[high floorParticipant]

I swear these guys are some of the most un-rehearsed sports personalities on the television. Charles & Shaq seem so unprepared for their set……. and it’s getting old to me.

On the flip side, take someone like Chauncey Billups. This guy takes time to research rotations, provide adjustment strategies, and for the love of God….. he knows who the 8th & 9th men are + announces players names correctly!!

They refuse to include any kind of analytics to their talk track, and just seem to coast through their air time. I’m not saying they provide zero entertainment, they are funny at times. But C’mon, take some pride in your job responsibilities.

Anyone else with me on this? Or am I just becoming irritable now that I’m over 30, haha

[mcbaileyParticipant]

I mean, it seems you know the reason why things are the way they are. Charles and Shaq were undeniably great players and know something about the game, but that’s far from the reason they were hired, or why they’re so popular.

So…you’re not wrong. They annoy me sometimes too. That said, get out of here with this "more analytics" stuff. Most of it is using obscure numbers to BS an argument, but more than that, I would fall asleep if they pulled that stuff out during halftime. Those breaks are hard enough to survive as it is.

 

 

[high floorParticipant]

I’m not asking them to provide things like "position adjusted win score" or "quantified shooter impact." 

But would it kill these guys to discuss a little +/- data, or maybe highlight a couple of basic player efficiency stats? To me personally, I like variety in my analysis….. and including basic breakdowns that every coach, front-office employee, and educated beat-writer knows off the cuff….. that adds to the product.

That’s why I used Chauncey as my counter-example. He does this, and in my personal opinion it adds to the quality of the broadcast.

 

[mcbaileyParticipant]

 I mean, yeah, I actually think it would physically harm Charles in particular. He’d probably try and choke on the words.

But fair enough, honestly. To your point, it wouldn’t hurt if one of the three was replaced with someone like your Chauncey example, because all three of Chuck, Shaq, and Kenny are the same type of analyst. They use the "experience" factor, and general feel for the game. It’s a redundant setup, but it’s by far the most successful, so I don’t see many changes in their future unless they just make the table longer and add one more person.

 

 

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

 They need to replace Kenny’s with Lavar. That would be ratings gold!!!

[Sewok15Participant]

 Kenny Smith is the most annoying by far. He also seems to have a questionable basketball IQ. They should replace him with Kobe or someone who really knows basketball. 

I like Chris Webber in the booth. He did a great job in the NCAA tourney and I prefer him 100% over Reggie Miller. 

Why are they letting Kevin McHale do Boston games? He is a Celtics legend and should not be doing their national broadcasts unless he in on the A squad and they make the finals…two things that are not going to happen. 

 

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

I get what your saying but you have to remember that this is entertainment first and foremost. They are basically considering what will keep the most people tuned in for those 15 mins at halftime and most casual fans don’t want to hear a bunch of analytics talk or numbers crunching. There are other places to go for that. 

What bugs me more is when the actual in game play by play announcers can’t get the players names right. Kevin Harlan literally spent a whole half of a game in Houston-Minnesota series referring to Derrick Rose as “Reggie Rose”. That is just embarrassing.

 

[FritzParticipant]

Kevin was doing that on purpose my man, it was an inside joke. Kevin is one of the GOAT announcers, and would never go full current day Marv Albert like that. (Marv in his prime is actually one of the GOATs as well) 

He was talking to Reggie Miller, and was saying Reggie to get his opinion but did not leave space when he said Rose. Reggie (Miller), Rose has looked good…

The very next game he a joke about it and went "Reggie…(long pause)..Comma…..Rose"

But your statement does yield true to Marv Albert today, he will say the wrong players name at least once a quarter. 

 

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

 I actually love the TNT guys.  You have to take thm for what they are.  They aren’t there to break down shooting percentages and usage rates, they are there to entertain.  I think those guys have good basketball minds.  Shaq and Charles are hall of famers and Kenny Smith is an all-american and 2 time NBA champion.  I can understand why people think they are annoying, but they have great chemistry on screen and they are really funny.  EJ has the unenviable job of being the buffer between the Shaq and Charles feuds.  

[RUDEBOY-Participant]

someone likes them they’ve won several emmys…I think shaq,barkley and Kenny sometimes gives their insights from a fan point of view…and shaq and barkley were hired based on their jovial personalities…..as someone mentioned above they’re there for entertainment..i have to rate Ernie Johnson and Rachel Nichols amongst the best studio hosts..

[ZouldiersParticipant]

 If you want the hardcore analytics stuff, NBA TV is the one for you. I prefer the TNT crew just the way they are.

[220Participant]

 TNT’s crew is basically all about sophmoric humor. The amount of your mother jokes they make is absurd. If you’re looking for knowledgeable breakdowns go elsewhere because it’s simply not what they’re about.

[r377Participant]

 I can’t even understand shaq’s voice properly, i miss half of what he says

[Wavy BagelsParticipant]

Shaq sounds like Aries Spears doing a Shaq imperssion

[Author]

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