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Phil Taylor

Phil Taylor
Sports Illustrated senior writer Phil Taylor joined the magazine staff in 1990. Prior to joining SI, Taylor worked as a sports writer and columnist for the Miami Herald, the San Jose Mercury News and the now-defunct sports daily, The National. He writes a regular column, The Hot Button, each Monday for SI.com.

Taylor ranks basketball as his favorite sport to both play and cover. He has won many journalism awards, including a 1987 Associated Press Sports Editors Award for Feature Writing. Taylor recalls the 1986 World Series as his most memorable moment in sports and ranks his 1995 cover story on the NBA's petulant prima donnas as the most interesting feature he has written for SI.

Taylor, a native of Queens, New York, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Amherst College in 1982 and a Masters degree from Stanford University in 1983. He now lives in northern California with his wife and their three children.

October 2001

Phil Taylor's
Insider Archive:

Phil Taylor: Baylor whistleblower Abar Rouse should be commended (8/18/03)

SI's Phil Taylor: Shockey's evasiveness in wake of controversial comments is nothing new (8/11/03)

Phil Taylor: A-Rod's latest ploy shows his true colors (8/4/03)

Phil Taylor: Bonds' comments about Ruth had some merit (7/28/03)

Phil Taylor: Coddled existence can skew an athlete's perspective (7/21/03)

Phil Taylor: Two recent "controversies" were much ado about nothing (7/14/03)

Phil Taylor: Innocent or guilty, Kobe's public image may never be the same (7/7/03)

Phil Taylor: Will foreign-born players help the NBA reconnect with U.S. fans? (6/30/03)

Phil Taylor: Brawls are making pitchers and hitters look ridiculous (6/23/03)

Phil Taylor: Cheating wasn't Sosa's downfall, it was how he cheated (6/9/03)

Phil Taylor: QuesTec can only be a good thing for baseball (6/3/03)

Phil Taylor: Athlete endorsement contracts are money for nothing (5/26/03)

Phil Taylor: Men should respect Annika Sorenstam's desire to compete (5/19/03)

Phil Taylor: Lacy's influence in integrating baseball is immeasurable (5/12/03)

Phil Taylor: 'Fire first, ask questions later' mentality can be shortsighted (5/5/03)

Phil Taylor: As usual, postseason officiating ignites the conspiracy theories (4/28/03)

Phil Taylor: Bull Durham flap offers a chance to clarify First Amendment (4/21/03)

Phil Taylor: Kansas has already defeated Syracuse where it counts most (4/7/03)

Phil Taylor: Plenty of ex-athletes aren't cut out for the broadcast booth (3/31/03)

Phil Taylor: Conflict is just as apparent in the games we play (3/24/03)

Phil Taylor: Bracket racket (3/17/03)

Phil Taylor: The play's the thing (3/10/03)

Phil Taylor: Feud for thought (3/3/03)

Phil Taylor: Revealing reaction (2/24/03)

SI's Phil Taylor: Read my lips (2/17/03)

Phil Taylor: Let's clear the Air (2/10/03)

Phil Taylor: Here's the kicker (2/3/03)

Phil Taylor: Heaven or hell? (1/27/03)

Phil Taylor: Stop spreading the news (1/13/03)

Phil Taylor: Don't snap at long snappers (1/6/03)

SI's Phil Taylor: NFL playoff scenarios have rarely been so complex (12/23/02)

Phil Taylor: Pete's power (12/16/02)

Phil Taylor: Misguided concern (12/9/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Getting into the game may be easier than you think (12/2/02)

Phil Taylor: Sadly shortsighted (11/25/02)

Phil Taylor: Food for thought (11/18/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Forget forgetting (11/11/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Maybe it's time we second-guess CEOs like we do athletes (11/4/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Giants' story is more compelling than that of the Angels (10/28/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Title or no title, Bonds has established his place in history (10/21/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Distorted image (10/14/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Cochran's plan to aid minority hiring in the NFL is overdue (10/7/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Unlikely birds of a feather (9/30/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Monday night games still fail to score big ratings (9/23/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: The cool crowd (9/16/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Sports help give life a semblance of normalcy (9/11/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: LLWS antics were unacceptable -- in any neighborhood (8/27/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Representing U.S. should be an honor for NBA players (8/19/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Florida State must protect its new motto (8/12/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Little Leaguers should have their demands heard, too (8/5/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: It makes no sense for NFL players to work out in the heat (7/22/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Reading is detrimental (7/15/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Playing up sexiness in sports can make for a risky game (7/8/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Changing hoop dreams (7/1/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Can college basketball hang on to any of its top talent? (6/24/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: U.S. has no room for soccer on its full sports plate (6/17/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Corporate bids bring blandness to sports arenas (6/10/02)

Phil Taylor: Nothing but Nets (6/5/02)

Phil Taylor: Jeers of Nets point guard served one worthwhile purpose (6/3/02)

Phil Taylor: Boston's bounty is sometimes lost on its fan base (5/27/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Big lessons (5/20/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Unfulfilled yet understandable (5/14/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Just say no (5/6/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: No guarantees on QBs (4/29/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Big Apple bias (4/15/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Crazy for memorabilia (4/8/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: The picture of tragedy (4/2/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Honesty is the best policy (3/25/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Less is more (3/18/02)

SI'S Phil Taylor: Communication breakdown (3/12/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Richardson's reality (3/4/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Damaged Games (2/25/02)

SI Phil Taylor: C-Webb's celebrity (2/18/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Kobe's beef (2/11/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Induction reduction (2/4/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Championship attitude (1/28/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Operator error (1/21/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: New age thinking (1/14/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Lost in translation (1/7/02)

