CL Staff please read this, it's important

[Darth Bynumite]

Basically someone posted this in a thread. The thread is not relevant, and the topic doesn't concern me, but this poster is 110% correct. I will comment underneath the post.

[akeem]

Amen. Agree 110%. I bet the moderators don't even read this.

[JSM]

[Darth Bynumite]

[trodgers]

Thanks for the post. I think there may be some important truths in that post, but there are some flat out untruths:

[Darth Bynumite]

You certainly are doing a better job of it at the moment Trodgers. I hope it continues.

I think a problem is that at the moment, people are probably too scared to start debate because they think it will get closed.

Even if there are more threads around, it is important to understand that the more dicussion, the busier the messageboard.
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"I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot. " - Kobe Bryant.

[Heir]

The mods are doing the best they can to keep this site in good shape. It's worked for years, why change now? It's not uncommon for members to disagree with the way they run things on a site, but you have to accept it. If you think a change is necessary, just pm a staff member and listen to what they have to say. Keep in mind that the WAY you say it makes a big difference as well.
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[Heir]

[Chicano]

[strikemode14]

[Vasashi17]

Way too much going on for me these days where I have nearly no time to even browse the site. However, this thread needed addressing cause it obviously is directed towards the staff and we aren't just going to ignore it.

Firstly, I would understand a member's concern if Laker topics couldn't be discussed here...at all!

But aren't game related topics discussed in the gameday forum? We have an entire forum dedicated to any discussion on the most recent game. That right there means that CL isn't restricting conversation. If we were, then it would most definitely be a problem. However, if there is an entire forum dedicated to discussion on the most recent game and the next upcoming game, what really is the problem?

The problem is, at least for me, threads that begin with an ambiguous title and then literally have one to two lines worth of content in the initial post. For example:

Title: This sucks!!!!!!!
Initial Post: We lost the game and it was all because of _____.

Seriously, I'm not making this up. Over my tenure at CL, I've actually encountered these type of threads and its infuriating, cause it creates more work for the staff. We want to engage in meaningful discussion just like the rest of you, however, we waste our time locking, moving, deleting, etc. after a Laker loss. The running joke amongst the staff is that no one wants to be around after a Laker loss, cause it means more "work" and less "play" (ie engaging in discussion) for us.

As a staff, there isn't anything we wouldn't do for the members cause in reality, you guys make up CL. Some 15 members labeled as staff don't make up CL....its the dense Laker community and frankly, I really want to be a part of that. The staff isn't here to sport their "mod" labels. We come here to discuss Lakers. The staff isn't here to "police". We want to discuss Lakers just like you guys, but that takes responsibility on both sides - the staff and the members.

We'll be less lock-happy, if you guys can actually create meaningful discussion that merits the thread avoiding a lock.

LD has a vent thread. So one liners followed by a myriad of banging head emotions can go there. There is absolutely no reason to create a thread based on those type of posts.

Why? Cause you will have members that don't like the clutter and will come into those threads and post "NB4"s. They'll also post graphics and pics insinuating that the thread is a waste of bandwidth. What normally conspires thereafter, is a couple of members feeling the need for that type of thread to remain open as a medium to release their frustrations. Other members will then counter by posting LD's vent thread link or by mentioning that venting can just as easily be posted in the Gameday forum within that gameday thread. Then one member may go too far, by calling the other an idiot. Then all hell breaks loose and not only do we need to lock up the "clutter" but now we need to hand out citations for rules that were broken. The staff as a whole does not like banning members. So now we gotta decide who merits a suspension....for how long?...who's gonna PM the violator?.....all this transpires cause someone didn't take the time out to post their one line of frustration in the vent thread or the gameday thread. Lets not act like Gameday doesn't receive massive volume. Members know its there and that forum gets tremendous activity during games, so its only fitting that any type of venting thereafter can take place there and you wouldn't be alone, cause there are plenty to release that type of emotion with you.

So what merits an open thread, directly after a game?

Firstly, there is somewhat of a loose quota that the staff has in allowing that certain threads remain open. Normally, there are about 3 threads that discuss the most recent game in particular that remain open for members to let loose in. However, the creator of those threads normally goes beyond just voicing a line's worth of frustration. They try to look at the most recent games played and tie in a pattern or a continued aspect that repeats game after game. Sometimes, the OP will even have stats or some type of media to back up their opinions. For example:

Title: Fisher is the key
Initial Post: Due to foul trouble, Fish had to take a seat early. That led to D. Williams going off..blah..blah..blah...

Here are the stats of both Games 3 and 4 with Fisher off the floor:

Stats Stats Stats

Notice how efficient Deron was when Fish was off.
Then take into account that LA made their runs and came back from double digit deficits when Fish was back on the floor. Tonight wish contributed 10 points in the clutch. During that time Deron only had so and so points.

Compare Games 3 and 4 to Games 1 and 2 and you will notice that it isn't just home court, it had alot to do with Fish being out on the floor.

This is where the responsibility from the members comes into play. If you give us a great reason to allow that post to remain open, even if it is somewhat already being discussed, then the staff will feel like pricks for locking up something that clearly demonstrates alot of time and effort into its creation.

Give us a reason for it to remain open and normally those threads will.

However, if it demonstrates a lack of effort, then it only upsets the staff cause now you are creating tedious work for us and frankly we don't appreciate it.

If a member takes the time to browse the 1st page of the forum to see if a topic isn't already being discussed, then takes additional time to create something worth discussing even if its only specific to the most recent game, then the staff will have a hard time justifying a lock for that thread.

We will definitely be less eager to reach for a lock, if you give us a reason to be.

The responsibility goes both ways. Respect our time and efforts and we will do the same for you.

With that being said, thanks for wasting my time. I'm already pressed for it and instead of browsing other topics and discussions, I wasted all my time responding to this concern. Thanks!
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[Darth Bynumite]

[Darth Bynumite]

Example of thread that should be closed in my opinion: http://www.clublakers.com/forums/vlad-is-sad-t95120.html

Example of thread that should stay open: http://www.clublakers.com/forums/fishers-d-t90426.html

Examples of threads you have kept open that you wouldn't normally do that have turned into good threads:

http://www.clublakers.com/forums/when-will-farmar-learn-t95015.html

http://www.clublakers.com/forums/mihm-vs-mbenga-t94603.html

See the above two you would usually direct us to the Farmar thread and Mbenga thread. However, you kept them open this time and they've produced some discussion. I commend you for that.


_________________
"I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot. " - Kobe Bryant.

[Savory Griddles]

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[strikemode14]

[Heir]

If there was one suggestion I would give the mods, it would be to always give a reason why they locked a certain thread. I know it can become annoying after awhile after you've had to do it so many times, but at least people will know what they can and can't do by virtue of others.
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[strikemode14]

[Heir]

[trodgers]

I answer to no man when I lock a thread.
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Props to BDG for the Imago.

[trodgers]

Edit: I thought I had mod powers in this forum. I was going to lock the thread...fail.
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Props to BDG for the Imago.

[strikemode14]

[MDI]