Is ESPN Trying Too Hard? | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Is ESPN Trying Too Hard?

So some of you want Women's Basketball to get more viewership, respect, etc. but don't like "how" ESPN does it. They do this type of stuff for men's basketball all the time. Yes, ESPN is taking more of a charge so for right now we're stuck mostly with what they do, but I'd rather the biggest sports network in the world be giving some media attention, even if it's not all perfect. I don't think the NCAA Tournament is the only "bubble" being lived in.
 
Even if UCONN isn’t in on the FF or final game I’ll tune in. But wonder who will do the color and play-by-play. Seems as if over time we lost Mike Patrick, then Doris Burke/Mr. Red Sox Dave O-Brien, then eventually the Adam Amin, Lawson and Rebecca Lobo team and now a virtual smorgasboard of duos, none of which stand out to me. Beth Mowins isn’t the best but she’s at least dedicated to the sport. Pam Ward? Please, I’ll go to church and pray for no Debbie Antonella or Carolyn Peck!!
 
Does anyone know who is calling the
UCONN - Iowa game?
 
ME Husky Fan said:
Even if UCONN isn’t in on the FF or final game I’ll tune in. But wonder who will do the color and play-by-play. Seems as if over time we lost Mike Patrick, then Doris Burke/Mr. Red Sox Dave O-Brien, then eventually the Adam Amin, Lawson and Rebecca Lobo team and now a virtual smorgasboard of duos, none of which stand out to me. Beth Mowins isn’t the best but she’s at least dedicated to the sport. Pam Ward? Please, I’ll go to church and pray for no Debbie Antonella or Carolyn Peck!!
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Totally agree about Antonelli and Peck..the other night Peck promoting Boston as POY
 
browns said:
Did you ever see Holdsclaw play? She is the one that first got me interested in WCBB.I had never seen a woman play the game like her.If you put a bag over her head you couldn't tell if she was a girl or a guy.Since then there have been many that play like that..her stats are as good or better than Maya's and she did win 3 NCAA's.As far as Maya being away that has nothing to do with the article on uniform numbers..there opinion on who ranked where..wasn't a knock on Maya or any of the other players mentioned..maybe they should have contacted every player named to make sure the timing was right because their name was mentioned
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Thanks for the response. I was hoping to get some opinions about the two players.
Firstly, I don't care if the ESPN dubious list was just for college or not. I don't think you separate it in basketball. For example, Pete Maravich's (a BY fav) injury-laden/bad team laden pro career, is always going to taint his overall standing. Bill Walton did enough in the pros including his epic title with Portland to still be at least top-ten college players ever if not higher.
Moore's overall career vs Holdsclaw's, I would argue isn't even close.
Not only did I see Holdsclaw play, but I have lived most of my life in the D.C. area, coincidently the location of her first WNBA team. She had decent numbers as a pro, but she never impacted the game in the WNBA like a superstar does, like Moore does. In Washington, everyone was waiting for the expected shaking of the earth, but what we got was a fine player, but not the phenomenon. I'm thinking of NBA comparisons- not Danny Manning?, Christian Laettner? She was top-notch, not a force of nature like Maya Moore.
I ask you, and I've mentioned it in other posts, (documentary- Women of Troy) did you see Cheryl Miller, 14 years Holdsclaw's senior?
If she wore 23, even though her pro career lasted a minute, that's another story!
 
Gurleyman said:
This year you have to be cognizant that the broadcasters aren’t in the arena. They sometimes don’t necessarily know who a foul was on either until it shows up on their stats feed. They can’t see referee hands or the scoreboard or listen to the PA announcer.
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Agree.....and I suspect we'll see a lot more of this in future seasons because broadcasting from "home" is a lot cheaper than paying for airfare, hotels, meals, etc. What's everything all about? Money, of course, and the networks are saving a bunch of it with the current system.
 