SI's Phil Taylor: Anger management (12/17/01)

SI's Phil Taylor:The modern-day game (12/10/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: We don't feel their pain (12/3/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: Hurricane season (11/26/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: Back to school? (11/19/01)

SI's Phil Taylor:Speak easy (11/12/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: Taking the air out (11/5/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: A star is born? (10/29/01)

SI's Phil Taylor Lost cause (10/22/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: The great unknown (10/15/01)

The great unknown (10/15/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: Not so fast (10/8/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: For the record (10/1/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: Ceremonial ending (9/24/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: Hardaway's Miami days may be numbered (6/5/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: Postseason potpourri (5/30/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: Kings' owners reluctant to trade Williams (5/23/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: Doubts about Webber's game are off base (5/15/01)

SI's Taylor: Orlando's point taken -- by Hill (5/9/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: Pistons seek Rivers clone (4/25/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: And the winner is ... (4/17/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: And the winner is ... (4/17/01)

SI's Taylor: Webber falls off Magic's radar screen (4/11/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: New rules will help NBA quicken pace (4/3/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: Changing landscape (3/27/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: Making the case for most improved (3/20/01)

SI's Taylor: Lakers ride out Rider storm (3/9/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: Sixers may regret Mutombo deal (2/27/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: The answer to the NBA's woes? The XBA (2/13/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: Second-half predictions (2/12/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: Webber likely out of Sacramento (2/6/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: How to improve the All-Star Game (1/30/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: Trouble brews in Phoenix, Portland (1/22/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: Youthful exuberance (1/9/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: Grizzlies shopping Abdur-Rahim, Bibby (1/3/01)

SI's Phil Taylor: The wrath of Karl (12/12/00)

SI's Phil Taylor: Three keys to cure the NBA's ills (12/6/00)

SI's Phil Taylor: McHale could leave Minnesota if suspended (11/30/00)

SI's Phil Taylor: Sonic resignation (11/21/00)

SI's Phil Taylor: Shaq, Kobe are at odds as Lakers struggle (11/14/00)

Early surprises (11/6/00)

A safe bet (10/31/00)

SI's Phil Taylor: Change of plan (10/16/00)

SI's Taylor: Knicks will continue to shop Ewing (8/22/00)

SI's Phil Taylor: Being Shawn Kemp (8/15/00)

SI's Phil Taylor: Free-agent flurries (8/1/00)

SI's Phil Taylor: Belated advice for three free agents (7/18/00)

SI's Phil Taylor: Miles won't be starry-eyed for long (6/29/00)

SI's Phil Taylor: Will GMs succumb to Big Man-itis? (6/27/00)

Mavs' Finley has Olympic proponent (6/22/00)

SI's Phil Taylor: Lakers duo something special (6/15/00)

SI's Phil Taylor: Peace Knick (6/6/00)

SI's Taylor: Carters tag-team McGrady (5/24/00)

SI's Phil Taylor: Fickle Jazz must change philosophy (5/16/00)

SI's Phil Taylor: Big Dog may be looking for new house (5/10/00)

SI's Phil Taylor: Knicks-Heat rivalry a throwback (5/4/00)

SI's Phil Taylor: Nelson likely to stay in Dallas (4/25/00)

Wilkens took fall for Hawks' mistakes (4/24/00)

SI's Phil Taylor: Limping into the playoffs (4/21/00)

SI's Phil Taylor: Categories I Made Up awards (4/18/00)

SI's Phil Taylor: (4/3/00)

SI's Phil Taylor: Carter will play on Olympic team (3/14/00)

SI's Phil Taylor: (2/24/00)

SI's Phil Taylor: Blazers could intercept Kukoc (2/9/00)

Q&A with SI's Phil Taylor (1/19/00)

SI's Phil Taylor: Jordan good for NBA (1/17/00)

SI's Phil Taylor: Friction not limited to Iverson (12/20/99)

SI's Phil Taylor: NBA still recovering from lockout (12/20/99)

SI's Phil Taylor: Philly problems prevail (12/7/99)

SI's Phil Taylor: Marbury rubbing Nets the wrong way (11/22/99)

SI's Phil Taylor: Foul shooting will win games (11/1/99)

Rodman lowers his standards (10/20/99)

Wilt was larger than life til the end (10/12/99)

SI's Phil Taylor: Knicks working hard to keep Sprewell (9/28/99)

SI's Phil Taylor: Orlando waving its magic wand (8/17/99)

Taylor Insider: Hawks cleaning house (7/19/99)

CNN/SI's Phil Taylor: Fratello and Lakers would be perfect fit (6/2/99)

(5/6/99)

SI's Taylor: Rockets will ignite in playoffs (5/5/99)

Taylor Insider: Clashing egos hurt Pistons, Magic (4/26/99)

Taylor Insider: Minor spat, major problems in Philly (4/5/99)

SI's Phil Taylor: Iverson-Brown feud only getting worse (4/5/99)

SI's Phil Taylor: Van Exel no longer wanted in Denver (3/15/99)

Inside the NBA with SI's Phil Taylor: No Net gain for Marbury (3/12/99)

What impeachment? Wizards the Washington mess (3/9/99)

Phil Taylor's NBA Mailbag (3/2/99)

SI's Phil Taylor: Blazers may have too many forwards (3/2/99)

SI's Phil Taylor: Playing with a man called Kidd (2/16/99)

Inside Game with Phil Taylor: Worm may turn up in Orlando (2/1/99)

Taylor Insider: What was the delay in Denver? (1/23/99)

SI's Phil Taylor: Ellis flap delayed McDyess deal (1/23/99)

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