Damn cuban can be a vindictive little bitch sometimes.

[dude1394]

So the NBA tells him to shove his new anti Tim McMahon blogger policy and so he decides that in retribution he'll allow any and everyone to be in there. Grow the **** up sometimes cubes.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...g.3623e01.html

NBA tells Dallas Mavericks to allow locker room access to bloggers

10:00 PM CDT on Thursday, March 27, 2008

By BARRY HORN / The Dallas Morning News
bhorn@dallasnews.com

The NBA has instructed the Mavericks to re-open the team's home locker room to properly credentialed full-time bloggers who were banned earlier this month.

Bloggers, including The Dallas Morning News' Tim MacMahon, again will be allowed locker room access when the team returns to American Airlines Center for Wednesday's game against the Golden State Warriors.

MacMahon, who primarily blogs for The News' Web site dallasnews.com, was barred earlier this month. Bloggers from ESPN.com's TrueHoop and the Los Angeles Times also have been turned away. The visitors' locker room at AAC has remained open to all credentialed media.

"It's a new media age, and there are more ways for people to get information than ever before," said Brian McIntyre, the NBA's senior vice president for basketball communications. "That creates a lot of challenges for all of us who deal with the media, but we will deal with it."

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who contended the team's locker room was not large enough to accommodate all bloggers, accepted the league's edict but added a caveat. Via e-mail, Cuban said the Mavericks will open their locker room to all credentialed bloggers, regardless of affiliation. Mavericks credentials are issued by the team.

Cuban indicated he believes bloggers should be treated equally, regardless of affiliation.

"Which means we will encourage all bloggers to apply, whether they be someone on blogspot who has been posting for a couple weeks, kids blogging for their middle school Web site or those that work for big companies," wrote Cuban, a blogger himself. "We won't discriminate at all."

He then cautioned that locker room time, which translates to access to players, may be divided.

"We will try to work it out so that all bloggers come in as a group after credentialed media," Cuban wrote. "This will help us manage the crowds should there be quite a few bloggers."

Cuban's position was challenged by Mike Fannin, president of the Associated Press Sports Editors.

"With all due respect for the potential journalism talent in the middle school ranks, this rebuttal smacks with the tartness of sour grapes," Fannin, managing editor for sports and features at the Kansas City Star wrote in an e-mail. "Is this really the standard the NBA wants to set for blogging?

"We're not asking the Mavericks or Mark Cuban to discriminate," added Fannin, who earlier in his career worked at The News. "We're simply seeking a common-sense distinction between someone who blogs professionally as part of an accredited media's beat coverage and someone who buys a ticket to the game."

The Mavericks instituted their no-bloggers policy earlier this month, several days after Cuban asked MacMahon to leave the locker room when the team hosted the Sacramento Kings on Feb. 29. The policy stated that the team does "not have enough room in the locker room, nor enough media passes to fairly accommodate everyone."

Bob Yates, deputy managing editor/sports of The News, immediately protested, saying the policy violated the language on the team-issued media passes and was "a veiled attempt at retribution" against MacMahon for an item critical of Mavericks coach Avery Johnson.

Cuban denied the accusation, saying he did not read MacMahon's work.

Robert W. Mong Jr., editor of The News, also via e-mail, wrote that Mavericks fans are the winners thanks to the NBA's decision.

"Tim is back where he belongs (and should have been all along) – covering the Mavs and blogging for our readers," Mong wrote.

Gilbert Bailon, president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, also applauded the NBA's decision.

"They made the right call, said Bailon, editorial page editor of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and a former executive editor of The News and publisher of Al Dia, the Spanish-language sister newspaper to The News. "But this issue will come up again and again at all kinds of sporting events."

[Caseman]

I'm glad the NBA stepped in. Cuban doesn't always have the best judgement *cough* Avery *cough*

[ddh33]

Really? Come on, why this battle? Aren't there a lot more important things happening with the Mavs right now?

[dude1394]

I guess he just wants to make sure that he's a pain in the leagues ass because it's been such a competitive advantage for the mavs out there. Good grief who knows, it's childish to the extreme.

[chumdawg]

Cuban doesn't mind ripping the NBA on his own blog. Turnabout would seem to be fair play here, no? Get all the information out there and let the readers form their judgments.

