Good topic.
People on here are saying, a quote is a quote. But it's not that simple. Athletes tend to repeat themselves. They use phrases like "you know what I'm sayin'?"
Example: "I just went to the basket hard, you know what I'm sayin? I just went to the basket hard, and -- you know what I'm sayin? -- the next thing I know I'm on the floor. It is what it is."
In that case, I see nothing wrong with shortening the quote to: "I just went to the basket hard, and the next thing I know I'm on the floor."
I think everyone else would do the same.
And what do you do with the coach who never completes a sentence? ... "The official told me that he took two ... But that doesn't make sense because Jason ... And somehow ... It doesn't make sense ... But if that's ... I cant really talk about it."
I would've left Portis' quote alone because that's the way he talks. It shows personality and it has kind of a rhythm to do it. It's a great quote.
However, I do think it is wrong to quote someone when you know the grammar/word choice will embarrash them when it shows up in print. (Unless what he said has news value.) I was talking to someone the other day who used used the wrong word -- actaully it wasnt even a word -- during an interview. He said it twice. I know what he meant. He was off by one one letter. So instead of quoting him using that word, or even paraphasing I just used the correct word. Is that wrong? I dont think so.
People on here are saying, a quote is a quote. But it's not that simple. Athletes tend to repeat themselves. They use phrases like "you know what I'm sayin'?"
Example: "I just went to the basket hard, you know what I'm sayin? I just went to the basket hard, and -- you know what I'm sayin? -- the next thing I know I'm on the floor. It is what it is."
In that case, I see nothing wrong with shortening the quote to: "I just went to the basket hard, and the next thing I know I'm on the floor."
I think everyone else would do the same.
And what do you do with the coach who never completes a sentence? ... "The official told me that he took two ... But that doesn't make sense because Jason ... And somehow ... It doesn't make sense ... But if that's ... I cant really talk about it."
I would've left Portis' quote alone because that's the way he talks. It shows personality and it has kind of a rhythm to do it. It's a great quote.
However, I do think it is wrong to quote someone when you know the grammar/word choice will embarrash them when it shows up in print. (Unless what he said has news value.) I was talking to someone the other day who used used the wrong word -- actaully it wasnt even a word -- during an interview. He said it twice. I know what he meant. He was off by one one letter. So instead of quoting him using that word, or even paraphasing I just used the correct word. Is that wrong? I dont think so.