Passing the baton
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Passing the baton
This will be one of the more difficult blog posts to write because I have nothing but great things to say about my three-plus seasons on the 76ers beat.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, will be my last day at the Inquirer and my last day covering the Sixers. As of tomorrow, this blog -- Deep Sixer -- will belong to John Mitchell, who will be taking over the beat for the Inquirer. John will also take over the Twitter handle of @DeepSixer3. Because I'm leaving for a new job at ESPN (one not involving much NBA coverage), I'll be keeping my Twitter account, but changing the username. (That's still undecided, but if you follow me now, you'll follow me when I change the username!)
I just wanted to thank everyone for all of their correspondence -- both complimentary, constructive, and critical -- throughout the last three years. Although there were many difficult times, there were just as many great moments.
My first blog post, I believe, included a rather elementary mistake (I see that now) regarding the Sixers' roster going into the 2008-09 season. I took some heat for the error, but those same readers were willing to stick with the coverage as the Sixers started training camp at Penn State.
I think what I learned throughout the last three years is that Philly is looking for only one thing: passion and effort. I made a lot of mistakes, some more noticeable than others, but I can say that nearly all Sixers' fans were willing to forgive those errors if it came accompanied with additional effort: a long blog post after a crucial win or loss -- one at least attempting to explain some of the things that had happened on the court that night.
Thanks to all the e-mailers and posters who took the time to add to the discussion, especially here on Deep Sixer. I was grateful the dialogue rarely devolved; it was always my goal to talk basketball and X's and O's.
So, again, thanks to everyone for following the coverage. I don't want to write too long because, well, this part has absolutely nothing to do with basketball. And that was never what this blog was about.
Thank you for a wonderful three years,
--Kate
Each week, Kate will check in from the road and answer fan questions about the Sixers. Click here to ask Kate a question or e-mail her at kfagan@phillynews.com.
Kate, I loved your coverage. I thought you were very fair, objective and most of all passionate. You'll be missed!— Yehuda- Kate. It's NOT too late. :)
KATE DON'T GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— Phila Phans - who are you?— albanykey
- damn. you were one of my favorite writers. good luck, you'll be missed.— esesjay
- Kate,
Thank you for all of your coverage of the Sixers. You will be missed. Best wishes on you new endeavor.— WstCoast6er - Kate, your passion for basketball and the Sixers was obvious to even the less passionate like myself. I read your blog because of how you wrote as much as what you wrote. Good luck and thank you.— CFPhilsPhan
- Congratulations on your new post; I'll miss your columns. Best of luck.— paolibulldog
- You know your hoops.— HSOJ
- Kate,
Your blog posts during the Eddie Jordan era were classic. Good luck!— ArtieLange - Kate, you are one of the finer sports reporters in Philly. I am a casual Sixers fan (really, is it possible to be anything more than that at this point) and you helped me stay informed about a team that doesn't do much on its own to keep its fans engaged. Great work, you will be missed.— kgall
- Best of luck; you're going to do great!!! It's ESPN's gain!— JBinPA
- best of luck - you've been a great asset to the blog— DaveMac
- Great work, Kate. You're going to be a star in this biz.— Phillip?
- Best of luck Kate, you'll be missed.— evolutionary
- Wow...you'll be missed! Thanks for the great work.— jimmy76er
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
