Instead of the usual This Week In Basketball compilation on a Monday, we have bequeathed this prime real estate to Jake Fischer to explain in his own words why he is now contributing here weekly
I love all ya said here Jake.. GREAT stuff!!! I love that you'll report the deals that did NOT happen too.. I recall hearing about KG ALMOST pairing up with Kobe, but ended up in Boston instead. About Kobe ALMOST going to Chicago in his FA year. About TD ALMOST landing in Orlando with TMac and Grant Hill until Doc blew it by telling him that his family can't ride on the team plane with them. Stories we'd never hear unless guys like you and Marc report them. Good stuff.
Welcome TPI, you and Stein together in one place is beyond exciting, it’s an honor to have the opportunity to be a paid subscriber with you two at the helm. Let’s get to it 💪🏻
Even though I was keeping up with Marc's reporting via TwiXter, I didn't realize how much I missed the full breadth of his insights until I joined his Substack. While the immediacy and reach of sites like TwiXter have changed the media landscape forever, I've always felt that the long/blog form was under appreciated.
Sites like B/R and The Athletic have tried to disrupt the monoliths like ESPN, etc.. in their own way, but I've seen them start to kowtow to the pressures of national coverage (e.g., local writers are pushed to cover national agenda items, and it makes for what feels like templated/vanilla coverage at times). So, I love the greater freedom Substack offers to set your own agenda and to give the readership a strong voice through their support of the content creators.
This partnership is exciting. Not just because of how Marc is paying it forward to mentor Jake, but because it's only amplifying their individual brands of basketball news coverage. All the different writers who have made their way to Substack, too, have done so keeping true to what makes their insights unique, and I love that variety.
Neat to hear of vets paying it forward to next generation. Whether in the locker room, press room, or in mundane office line of work - We have all had folks help us in our early career days, only right to pass it on.
Thanks for the note, Jon. So glad to heard you loved BTL. The good news is you’re already a paid subscriber, you have nothing to do other than keep reading and re-upping. I’m here, and all for the same price. I’m empathetic to any such history, and have always understood the nuances that come with any substance-related topic. The goal is always to write what works and connects. Thanks for the heads up. I will definitely be mindful of any content warnings. Just know that we’re keeping this primarily to basketball and the people who play, coach, exec it.
Hi Jake. Excited to read your stuff more regularly. I loved Built to Lose. Two things:
1. If we’re already paid subscribers to the Stein Line, do we have to change the subscription status to get your stuff too? Or are we grandfathered in?
2. With the drug writing, do your thing of course. But please be aware some of us (myself included) are in recovery and have a history we’re trying to not repeat. Not everyone is in the recovery boat, and most can partake responsibly, so write what works for you and what connects. But if there’s going to be longer pieces with drugs involved, a warning would be nice.
Man this writing is fresh, engaging and topical! Thanks for writing it the way you do! It’s great! 🏀
I love all ya said here Jake.. GREAT stuff!!! I love that you'll report the deals that did NOT happen too.. I recall hearing about KG ALMOST pairing up with Kobe, but ended up in Boston instead. About Kobe ALMOST going to Chicago in his FA year. About TD ALMOST landing in Orlando with TMac and Grant Hill until Doc blew it by telling him that his family can't ride on the team plane with them. Stories we'd never hear unless guys like you and Marc report them. Good stuff.
Welcome TPI, you and Stein together in one place is beyond exciting, it’s an honor to have the opportunity to be a paid subscriber with you two at the helm. Let’s get to it 💪🏻
Skipper, that’s quite a compliment. So great to be serving you with words and reporting.
Even though I was keeping up with Marc's reporting via TwiXter, I didn't realize how much I missed the full breadth of his insights until I joined his Substack. While the immediacy and reach of sites like TwiXter have changed the media landscape forever, I've always felt that the long/blog form was under appreciated.
Sites like B/R and The Athletic have tried to disrupt the monoliths like ESPN, etc.. in their own way, but I've seen them start to kowtow to the pressures of national coverage (e.g., local writers are pushed to cover national agenda items, and it makes for what feels like templated/vanilla coverage at times). So, I love the greater freedom Substack offers to set your own agenda and to give the readership a strong voice through their support of the content creators.
This partnership is exciting. Not just because of how Marc is paying it forward to mentor Jake, but because it's only amplifying their individual brands of basketball news coverage. All the different writers who have made their way to Substack, too, have done so keeping true to what makes their insights unique, and I love that variety.
Thanks for all the kinds words, Yato. We are going to bring you what we think it’s noteworthy and important, no matter the market size.
Neat to hear of vets paying it forward to next generation. Whether in the locker room, press room, or in mundane office line of work - We have all had folks help us in our early career days, only right to pass it on.
Same thought here, Pablo. Love hearing Jake's appreciation for Marc's guidance.
Great piece, Jake!
Thank you, guys. So much more to come.
🔥🔥🔥
🙏🙏🙏
Thanks for the note, Jon. So glad to heard you loved BTL. The good news is you’re already a paid subscriber, you have nothing to do other than keep reading and re-upping. I’m here, and all for the same price. I’m empathetic to any such history, and have always understood the nuances that come with any substance-related topic. The goal is always to write what works and connects. Thanks for the heads up. I will definitely be mindful of any content warnings. Just know that we’re keeping this primarily to basketball and the people who play, coach, exec it.
Hi Jake. Excited to read your stuff more regularly. I loved Built to Lose. Two things:
1. If we’re already paid subscribers to the Stein Line, do we have to change the subscription status to get your stuff too? Or are we grandfathered in?
2. With the drug writing, do your thing of course. But please be aware some of us (myself included) are in recovery and have a history we’re trying to not repeat. Not everyone is in the recovery boat, and most can partake responsibly, so write what works for you and what connects. But if there’s going to be longer pieces with drugs involved, a warning would be nice.
Excited to read your work!
Existing subscribers, as Jake said, don’t have to do a thing. You will get every word.
Also Jon: Thanks for such a thoughtful note! We heard every word.