Mark Smith will be off Lobo Hoops!

[ThreePointShot]

Also, regarding what seems to be an implied opinion, Mark wasn't the only writer not to vote Gordon MVP last year.

Where did you draw this implication from? I've never seen anyone on here say or imply that.

[pjamj]

In the past, the AP vote rotated between the state's college basketball writers. At one time, that meant writers from the Journal, Tribune, New Mexican and Sun-News. I'm pretty sure it still rotates. Not sure who has it this year though.

I am also pretty sure the MWC votes stay with the beat writer, no matter who it is. Also, regarding what seems to be an implied opinion, Mark wasn't the only writer not to vote Gordon MVP last year.

And regarding the whole Mark Smith-introducing-himself-as-the-enemy fiasco: He wasn't serious. I won't defend him for making that joke, but it was a joke.

He wasn't serious? The events of the last 4 years belie that statement. And it sounds like you are defending him. If it was a joke, why has he never publicly stated as such? That statement he made has been bantered around since the day he made it. HE should have clarified that himself a long time ago, not some radio hack doing it for him.

I was there and it was stated matter-of-fact..."Hello, I'm Mark Smith, the enemy". Nobody laughed.

[Bloo]

And regarding the whole Mark Smith-introducing-himself-as-the-enemy fiasco: He wasn't serious. I won't defend him for making that joke, but it was a joke.

And you know this... how?

[James Staley]

Where did you draw this implication from? I've never seen anyone on here say or imply that.

I know many Lobo fans weren't happy about the Gordon vote — he certainly had a strong argument, as did Franklin. Any time a vote like that is close, the losing player's fan base is justifiably upset. Smith's vote became a bigger story after Gordon's reaction to it.

Based on that, I would guess that somebody wants to know if Mark would retain his MWC vote, in part, because they didn't like how he voted, in that instance and maybe others. And, probably, they don't agree with his line of thinking in a broad sense.

He wasn't serious? The events of the last 4 years belie that statement. And it sounds like you are defending him. If it was a joke, why has he never publicly stated as such? That statement he made has been bantered around since the day he made it. HE should have clarified that himself a long time ago, not some radio hack doing it for him.

I was there and it was stated matter-of-fact..."Hello, I'm Mark Smith, the enemy". Nobody laughed.

I didn't say it was a funny joke. Nor did I say it was appropriate in that situation, an introductory news conference. But I know he wasn't serious, something I am almost certain he has alluded to on the radio. You seem to want to believe it was serious because it affirms what you believe about Mark.

Fair or not, before he got to UNM, Alford didn't have a reputation as an easy coach to work with from a reporter's perspective. I know most of you probably don't care about that, I am simply providing context. Further, Alford learned under Bob Knight, perhaps the most difficult coach to work with from a media perspective.

And, even then, Mark had a reputation, fair or not, as the "enemy" of Lobo basketball.

Based on that, I think Mark somehow was trying to be funny. It didn't seem to work, and maybe was the first public example of what was definitely not a functional relationship, even by media-subject standards.

But he wasn't serious.

Like I mentioned before, Geoff Grammer will be on with Bob Brown at some point. I will let you all know when. Maybe you can ask him some questions about his approach, and about being the "enemy."

[Bloo]

Based on that, I think Mark somehow was trying to be funny. It didn't seem to work, and maybe was the first public example of what was definitely not a functional relationship, even by media-subject standards.

But he wasn't serious.

Nevermind. That's what I was looking for.

[Garishwolf]

EEEEEEEEE, duce sufers from, the why me,,,i know best, friked up writing, self implied, non implied, but i'm smarter,,,,,,,,,,,,,ehh, that's why he's the cutting sports .........................guy.

[ricoLobo]

In the past, the AP vote rotated between the state's college basketball writers. At one time, that meant writers from the Journal, Tribune, New Mexican and Sun-News. I'm pretty sure it still rotates. Not sure who has it this year though.

I am also pretty sure the MWC votes stay with the beat writer, no matter who it is. Also, regarding what seems to be an implied opinion, Mark wasn't the only writer not to vote Gordon MVP last year.

