Robert Kleeman's Sportswriter Profile

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Robert Kleeman

Joined about 1 year ago

116 articles written
501 comments posted
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Robert's Bio

Robert Kleeman is a recent UT-Austin graduate who plans to teach English as a Second Language. I am also a newspaper reporter and consider this an important distinction when differentiating the parts that comprise "the media." I believe in what newspapers do, even when the content needs improvement, because a lesser-informed public spells the apocalypse.

Pick up your local newspaper and read the front page instead of flipping instantly to the sports or comics sections.

What am I doing writing for Bleacher Report? Less than 10 years ago, I was a Houston Astros and Houston Rockets fan who did not understand the difference between a curveball and a slider or what merited a foul. My fandom of the Rockets, Astros and San Antonio Spurs has skyrocketed since then with my knowledge of the two sports.

I remember the Rockets' Clutch City years, the Bagwell/Biggio era and Nolan Ryan retirement as crucial portions of my childhood. The Rockets have not seen the second round in more than 10 years and "Clunk City" seems now like a much more appropriate title. The Astros enjoyed a magical run to the World Series in 2005 but have since looked like a dysfunctional and inconsistent team worthy of little national recognition.

I began supporting the Spurs when "the admiral" David Robinson landed in San Antonio in 1989. After Tim Duncan joined him in 1997, my casual support turned into an obsession. R.C. Buford managed to find Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker to take over when #50 and Sean Elliot retired.

I choose to support these franchises and proudly wear their merchandise because they represent what is right about sports - class players who want to win. Don't get me started on Tracy McGrady or the Astros' bullpen.

I sometimes notice my remote "accidentally" switching to a game involving the Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Bobcats. Even with its host of flaws, the NBA is this country's best sports league. Professional baseball, coping with a nasty steroid debacle, comes in a close second.

I write mostly about one of my three Texas teams but watch enough of everyone else to know my stuff. I see these loudmouths mid-day on ESPN switch from a heated discussion about Danica Patrick to one about LeBron James and wonder how they do it. Many people can follow multiple sports at one time but not me.

When asking me a question, there is one rule: make sure it's about baseball or basketball. Don't ask me about the PGA Tour, the NFL, NASCAR, the Stanley Cup Finals, that great high school football game last night, the U.S. women's curling team or the guy who just set a new pole vaulting record.

Want my opinion on Josh Smith, Eduardo Najera, Craig Smith, Marc Gasol or Boris Diaw? David "papi" Ortiz, Evan Longoria, Ryan Howard or Brandon Webb? Shoot. I will give a good answer my best shot.

Check out my blog at kleemanslastword.blogspot.com and don’t hesitate to e-mail me.

Robert's Recent Articles

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Robert Writes About

NBA (110),
Opinion (95),
Austin (68),
Houston (37),
Houston Rockets (35),
NBA Southwest (34),
San Antonio (31),
San Antonio Spurs (31)

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The Short List What Robert thinks about sport's most pressing questions

Favorite Athletes

Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Shane Battier, Tony Parker, Kurt Thomas, Roger Mason Jr., Michael Finley, Yao Ming, Von Wafer, Carl Landry, George Hill; Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Andres Nocioni, Rudy Fernandez, Brandon Roy, Chris Paul, Derek Fisher, Hedo Turkoglu, Jeff Foster, James Posey, Paul Pierce, Jason Kidd, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwyane Wade, Kevin Durant, Chauncey Billups, Eduardo Najera, Pau Gasol, Paul Millsap; Lance Berkman, Hunter Pence, David "papi" Ortiz, Roy Oswalt, Miguel Tejada, Carlos Lee
Favorite Sports Teams

San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets and Houston Astros
Favorite Coaches

Gregg Popovich, Rick Adelman, Doc Rivers, Jerry Sloan, Mike Brown, Mack Brown, Coach K, Rick Barnes; Rudy Tomjanovich, Bill Fitch, Red Auerbach, Pat Riley,
All Time Sports Moment

It's hard to top John Starks missing a three at the end of game six in the 1994 NBA Finals. If you're a Rockets fan.
Most Memorable Game Attended

Three-way tie: Houston Rockets vs. Chicago Bulls in 1997 (a chance to see my childhood idols Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Jordan square off), Spurs-Pistons game 7 in 2005 and Spurs-Mavericks game 7 in 2006.
Most Unbreakable Sports Record

No team will top the Red Auerbach-Bill Russell Celtics. What they did for more than a decade - eight in a row and 16 in all - is what every team in every sport dreams of doing.
Ruth or Mays?

Tough choice. I wish I could travel back in time to watch "the Great Bambino" in action.
Unitas or Montana?

Since we're not comparing the military deployment exercise with the U.S. state, I'll leave this one blank.
Jordan or Russell?

Russell was the ultimate winner and a bruising defensive player, but since I saw Jordan own the 1990s, I give him a slight edge
Gretzky or Orr?

Gretzky by a mile.
Pele or Maradona?

The would-be Argentine in me must go with Maradona...before he devolved into a drunk embarassment to his country.
Federer or Sampras?

Paper or plastic?
Tiger or Nicklaus?

Tiger, and it's not close
Petty or Earnhardt?

I love Tom Petty. Oh wait, this is about NASCAR...
Pac 10, Big 12, Big 10, SEC, ACC, or Big East?

Big 12 - only because I attended UT. Don't give a crap. Sorry.