Comments on: Predictable’s Never Been So Promising

By: Ian Massey

Ian Massey — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 06:39:41 +0000

My apoligies for inaccurately stating that Dwyane Wade and Lebron James took the most shots in the NBA last season. I meant to say that neither of them is shy when it comes to taking shots. The sentence was poorly worded. I now realize that my statement creates an inaccurate assumption which strays from my original intentions. As an aspiring sports writer, I have opinions that not everyone will agree with, I realize that. I also realize that I’m bound to make mistakes. Thank you to those who pointed out ways in which I can improve. You may have your doubts, but I assure you the New University’s sports section is in good hands. I look forward to proving this to the readers.

By: Eric Patten

Eric Patten — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 02:36:30 +0000

A differing opinion about the Heat. http://greatwesternforum.wordpress.com/2010/07/18/south-beach-not-known-for-its-benches/

By: O'Shea Jackson

O'Shea Jackson — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 03:10:53 +0000

Calling Chris Bosh an elite player is like calling a golden retriever a fierce breed of dog, a Jumbo Jack a gourmet hamburger, and Ian Massey a future Pulitzer Prize winning journalist. Among the awful analysis in this piece, saying Bosh is one the League’s best players is probably the most egregious. Here are his last three seasons (07-08 to 09-10): 22-9, 23-10, 24-11. The Raptors won ONE playoff game during that stretch and did not make it in a paltry East the last two years. So basically Bosh is 2005-06 Elton Brand (25-10). Yet Brand took the Clippers to the brink of a birth in the West Finals in a conference with at least nine legitimate playoff contenders.

In no world, even the one you live in, would anyone say Elton Brand is one of the league’s best. Don’t try to convince yourself Bosh is either.

By: Ervin "Mundane" Johnson (circa Bucks, Sonics)

Ervin "Mundane" Johnson (circa Bucks, Sonics) — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 02:54:24 +0000

Every sentence in your story is a landmine. Its accuracy, grammatical ticks, false logic, limited creativity, and overall lack of quality are what I have come to expect from this publication on a consistent basis, so kudos for that. You are nothing, if not consistent.
Here are two basic factual problems:
1) “Dwayne” Wade is a 35-year-old man in Davie, FL. Dwyane Wade is a guard on the Miami Heat.

2) Lebron James and “Dwayne” Wade did not take the most shots in the NBA last year. And let’s say that statistics (sorted by field goal attempts) are wrong on every major sports website, why is having two guys that shot the most on the same team a good thing? Does that mean if my favorite team acquired, say, Monta Ellis (11th most shots) and Stephen Jackson (8th most shots) that I would have a surefire contender? Oh wait, that’s the 2009-10 opening night backcourt for the Warriors, which clearly worked out well.

There are so many mistakes, using the hyperbole that the New U half-heartedly thrives on, with this story that it would be an effort in vestige to list them all. However, I will offer one final piece of advice: Please, if nothing else motivates you in future writing, support your commentary with evidence. Clearly this should be a basic tenant of writing. And you were somehow accepted to one US-News and World Report’s top 50 public schools in the nation (a sad commentary on our education system, no less).
Take this sentence for example: “They also ushered in a player, with Matt Barnes, who could even give Ron Artest a run for his money in a swagger competition.” Not only is this grammatically awkward, but does not make sense. What is a “swagger competition?” What about Barnes makes him have swagger?
Your comments throughout the piece are hollow without statistical, informational or quotable support. This sentence is just one example.
I would say, “good effort,” but I honestly believe no effort was put into this.

By: John Hughes

John Hughes — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 02:28:09 +0000

You say, “The two guys who took the most shots in the NBA last year… are wearing the same uniform.” I didn’t realize Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant are on the same team now. Cool. Thanks for the accurate information. It sounds like the newest guys in charge of the sports page at the New U are just as bad as the previous two groups.