I need your help, Celtics Townies
In the aftermath of a postseason exit that was all-too-early, I have a dilemma: I don’t know what I want to write about this summer. And I need your advice.
Obviously, I’ll write about the most important rumors (such as “Celtics work out Adam Morrison,” or “Danny Ainge interested in Kwame Brown”). I’ll write about any offseason signings, retirements, trades, et cetera. I’ve got a few series planned, such as a breakdown of each player’s season and a “go-to move” feature for Boston’s Fab Four (you’ll learn more about that later; it should be fun).
But for day-to-day site maintenance, I need your help. I’m pondering a couple routes.
1) I could delve deeper into analysis of daily news tidbits. For example, I would write about what the Celtics’ preference of James Harden (rather than Jeff Green) in the Perk trade meant. I would write about whether the Celtics should want to bring Nenad Krstic back, after he finished the season somewhere between “disappointing” and “we never expected anything, anyway, so he was what we thought he was.” I would write about the ramifications of the news—what it means, other paths the Celtics could choose to take, yada yada yada.
But so much analysis over such miniature issues hardly seems worth my time. If you noticed, a couple months ago I tried to stop paying attention to the small picture stuff and started focusing more on the big picture. Sadly, now that the big picture will be slowed down for quite some time, the small picture is all that’s left. Which leads me to my second option, the one I’m leaning toward but want your feedback on:
2) I want to start writing a book on the site. It wouldn’t be about the Celtics, though they would certainly be mentioned frequently. Rather, it would be about how basketball has helped shape my life, beginning somewhere in my early youth and ending after my final high school game (the college years, believe me, are worthy of a sequel to this first book). I’m thinking about writing this book on the site, obviously in its most “rough draft” form, available to all for free. I would write one chapter at a time, maybe two or three chapters per day. But I want to check what you guys think, because it would mean failing to address a lot of the smaller Celtics issues this offseason (though I would still certainly address all the larger ones).
The choice is yours. Let me know.
Related posts:
Celtics Blog | Jay King | May 15, 2011
Go with the book. The rest will cover the news well enough.
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I think you should write about what you feel inspired to write about. If you want, you can provide open threads where we can hash out the celtics issues of the day. Or not. But when it comes to writing, follow your heart.
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Gotta say, I think you are confused about what are big issues and what are miniature issues. Why Ainge made The Trade is as big as a sports issue gets, as one example.
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Go with the book, Jay! Its definitely the more exciting option. Be sure to copywright everything you share.May be you’ll be able to release a final version in print someday. Make it humorous, personal and filled with emotions..just the way you write about the Celtics. Goodluck, looking forward to reading more of your work.
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lets not dwell in the past I hate the ‘what if’ posts
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As paul says, write what’s always in your heart and what you have passion for. I’m not sure that writing the book on the site makes sense but that’s only my opinion. You might write for weeks and then share a chapter or two but I think most of us would prefer reading the book (and getting a signed copy at your local book signing event or via the site) as a book and after it has been edited. Again, just my opinion.
Subjects for the slow summer months that you might consider include obviously, the draft and the lead up to etc., FAs, the collective bargaining issues as they relate to the Cs but also maybe what each Celtic player enjoys outside of hoops (books, movies, strip clubs [kidding], vacation spots, restaurants (in away cities too), etc.). I don’t know if your sources or player access can gain this info but it might be worth a column or two. Maybe some profiles that include the previous ideas on each player. Maybe the players would consider giving you interviews based on it being the off-season? Same goes for interviewing Doc and the assistant coaches and even DA and Celtic mgmt. or owners (if willing to help your endeavor with C-Town)? And even the trainer since he is so critical to this team. Maybe some columns on how players train and what their personal workouts (including gym machines or wt training equipment used, etc.) are so hoops players can enjoy or even follow what their fav players do (i.e.. paul would love Rondo’s workout regimen (hopefully shooting 1K shots per day – 500 jumpers and 500 fts – so he could critique it!). What do the players eat to stay in shape (Davis is obviously cheeseburgers, fries and milkshakes). How players rehab minor injuries with different exercises. You might also add some polls for the users to vote on including questions you pose about C-Town. And lastly, where the players hang so we can buy them a beer and encourage them to hit the boards better next season!!! All with love for the green, of course! Go Cs….
