A Short Introduction

by Ben Swanson on Feb 16, 2011 8:32 AM EST

Hi, everybody!

(Hi, Dr. Nick!)

As you have probably already read by now, David is leaving Rufus on Fire and I am picking up the blog in his stead. Before I get into my own introduction, I urge everyone to give David a round of applause (real or in your head). I think I speak for many of us here at Rufus on Fire when I thank David for his relentless effort and dedication to RoF.

I remember way back when I was trying to find a place to discuss the Bobcats around 2008-09 and I happened upon Rufus on Fire. It was nearly barren. There was one or two guys who commented, and fairly inconsistent at that. I was just a timid lurker at that point in time. But since then, Rufus on Fire has exploded. Now there are gameday threads that gather hundreds of comments. David has cultivated this blog into one of the best NBA blogs around, and for that, we owe him a lot.

Thank you, David. I can't even imagine how much my life has been changed by Rufus on Fire, even before this news. No exaggeration or hyperbole there, either. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors, my friend.

Now about me? Well, I appreciate the kind words that many of you have already left on David's post. As he said, many of you probably know me from my commenting alias, whataboutbob_cats (Bill Murray movie puns, har har!) or my Twitter account, @CardboardGerald. My real name is Ben Swanson. I am not really a cardboard cutout of Gerald Wallace, unfortunately. However, I am a big – okay, huge – Bobcats fan, like most of you are.

I’m also a journalism student at UNC. My goal with the blog is to continue to make a fun atmosphere centered around Bobcats-focused writing and analysis that encourages discussion. As far as my writing style, it can vary. My background in news writing can lend itself to strong fact-based compositions. However, I can also be extremely sarcastic and my love for pop culture (especially the Simpsons) sneaks into my writing fairly often.

To help me with the blog, I’ve gathered a small writing staff. The first writer is Joshua Priemski. He may not be a die-hard Bobcats fan like most of you, but he is a fan (especially of Shaun Livingston) and he knows his basketball. And the other contributor is Aisander Duda, aka AisanderD, former contributor to Ridiculous Upside, the SB Nation blog about the NBA Development League. He also comments here. Expect more on them within a week or so. I encourage you to give them the same warm welcome I've gotten so far.

We’re all excited & proud to continue on with Rufus on Fire and we hope you are as well!

Tweet Comment 23 comments | 2 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Congratulations on the gig. I look forward to reading your work!

I can attest from your Twitter alone you are a huge fan, and know your stuff (even if you blow up my feed on game nights!… I kid, I kid).

Follow me on Twitter! @James_Dator

by James Dator on Feb 16, 2011 8:43 AM EST reply actions

Should come back around more often James!

GSO

"I'd rather jerk off a tiger in a phone booth than draft Cam"
-Mel Kiper, Jr.

by MikeTrain on Feb 16, 2011 1:53 PM EST up reply actions

I lurk... I always lurk

Just slammed writing for CSR.

Follow me on Twitter! @James_Dator

by James Dator on Feb 16, 2011 2:15 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks James!

Lemonade was a popular drink and it still is,
I get more props and stunts than Bruce Willis
- Guru, of Gangstarr

by Ben Swanson on Feb 16, 2011 3:14 PM EST up reply actions

Hi!

Hopelessly scouring the internet for a free copy of Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "Brujo." and "Hurricane Coming" by CCS.

by Newsinz on Feb 16, 2011 9:53 AM EST reply actions

Welcome, Ben!!

Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo

by Seth Pollack on Feb 16, 2011 10:46 AM EST reply actions

Welcome Ben. Looking forward to more fun on RoF.

any thoughts about a merge with the TradeStreetPost?

by Ft.Mill Bobcat on Feb 16, 2011 11:15 AM EST reply actions

Doubtful

I already have a couple guys coming in to write but when we do link posts, we’ll be sure to include TSP

Lemonade was a popular drink and it still is,
I get more props and stunts than Bruce Willis
- Guru, of Gangstarr

by Ben Swanson on Feb 16, 2011 1:09 PM EST up reply actions

rockin like dokken when yo sista comes a knockin(I really don't know what that means)

stoked about this Ben, you rock mang.

Fact: All you care about is points.

Blindly Optimistic follower of The Iowa Hawkeyes, San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Hurricanes, and the Charlotte Bobcats.

by HAWKEYESBABY on Feb 16, 2011 5:39 PM EST up reply actions

Ben:

First, hearty congratulations from your friends at TSP. This is well deserved and we’re thrilled for you!

Trade Street Post is looking forward to working with RoF as brother Bobcats sites. As to any merger ideas that people might have, let’s put them to rest right from the start. We have been and will continue to be active members of RoF. We love it here. But both sites have their own talented writers, features, and content. We feel that both sites are essential reading for any Cats fans and we are more than happy to continue fostering the spirit of friendship and working to build the quality of both sites for our readers. There is plenty of room for quality sites and good writing in Bobcats Nation. That includes RoF, TSP, BCP, Baseline, and any other blogsites big or small that are part of the family. We all have the same goal – providing the finest possible places for Cats fans to gather, pick up news, and share opinions.

P.S. - Is it an interim fling or a permanent bromance?

by Ourdaywillcome on Feb 16, 2011 7:44 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, what he said...

I’m sure we can share links to each others’ works, as we see fit, we do view RoF as a brother, and brothers share. Brothers often tend to run their own households as well. We’ll each have our own site and we’ll run our own styles, but I am hoping that we will encourage each other, and share with each other, and all be part of the larger group known as RABID CHARLOTTE BOBCATS FANS!!!
We aren’t competiton…we’re all in the same business, and that is keeping the world informed about what is up with the Charlotte Bobcats.

All that said, don’t for get to check out on Trade Str…LOL
Just kidding

How fun is it to be a Bobcats fan right now?

Bobcats Basketball is my only pro sports passion...

by andrewlail76 on Feb 16, 2011 8:42 PM EST up reply actions

And don't forget...

RobertoGato.com Congrats Ben! I’m starting to feel like the old man of the crowd! Sorry to see David go but happy to have new and talented voices. You guys stop on by, I know I lurk here, hopefully we can all share links and grow the fanbase together! @bigcatbobcat

by BIGCatBobcat on Feb 19, 2011 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

Welcome

I look forward to seeing what you decide to change and what you decide to keep.

"I could never be a thug, they don't dress this well." - Malice

by Julius Coxswain on Feb 16, 2011 1:50 PM EST reply actions

My guess it the main change will be nothing.

Writing styles will change and coverage may change. Ben’s a smart guy and avid Bobcats fan…
I look forward to seeing his ideas making the site grow even more

Bobcats Basketball is my only pro sports passion...

by andrewlail76 on Feb 16, 2011 8:44 PM EST up reply actions

Congrats Ben,

As a Tar Heel alum myself, I’ve got to say it’s pretty neat you get to run a blog of this nature while being a student. It’s great experience and you get to combine your multiple interests into one endeavor. How awesome is that?

Good luck with everything, and I look forward to RoF’s future.

by Roger, Roger on Feb 16, 2011 2:30 PM EST reply actions

I've already said it, but

Congrats Ben! Super excited to see you get this. I know David left some large shoes to fill, but I also know you’re more than capable to rise to the challenge.

Fact: All you care about is points.

Blindly Optimistic follower of The Iowa Hawkeyes, San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Hurricanes, and the Charlotte Bobcats.

by HAWKEYESBABY on Feb 16, 2011 5:41 PM EST reply actions