Dear Timberwolves fans,
We could—finally!—put this story to rest:
FWIW: following practice today Tom Thibodeau thoroughly dismissed yesterday's internet fodder surrounding @22wiggins saying Andrew would come to him first and that that hasn’t happened. He also noted Andrew already takes the most shots on the team.#FakeNews
— Dave Benz (@davebenz) March 15, 2018
According to Timberwolves officials.
Okay. Great!
Until this happens:
Have it from multiple independent sources, and folks who have been good to me for many years. No, Wiggins hadn't gone to Thibs. Be sure to tag me next time.
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) March 15, 2018
Uh, some of the reactions from Timberwolves fans:
You suck. Bottom feeder. You’ve lost a lot of respect from the fan base for reporting on “whispers”.
— Dorothy B. (@wolvesfan4ever) March 15, 2018
You are franchise poison and a unsubstantiated rumor starter. No one said it all love there, but to say Wiggins whispered he’s unhappy with his roll is NOT A STORY it’s click bait. And if THATs good journalism, then go join buzz feed.
— Dorothy B. (@wolvesfan4ever) March 15, 2018
Are. Just. Horrendous!
Yes, there are supporters as well—just click on the tweet above to read them—but when you attack Doogie, Timberwolves fans, you’re missing the point.
The point is not Doogie delivering “fake news,” and therefore he’s not a credible reporter.
(No!)
Here’s the point, Timberwolves fans, and you have to understand this: Doogie could only report on what his sources tell him, information that is on the record.
That is journalism 101. Doogie has a moral obligation to protect his sources when they don’t give consent to reveal their names or their affiliations.
So you could see here some complications with his sources, right?
There was—probably!—off the record information on Andrew Wiggins that, had Doogie reported on it, could have compromised their identities, which explains why Doogie was silent on Twitter.
And when you think about it, you could also see why the tweet was mentioned via a third party:
https://twitter.com/DerekJamesNBA/status/973958329117626374
Okay when you connect the dots, right, you could see a methodology that is emerging from Doogie’s reporting on Andrew Wiggins. Doogie, it seems, is going through considerable lengths to protect his sources, revealing only what is allowed on the record, in his words.
Which is thoughtful.
Which is right.
Doogie is a professional, a consummate professional. Doogie knows the buzz, and the risks, that comes with the information that he presents.
So let’s pause. Here’s what it means for you, Timberwolves fans: Doogie, we could conclude with certainty, has verified the authenticity of his information on Andrew Wiggins, tripling checking his sources.
Nothing questionable about that.
(All in a day’s work, as a reporter.)
Here’s what could be questionable, which could be understood as questions: what are the sources’ motives? What do they gain by revealing this information?
We don’t know, for sure, which means the sources themselves invite scrutiny.
And they deserve it as well, as explained here:
https://twitter.com/howlintwolf/status/974665343720288257
Alright Timberwolves fans, let’s refocus our attention here.
Let’s remember: Doogie Is The Reporter, Not The Source.
Let’s Attack The Sources, Not Doogie.
(Pssh: I like Doogie!, so please stop attacking him.)
—DP
Go Timberwolves! Get your howl on.
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