Why I Write The Way I do...

Attaching your name to something that really does lead you to want to show the proper respect and hold yourself accountable at all times. I try to be respectful in general but when behind a username it’s almost an unwritten rule that it’s ‘play time’ and that all should be taken with a grain of salt — some of the most vile and obnoxious people on boards couldn’t be better or nicer people in the real world. The board’s a release and a way to just unload and/or unwind from time to time.

So I can definitely understand where your coming from. I’m not covering locker rooms or attaching my face to anything just yet, but I imagine I will down the road. So everything I write for Reigning Black with my name attached to it is done with the thinking that it could be used just as easily against me as it could for me.

What I’ve decided to do is just cover the game, team and players as honest and in-depth as possible, and I make sure that my opinions and views are on the game and player, not the people. I have no problem being critical and writing and saying what I believe to the people I cover, but it can’t get to be personal.

In the end, if you’re fair, consistent and honest, I don’t think players, coaches or front office-types will have much of a problem with you. In fact, I think they’ll actually respect you much more when you say what you mean and mean what you say — not everyone is going to like you but if you go about it the right way… they will respect you; and that’s good enough for me.

Nice Post Wayne. Thanks for explaining. I do appreciate that you don’t let the tone get too vitriolic around here, though I do like that the opposing viewpoints to pop up every now and then. For example the “trade TP” posts made me think about Tony’s game and decide I liked it, and I would never have appreciated it the way I do if it had not been for the haters. I keep meaning to write a fanpost about that – maybe when the season starts.

That Latin_D guy is a nut.

Great post, W.

Awesome, tell pop Bigtee34 thinks he should play more small ball. He’ll know who I am we go way back.

Great post WV

I feel like i missed something, because most of the time posts like this are inspired, not just random “i feel like writing about the purpose of PtR today” type of things. I hate feeling like i missed something. Was there a significant ban (or something)?

Regardless, great post and i’m glad PtR is the way it is. There’s enough freedom for an occasional rant, but most of the time the people here bring you back down to earth, if, you know, thats where you are from. NTTAWWT.

This is why I love this site. It has a character to it that just shows class, more like our Spurs. I’m glad I found this.

Thanks for this.
Like Heman said above, this post, and this correct attitude you express, shows an important part of why I love the Spurs.

The character of the team and organization trickles down to its fans, and that’s why this is the best sports board on the ’net.

I have a lot of respect for Wayne’s honesty, and that has a lot to do with why PtR is such an excellent place for Spurs fans. He makes no bones about what motivates him, how he feels about our beloved silver and black, and how he hopes the rest of us will behave ourselves to some degree. I hope Wayne is happy with what the site has become. Personally, I always feel that the comment lines, although at times profane, are never mean spirited. There’s a commaradere that comes through, like a bunch of folks throwing back a few at Fatsos during a game.

My only question is: is it pronounced VOOR or VO-rey or some other way I am too ignorant to think of?

Anonymity also matters. […] I believe it changes his judgment because it’s easy to not care what people think about what he writes.

are you saying that the words of someone who uses a pseudonym carry less weight because of it? while the image you included in the post is certainly often true, its also often not true. shouldn’t someone’s opinion be judged by their opinion, not their username?

i’d also say that anonymity can allow one to be more honest at times as well. i know i’ve certainly been in that situation, where once people knew me i had to hold some of my honest thoughts to myself because people would often take an objective opinion too personally. it cuts both ways i think…its not a black and white situation.

Thanks for the article, WVATS. Maybe I should use my real name?

Thanks for being a “down to earth” kind of guy, Wayne. I love the site & I always know that I can get “the latest info” on my favorite NBA team (and with some humor thrown in for good measure, too).

Thanks Wayne, I appreciate you taking on the responsibility of the site. And agree that you using your full name lets people know that you take that responsibility seriously.

Like swgeek, I feel this site is like a bar where we can talk about the Spurs and most anything else. Great bouncers (had to learn to have patience, trolls just magically disappear like obnoxious odors do once you use Febreeze.) We even have a resident Laker fan, who BTW is likable, that tells us he is on this site more than any other. That speaks volumes.