.-.
Bliss said:
Agree.....and I suspect we'll see a lot more of this in future seasons because broadcasting from "home" is a lot cheaper than paying for airfare, hotels, meals, etc. What's everything all about? Money, of course, and the networks are saving a bunch of it with the current system.
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And announcers announcing from studios or couches just happened with WCBB? Baseball last summer?, NBA and WNBA bubble?, WCBB and MCBB regular seasons?(oops cross off WCBB)
BTW one of my favorite sports nights used to be "Players Only" NBA broadcasts. 3-4 ex-players called the games basically from a studio sitting on puffy chairs and couches. Even with their banter and hoots, they actually knew when to inform the audience and when to have fun. Can't believe they don't have it anymore. Covid?
 
Zinethar said:
I agree the play by play announcer should stay on task at least until the game is well out of reach but still get in the important things like who fouled, personnel changes etc. The color commentator is doing their job. It should fill the voids not take over. These people are told what to do by their bosses depending on who is playing. They aren't concerned about us. We will watch anyway. They are trying to offer information that might create more fans and keep eyes on the TV. We should be happy they are trying to do that. I'm just hoping that Lobo's shot after a great segment on sports center didn't ruffle the feathers so much they go back to ignoring the women. As best as I remember he said something nice to he about her coverage and she responded with "And thank you for finally giving the women the coverage they deserve". I know that quote is a bit off but the jist was there.
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👍 👍When I read your post I thought you were living in my head. It makes sense, start with a marque match up try and build from there. If first timers enjoy the UCONN game they may watch more games and spread the word.
 
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MD#12Fan said:
Thanks for the response. I was hoping to get some opinions about the two players.
Firstly, I don't care if the ESPN dubious list was just for college or not. I don't think you separate it in basketball. For example, Pete Maravich's (a BY fav) injury-laden/bad team laden pro career, is always going to taint his overall standing. Bill Walton did enough in the pros including his epic title with Portland to still be at least top-ten college players ever if not higher.
Moore's overall career vs Holdsclaw's, I would argue isn't even close.
Not only did I see Holdsclaw play, but I have lived most of my life in the D.C. area, coincidently the location of her first WNBA team. She had decent numbers as a pro, but she never impacted the game in the WNBA like a superstar does, like Moore does. In Washington, everyone was waiting for the expected shaking of the earth, but what we got was a fine player, but not the phenomenon. I'm thinking of NBA comparisons- not Danny Manning?, Christian Laettner? She was top-notch, not a force of nature like Maya Moore.
I ask you, and I've mentioned it in other posts, (documentary- Women of Troy) did you see Cheryl Miller, 14 years Holdsclaw's senior?
If she wore 23, even though her pro career lasted a minute, that's another story!
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I was comparing college career's..very even except the 3 to 2 NCAA's..unfortunate Holdsclaw had the mental health issues in the pro's
 
I guess I'll only be watching the UConn - Iowa and NC State - Indiana games, With Ruocco, Lobo and Rowe. There is no way in heck I'll be watching with Mowens, Antonelli, Robinson, and Rowe in the Baylor - Michigan and Texas A&M - Arizona games. You wouldn't know the score if it wasn't posted, with Mowens, Antonelli and Robinson talking about everything EXCEPT what's happening on the court.
 
.-.
MD#12Fan said:
And announcers announcing from studios or couches just happened with WCBB? Baseball last summer?, NBA and WNBA bubble?, WCBB and MCBB regular seasons?(oops cross off WCBB)
BTW one of my favorite sports nights used to be "Players Only" NBA broadcasts. 3-4 ex-players called the games basically from a studio sitting on puffy chairs and couches. Even with their banter and hoots, they actually knew when to inform the audience and when to have fun. Can't believe they don't have it anymore. Covid?
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I know home announcing for WCBB is not the only sport where this happens. What I'm saying is I think a lot of this will continue even after the pandemic is no longer a "problem."
 
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