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Gelb has replaced Narducci. From what I read in the Philly.com board, Narducci was re-assigned to S.Jersey prep coverage (sounds like a big demotion, but less travel.)

Narducci was no Bill Lyon, but he was very dedicated, putting up nnew blogs every day and responding to emails. I hope Gelb does a good job keeping us informed. But, I'm to jaded to expect a beat writer to be all that much more than a mouthpiece for the team.

I was of two minds on Narducci. On one hand, he deserves a lot of credit for engaging with readers through his blog, and often taking their comments/suggestions seriously. Definitely didn't show a stodgy "old media" mindset in that regard. Compared with a blowhard like Conlin, there was quite a difference in tone.

On the other hand, it was clear that he was unwilling to say anything truly critical about anyone in the Sixers organization, most likely out of a fear of losing access. That kind of sycophantic behavior gets irritating after a while. Though like you said, he wasn't alone among beat writers in behaving like that.

Agree with you on both points.

They should fire Jasner with Narducci. They are both teflon men. I want to read a writer, who has the same enthusiasm as a fan. A writer must be able to ask tough questions, not be a teflon man. Jasner and Narducci write articles like they are scared to death. I guess the free food must be a factor. I think Cowboys4life should be the new 76ers beat writer. Then we might see some justice. I also think Mattnice should be the color commentator on WIP.

That is what sportstalk radio is for. I rather read a good story or what is actually going on with the team then having some writer telling me someone sucks. That is what message boards like this and sportstalk radio it for.

Being a writer means telling the story, which sometimes means asking the right questions and being critical.

But I thought Narducci stank. Partly because the content of his stories, and partly because I just didn't think he was that good of a writer. His blog was virtually unreadable for me.

dbodner wrote: His blog was virtually unreadable for me.

Chock-full of grammatical errors and typos... It was almost unfathomable for a professional journalist.

Former 76ers beat writer Bob Ford (1994-1996) has talent galore, but would the 76ers put him in that famous 76ers stranglehold ? This is not the Eagles or the Phillies. The 76ers organization may not give out a great deal of information to work with, but that is where creativity must come to the forefront. That is where , you the writer tell youself, I will not only light the match, but I will stir the drink. It might cost me all my free meals, but the beat writer should buy his own meals anyway.

With the emergence of the internet, I no longer have to read the daily beat writer, if he chooses to be Mr Teflon. Their are so many fans out there who want to speak their mind or exchange ideas. I go to my beat writers every morning, with respect to the the Eagles and Phillies. I am still searching for the right beat writer for the 76ers. My vote goes to Cowboys4life, who is a longtime 76ers poster on the internet. This guy has major juice in his writing material. I like juice.

P.S- Can anybody find Herbert Hil,lol ?