By David Scott
Boston Sports Media

5:07

If you happen to join in late, and care for a little “VH1: Behind the Words”, here’s the underlying belief of what this type of Event Blogging (which Scott’s Shots has been exploring in recent weeks) means in the current media marketplace. For those of you just looking for simple diversions from the CBS programming we’re all experiencing together, please jump to the “normal font (bulleted)” and abandon these italicized words. As stated, we are, for lack of a better term, Event Blogging – ‘evlogging’ if you prefer. TV talks about counter-programming all the time (ie West Wing vs. Alias); this is counterpart programming. By watching what you’re watching, and giving some form of running commentary, Shots is (hopefully) enhancing your experience. It’s instant commentary and randomnality mixed into one long-running stream of conscience piece.

It shouldn’t be confused with what ESPN.com is once again claiming to be “blogging,” for its Tournament coverage. While the Boston Sports Guy made a game effort, I think it’s safe to say he fell short of true BSGenius.
But the crap being perpetuated this weekend is infinitesimally worse: the over-matched and underqualified observer (Eric Neel) is doing a fine job of reporting but a woeful job of “blogging.” Neel wrote his own description for his glaring failures: “Come with a little more swagger and a little less pep, would ya please?,” Neel begged of Illinois fans on Friday.

We beg it of thee, ESPN.com.

The beauty of blogging is the certain bootleg quality that can be offered. I’d argue that if you’re truly blogging, you can’t have any media access whatsoever – which it would seem Neel has in large doses. Neel is reporting – something hundreds of other credentialed media are doing to varying to degrees.

I understand the web is still under constraints of a business day model, where usage from 9-to-5, five days of week is the most important time. But that’s changing. The web – and REAL Blogs – are becoming accompanying “programming” for national events (see: political conventions). Whether the blogger is there (like Neel) or not (like me), the goal is to be distinct from the regular pabulum and outsider enough to take some risks.

We’d further argue that those risks don’t include getting tipsy off two martinis at the adidas shindig or watching trampoline dunking.

It’s almost that by definition, when a legit media outlet tries to blog, they fail immediately. It can work, I know it can. But it doesn’t with Eric Neel and it hasn’t on ESPN.com

• Why must Sethy Pooh sign on and off with a wave? Barney and Elmo sign on and off that way. Not basketball analysts. Especially not ones who hem and haw about whether the three-point line will be moved back.

• Basketball Bob Ryan absolutely nailed the Tom Brennan column today and he did it old school: By going to the bar, instead of the gym. Put this one in the Best of Bob book that is sure to roll off the Globe presses at some point. Too many of the zombies follow the throngs to the place where the stories are handed to you, quite literally (presser transcripts). Ryan’s earned the right to not have to follow the trodden path with each story and this was a fruit of that labor.

One point, that Bob skimmed over (and rightfully so) is that there can’t be any more Tom Brennans. Instead we get tightly packaged Travis Fords. Thanks, Bob. We noticed, we appreciated and we salute it.

• We grabbed a tea drink from Lollicup at the Kam Man marketplace in Quincy on Route 53, and the bottom of the cup is lined with Boba. We’re beginning to think Boba means monkey eyeballs, but the sweet milk is quite tasty. Visit lollicup.com and check it out for yourself. A good South Shorean like Jeff Horrigan or Mike Fine could even check the place out for himself – and possibly explain what exactly Boba is supposed to be, other than a straw-clogger and texture marvel. (UPDATE: Boba go down smooth, like gummy bears soaked in water. But they chew like wax. Bad wax.)

• Looks like the Herald’s cutbacks are already in effect – the paper apparently has no one in St. Louis for the Final Four, which is nothing short of stunning. The sports desk should be ashamed and Penny Pinching Purcell should be held accountable. If you’re going to give us less, at least lower the price. We fear we’re entering a situation where the Herald will longer be able to truly compete (and push) the Globe. If this, in effect, becomes a one paper town, you can bet the Internet will step in to fill the void.

• According to my bracket we have UConn/Oklahoma and Oklahoma State/Louisville tipping off shortly. I think I like the way it turned out in real life a lot better. . . and yes, I’m rooting for Pitino. And Izzo. H to the izzay, fa shizzle.

• We have our first check-in from Scott’s Shots Newton locale for Final Four and Shots’ Weblog viewing. Nephew Jake is already in couch position according to Sister Stacey, as they await the arrival of Ricky Rochester and Sister Elle.