aspect others enforce and have enjoyed every time I've conversed with these guys.

 

[ssopata]

Chris, it seems, at least the last few post game pressers, you've been one of the first to ask Blatt your questions. Is this something where Blatt might tend to not obviously seek you out in the room or are you just that quick on the draw?

 

[enigmatic]

Chris, on the off-chance you ever come up to Edmonton or I ever make it back down to Cleveland we're having lots of beers. You're a Godsend to this site and to NE Ohio Beat reporters and I thank you.

I'm a huge simpsons fan and my favorite line in all of the world was when Homer uttered this piece of unimpeachable wisdom: "Sometimes the only way to feel better about yourself is to make someone else feel worse and I'm tired of making other people feel better."

similarly, I am reminded of Bart said to Chief Clancy Wiggum (when Sideshow Bob married & tried to kill Selma):
"I don't want to tell you how to do your job, chief" and Wiggum replied "How am I supposed to learn?"

The fact that the current beats are so immune to suggestion or criticism and feedback is a sign to me.

I appreciate your point and will try to take it to heart. However in this particular instance I simply felt this couldn't go on in good faith. I didn't call him out in "print" or even on "twitter" after Dave McMenamin called me out in person for not putting his twitter in the comment when I called out his stupid question. ("Does having Kevin Love there at the game have some intangible effect" It's the playoffs for crissakes, and if it did I'd be tremendously worried. What else has an intangible effect? did LeBron's kids sass him that morning? etc.)

But honestly, I don't know how Jason Lloyd gets away with running a story on how shitty the coach is after what we witnessed with Mike Brown & Byron Scott (who I understand are much nice, less "arrogant" people if significantly challenged by the moniker "good coach"). To go to one of the least savvy basketball minds in the game for his hit-piece -- on the eve of the first game?? -- Isaih Thomas, well, I guess you could say I was personally offended in the way I am sort of personally offended by shitty questions. Listen I have an advantage on these guys because I've interviewed 1500 or so musicians in the last decade or so. I know what a good question is through trial and error. But it's personally uncomfortable listening to these guys ask a question it sounds like they came up with 30 seconds ago.

to ask a good questions you really need to consider what the possible responses are. this is common sense but all the time there are lame questions, with tepid responses becuase they didn't ask anything that could be answered with anything substantive. Hell, I'm still trying to improve the phrasing so I can better pin people into answering. the impressions I get -- and hopefully I'm wrong -- is that these guys aren't looking over their shoulder in the least, and it's resulted in some pretty shitty sports coverage -- something I thought last year when I was sitting where you are.

then there's the fact that I believe basketball is an interesting sport without a lot of TMZ-SPN type of coverage. And to what end? None of these anti-Blatt stories had any substantive center. They're all inuendo and parsing of comments and slant. If you have to do that much work to paint a guy into the corner, how about you put that effort into actually covering the sport.

So as you can see, this is something about which I feel something. From writing about music so long I've concluded that if you aren't doing what's in yr heart then you're kind of a hack. That's only me, others may feel pride in what they do, but for me, if I'm not feeling it I shouldn't be doing it. As I've said before this gives me a lot more leeway than most of my peers who are worried if they say something bad about NEOMG or ESPN their career will be screwed. I am a writer not a sports reporter so there is very little chance that the animosity I assume Brian Windhorst feels toward me having any impact on my life choices in the least. Not everyone has that luxury which is probably why Cavs coverage looks like a bunch of dogs smelling each other's ass.

that said, I really agree with you. I'd SO MUCH rather just write about Xs & Os. I played some hoops in H.S. but I can learn/know so much more, so I feel like explaining what I see and talking to Campy and Chonesy and anyone else willing/able to provide some insight into this incredibly complex game , so I might understand it more and help others enjoy it how I do -- as this rare sport that's very complex and yet very simple and which more than anything I can think of outside crew -- relies on people working in concert as a team. (Football with its prescribed roles and hierarchy feels more like an oligarchy than basketball's democracy where everyone is expected to do a little of everything to some extent)

However all this other noise intrudes on this conversation, indeed threatens to drown it out to my thinking (I'm probably wrong, but that's how it feels when they slash Blatt but fail to write anything about game strategy. I'm like how does that work? Does Blatt only call timeouts??Because judging from the coverage, that's what you'd think. Obviously LeBron calls the plays and probaby draws up the gameplan too [facepalm]

Know that I could make more money doing what I have been doing and can only do what I'm doing because my wife has a good job and understands my needs & desires. I love stories, and LeBron's return is the best sports story to my mind since the Red Sox ended their 86 yr drought. I wanted to cover this story and everything else has flowed out of that.