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P.S. Summer project – fix the banner!!! Go Cs…
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Please dont keep writing about other options the C’s could have chosen for that trade. It gets endless after awhile and we already read about it enough with people bringing It up in the Comment section. I’m intrigued by your pondering to write this book. Should be an interesting read; as I have enjoyed reading some of your anecdotes that you choose to share, so a book would be compelling.
Although I agree with James and Paul that you need to write what comes to your heart and such. And still keep the general lockout talk, FA’s, signings and (shaq’s) retirement, trades ect.
I’m sure you could write a damn great book based off of your great blog here.
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It to change the subject, but who are you guys rooting for to win it all now?
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“it” was supposed to say “not”.
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The book idea sounds really interesting! I would do that one
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Hey Jay, the books a great idea. Go for it but any rumors or news on the Celtics still must make daily posts. This is my favorite site to get my C’s updates.
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Nick…Anyone but Miami. Prefer Dallas so Dirk & Jason get their rings. Go Cs…
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James… I want to see OKC win. Preferably play Miami in the finals. That series would go six or seven. I’m not sure they’ll get by Dallas though.
As I write this, OKC is up b 14 going into the fourh so I figure they’ll win. I like ‘em cuz they’re a young talented athletic team. I’m also a KD fan.
(No it has nothing to do with Perk being on the team).
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I think the book thing is a great idea, I have made Celtics Town my primary source of reading as far as the Celtics are concerned, because your article, in addition to being on point, are always entertaining (even when things don’t go our way) and written from a fan perspective.
I am really interested in seeing how this would translate into book writing, and I think it’ll cover for these slow months ahead of us (apart from the draft and the lockout).
Speaking of the lockout, maybe it’ll be so long you’ll actually be able to write that sequel on your college years (not that I wish it.. I mean I do want to read this book, but this lockout nonsense better not last that long).
Looking forward to reading the first pages!!
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Nick…I like OKC too and they are actually my #2 fav team (love Durant and Portland made a big mistake not drafting him as I always thought he was a much better player and choice than Oden). Dallas and OKC will be great. I’m not sure the Heat are getting by the Bulls as their bench and rebounding are not as good as the Bulls. It’s still fun but very frustrating as our boys should be in the mix. Is it draft time yet??? I’m ready for next season. Go Cs…
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I’d still like to read all of the detailed Celtics items (option one), even the so-called small stuff. I discovered CelticsTown during the season just ended and it has become essential reading. I’m a Celtics devotee 900 miles away so I don’t have the same media access as someone living in the Boston area where I imagine there are six different 24-hour sports talk stations with callers venting for hours about trading away Kendrick Perkins, trading for Ricky Davis, and congratulating Phil Jackson for ending his coaching career with such an inspiring Lakers performance.
It really is great to have a Web site like this for team news and commentary. I’m old enough to have previously subscribed to the Boston Herald through the mail just to get Celtics news.
I’m hardly a writer so I don’t really know what I’m talking about but it seems as if it would be better to write a book WITHOUT posting every chapter, getting commentary and perhaps being TOO influenced by those comments as you write the following chapters? Maybe share a chapter here or there?
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Write about how nepotism is still alive and well in the C’s org… lol
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James…. Draft lottery Is on Tuesday. And I agree. Although I’d rather see them make the finals and lose. It’d be great.
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I think the Bulls will beat the Heat, and I want them to, because I think that winning by deliberately injuring the best player on the other team doesn’t fly karmically.
Love OKC/Dallas matchup. Must suck for Durant and Westbrook and Harden to have to drag that useless scrup Perkins into the semifinals.
