Are the Philadelphia Sixers now the team to beat in the East?

One of the most impactful developments coming out of the NBA trade deadline at the beginning of February was the Sixers’ acquisition of Tobias Harris from the Clippers. On paper, the new-look Philly team’s starting five is poised to rival the defending champs Warriors, with Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Jimmy Butler, Harris, and JJ Redick, says NBA enthusiast Michael Volitich.

Image source: nbcsports.com

Image source: thesixersense.com

The Sixers, as of this writing, is sitting comfortably in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Ahead of them are the Bucks, Raptors, and Pacers. It should be easier for the Sixers to catch up with Indiana soon, as many experts believe the Pacers will have a hard time maintaining its run because of the injury to Victor Oladipo.

The arrival of Harris is lauded by many pundits because it gives the Sixers even more shooting from the perimeter and outside the arc to aid Redick. Harris is also a solid defender who can complement the two-way game of Butler. One of the main criticisms of the Philly team is Simmons’ inability to shoot from the outside, and now the team has found the solution for it.

Though the Raptors and Bucks are still ahead in the standings, there’s no doubt that the conferences’ attention is now focused on the Sixers, as they now have the depth and the combination of talent to roar into the lead. And even the teams in the West understand that, barring any injury to its core players in the remainder of the season, the Sixers are now committed to getting to the finals this year, adds Michael Volitich.

Michael Volitich is a Creative Writing student at the University of Florida. He is a sports writer and fanatic, lit geek, film buff, and occasional traveler. More on his hobbies and interests here.

Some tips and advice for the beginning sportswriter

Sports writing has its own set of jargon and nuances which could take the rookie sports reporter some time to master. But it all begins with a familiarity with such terms and phrasings, as well as the embracing of some key writing habits. Below are some tips from yours truly, Michael Volitich, to make you a good and convincing sportswriter, maybe even faster than you can say “touchdown.”

Image source: medium.com

Image source: freelancewriting.com

First off, remember to know your sport thoroughly, inside out. It all begins with an in-depth understanding of the rules of a given sport. You can’t really expect to write solid articles on, say, basketball if you don’t even know what constitutes an eight-second violation.

Before you even begin to formulate your sentences, it would help to read other sportswriters’ works first and see how they execute their pieces even as you distinguish their various approaches and distinct styles. For yourself, remember to be terse and concise. No need to be too wordy; you’re not writing a thematic essay. Clear up the clutter and go for more action-based phrasings that capture the emotion of players.

It goes without saying that a sports report is not a feature nor an opinion piece, so be objective. (Take note future self, sports journalist Michael Volitich.) Avoid any bias you may have for one team, as well as all spins that may favor one team over the other. Even if your favorite team gets blown out, maintain impartiality.

Lastly, remember that you’re not writing for fellow sports writers; write with your readers in mind and keep it easy to comprehend, especially for those who might be new to the sport.

Hey, everyone. My name is< a href=”https://www.pinterest.com/michaelvolitichUS/”>Michael Volitich, a Creative Writing student, sportswriter and fanatic, lit geek, film buff, and occasional traveler. I’m currently enrolled at the University of Florida. More on my hobbies and interests here.