Either way, think most folks on here say what they feel in a respectful way, user name or real name. Won’t speak for Wayne, what I took from the article is why he uses his real name. Being in charge here and with a media pass has responsibilities, Wayne has put a name and a face on that.

People who use their real names suck. :P

Thanks Wayne for keeping PTR a class act like the team that it was created for. This site is…………..unique. I find the intelligence of this site higher than almost any other site. The personalities range from Wayne and his calm, guiding way to Hipucks and his own special brand of insanity (and everyone in between). I appreciate it all and look forward to checking the boards to see any new happenings or viewpoints that the members of this site have written up. It’s kind of strange here but in a good way, like walking out in a forest, stopping and realizing that the serenity of the place is what your mind has been searching for but failed to envision – yet it exists.

It is the garden that you have cultivated, thanks Wayne.

I would like to use my name, but as I am 15, I am at my parents discretion.

Very thoughtful write-up, Wayne. This is exactly what hooked me on PtR in the first place and why I keep coming back. After fooling around with the zoo that is ST, it’s nice to come to a legitimate fan site that values both passion and professionalism (without sacrificing the sheer fun of talking about Spurs basketball).

And, damn man, your explanation has me almost wanting to use my real name, too! I just changed it not too long ago, though (hard look at SpursfanSteve lol), and I’m not ready to give up my Aggie moniker just yet (though SiMA may make me want to later in football season lol :D). If Pop asks, just give him the “AirForce” part of my name and see if that gets me in the door. Hey, it’s worth a shot………..

Eh. We’ve talked about this so many times – but I guess not in public.

Nicknames are also part of the Internet culture. I don’t care who know that my name is David Menéndez, and if you want my address you have but to ask (I fear spam more than random strangers). Using is as I have for so long doesn’t change my judgment, or the tone I use. It could, but it doesn’t. That “dickwad theory” is inaccurate.

I also think you underestimate the ability of the people to interview to understand the concept of multiple writers, or fan comments (or fan content, for that matter). Is Ludden responsible for Woj’s acerbic articles? That is not to say that the ability to control the general tone of the site is not important, but you already control that with the guidelines and through moderation. As long as they are enforced intelligently by intelligent individuals, you shouldn’t have to worry. I somehow doubt Pop will read the 300th comment on the week-old fanpost in the sidebar.

Anyway, I understand the general point you make in the post. I like the site, and you’re a big part of that. Thanks for all the hard work.

Also, fire Pop and RC.

Good stuff.

I like how we compliment each other, Wayne. Your non-anonymity and my anonymity.

But seriously, glad you’ve gotten around to writing this. The comments above are proof that PtR has gone a long way, for the better if I may add.

Speedostuffer works well in all kinds of situations. I can’t wait till we meet.

Going off the deep end on occasion is good. Living in the deep end…not so much.

Does this mean you’d prefer regular posts spiced with craziness instead of just a pot o crazy?

I think when you use your real name you adopt a different tone to what you do in a social website because you can’t hide. It keeps you honest.

Do these assumptions come from your growing pains as a fan, an

editor or through your evolution as a person? ANONYMITY is just a guise being thrown

over the mess that is; when people no longer take personal responsibility. a real

cope-out don’t ruin screen names because you misunderstand them for all you know

my screen name is ROSEBUD because it represents all that is lost the world!

(INNOCENCE) my innocence, my world!

I own everything that is on the site.

okay I took this one way out of context but come on read it again, it’s way out there! I

would hope not even PETER HOLT would be presumptuous enough to ever udder

such egocentric diarrhea. Why PETER HOLT I say? I know in my heart of hearts that

majority owner (PETER HOLT) knows that he shares his pride and joy not only with his

minority owner (#50 DAVID ROBINSON), SPURS owners association but all of the

ALAMO CITY, and extending out to everyerwhere any SPUR has ever touched a heart

or changed a life. This sir is why i disagree with your feelings on ownership and PtR

reflection. I would go as far as accusing you of possessing delusions of grandeur.

remember you represent us (PtR) to the SPURS Org. so do us right you are our

vehicle our voice.

