Jackie Mac smashes one

Nothing seemed wasted. Everything fit. The Lewis in Seattle stuff was introduced and then mentioned later with him in Orlando and didn't seem forced. Good insight into how these three stars with huge egos have meshed. Just well done and well reported.

 

Although I thought it was well-written and an interesting story, it bothered me she referred to Ray Allen several times as "Ray." Why is she able to get away with this? I don't like it.

 

I didn't mind it. Adds a human element to the story. And although I don't think he was mentioned, it helps avoid confusion with fellow Celtic Tony Allen.

 

I also think it worked in this case because she's showing the readers who he is. It's not about his numbers, it's about him.

 

I get that, but I think it would work just as well using "Allen." Hell, every young writer who reads this story will probably start trying to use first names. When I was the sports editor in college, I spent a lot of time tying to break the habit of young writers using first names as opposed to last. It's not really a big deal for her to do it, but I don't care for it.

 

99.9 percent of the time I would absolutely agree with you. But in this case, it works. As for young writers, I would also try to break them out of the habit of using first names. Jackie Mac is good enough to know when to break that rule.

 

Loved it all except the last paragraph.

 

Great stuff...just loved the variety of quotes.

 

Its a short list of better feature writers than Jackie Mac. She is good at all sports but her work with the Celtics has always been her strong suit.

 

Good stuff. But it bears mentioning ...

(In the next-to-last graph on the second page)
Allen's mantra is that you must walk, talk, eat, and dress as though you are the best.

In the third graph of the piece, Allen uses "could care less."

It's "couldn't care less." I know Ray is a sharp guy. But oops!

 

Two things struck me: Jackie never lets herself get in the way of a good story. Others might have used experts' psychobabble to explain OCD (though that could be a sidebar), or bogged the piece down with overwrought emotion and wordplay. She let vivid descriptions and quotes carry it.
And her long, professional relationship with the Celtics opened the doors. Players clearly trust her. I can't imagine any reporter getting close enough to, for instance, a Knicks player who might be willing to share such a personal story. The organization would never allow it, and that's everyone's loss.