It's time for me to publicly and officially announce something that has been a growing possibility for a little while, and has now become a reality: I'm stepping down as blog manager, lead blogger, and head honcho of Silver Screen & Roll.
If you're a regular here, this probably doesn't come as much of a surprise to you at all. Though it's only official as of today, you'll probably recognize that it has been happening for a bit. If you're not a regular, or you simply don't care about the details, I'll give you the short version: I'll still be involved in a small way, C.A. Clark will be stepping in as The Boss, and otherwise, the site shouldn't miss a beat. If you want more details, click the jump.
First, a couple things I need to say.
Starting this blog, building this community, and writing about our Lakers for an audience of thousands has been an absolute dream for me. A part of me wishes I could do this forever. Thanks to all of you for reading what I wrote, for becoming a part of this community, and for making this blog as great as it already is.
Let me also say that it has been a privilege to be a part of this community with all of you. Anyone who frequents SS&R regularly knows my passionate distaste for disrespectful fans; you know that I have very high standards for Lakers fans, and that I am often thoroughly disappointed by the garbage that follows whenever a group of Lakers fans gets together in some internet locale. With that in mind, let me say that you guys are flat out awesome, and I have enjoyed being a part of the respectful, intelligent, worthwhile community you have formed.
You may be wondering what has led me to step down. Simply put: Life just happens. Responsibilities change, grow, evolve. Demands on your time, both personally and professionally, also change. Well, okay — that, and I'm just not nearly as good at time management and balancing a full-time hobby with a full-time job and a busy life as some others are. (Sidenote: I gotta tell you, I have the utmost respect for all of our SB Nation bloggers. No, they're not really making any money, and most of them are working full time jobs on top of the work they do for their blog. Honestly, I don't know how they do it. They're superheroes, as far as I'm concerned, and they deserve mad respect.)
I have a huge amount of respect for those who can pull this off, especially over the long haul. Don't take them for granted; it takes a great deal of effort, and most of them do it in addition to the rest of their normal lives, with little compensation beyond the sheer joy of doing what they do.
For my part, I consider it a privilege and a huge honor to have been the one to start this site, because it has truly become a great site, and that has more to do with you than me. You, and of course, the other writers who have contributed to this blog. In fact, that may be my proudest accomplishment — clearly I wasn't meant to be the long term guy for this, but I'm proud of the fact that I could be the guy to get this started, and to create a place and a community from which guys like C.A. Clark, Wondahbap, Timbo, Ryan Rosenblatt (formerly Ryebreadraz), Wild Yams, and Sideout11 would emerge.
I'm happy to say that I'm "leaving" you (though not really leaving) in very competent hands. Let's face it, C.A. Clark (who began co-managing the blog with me in the fall) is as good at this as I've ever been, and probably better. And DexterFishmore, with the pop culture wit and spot-on sense of humor I've never had an ounce of, is your quintessential blogger extraordinaire. Together, they make an awesome team: the witty, sarcastic blogger and the analytical, challenge everything essayist. I can also tell you, from seeing them behind the scenes, that they know what it takes to keep this thing running smoothly.
Not to forget our other authors, of course. Some may come and go as demands on their time increase or decrease, but this blog wouldn't be what it is without all the different people that have put work into it.
Anyhow, enough of my rambling on. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to pursue this passion, even just for a little while; to create this blog, and this community; and of course, to write, and be read. It's been a hell of a ride, and I'm sure SS&R is just scratching the surface, surely destined for much bigger and better things yet.
Since I'm not leaving entirely, and will still be around from time to time, let's simply put it this way: See you around.
— Josh Tucker, Former Editor in Chief, SS&R
P.S. Sorry for the monologue.
P.P.S. Long live Kobe!