[WraithXx]

F*** the NBA. seriously - go anyone that resists stern Stern and his wrinkly jew ass

[Rick41]

I dont see why this has to be done, like stated before, the mavs have bigger worries than a bunch of douche's interrogating the locker room.

[nowhereman]

Cuban on March 10th:

Instead , we get bloggers from mainstream media. Newspaper blogging is probably the worst marketing and branding move a newspaper can make. The barriers to entry for bloggers are non existent. There are no editorial standards. There are no accuracy standards. We bloggers can and do write whatever we damn well please. Historically newspapers have set some level of standards that they strived to adhere to. By taking on the branding, standard and posting habits of the blogosphere, newspapers have worked their way down to the least common demoninator of publishing in what appears to be an effort to troll for page views.

As far singling out mr MacMahon, I havent read what he has written, so that is not the case. its an issue of fairness. As a blogger, and someone very familiar with bloggers and the blogosphere, I recognize that a fair policy would apply to all bloggers. There is nothing superior about a blog produced bysomeone in the employ of The Belo Corporation. So there is no reason to give them preferential treatment. Where there is physical room to fairly credential any and all bloggers, Mr MacMahon is welcome. Where we can not accomodate all bloggers, he will be excluded."


So post my little newspaper rant, it comes down to something very simple. A blogger is a blogger is a blogger and there are millions of us. . The name on your check, if you get a check, is irrelevant. BlogMaverick, Belo, xyz.blogger.com, we is what we is, and as long as there is limited space in our locker room, we is going to be outside in the Press Interview room getting comments

http://www.blogmaverick.com/2008/03/...s-locker-room/

I respect and admire Cuban for being consistent and logical in his position on the subject. I see no problem with his decision here, and I think this is a very fair way for an owner to address a situation where he has a principal disagreement with the league standard.

Cuban has an established record in terms of being a trailblazer on these sorts of issues. As fans, we are all very fortunate that there is an owner out there tweaking the system to ensure good customer service and consumer satisfaction.

[nowhereman]

Originally Posted by Rick41

I dont see why this has to be done, like stated before, the mavs have bigger worries than a bunch of douche's interrogating the locker room.

This issue is a very worthwhile cause. Journalistic integrity is nothing to dismiss, and one could argue it is much more important than just another season that the mavs probably aren't going to win the championship anyway. This is precisely the kind of thing that makes cuban an impact player. and i think he's doing pretty well for himself. This is his team, and he has the right to use it to vehicle any cause he would like to champion.

What exactly do you expect cuban to do about the team right now, by the way? I mean, doesn't Donnie Nelson have a job?

[cinemablend]

I agree. This seems fair.

What people like this guy:

"We're not asking the Mavericks or Mark Cuban to discriminate," added Fannin, who earlier in his career worked at The News. "We're simply seeking a common-sense distinction between someone who blogs professionally as part of an accredited media's beat coverage and someone who buys a ticket to the game."

Actually mean is they want him to help protect their jobs by only letting them in. And what the NBA wants is for Cuban to cozy up to the media outlets owned by big, national conglomerates.

Cuban's way is fair.

[shaw-xx]

Better focus on what's wrong with your team and where they are heading. A lot of work to do, Mark.

[jthig32]

*sigh*

So petulant, so immature.

On the plus side, I guess Wes and Jake at MavsMoneyBall can get credentialed now. Hell, KG could probably get credentialed if Cuban really meant what he said.

[DirkFTW]

*starts a blog*
"Hey Dirk, how are you doing?"

/best day ever

[Jack.Kerr]

Damn cuban can be a vindictive little bitch sometimes.

Just wait until they start losing. Oh wait.....

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by DirkFTW

*starts a blog*
"Hey Dirk, how are you doing?"

/best day ever

Are you hiring staff writers?






(p.s. - GO CUBAN, F**K STERN!!!)

[Flacolaco]

I think Cubes should let one d-m.com representative in the locker room as well.

Someone level headed.

Someone who articulates themselves well in the moments after a tough loss.

I nominate WraithXx

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

I think Cubes should let one d-m.com representative in the locker room as well.

Someone level headed.

Someone who articulates themselves well in the moments after a tough loss.

I nominate WraithXx

Hee---larious...!! Much kudos for the images this brought up.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

I think Cubes should let one d-m.com representative in the locker room as well.

Someone level headed.

Someone who articulates themselves well in the moments after a tough loss.

