Mike Trudell is not a Lakers fan

So Gutta · Post #1 » by **So Gutta** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 12:45 am

Right now, since I’ve been covering the league professionally, I don’t really consider myself a fan as much as any team but, certainly, my life is a lot better when the Lakers win. Just easier to cover, more people are happy, and everything is better with winning.

I wouldn’t consider myself a fan; I try to serve the fans, though. That’s really where I keep my role. You’re always gonna have teams that you root for. But you just try to keep it out of your coverage. I do like it when the Lakers do well; I just try not to root for them so much as cover them.

http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2012/09 ... ll-part-1/

I always understood that those who cover the Lakers shouldn't openly root for the Lakers. But at the same time, I always felt that there was an underlying passion for the Lakers. Like Chick-- he wouldn't root for the Lakers, but at the end of the day, you knew he bled purple and gold. James Worthy, John Ireland, Magic, etc... Mike's from Minnesota, and admits to being a Timberwolves fan, but not a Laker fan.

I think he is fantastic at what he does, but for some reason it irks me a little that he doesn't share the same undying passion for the Lakers that others who cover the team do, and we do.

Al242 · Post #2 » by **Al242** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 1:06 am

Who would of thought, oh well he is still my favorite and most reliable Lakers reporter.

Imadogg · Post #3 » by **Imadogg** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 1:30 am

It's a job, he does well and he doesn't have to be a fan to do it, good for him

GoldKnightRises · Post #4 » by **GoldKnightRises** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 1:34 am

disappointing...

Imadogg · Post #5 » by **Imadogg** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 2:02 am

GoldKnightRises wrote:disappointing...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O1hM-k3aUY[/youtube]

Post #6 » by **snaquille oatmeal** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 3:02 am

dockingsched wrote:you make the best threads.

Wavy Q · Post #7 » by **Wavy Q** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 4:06 am

who the **** cares

DEEP3CL · Post #8 » by **DEEP3CL** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 4:23 am

Nothing wrong with Mike's stance, it's much different now in how you cover teams being part of the media. I think the title is misleading though.

Mamba Venom · Post #9 » by **Mamba Venom** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 4:41 am

NFL replacement ref put this on facebook.

Refs can't be fans. Broadcaster can. You don't think Reggie Miller likes the Pacers? No big deal Mike.

So Gutta · Post #10 » by **So Gutta** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 4:29 pm

DEEP3CL wrote:Nothing wrong with Mike's stance, it's much different now in how you cover teams being part of the media. I think the title is misleading though.

Disagree. Read the article if you want. He says he likes the Bulls, then the Timberwolves... he never says he is nor has EVER been a fan of the Lakers. Like I said, it just bugs me.

So Gutta · Post #11 » by **So Gutta** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 4:30 pm

snaquille oatmeal wrote:
dockingsched wrote:you make the best threads.

Thanks braj.

EArl · Post #12 » by **EArl** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 6:12 pm

snaquille oatmeal wrote:
dockingsched wrote:you make the best threads.

CITYOFANGELSX3 · Post #13 » by **CITYOFANGELSX3** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 7:22 pm

Traitor!

Leor_77 · Post #14 » by **Leor_77** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 10:44 pm

He absolutely isn't a fan, and you wouldn't need him to tell you - Just listen to him, and you'll figure it out. I remember once he talked about after we lost in 2008, he told someone "Why are you so sad? You're just going to get the next superstar anyway." He said it in a snarky way. He's also said other things that show that he's not a fan. He has a job to do, so I take the information that he gives, but I clearly prefer when the people in this close-knit family are Lakers fans...Ireland and Thompson absolutely are.

KaliCin · Post #15 » by **KaliCin** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 11:51 pm

He does not have to be a fan he just need to do a good job at what he does i can say that Trudell is excellent at what he does

laduane1 · Post #16 » by **laduane1** » Sat Sep 22, 2012 7:03 am

Your not a fan, then you are fired. Go away if you do not want to cover the team. Many others would love to cover the team.

Dr Aki · Post #17 » by **Dr Aki** » Sat Sep 22, 2012 1:53 pm

laduane1 wrote:Your not a fan, then you are fired. Go away if you do not want to cover the team. Many others would love to cover the team.

get a grip.

you don't have to be a fan to be a good sports journalist.

do you want all our journos to be like laker versions of tommy heinsohn?

Sedale Threatt · Post #18 » by **Sedale Threatt** » Sat Sep 22, 2012 2:40 pm

Having been in the field for a while, I think some of you would be shocked to know how many journalists not only aren't fans of the teams they cover, but actively dislike them. At least, the guys who are actually doing work, not the TV and radio hacks.

There's such a big disconnect nowadays -- the huge money, the fact most pro teams aren't desperate for coverage like in the old days -- that it tends to be a naturally combative relationship. You have to eat a LOT of crap, and that tends to build up and create animosity.

Familiarity breeds contempt and all of that.

Mamba Venom · Post #19 » by **Mamba Venom** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 12:10 am

Fire him

fire fire fire

floatingpig · Post #20 » by **floatingpig** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 1:58 am

If it helps him keep an unbiased, objective view, I don't see what's wrong. And props to him for saying it out loud. He still beats Mark Medina's "5 things blah blah blah".