And regarding the whole Mark Smith-introducing-himself-as-the-enemy fiasco: He wasn't serious. I won't defend him for making that joke, but it was a joke.

Doesn't matter if he was serious or not, it wasn't a very professional thing for a seasoned veteran to say to a brand new coach. And there's no doubt, it set the stage for the relationship between coach and reporter.

You'd never hear an Andy Katz making a "joke" like that on a coach's first day, which is probably why Mark is still where he is and Katz is nationally known.

[Garishwolf]

Hopefully, Geoff Grammer's grammar will be impecable in his stories (lately, that has not been the case with newspapers around the country).


GO LOBOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK YOU...........insulted my grammer enough, she was the best ever.................................

hpe his contect is fun, smart........if so, whom give a carp about his speullin.

[datildame]

​LOL

[Garishwolf]

nm

[Desert_Wolf]

James,
i remember when Mark wrote on Northern NM HS sports. I thought he did an excellent job. IMHO, when he first started as the LOBO beat writer, I enjoyed having a local kid from ABQ on the beat. I also remember his dad being a nationally ranked handball player and I believed Mark brought some of that same passion to his writing when he first wrote. For whatever reason, personally I just started to not enjoy his articles less and less over the years. It got to the point where i logged on to the net to just read the coach and player quotes. It is not just Mark, but other newspaper writers'
quote the same quotes i see on each school's websites. I would hope to see more from every school's beat writer. I go to othe cities newspaper's sites hoping for something different, but it is mostly the same. Just the nature of the beast and how each post game press conference is done, but i digress.

I will say his recent articles on the golf scene seemed to me to be more in line with the articles I saw him write on N NM HS sports in the early part of his career.

[Garishwolf]

James???. a good friend. sorry to bust duce's chops, you must know the man. Bless him, and do amazing LOBO, insightfull reporting, and forgive my flames.

[loborick]

What matters is Smith won't be the beat writer anymore. If the Journal is doing this, I'll bet they won't be putting the new beat writer under Smith. The Journal wants readers back and wants to mend the relationship with Alford. I don't have a problem with Smith being promoted as long as he's not the beat writer anymore.

[ThreePointShot]

I know many Lobo fans weren't happy about the Gordon vote — he certainly had a strong argument, as did Franklin. Any time a vote like that is close, the losing player's fan base is justifiably upset. Smith's vote became a bigger story after Gordon's reaction to it.

There was the loyalty factor that some were upset about. But I don't think anyone here ever made the statement or implied that Mark Smith was the only beat writer not to vote for Gordon, as we all know that wasn't the case.

Yet you said "Also, regarding what seems to be an implied opinion, Mark wasn't the only writer not to vote Gordon MVP last year." That statement is simply out of left field, to bring in a metaphor from a different sport.

[James Staley]

There was the loyalty factor that some were upset about. But I don't think anyone here ever made the statement or implied that Mark Smith was the only beat writer not to vote for Gordon, as we all know that wasn't the case.

Yet you said "Also, regarding what seems to be an implied opinion, Mark wasn't the only writer not to vote Gordon MVP last year." That statement is simply out of left field, to bring in a metaphor from a different sport.

I should have been more clear. Contrary to what I wrote, I don't think that the implied opinion was that Mark was the only writer who didn't vote for Gordon. To me, the implied opinion was that Mark didn't deserve a vote, with the fact that he didn't vote for Gordon being among a number of reasons to justify that. I was just pointing — as I am sure was mentioned here — that other media members didn't vote for Gordon. Sorry that I skipped steps. My mistake.

I am not sure what you mean when you say "loyalty factor." It seems like you're saying that some people expect the Lobo beat writer to vote for Lobos in national polls or various awards just because the beat writer covers the Lobos. Is that what you mean?

[pitboss]

As the Lobo Men's Basketball beat writer, one needs to KNOW ones' audience and needs to know, understand and cultivate ones' sources....Mark Smith, over the years demonstrated significant deficiencies in both those areas and a singular ability to unnecessarily antagonize everyone, that impacted on his ability to do his job. Often Mark Smith himself became the story. The single most talked about thing from the Alford introductory news conference was MS's singularly unnecessary, "I am the enemy" comment. It wasn't just inappropriate, it was monumentally stupid.