I nominate WraithXx

Realistically, why not?

This is the first page that comes up in a Google search for "Mavs forums" - that's gotta carry about the same weight as a middle school blog!

[Jack.Kerr]

I wonder if they have the same policy for interviewing NBA execs at the end of the work day.....'cause frankly, I have a lot more questions for David Stern than I do JJBarea.

[WraithXx]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

I think Cubes should let one d-m.com representative in the locker room as well.

Someone level headed.

Someone who articulates themselves well in the moments after a tough loss.

I nominate WraithXx

[alexamenos]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

....Someone who articulates themselves well in the moments after a tough loss.

I nominate WraithXx

I couldn't agree more.....i think a wraithxx running commentary would be both insightful and intellectually stimulating.

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by alexamenos

I couldn't agree more.....i think a wraithxx running commentary would be both insightful and intellectually stimulating.

It may be illegal as well, but that's wraith's problem. We are just the consumer.

[nowhereman]

Originally Posted by shaw-xx

Better focus on what's wrong with your team and where they are heading. A lot of work to do, Mark.

and 2 posts earlier:

Originally Posted by nowhereman

What exactly do you expect cuban to do about the team right now, by the way? I mean, doesn't Donnie Nelson have a job?

[Dave McNulla]

Originally Posted by nowhereman

Cuban on March 10th:


http://www.blogmaverick.com/2008/03/...s-locker-room/

I respect and admire Cuban for being consistent and logical in his position on the subject. I see no problem with his decision here, and I think this is a very fair way for an owner to address a situation where he has a principal disagreement with the league standard.

Cuban has an established record in terms of being a trailblazer on these sorts of issues. As fans, we are all very fortunate that there is an owner out there tweaking the system to ensure good customer service and consumer satisfaction.

if the locker room was too full when he made his (previous) policy, then why is he encouraging more bloggers to apply for credentials?

that makes absolutely no sense.

[dalmations202]

Eh, I support Mark on this one, if you let one blogger in, LET them ALL.

[bernardos70]

Originally Posted by Dave McNulla

if the locker room was too full when he made his (previous) policy, then why is he encouraging more bloggers to apply for credentials?

that makes absolutely no sense.

What's the big deal? The NBA already shot down cutting back on people in the locker room. If he can't do that, forget it, just go all out the other way. I, for one, welcome our new tyrant overlords.

[nowhereman]

Originally Posted by Dave McNulla

if the locker room was too full when he made his (previous) policy, then why is he encouraging more bloggers to apply for credentials?

that makes absolutely no sense.

because the locker room being too full was an obvious BS coverup to justify operating under the maxim that if you're going to report irresponsibly, you do not have a privileged right to access.

I think it takes guts to take it to the media in this fashion. Instead of worrying about PR, or alienating one of the two biggest local news outlets, Cuban is much more interested in holding the press accountable for their representation of the team. Or at least, is much more interested in controlling the representation of the team.

Cuban might seem like a tyrant, but he is either being a very smart businessman OR a trailblazer in terms of holding the press accountable.

[Jack.Kerr]

Originally Posted by nowhereman

because the locker room being too full was an obvious BS coverup to justify operating under the maxim that if you're going to report irresponsibly, you do not have a privileged right to access.

I think it takes guts to take it to the media in this fashion. Instead of worrying about PR, or alienating one of the two biggest local news outlets, Cuban is much more interested in holding the press accountable for their representation of the team. Or at least, is much more interested in controlling the representation of the team.

Cuban might seem like a tyrant, but he is either being a very smart businessman OR a trailblazer in terms of holding the press accountable.

Not such a trailblazer, I'm afraid. He's just pushing the envelope a bit on what James Dolan and the Knicks' public relations officers have been doing with the NY press for the last couple of years. Hé's just being a little more duplicitous about his motives.

And yeah, the comparison to Dolan should be troubling to Mavs' fans.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Well at least discussing blogger rights somewhat gets our minds off of the fact that the team has taken a tumble off the cliff.

[mavsgirl4134]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

I think Cubes should let one d-m.com representative in the locker room as well.

Someone level headed.

Someone who articulates themselves well in the moments after a tough loss.

I nominate WraithXx

I so laughed out loud. Funny stuff.

[Popeye]

I see no logic in cuban's stance. Why is he so adament that he has to be fair to all bloggers? He's not fair to all print journalist (i'm sure middle school newspaper journalists don't get credentials).