On the off chance that I get introduced to somebody from the Spurs organization, I want to make sure that I’m comfortable that PtR represents me the way I want to be seen. I certainly don’t what them to say, “Oh, you’re the guy that thinks RJ’s a dumbass.”

I think Peter Holt, majority owner of the Spurs, feels like everything the Spurs organization does represents him. It’s called ownership. He’s the boss and I’ll bet you he takes full responsibility for everything they do. In public, I bet he will only claim the bad things as his. It’s called leadership. To own something doesn’t mean to own it singly

.

 IRREFUTABLE I agree with you here 100% except your tie into leadership. What it is really called is professionalism.

To own something doesn’t mean to own it singly.

I wont touch this argument it began 200 some years ago and is still not buried.

Maybe that’s just me i would feel i had to give the people what they deserved if i were in
such a position, I feel that you have an opportunity to do what most of us only dream of. with that said i have no grief with the manner in which PtR is ran i just feel we are a collective

entity with insight & a side of wit. take it for what you will but we all feed of each other and no one person is more important than the mass so like it or not you do represnt PtR so you represent us; all of us, just as we represent you it’s is a two way street regardless of what you agree with.

My God given name is Joseph Matthew Ortiz I am very proud of who i am i just don’t feel the need to prove I use to use screen name mad ape joe before i lost it due to inactivity so here i am it is what it is no bells and whistles. i’ll post a pic when i become more computer literate. Goodnight San Antonio

Well, this post is a bit out of the blue? Maybe it is a little enlightening for new ppl I suppose going into the next season(when will it ever get here!!).

But I gotta be honest Wayne. This post read like a lot of “me me me, I I I”. Kinda reminds of Sinestro who controls sector 2814 :P( okay maybe I got the sector number wrong, nobody crucify me). I will concede you have some points in there.

I come here for the galaxy of posters. The long time guys, each a different enjoyable character, each unique in their perspective and delivery of thoughts. All of them together define PTR for me. Not any one guy. And I am pretty sure they all sorta pseudo know each other in life. So PTR is a collective reflection for a lot of ppl, but I get your press pass image concern. That’s cool. I can’t remember the last time that has been a real concern, but a warning shot for the future is fine.

I know your intentions are good. And as always, thanks man for your personal sacrifice in keeping this all going for us. It’s never forgotten.

Hey in all the excitement to reveal my true identity, I just realized since you own the site, can you make our threads more amenable to touch devices. It would be a life-saver.

Without the need to input into a text box, there is usually no soft keyboard to press “z” to scan through the comments. It sucks. I have to wait till I can access the laptop at the end of the day. I don’t know if there is an easy solution. A separate app for every mobile platform seems like overkill. A solution through the browser for touch devices logically seems the best bet.

If its all too much overhaul, forget it. But if there is a way, damn, I will buy you a case off Pop’s vineyard!

press "z" to scan through the comments

This is sad, but I did not know that trick. Thanks!

wait just a minute here……so what’s so bad about believing in UFOs???

“Oh, you’re the guy that thinks RJ’s a dumbass.”

Yeah, yeah, I get it.

I didn’t want to give out my real name, but since everybody is doing it and it seems to carry some weight here, here you go:

Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.

Let me say in all seriousness, now that I have a moment. I appreciate the decorum you require on this site. Having been else where and experienced some very unpleasant behavior, I appreciate the friendliness and camaraderie that is here at PtR. I like the fact that at the end of the day, we’re all Spurs fans…and if nothing else we have that in common and we can root for our team together.

Wayne, you and all the main folks, even the ones who’s names are listed below have done a nice job with this site and I think it’s done nothing but improve during your time as our fearless leader.

I was in Boston all weekend so I’ve been out of the loop. I very much enjoyed the post, Wayne.

Couple of years time enjoying reading here, thanks Wayne, thanks everyone.

Wayne,
I have been with the site a little over a year. Because of who you are, makes this site what it is. Thanks for giving us a great site.
Sorry this is so late, lost the internet for a few days

Great post, and I love what you’ve done with the place. :)

Really. The Spurs are a classy organization, so it’s entirely fitting that they have classy fans, and a classy place for those fans to discuss and debate – intelligently – all things Spurs (and beyond).

Thank you.