ESPN dominates the sports media landscape with the sheer amount of coverage and the overwhelming nature of their company. They catch a ton of flack from bloggers (and rightfully so) for the ridiculous approach they take and the bombastic attitudes of both their anchors and their production. Their goal of building huge personalities with controversial "in your face" opinions often makes us want to vomit.
But I've been thinking about it, and really, as NBA fans, we're incredibly lucky. Because ESPN.com's NBA coverage isn't just passable, it's really pretty good. And even the TV coverage is improving. Sure, we get the occasional Steven A. Smith meltdown over Kobe, but Jalen Rose is surprisingly insightful, Jon Barry doesn't act like he's just trying to say things to get people riled up, and even Walton's mellowed. But the ESPN.com crew is downright rational and provides good insight on a consistent basis.
What made me come to this conclusion is the new ESPN preseason predictions that went up today (hat tip: The Dream Shake). I expected to open it and be disgusted by the ridiculous flowery praise of marketable teams. But, outside of Cleveland being number 3 in the East, (really, Mo Williams makes them better than Orlando? really?), I don't actually have any complaints with the list. And looking over their roster, I noticed that I not only respected, but admired almost all of the writers. Marc Stein is a freaking pre-cog. Hollinger is, for all the debate that rages about PER, still considered one of, if not the top stats writer in NBA media. Henry Abbott... well, I think we all know what to think of TrueHoop. Ford, Adande, Sheridan, Legler, Windhorst? I'll take that lineup over Mortenson, Pasquarelli, Clayton and Berry, or their baseball crew. I'm kind of stunned to say it, but really, ESPN does excellent coverage of the NBA.
I kind of want to vomit right now.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Let's All Take A Moment And Be Thankful ESPN's NBA Coverage Doesn't Suck
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4 comments:
what was noticeable is that Simmons/Sports Guy is NOT consulted for these rankings! Is he being phased out??
dot com I adore but most of the tv stuff is abissmal. Maybe part of it is that the only competition is Barkley and crew but I find the on air coverage extremely umderwheming.
Matt,
I like ESPN/ABC's NBA coverage as well. EXCEPT for the pregame with Stuart Scott, Michael Wilbon, and Jon Barry. Stu's act is played. I'm tired of the schtick. He's very slowly turning into the face of ESPN. I just wish he'd tone it down. But to have to suffer through Michael Wilbon pains me. Leave him on PTI, don't poison my Pre-Game. I can't watch those 3 together.
The writers? Chris Sheridan and Chad Ford couldn't predict rain in the Amazon, and Hollinger throws away logic when it doesn't agree with his P.E.R. Adande flip flops too much.
Grungedave,
Simmons is taking alot of time off to write a book. He's only doing his podcast right now. Plus he's such a Boston homer, that I don't think they could allow him to.
Well....the rankings surely didn't win any fans on Bullets Forever.
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