[She_Growls]

Originally Posted by dalmations202

Eh, I support Mark on this one, if you let one blogger in, LET them ALL.

I second this. AND while Mark is at it, he needs to start his own Basketball league as it is apparent, that David Stern will NEVER let the MAVs win a championship as long as Mark owns the team. Stern does not like Mark and the Mavericks are suffering for it all. These last few games could have been won, but the calls from the refs are suspect, just like that FAKE championship that was handed to the lowly Miami Heat. People wonder why Miami can be the worst team in the NBA after just 2 seasons removed from the championship? Hell that doesn't take intellect! The Mavericks championship rings were handed to Miami by David Stern. The day Stern resigns or simply disappears into a puff of smoke with his ass behind him will be a happy day for me. We can all analyst what is wrong with the Mavericks and who is to blame until we are blue in the face (of course that wouldn't work for me), but I support my Mavericks 100% no matter what.

MFFL since 1993

[StackAttack]

I...don't see what Cuban did wrong.

Hey, look at it this way: it's an easy way for a couple of us to get some inside access...

[Usually Lurkin]

Originally Posted by Popeye

I see no logic in cuban's stance. Why is he so adament that he has to be fair to all bloggers? He's not fair to all print journalist (i'm sure middle school newspaper journalists don't get credentials).

I think that's his point. Print journalism goes through layers of editors that keep the journalism tight. Blogging doesn't. A "credentialed" blogger has as little oversight and as little review process as Cuban does on his own blog or kg has on his own. Their job might be on the line, and a paycheck, but the words that come out are just personal voice. That's the new media - all voices are equal.

[Dave McNulla]

Originally Posted by bernardos70

What's the big deal? The NBA already shot down cutting back on people in the locker room. If he can't do that, forget it, just go all out the other way. I, for one, welcome our new tyrant overlords.

it's a response that i would expect from an immature person. if you don't know the difference then the explanation will be lost on you.

[nowhereman]

First, regarding Dolan, i hardly think the situations are analogous. I think that Cuban's openness and willingness to carry this dialogue, along with his lack of other constrictions on print media make it very different than Dolan's attempts to control the NY press.

Second, I don't give a damn if Cuban is acting immature. His hotheaded personality is what made him his first 2 million dollars with Microsolutions, and his hot headedness and instinct have converted that 2 million dollars into 2.8+ billion dollars and ownership of an extremely successful NBA franchise.

i also think UL's assessment above is spot on.

[aquaadverse]

Originally Posted by She_Growls

I second this. AND while Mark is at it, he needs to start his own Basketball league as it is apparent, that David Stern will NEVER let the MAVs win a championship as long as Mark owns the team. Stern does not like Mark and the Mavericks are suffering for it all. These last few games could have been won, but the calls from the refs are suspect, just like that FAKE championship that was handed to the lowly Miami Heat. People wonder why Miami can be the worst team in the NBA after just 2 seasons removed from the championship? Hell that doesn't take intellect! The Mavericks championship rings were handed to Miami by David Stern. The day Stern resigns or simply disappears into a puff of smoke with his ass behind him will be a happy day for me. We can all analyst what is wrong with the Mavericks and who is to blame until we are blue in the face (of course that wouldn't work for me), but I support my Mavericks 100% no matter what.



MFFL since 1993

Except the Mav's seem to want to be the Heat. Let's recap:

Finals

First round playoff exit

Miss playoffs

All Stern's fault, of course.

[bernardos70]

Originally Posted by Dave McNulla

it's a response that i would expect from an immature person. if you don't know the difference then the explanation will be lost on you.

It is a big deal. But did you read what he's gonna do to curb the overcrowded locker room? It says right there: he's going to limit the time bloggers are allowed. This might just allow him to give each blogger 30 seconds and tell them to get out, as their alloted time is over.

Anyhow, you say it is immature. Some people don't just bend over when given rules they disagree with. How else was he to respond to this? This is a protest.

[Dave McNulla]

^ he could abide by the rules. i'd say novel concept, but most people do that. right and wrong are not determined by what a person wants.

[bernardos70]

Originally Posted by Dave McNulla

^ he could abide by the rules. i'd say novel concept, but most people do that. right and wrong are not determined by what a person wants.

Which rules is not abiding by again?