Passing the baton
The latest 76ers news from Philly.com.
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.
Enjoyable, insightful, and most of all, you have made a very dark period of Sixers basketball somewhat humorous at times. Thanks for your contirbutions, and best of luck with ESPN.
My worthless ADVICE - you know basketball as well as anyone who has covered the Sixers in this town in my lifetime (I'm old as shi#) - don't deviate too far from your area of expertise and spread yourself too thin. If you stick with basketball, and/or have an opportnuity to jump back into it once your foot is in the door, you'll be a star.— CosmoK- Kate - thanks very much for all the great coverage and insight, and very best of luck with ESPN. I hope they know what a rising star they're getting! You'll be missed in Philly I am sure but we look forward to following you in your new post!— kizack
- Not a Sixer fan right now, but read your blogs. Insightful & informative; really broke it down for us. Good luck in big time.— franka
- kate- best of luck- you're a star and even greater things are coming your way-- I am optimistic about the 6ers but now looking forward to it less with your departure— buff1
- Kate - you and Sheil were, by far, the best writers on Philly.com. you will be missed greatly! goodluck with all your future endeavors, and please remember that not all Philly fans are jerks, we just appreciate great passion and effort!— Fire Andy Reid
- Kate - Thanks for all the great articles that you have written over the years. You raised my hoops IQ lots with your detailed coloumns and honesty. Your blog always has lots of great reader discussions that you always encouraged and are a must read for me. You are correct about us Philadelphians craving Passion, you have it and we see it in your approach and writing style. I enjoyed your video blogs from the road, always answering the hot question of that day and letting us know what was happening behind the sences. If your not making some mistakes, you are not trying hard enough, you were quick to admit yours and correct the few that you made. It is tough to make a living in the dying newspaper buisness. I wish you much luck and continued success, Don't ever change your style. Philly's loss is ESPN's gain. This can be a tough town for athletes and sports writers alike but you won us over, hopefully you will luck back fondly on your time here. Thanks again, I already miss you!— NWBeachBum
- Why would you go to work for, and with, such a bunch of womanizing fools?— twpman
Kate,
Best of luck at ESPN. We all knew you would be on to bigger and better things, but you'll be missed. You were one of the lone bright spots for die-hard Sixers fans.— scmona- Best of luck on ESPN I hope that you write a column on their web site. You deserve nothing but the best.— ED4050
- Kate,
Basketball/The Sixers are my least favorite of the 4 local sports teams, but I read & thoroughly enjoyed your writing(something definetly lacking from both papers). Even got me to watch a few games, good luck on the DeathStar.— Clarkeisgod - WTF! No! I guess you deserve better than Philly.com . . . and having to report from Portland on the day after Xmas would've been too much. Thanks for ushering the loyal Sixer fan base through some dark moments. I still feel like you laid out the case with such clarity very early on for Eddie Jordan's removal. Good luck at ESPN. You'll be very much missed!— Leegles
- A job well done. Best of luck in the future!— ShaneOO
- last person to actually pay any attention to Sixers— warbiscuit
- Best of luck Kate - loved your stuff - you will do well at ESPN.— NCTony
- would prefer Kate as g.m of Sixers --as well as Murphy as g.m. of Phils and Sheil as g.m of Eagles - most of the other journalists though are as clueless as the teams they write about— warbiscuit
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.