Pitboss

[MacLobo]

I am not sure what you mean when you say "loyalty factor." It seems like you're saying that some people expect the Lobo beat writer to vote for Lobos in national polls or various awards just because the beat writer covers the Lobos. Is that what you mean?

I could be mistaken, but wasn't part of the reason Drew was so upset was because Mark told Drew he would be voting for him, then he didn't? I seem to remember Drew saying something along those lines....
That being said, what's done is done.....Mark's moved on, the Lobo's have moved on, and we can all start fresh this upcoming season! Let's stop bickering about Smith now, and start bickering about starting line-ups, schedule quality, and if we can keep up with UNlV's recruiting!

[ThreePointShot]

I am not sure what you mean when you say "loyalty factor." It seems like you're saying that some people expect the Lobo beat writer to vote for Lobos in national polls or various awards just because the beat writer covers the Lobos. Is that what you mean?

If it's a toss up between the local guy and a rival school's player, you go with the local guy, unless you're trying to be contrary. I'm not saying it was a toss up in Smith's mind, as I don't know what he was thinking, though he stated he was voting for Gordon a few days before and then did otherwise.

Personally, I didn't have an issue with him voting for Finger Franklin if that was his honest opinion as to POY at the season's end. I was just explaining why some were upset.

[Jeffinthe505]

I should have been more clear. Contrary to what I wrote, I don't think that the implied opinion was that Mark was the only writer who didn't vote for Gordon. To me, the implied opinion was that Mark didn't deserve a vote, with the fact that he didn't vote for Gordon being among a number of reasons to justify that. I was just pointing — as I am sure was mentioned here — that other media members didn't vote for Gordon. Sorry that I skipped steps. My mistake.

I am not sure what you mean when you say "loyalty factor." It seems like you're saying that some people expect the Lobo beat writer to vote for Lobos in national polls or various awards just because the beat writer covers the Lobos. Is that what you mean?

When they are deserving or in the conversation...YES!!!

Knowing that Alford might be a tough cover for the media, youd think he would have tried a different approach upon his initial meeting with a new coach, yes?

I think if you were to look at other beat writers in the conference or around the country, youd find a little more loyalty (maybe not the right word) to the programs they cover. YES, beat writers might not be homers but they usually lean towards the team they cover. A LOT of times one of the first impressions a possible recruit and his FAMILY get are from how/what the local press report. It's not whether or not Smith was for or against the UNM BB program. The PERCEPTION is that he has/had issues with Alford and it spilt over into his abilility to cover the beat professionally (or without him being too personal). That coupled with the fact that Mark refuses to acknowledge almost any part in this dysfunctional relationship shows where he's coming from.
Alford can be difficult, no doubt! However, Im pretty sure most D1 basketball coaches are similar to Alford as opposed to not.

I wish Mark nothing but the best moving forward and I would never want him fired or out of a job.

The fact is, IT WAS TIME!

[Burro lobo]

Well as Mr. Staley stated the only rebuttal issued by M. Smiths "I am the Enemy" at Coach Alford's introduction was much later and on a radio sports program and he never said I am sorry or that it was HIS mistake, just as James said he alluded to the comment! He said it, the Journal printed it, why wasn't there a printed I made a mistake? Most likely because he was the enemy and loved the role. I have never asked for him to lose his job, however I think he should receive what he asked for against the previous three coaches, wait, he wanted them fired!
All of this is a sideline to my problem with M. Smith and the Journal, was their complete disregard for the feelings of the many Lobo players that were subjected to, the Lobos playing at the Pit should should be avoided and they don't deserve the fans attendance! Those Lobo teams included the Danny Granger team when he was a senior, there is no way any of them deserved his petty writing.
Last the Journal has not taken it's neck off the chopping block by promoting him to a higher level in their sports section division, this newspaper just can't seem to see what's in their future if they maintain the feelings of their readers and M.Smith in his new position follows his need to get even with Lobo basketball! He does not realize that he was the problem and getting even will just make things worse!
Last, welcome Sir Geoff, we have waited a long time for your arrival, your chance to be a knight in shining armor is at hand, all we ask is good research and don't pick petty fights, there is so much reporting available and so many Lobo fans waiting to read it, good luck!

