Difference in PJ Star coverage of local teams

[Chico]

Another comparison-

Here is columnist Randy Kindred's column about last night's ISU loss in the Bloomington Pantagraph (Kindred is not the ISU beat writer, but is the Pantagraph's sports columnist, the equivalent of Kirk Wessler)-

Perimeter shooting woes hurt ISU effort against Rebels

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/basketball/men/article_1e90bb9c-fde2-11df-bb1d-001cc4c002e0.html

Compare that column with the post-game column by Kirk Wessler
Nothing good about Bradley's loss

http://www.bradleyhoops.com/news/x1966819901/Wessler-Nothing-good-about-Bradleys-loss

Enough said. The Kindred column suggests ISU just simply had an off night shooting the ball, and that the game would have been different if not for this fluke. Their 31 point blowout loss was just real bad luck! Heck, in practice earlier, they were shooting the ball real well!
I can't find a single negative or critical comment in the column.

I watched the game and it was a whole lot more than that. They shot poorly, rebounded poorly, showed little effort, looked confused, played horrible defense, and never seemed to make any adjustments the whole game. I suspect if Kindred and Wessler switched jobs, Kirk might have been able to find a few more negative thoughts about last night's game if he really tried.

IMO, Kindred wishes he wouldn't have to write what he had to last night, but as long as JL is BU's coach, KW enjoys it when he has to write about how bad the Braves performed.

[Out of Balance]

I would suggest starting an independent newspaper that only offers 'fair and objective' pro-BU propaganda. It was the solution to the PJ Star Forums issue, and I see it as the only way to solve the PJ Star newspaper issue.

I'll be your first subscriber.

NOT ME, I GET ENOUGH OF IT HERE FOR FREE XXOO

[BradleyBrave]

Another comparison-

Here is columnist Randy Kindred's column about last night's ISU loss in the Bloomington Pantagraph (Kindred is not the ISU beat writer, but is the Pantagraph's sports columnist, the equivalent of Kirk Wessler)-

Perimeter shooting woes hurt ISU effort against Rebels

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/basketball/men/article_1e90bb9c-fde2-11df-bb1d-001cc4c002e0.html

Compare that column with the post-game column by Kirk Wessler
Nothing good about Bradley's loss

http://www.bradleyhoops.com/news/x1966819901/Wessler-Nothing-good-about-Bradleys-loss

Enough said. The Kindred column suggests ISU just simply had an off night shooting the ball, and that the game would have been different if not for this fluke. Their 31 point blowout loss was just real bad luck! Heck, in practice earlier, they were shooting the ball real well!
I can't find a single negative or critical comment in the column.

I watched the game and it was a whole lot more than that. They shot poorly, rebounded poorly, showed little effort, looked confused, played horrible defense, and never seemed to make any adjustments the whole game. I suspect if Kindred and Wessler switched jobs, Kirk might have been able to find a few more negative thoughts about last night's game if he really tried.

Maybe the PJ Star has higher expectations for BU than ISU, and thus is harder on them when they fail to meet those expectations (set by, you know, past standards of success). Over the course of history, BU has had a better, more well-known program than ISU. It's like yelling at the all-conference player who's getting beaten by some benchwarmer versus yelling at the walk-on who has a turnover in garbage time of a blowout. One has a point to it, one doesn't. Are we saying we want BU to be treated like the walk-on, and just get a pat on the back and a 'good job' for showing up? I'd prefer to be held to the same standard of excellence that we've achieved in the past, and be measured against that. Was there anything good about BU's loss to EIU? I don't see what's wrong with that statement.

But to cast all doubt aside, I'd just start the newspaper so we don't have to have this discussion. The Daily Worker, er, I mean PJ Star needs some competition to keep it honest.

[Out of Balance]

I worked with a guy who was an ISU grad. On numerous occasions, he would bring a KW article into my office for a joke. He would then state, that he was glad that KW did not write for the Redbirds. Then shortly after he said that, he would say... well maybe KW does write for ISU!

