FURY FILES (Q&As)
Over at my blog TVFury.wordpress.com, I've done a series of Q&As with various writers, from big city sports columnists to Esquire writers to the head writer of The Onion. Check out the links here:
SPORTS ON EARTH/VICE SPORTS
Darryl Dawkins, and a history of backboard destroyers
A tribute to the late, great Moses Malone--the first pro athlete to make me cry
How NBA Entertainment Helped Save the League
Phil Jackson once coached a team called Lox Around the Clock
FAKE ORAL HISTORIES
Oral histories have become an increasingly popular story format, and it's one I do enjoy, even if they can be overdone. But the only thing better than real oral histories? Fake ones.
Oral History of the 1952 Hickory Huskers
Oral History of the 1939 New York Knights
Oral History of the 1984 All-Valley Under 18 Karate Championship
ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY STORIES
I graduated from St. John's -- the Minnesota one -- in 1997. For 60 years St. John's was home to John Gagliardi, the winningest coach in college football history. Here are a few of my SJU and Gagliardi pieces over the years.
The Annual St. John's/John Gagliardi Propaganda Post
The Johnnies -- And Their Fans -- Melt Down
That Old (Frayed) College Connection
JANESVILLE STORIES
I grew up Janesville, Minnesota, a town of 2,000 in southern Minnesota. I haven't lived there full time in 20 years, but it'll always be home.
Janesville, the Old Man, and the Doll in the Window
Small Town Heroes, Villains and Roadhouse
NEW YORK CITY STORIES
I've lived in New York since 2004 and have written a lot about my new home, which seems to be my permanent one.
SOUTH AFRICA STORIES
My wife is from Cape Town and I've taken several trips to South Africa with her over the years. A few of my writings from the amazing country.
The Problem With Marrying a Foreign Gal
South Africans and Snow Don't Mix
Becoming a Rugby and Cricket Fan
PERSONAL STORIES
Stories about family and friends.
BOOKS, MOVIES, TVs, AND MORE
I love books. I love movies. I love TV shows. And I love writing about them.
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My reviews of new books on Steph Curry and LeBron James for The Washington Post
Books From the Basement, Part XXVII
Books So Nice You Read Them Twice
Movie Star Ruins Your Favorite Book Character
A Very Weird List of Best Sports Movies
Losing the Ability to Quote Movies
Robby Benson, a basketball, and a tutor
Evil Sports Teams From the 1980s
Jagged Edge: Entertaining Movie About Worst Editor in the World
LAKERS STORIES
I've written about the Lakers over the years. A lot. A small sampling.
The Magic Behind Magic Johnson's passing skills.
Last Games: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
My Poorly Constructed Lakers Scrapbook
Magic Johnson's Suprising Birthday
Magic's 1996 Season: Not a Complete Disaster
Reverend George and the Lakers
When the Going Gets Tough for the Lakers, I Get Going
WRITING STORIES -- NEWSPAPER AND OTHERWISE
A few pieces on the writing life, from freelance to my days at newspapers.
How Spam Boosts a Writer's Confidence
When Newspapers Make Mistakes -- Be Kind
A Newspaper World Without Agate
BASKETBALL STORIES
Pieces about watching basketball, thinking about basketball, loving basketball, and playing basketball.
Savor the Journey--And Don't Lose (Final High School Basketball Game)
A Depressing Walk Through Timberwolves History
Pathetic, Immature Rant About Pregame Handshakes
When the Vikings Had a Traveling Basketball Team
The All-Time NBA Draft--Everyone's Eligibile!
Life as a Washed-Up Basketball Player
One Injured Knee, a Million Broken Hearts
The first college game to use a 3-pointer
TIGER WOODS STORIES
I'm probably the last person left who still -- still! -- thinks Tiger has a shot at Jack Nicklaus's 18 majors. I've been pulling for him since I saw him winning U.S. Amateurs and that's never changed, even as he seemingly will never win again.
TigerWoods.com's True Believers
Athletes Born in 1975 -- Stop Getting Old
TECMO, STRATO, AND GAMES
Growing up -- and for years after I grew up -- I played countless hours of board games and video games, and I've spent a lot of time thinking about Strato baseball and Tecmo Super Bowl.
Real Strato Hate Transcends Real Life
Racetracks and Electric Football
The Fake Coaches I've Loved--And Fired