Sam Smith, Chicago Tribune’s long time NBA writer, is one of my favorite sports journalists. Sam is smart, very funny, has an engaging personality and loves basketball, which seeps through every word he writes. His columns as well as the weekly NBA mail bag are always both playful and serious. Sam knows everybody, is deeply knowledgeable and has enormous credibility in basketball circles. When he makes his wacky but legendary trade proposals, NBA types and fans alike just go nuts. Mark Cuban often railed against Sam. Minnesota fans couldn’t wait to berate Sam’s frequent ‘Garnett to Chicago’ proposals.
Sam has a loyal following of deeply knowledgeable basketball fans in all corners of the world; to read his NBA mailbag (which truly was about NBA and not merely Bulls) every week is to get a geography lesson. I, like all his readers, admired him for his simple perspective: the game is bigger than the players, who have an obligation to realize what a privilege it is to play basketball for a living, play the game the right way and not disrespect the game. So when he writes about knuckleheads like Tyrus Thomas, he brings in his knowledge and love of the game as well as the wisdom gathered from watching the greats compete.
Read the following excerpt from his last NBA mailbag. The questioner wants to know how Sam feels about having to watch this Bulls team play:
One of the great advantages of having a job like I have is knowing what goes on behind the scenes and not just the stories or where players go and what they do. I know when there might be issues between players and I will watch to see how they react to one another or what they do. Or don’t, like refuse to pass because they might be mad at someone. Basketball is like life, except with more cars. The players have a great talent none of us have. But otherwise they are the same with bad moods, bad days, spouses and kids driving them nuts and petty disputes at the office. Though that’s a small part of my enjoyment of the games.
I stay up late every night watching the last NBA games on satellite and will watch Clippers-Timberwolves to the conclusion. What, that’s worse than Dancing with the Stars or American Idol? They all make fools of themselves on some level. I know just about all the players, at least by reputation and ability. So I watch to see what they will do at important times, which is the measure of anyone at their job. Will they make a big shot or play or shy away and not want the ball or pressure? I like to watch what teams are doing, the matchups and which coach is taking advantage. There’s a story in every NBA game and every game is a chapter in a season-long book.
I never much root for a team and don’t usually care who wins. The only time I really did was the 1991 Bulls, whom I traveled with for several years in the era before charter travel and I knew them well. I felt a part of that team like a family and rooted for them when they had that chance and was truly happy for them. I think I even hugged Jerry Krause in the postgame locker room in L.A. And I didn’t regret it.
So it doesn’t much matter to me that the Bulls’ record is so bad this season. I enjoy watching the response and the story within that. There’s always dozens of things that happen in every NBA game I look for and enjoy, and it’s no different with these Bulls.
As many of you know by now, I am leaving the Tribune. I need to set the record straight. I am not retiring, just moving on to work elsewhere, though that’s not certain where as yet. I’ve had a great run at the Tribune and while it looks like maybe the best job ever, it has been. I’m grateful for the Tribune to have given me the opportunity to have the job I always wanted. I was among a rare few who can look forward every day to work. When kids ask about professions, I always say to find something you love doing and look forward to and have passion for, and if you can find that, you’ll be a success. That’s the secret. Of course, I was hoping for Major League baseball player first, but this has been second. But a close second.
I’ve gotten a wonderful response from readers, and that’s one of the things I’ll miss most. And what I’ve discovered over the years is how in tune so many readers are. Sure, there’s the occasional suggestion of a Kobe for Chris Duhon trade, but the majority of emails I get are reasoned, knowledgeable and especially passionate. Some are angry and some are accusatory and some say I’m an idiot. So like I haven’t heard that at home or in the locker room. I actually enjoy the debate, which is why I try to come up with different ideas and ways of looking at things. What’s the fun in sports if everyone agrees?
The fun is when you don’t. Sports is never having to say your sorry when you’re wrong. Or ever believing you are wrong. So I will miss the debate and conversation with the readers.
These words aren’t hollow and the highlighted quotes in particular capture and represent Sam’s spirit than anything I could write.
Today, Sam Smith leaves The Chicago Tribune after 28 years of service. Along with many of his colleagues, Sam accepted a voluntary buyout.
Since buying The Tribune, Sam Zell has had a controversial tenure, be it with his various newspapers or the Chicago Cubs. Downsize LATimes. Warn employees over their behavior. Sell the naming rights to Wrigleyville. I get the logic of downsizing sometimes. But for all his business success, if Zell doesn’t realize losing Sam Smith (and his colleagues too) simply means he is really downsizing the value of his asset, The Chicago Tribune, then he is a fool.