Jimellow

In this week's Sports Illustrated, Michael Silver wrote a story about Edgerrin James and his feeling that he is underpaid, and that his future with the Colts uncertain.

The story opens at a restaurant, where James' is surrounded by groupies that follow and adore him. As the story progresses, contrast is shown by quoting James and making it apparent that management doesn't care much for him, opting to franchise him, and prepare for his departure a year from now.

The article is about the uncertainty of James' future, and the closing paragraphs place James' back at the restaurant, getting ready to leave, when Lebron James enters.

The closing paragraphs then read:

That is a great close to the story. It has James himself commenting on the uncertainty of his future with the team he is playing for, while placing him in the setting outside of his job, and also the same restaurant where the story started.

What I am interested in is, did James really say these things? It makes for a nice story, but I am curious about the line between good writing, and "set up" quotes that compliment and allow these SI stories to finish so well.

I wonder if SI (Sports Illustrated) writers contact these athletes, talk to them about the story they are writing, and then ask for "situational quotes" that would allow their stories to be precise and well written, moreso than would be possible if the quotes were not obtained.

Did Edgerrin really respond "I don't even know" to the girl asking him where he was going next? Was there even a girl to begin with? Could it be that the whole situation was created by James' and the writer so that they could create a more interesting and complete story?

I realize sports writing is very cliche, and Sports Illustrated is one of, if not, the most widely read and recognized sports magazines. The writers are very good, and I thoroughly enjoy reading their stories, but I am curious about the quotes they use, especially when they are able to so completely round out and bring a story to closure.

It seems to me that reality doesn't close as well as these stories the writers are creating, and that makes me wonder to what extent there is some sort of fictional aspect involved in their creation. I don't necessarily think it is a good or bad thing, as much as I am curious about getting to the bottom of this issue.

To those of you that read about, and follow, sports. What are your thoughts on this?

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