SMH

NOW WE KNOW THE REASON FOR YOUR DISLIKE TOWARDS THE PJS AND WHY YOU ARE SO UPSET WITH THEM BUT BENNI TELL THE TRUTH, YOUR FRIEND WAS A WOMAN AND SHE TOLD YOU NO THE NIGHT BEFORE TO

[BradleyBrave]

I had a friend that worked at the PJ Star too. He didn't like BU. He didn't like ISU either. I guess he was the nexus of the universe.

[squirrelgotdead]

How about the most recent headline "Leads, game dissolve for Bradley"

Perhaps it should have been "Bradley lets one slip by" or "Western Carolina holds serve at home" or "Catamount rally dooms Braves"

Certainly a lot more positive than "Braves fail to hold lead"

Ugh. That ugly "F" word. What difference does it make how it's said when it's all just different creative ways of saying the same thing: BRADLEY LOST.

[Out of Balance]

IMO, Kindred wishes he wouldn't have to write what he had to last night, but as long as JL is BU's coach, KW enjoys it when he has to write about how bad the Braves performed.

OK Chico, have it as you say, if he really (witch I know he does not) enjoys it, one true way to shut him up is for BU to up their performances Many more poor performances like the last home game and he won't have any problems getting his full enjoyment, as you think

[BuB]

Ok, 1 potential headline that would work for all......... "Duke fights off upset minded and short handed Braves to win by 38"

Happy?

[theBUer]

Ok, 1 potential headline that would work for all......... "Duke fights off upset minded and short handed Braves to win by 38"

Happy?

A Devil of a Good Time.

Though disappointed, Bradley players look back on Cameron and its crazy atmosphere.

[bigdaddystuck]

I truly have no problem saying that KW does not like JL, IMO. I think that in some of his columns that he comes across that way. I have no problem with that, KW is writing in his columns what his opinions are. He is speaking his mind, plain and simple. I just don't get why others don't get that.

Now I do have to thank DC for starting this thread, as it has given me much enjoyment today. I don't think I have laughed this hard in a long time! Great job of keeping the mood light!

[Out of Balance]

red-herring = DC +T , Red-Herring OH, LORD BB
I guess thats better than being a Redheaded step child, guys JK here

[Beninator]

I think Kirk is happy with how he is perceived. Just think about how much pub all of his articles get. That is his job as a columnist. Get people talking. Sell papers.

Have you seen their balance sheet lately

[BradleyJD]

Have you seen their balance sheet lately

No, can't say that I have. Actually, I can't say that I ever have. Or ever will.

[Out of Balance]

Now I do have to thank DC for starting this thread, as it has given me much enjoyment today. I don't think I have laughed this hard in a long time! Great job of keeping the mood light!

I'll second that THANKS DC It would of been just another COLD day in P Town
And a big thank you to BB for pointing out what red-herring means
RED-HERRING Come ON Man

[tornado]

....That is his job as a columnist. Get people talking. Sell papers.

so...let me get this straight and the priorities of a "columnist" in proper order of importance
#1 - stir the pot
#2 - sell papers
#3 - be fair and reasonable - avoid exaggeration and hyperbole..
#4 - be honest
..gotcha........

Two things:

1. Reynolds and Wessler don't write the headlines. Reporters/columnists never do. That is left to the copy editor ...

Wessler is a columnist who is supposed to state his OPINIONS. He doesn't have to show a modicum of fairness if he doesn't want to.
...

..so you're saying that the guy who is the "Executive Sports Editor" ..doesn't have a say at all over the headline?
I concede your right to believe that if you wish, but I sure don't.

..and yet another person who agrees he doesn't have to show fairness..
so if he doesn't then why is everyone so upset when we notice it, and talk about it??
Like I said -- I just call a spade a spade...they have every right to be anti-Bradley, but I am not going to say they are pro-Bradley just because a bunch of Kirk Wessler fans get on the boards and rant...