[Bloo]

Well as Mr. Staley stated the only rebuttal issued by M. Smiths "I am the Enemy" at Coach Alford's introduction was much later and on a radio sports program and he never said I am sorry or that it was HIS mistake, just as James said he alluded to the comment!

Begging your pardon, my good friend, but that is not what Staley said. Here is what he said:

But I know he (Smith) wasn't serious, something I am almost certain he has alluded to on the radio.

He didn't say that Smith did this. He said he remembers it that way. But he could be mistaken. That's what almost certain means. If it were a fact, he would have eliminated the word ALMOST.

You see, in one post, our resident media apologist has managed to state that he KNOWS that Smith wasn't serious (implying fact), that he is ALMOST CERTAIN that Smith alluded to this (not clearly stated or directly addressed, but ALLUDED to- that in and of itself makes me chuckle!) on the radio (implying that he [Staley] could be mistaken), and finally that he THINKS that Smith was trying to be funny (implying that he doesn't know this as fact, but it is his opinion).

Do you all see what he did? This is known as circular logic, and it is used when the author of said logic is pulling things out of his rear end. It means if (when) he is called on it, he can deny that he said whatever you call him on and take the opposite position. Very clever. Unless you know how to spot it.

He even leaves clues that this is what he is doing. He apologizes for it. Watch. The following comes from a post where his BS was called out:

I should have been more clear.

Contrary to what I wrote

Sorry that I skipped steps. My mistake.

LOL. Isn't that awesome!

Sorry. I have been away a while, and partly because of this, our apologist has taken up residence here. He should know this about me, though. I like the English language. I am interested in how it works, and I appreciate it when people are adept at using it, as several members here are, in spite of the relaxed medium that is the environment of a message board.

And I for damn sure will call someone out who uses a whole lot of words, says absolutely nothing, instigates a heated discussion, and then steps back with a sh!teating grin on his face and watches the fireworks he has caused, tossing extra matches here and there so that the fire lingers beyond normal due course.

[James Staley]

Bloo, you're trying too hard. I do know that Mark was joking, because I know he doesn't think of himself as the enemy. I don't remember if he said that on the radio or in a conversation. We didn't talk a lot about it, therefore I don't know how the joke formed in his head, so I offered here what I think was the explanation.

And thank you for pointing out where I corrected myself. While all of those pieces are on this thread, they are related to another topic.

---

When it comes to writers voting for postseason awards, I do think they tend to vote for the people they cover when the race is tight, as it was for Gordon and Franklin. I don't know if it's intentional. Maybe. But it also could be that they have seen those players more and have more reasons, some anecdotal, to vote for them — though that could work the other way too.

---

As for Mark introducing himself as the enemy ...

I don't know that anybody has gotten Alford's reaction to that, if there was one. Did Alford notice? Did he care? Did he think it was a joke? Was he, as some here have suggested with asking for an apology, offended?

I know my colleagues and I at the Tribune discussed it after it happened. The prevalent opinion being that it seemed ill-advised to try a joke like that, especially publicly, without having established a relationship, but, at the time, not that big of a deal.

The message boards have given it the most traction, because Mark's self-description fits how many see him, so it is now some revealing admission — a warning to Alford and fans. Cue the foreboding music.

Obviously nobody here wants to see Geoff Grammer introduce himself to Alford as the enemy. I got that. But what do you want to see from Grammer?

[Bloo]

Bloo, you're trying too hard. I do know that Mark was joking, because I know he doesn't think of himself as the enemy. I don't remember if he said that on the radio or in a conversation. We didn't talk a lot about it, therefore I don't know how the joke formed in his head, so I offered here what I think was the explanation.

And thank you for pointing out where I corrected myself. While all of those pieces are on this thread, they are related to another topic.