I have gone on pretty long and if you got this far you are to be commended. but like music I feel there is something every important in why you do things, it is the essence of the intent that often determines the outcome. It is a lot of why I've gone at it the way I have, and why I've approached it like this. If the sports beats were more on the level of a Chicago or Boston or New York, I probably wouldn't write about stupid shit like the Thomas article at all because such shit wouldn't exist and I could concentrate on filling my niche.

But I respect the sport and writing and just feel if you like what you do you should demonstrate that by giving back. When you can't and you just become a bitter hack maybe it's time for a look in the mirror and a break. Of course that won't happen so we'll probably always have a need for a gadfly like me.

oh ,and by the way, in case you didn't know, the other beat writers are aware of this site, but apparently are above it. I don't know, maybe they feel they know more than you. (And they complain blatt "thinks he's the smartest guy in the room." you'd think they'd digest that lesson on humility but ....)

So yes, jason Lloyd if you are reading this and you didn't get from my article that I thought your piece on Thomas was a huge ugly dump on Blatt and the team itself, now you know, and you know that even if you refuse to talk to me and badmouth to the other beats, I'm not going to suddenly be cowed and back off. I don't expect you to care, but just know I don't either and though you're one of the finest beat writers I will not shy from telling you when I believe your full of shit. As the Dude says, "its just like my opinion, man."

So yeah, thanks so much for the comments about my breakdowns. Sometimes I write pieces after watching the game over, sometimes like today, I know what I want to say and then bring out the other stuff. But know that after spending a couple hours on the prose I go and do the analysis. I couldn't get my slingbox to work so I had to work with different video sources which was more difficult and confused things. But i felt I owed it to you guys to offer what breakdowns I could. I promise they'll be better when I'm in Ohio and the internet lag handling streaming video coming from my home DVR isn't so egregious.

I feel we have a pact. you support me and I try to give you something you won't get otherwise. I LOVE this deal. I hope I can keep you feeling the same way.

 

[Jordan]

Good work, Chris. I don't have as much of an issue with Lloyd as many on this board. In fact, I attempt to read his columns, just as I do your's, every time they are posted. But, I was getting very frustrated with the complete lack of differing opinions in Cleveland media. So I like having you engage in a discourse with Lloyd, McMenamin, et al. As an academic, I think discourse, while sometimes intense, is the best way to improve our collective knowledge. So, to that end, your work has been incredibly refreshing!

 

[Damage]

Question for @Chris Parker

About a year ago, I had a long email exchange with Scott Rabb (who is also a friend of mine) regarding objective vs subjective journalism - Tony Grossi being the main subject - and how he kills all credibility within his articles due to extreme confirmation bias.

This is not in defense of Fedor, as he warrants no defense (seriously, I wouldn't trust him to buy me an apple without asking the cashier why Blatts eyes look funny), but I have to assume the creative freedom (for lack of a better term) the Scene grants you vs employees of NEOMG is extensive.

Now I am not suggesting that if Fedor wrote for The Scene that he would morph into George Plimpton, but in a Buzzfeed - Upworthy world of journalism, where readers only want to see 2 inches in front of their faces, one can sympathize with click-bait forms of journalism. It's Fedor's choice to go that route, I'm just curious if he actually enjoys the voice he projects over every channel. And if the journalistic freedoms you and members of NEOMG are similar, then start your own website, cause that's some good fucking content my man.

 

[Simmy]

You guys and your appreciation makes this really worthwhile. To think, I might never have found you guys if Chris Fedor wasn't being a dick to me. That said, Chris Fedor is the only beat guy who didn't (seem to) take umbrage at my beef. He still says hello and acts cordial which is more than can be said for some of other beat reporters.