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Ego roots, we are not allowed to say anything mean about Danny. People who are in positions of authority must be worshipped.
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Speak to the lock-out. I am curious to see what happens. Enough money is made by all to go around. They need to work this thing out and move on!
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Hey paul…ever consider that maybe it wasn’t the ‘trade’ that messed up the Cs but the loss of Tom Thibodeau??? Lawrence Frank is a very good coach, but the defense was created and strategized by Thibodeau. I think his loss was critical and will take a while to get over, if ever. Go Cs…
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Hey Jay: you are a very talented writer but if you are going to write a book, you should also think market. A daily blog put together has limited market with publishers because your fan base is limited to Boston Celtics fans. What interests me (and outside readers) are the behind the scene locker room stuff, like when you informed me of Big Baby eating a burger and fries 45 minutes before the game. You could do so without selling out the players or making them look bad. In that case, it could be Sports Illustrated meets Bridget Jones’s diary —- daily accounts pieced together over the course of a season. Now that could sell. And don’t worry about “selling out” because you are still following your passion. Agents and publishers could go for something like that. As others have recommended, make it funny, make it personal, as you often do now.
Friday Night Lights was written by a journalist who followed a high school Texas team over the course of the season. If that can sell, then I imagine someone following the Celtics could do the same. And the movie rights Jay, well….you’d never have to worry about money again. The residuals for movies are ridiculous, even the ones that flop, b/c you still get money every time it plays on TV.
Okay, I’m done playing agent for you. Now, in regards to your blog, can you do a breakdown for us on who the C’s should be looking at in terms of drafting out of college, making possible trades, and signing possible D-leaguers? In terms of the “what ifs? regarding the trade, it doesn’t matter now. Let’s put it behind us. Hypotheticals are a waste of time. It’s like saying, what if researchers could come up with a gene therapy to make the Big 3 forever young? Do the C’s really have a chance to compete next year?
That’s the start of your book, starting with spring training, draft picks, where the C’s are at, while introducing yourself to the reader.
Thanks for all the great articles during the season. A published book could help get you established with a major newspaper or magazine, if you even want it.
Cheers!
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Jay, check out the book Paper Lion as well. True story of a journalist who plays QB for the Lions to get hands on coverage of the team. The Bronx Zoo also, though it was written by a player on the team. And a great non sports book is Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. The writer of that book is a journalist who incorporates his daily interractions with the quirky characters of an old Southern town. It’s done with color and style, which you can definitely pull off. Suggested reading, take it or leave it.
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So glad to see that the cHeat got their first dose of karma tonight.
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I was glad to see that the Heat were not celebrating after the game like they won the fucking championship.
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Thank you all for the feedback. I really appreciate it, guys. I’m leaning toward reporting all the Celtics news (which will be limited) and throwing a chapter of my book your way when the news is really slow. Also, do you guys want me to start open threads for other playoff games?
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In regards to the other games I’m not really interested, but others may be, as even just following the games is frustrating because we should be playing the Bulls and likely ultimately have been in the Finals. While the games will be compelling, I can’t wait for tomorrow’s draft lottery and then all the draft speculation and getting on with making the Cs better. And to hell with all the injuries. We could very well be playing for a 4th title in a row if not for key injuries to KG, Perk, and Rondo-Shaq-JO over the last 3 seasons. So the sooner the season gets over the better I’ll feel. It was great to see the Bulls dominate the Heat, which we would have done if all the injuries had not occured. AAARRRGGGHHH! Go Cs…
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I will read whatever you post, Jay. You’re an excellent writer. Will especially crave Celtics news.
I’m finding that I’m mostly annoyed by the conference finals. However, I did enjoy watching the Heat gets trounced by the Bulls and Thibodeau. I’m with James. Feel like if C’s should be in the East finals and would be iif not for the proverbial dagger of Rondo’s injury.
So glad you created this blog!
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