The Post broke the hottest story of the new year—about guns and gambling in the Washington Wizards locker room. Unfortunately, it was the New York Post. And Yahoo Sports. And CBSSports.com.
The way the news broke raises two questions: Can the WashingtonPost’s sportswriters play in the same league with the growing number of Web reporters? Have the paper’s recent staff cuts weakened its coverage?
In terms of its NBA reporting, the answer is that Wizards-beat writer Michael Lee is outgunned. Last season, Lee was covering the league, and his colleague Ivan Carter the Wizards. Carter quit for a TV gig on Comcast, Lee switched to cover the team, and the Post was down to one reporter.
In the hours after other outlets broke the major details of the Gilbert Arenas gunplay, Post columnist Mike Wise read the reports while on vacation in St. Kitts. Back in Washington, he finally got the Post in the game with news that the NBA had suspended Arenas. His page-one January 7 story added new details about the incident.
The paper then flooded the zone with strong columns by Michael Wilbon and Sally Jenkins along with Lee’s beat reporting. But the damage was done.
Dropping the Ball
The Post broke the hottest story of the new year—about guns and gambling in the Washington Wizards locker room. Unfortunately, it was the New York Post. And Yahoo Sports. And CBSSports.com.
The way the news broke raises two questions: Can the Washington Post’s sportswriters play in the same league with the growing number of Web reporters? Have the paper’s recent staff cuts weakened its coverage?
In terms of its NBA reporting, the answer is that Wizards-beat writer Michael Lee is outgunned. Last season, Lee was covering the league, and his colleague Ivan Carter the Wizards. Carter quit for a TV gig on Comcast, Lee switched to cover the team, and the Post was down to one reporter.
In the hours after other outlets broke the major details of the Gilbert Arenas gunplay, Post columnist Mike Wise read the reports while on vacation in St. Kitts. Back in Washington, he finally got the Post in the game with news that the NBA had suspended Arenas. His page-one January 7 story added new details about the incident.
The paper then flooded the zone with strong columns by Michael Wilbon and Sally Jenkins along with Lee’s beat reporting. But the damage was done.
Subscribe to Washingtonian
Follow Washingtonian on Twitter
More>> Capital Comment Blog | News & Politics | Party Photos
Don’t Miss Another Big Story—Get Our Weekend Newsletter
Our most popular stories of the week, sent every Saturday.
Most Popular in News & Politics
The New York Energy Mogul Who’s Remaking an Eastern Shore Town
Here’s a Map of the “Capitol Green Zone” (AKA Inauguration Street Closures)
White House Staff Packs for Move Behind Trump’s Back
It’s Really Happening: Donald Trump to Leave DC on Wednesday Morning
DC Inauguration Shutdowns: Everything You Need to Know About Metro, Roads, and Other Closures
Washingtonian Magazine
January 2021: Joe Town!
View IssueSubscribe
Get Us on Social
Get Us on Social
Related
Chad Dukes, Fired for “Racist” Comments, Announces New Show
Dwayne Haskins Apologizes for Partying Maskless
High-Contact Sports Now Prohibited in DC
Video From Fall Real Estate Market Update With Local Leaders
More from News & Politics
The NRA Declares Bankruptcy, Will Keep Offices in Fairfax for Now
Former Congressional Staffers Are Saying Thank You to Current Workers
“Stop the Steal” Protesters Could Be in DC by Early Saturday
How to Talk to Kids About the Attack on the Capitol (and Everything Else)
Looks Like There’s Only One Pro-Trump Rally Officially Planned for DC During Inauguration
DC Inauguration Shutdowns: Everything You Need to Know About Metro, Roads, and Other Closures
It’s Really Happening: Donald Trump to Leave DC on Wednesday Morning
Politico Announces Its New Playbook Team