Wanted to respond specifically though and note that in the last couple months I have added a couple radio appearance gigs to my resume.

those wanting to hear me can find me on WRUW 91.1 - Michael James' Defend Cleveland show on Mondays at 10:45 am.

More thanks goes to Tony Mazur who hooked me up with Ray Horton, at WAKR 1500 AM. I can't say I listen to a lot of radio guys but I did used to work in radio years and years ago. Horton is a real pro, and I am greatly gratified to work with him. Better questions than the beat squad usually musters. (You know who you are.) I'm not on there as regular, but every week so far, tuesdays or thursdays up to now, but I will make a point to post when I'll be on Ray's show. James' Defend Cleveland is every Monday.

Would love for you to listen in.

@Chris Parker, is this available for live streaming online for us international folk that would like to listen in?

 

[Mr. Orange]

@Chris Parker doing work!!

Just an FYI, I've shared you writing with some guys at work and they really think you are doing excellent work. Keep it up. We will keep reading.

 

[SVC]

Question for @Chris Parker

About a year ago, I had a long email exchange with Scott Rabb (who is also a friend of mine) regarding objective vs subjective journalism - Tony Grossi being the main subject - and how he kills all credibility within his articles due to extreme confirmation bias.

This is not in defense of Fedor, as he warrants no defense (seriously, I wouldn't trust him to buy me an apple without asking the cashier why Blatts eyes look funny), but I have to assume the creative freedom (for lack of a better term) the Scene grants you vs employees of NEOMG is extensive.

Now I am not suggesting that if Fedor wrote for The Scene that he would morph into George Plimpton, but in a Buzzfeed - Upworthy world of journalism, where readers only want to see 2 inches in front of their faces, one can sympathize with click-bait forms of journalism. It's Fedor's choice to go that route, I'm just curious if he actually enjoys the voice he projects over every channel. And if the journalistic freedoms you and members of NEOMG are similar, then start your own website, cause that's some good fucking content my man.

Great questions. I've wondered that myself about the hacks.

I wonder if it would be profitable? If a Grantland, that at least tried with Zach Lowe, isn't? I imagine it would have to be a really tight ship long on quality content and short on expenses for quite awhile before it made money.

I've seen super knowledgeable guys with average writing skills make sites that end up with a cult following of 100 core readers.

I've never seen a site that was ran by someone who has both excellent writing skills and knowledge, so maybe it's doable, but I bet it's hard. You probably need to be a great writer, basketball junkie, and have a trust fund to find out.

 

[Chris Parker]

Chris, it seems, at least the last few post game pressers, you've been one of the first to ask Blatt your questions. Is this something where Blatt might tend to not obviously seek you out in the room or are you just that quick on the draw?

I've always tried to think of a question during the game -- continue to think of it all game, try and get right verbiage. So I'm often ready, and it's a matter of getting called on. I think they know my questions won't be a dud so they don't fear but it could also be the fact that, for example, last night there were only 4 questions asked him.

I'd hazard a guess why that is, but I'll bet you can figure out why for yourself....

 

[FiveThous]

Does Chris have a mailing list I can sign up for? I'd love to get his most recent articles right away! His articles are my sports crack right now.

 

[Man Called X]

I feel like Chris Parker has become like RCF's rock star.

Who's going to throw the panties at him? @The Oi @Deezus @Chardon @Huber.

 

[tristan+kyrie=$]

Chris is the fucking man and RCF is lucky to have him

 

[Chris Parker]

Chris, on the off-chance you ever come up to Edmonton or I ever make it back down to Cleveland we're having lots of beers. You're a Godsend to this site and to NE Ohio Beat reporters and I thank you.

sad to say the only way I see Edmonton in my future involves much worse climate change than I expect... I would love to have beers together, and chat ball & life. Closest I will come is to Minneapolis sometime later this year to see some friends...
but let me know...

 

[Chris Parker]

Does Chris have a mailing list I can sign up for? I'd love to get his most recent articles right away! His articles are my sports crack right now.

I try to post everything on this thread as it runs. you can also follow me on twitter @CRS_1ne

(explanation: Kris Parker is a great original rapper who went by KRS-One which stands for Knowledge Reigns supreme over nearly everyone.)