Mike Sherman thinks his copy editors "missed the mark" with the headline. I think the headline controversy is a bit overblown.
First, realize that the writers the rarely write or approve the headlines to their stories. I don't write them as a free-lance writer for The Noblesville (Ind.) Times. Being the opinionated guy that I am, I have given some unsolicited input. But, I'm not the editor. The only instances in which I wrote my own headlines were when I doubled as the sports editor and writer in college and at The Bethany (Okla.) Tribune. So, any complaints to Berry Tramel (the writer of the story) are misguided. Tramel served as Sports Editor for a time at The Oklahoman after I left (I was a part-time sports writer there from 1996-2000), but I doubt he makes the headline decisions as a columnist.
The headline itself was a bit over the top and probably written with some emotion after the Oklahoma City Thunder dropped Game 5 of their West Conference Playoff Series with the Memphis Grizzlies. Durant is struggling against the Grizziles' Tony Allen. Remember, sports writers and other sports media are fans at heart. Especially in the case of the Thunder, the frustration with Durant's play and the Thunder being one game away from elimination, it might have seeped in the decision-making process.
Tramel used the phrase 'unreliable' in the sixth paragraph after describing Durant's poor foul-shooting in the series. The copy editor probably picked up on that.
Some (including Sherman) think the headline gave readers the impression that Durant is unreliable as a human being and that it attacked his character. That notion seems silly to me. Some can't make the distinction, but praise or criticism of player in competition has no bearing on how they are as a person.
Durant had the best response to the controversy.
"It’s all good. I don’t really care. Coming from my paper back at home, that’s what they’re supposed to write," Durant said Thursday. "I didn’t come through for the team. So they got to write that type of stuff."
I doubt Durant enjoyed the headline, but he's probably more concerned with his play -- with good reason.
If Durant leaves for a bigger market when he becomes a free agent in 2016, this type of headline is tame compared to what he'll encounter in media markets like New York.
For what it's worth, Royce Young of DailyThunder.com wrote a great piece on Durant's struggles. It's a must-read, besides the 'edgy,' (read: lame) use of one profane word.
Durant had the best response to the controversy.
"It’s all good. I don’t really care. Coming from my paper back at home, that’s what they’re supposed to write," Durant said Thursday. "I didn’t come through for the team. So they got to write that type of stuff."
I doubt Durant enjoyed the headline, but he's probably more concerned with his play -- with good reason.
If Durant leaves for a bigger market when he becomes a free agent in 2016, this type of headline is tame compared to what he'll encounter in media markets like New York.
For what it's worth, Royce Young of DailyThunder.com wrote a great piece on Durant's struggles. It's a must-read, besides the 'edgy,' (read: lame) use of one profane word.
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