Would somebody with leverage tell ABC's Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy to shut the hell up? Especially Van Gundy.
Time and time again these egomaniacs conduct themselves on-air as if we tuned in to listen to their dissociated yammering instead of dialed-in comments on the game.
Case in point: During the first half of today's first-round playoff opener between the Lakers and Nuggets, Jackson made a comment that Allen Iverson was one of the best pound-for-pound players in the NBA ever. Van Gundy goes off interminably, expressing incredulity, and maddeningly ignoring Jackson's "pound-for-pound" qualification, as Iverson is around 6'1" 165 lbs.
The contrast with KCAL's smoothly professional coverage is startling. Joel Myers and Stu Nance are much more in sync.
Today's game is not an isolated incident. Jackson and Van Gundy constantly hi-jack the coverage, while the play-by-play guy, what's-his-name, is hamstrung.
Mark Jackson might sync better if given a less obnoxious color sidekick. The former coach Van Gundy sorely needs coaching in rhythmic on-air, game-in-progress color commentary coordination.
Coach the coach or dump him. If I want dissociative babble, I'll cue my mother.
Keywords: ABC, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, NBA, playoff coverage
Comments
As much as I dislike the Lakers and have no respect for their organization, I have to agree that KCAL's coverge is much better than unfortunate combo of Van Gundy and Jackson. What is sad about the situation is that KCAL's crew, in my humble opinion, is at most average NBA announcing crew when compared to others. You would think that a playoffs game with a national coverage would have a better quality coverage....even if its the Lakers...
At least they are not as bad as the Miami Heat's crew...always look at the bright side of life.....