---

When it comes to writers voting for postseason awards, I do think they tend to vote for the people they cover when the race is tight, as it was for Gordon and Franklin. I don't know if it's intentional. Maybe. But it also could be that they have seen those players more and have more reasons, some anecdotal, to vote for them — though that could work the other way too.

---

As for Mark introducing himself as the enemy ...

I don't know that anybody has gotten Alford's reaction to that, if there was one. Did Alford notice? Did he care? Did he think it was a joke? Was he, as some here have suggested with asking for an apology, offended?

I know my colleagues and I at the Tribune discussed it after it happened. The prevalent opinion being that it seemed ill-advised to try a joke like that, especially publicly, without having established a relationship, but, at the time, not that big of a deal.

The message boards have given it the most traction, because Mark's self-description fits how many see him, so it is now some revealing admission — a warning to Alford and fans. Cue the foreboding music.

Obviously nobody here wants to see Geoff Grammer introduce himself to Alford as the enemy. I got that. But what do you want to see from Grammer?

No, that came rather effortlessly. Trying hard comes when I want to rebut someone whose writing actually contains facts and doesn't waffle around in anticipation of its lack of evidence. You DON'T know that Mark was joking, or you would have said so, and you would have backed it up with facts.

That's where I take issue with you, James.

If you had said, "I really believe Mark was joking, and here's why..." I might have taken you more seriously.

If you had said, "Well, since I interact with Mark down at the station, and he told me he was joking, and here's why I believe him..." I would have nothing to quibble with.

But you didn't, James. And I believe the reason for that is because you honestly can't. Or, more likely the truth, your ambiguous post was designed to piss people off. I believe this more than the former, and this is WHY I took issue with you today, James.

And don't give yourself so much credit. This response took exactly one minute and one second, and only that long because I suck as a typist.

You're welcome.

[FoKuZ]

Funny how on TV interview Murky made it seem like it was his decision to not cover UNM BBALL anymore whne in fact we know the journal was about to get completely cut off

[Red Crush]

Mark Smith was like a diaper that was kept on for way too long and needed to be changed for the same reason. The stench from the accumulated excrement finally caught the attention of the Journal. His latest personal vendetta with SA ended up being his demise. It was obvious that he let his conflict with SA influence his professed fair and impartial reporting. When Murky was on the radio with Bob Brown, he dodged questions about SA and was very tight lipped about him. If the beat writer covering men’s basketball refuses to talk about the head coach, that speaks volumes.

[liloldlobo]

I won't be re-newing my subscription..but I might pick one up now.

[loboray]

Funny how on TV interview Murky made it seem like it was his decision to not cover UNM BBALL anymore whne in fact we know the journal was about to get completely cut off

Exactly. Mark never owned up to any responsibility for the relationship with SA turning dysfunctional. Bet 99% of Lair posters would see it differently. There always a kook or 2 to account for the 1%.

[James Staley]

What do all, as Lobo basketball fans, want to see from the new reporter?

[MacLobo]

What do all, as Lobo basketball fans, want to see from the new reporter?

Quality reporting, and someone who doesn't ENJOY stirring the pot. I've said it before, but I really enjoyed Ryan Greene from UNLV and the way he worked. He wrote relevant pieces, kept fans informed through quality social media posts, wasn't a homer, but knew his target audience and marketed his material appropriately. He was always posting recruiting info on twitter (who was visiting and when), practice updates, etc. In today's market, if you're not doing that, you're not doing your job, IMO.

[MacLobo]

In all honestly, Mark (LoboLair Mark, not Smith) has been more of a beat writer over the last couple years than Smith has. Smith thought that his role was basically to be the "Larry Barker" of the basketball program. That's not what his role was. I don't ever remember him informing us about a recruit. The only time I can recall was when he wrote about Jarion Henry....and I wonder why he chose to write about him? LoboLair does a great job informing fans of recruits, scheduling, happenings in the league, etc. THAT is what a beat writer should do!!!! I think I speak for all when I say THAT is what we want. We don't care about having a "Homer"....just give us quality info about the Lobo program and don't spend 90% of the time trying to find some non-existent skeleton in some fictitious closet. When Smith did that, his work was great, it's when he found enjoyment in controversy that really turned off fans!