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Don't expect a neutral voice from Jeff Van Gundy
Posted: Tue Jun 2, 2009 1:23 am
by slickgreek
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/2009-05-31-jeff-van-gundy_N.htmPersonally I don't mind, but if I were him I would feel kind of weird broadcasting a game where his brother Stan is coaching in the finals. It would be hard to be unbiased in his situation, but i guess will find out. What do you guys think? You guys care?
TV sports analysts don't ask if they should lose their assignments to call title games.
But Jeff Van Gundy says he last week asked his producer, who then talked to ESPN/ABC higher-ups, if he should be dropped from the on-air team — with analyst Mark Jackson and play-by-play announcer Mike Breen — scheduled to call ABC's NBA Finals. "I had absolutely no problems if they wanted to take me off games and put me in the studio or take me off altogether. It was right to discuss it. I'd be fine with anything. They're going to get criticized either way."
Undoubtedly. But Sunday, Van Gundy says he still has his assignment even after his sole sibling Stan coached Orlando to a win over Cleveland Saturday night and a berth against the Los Angeles Lakers in the finals.
Not that Jeff could watch that win. He couldn't bring himself to watch any of Orlando's playoff games live — "I take long walks and hope for the best" — and Saturday night went to a college baseball game "to kill time." He was ambling outside his house when he checked the score with 1:49 to play and felt Orlando's win was secure and thus the end was watchable.
Re: Don't expect a neutral voice from Jeff Van Gundy
Posted: Tue Jun 2, 2009 1:46 am
by snaquille oatmeal
this is old news. JVG has always been up front about his bias for his bro. he has always said that it is hard for him to watch magics games because he feels anxiety for SVG.
Re: Don't expect a neutral voice from Jeff Van Gundy
Posted: Tue Jun 2, 2009 2:07 am
by slickgreek
ya but van gundy NEVER broadcasts his bros games. This is the finals and bad broadcasting can ruin a game. I can just see something happening where he gets criticized even more...
Re: Don't expect a neutral voice from Jeff Van Gundy
Posted: Tue Jun 2, 2009 3:22 am
by hermes
when has he even had a neutral voice, i've never been a fan of his broadcasting
i prefer hubie brown
Re: Don't expect a neutral voice from Jeff Van Gundy
Posted: Tue Jun 2, 2009 5:12 am
by Speedlot
hermes wrote:when has he even had a neutral voice, i've never been a fan of his broadcasting
i prefer hubie brown
Hubie Brown? Really? Guy hates the lakers.
Re: Don't expect a neutral voice from Jeff Van Gundy
Posted: Tue Jun 2, 2009 5:29 am
by Trifecta7
Hubie Brown puts me to sleep.
Re: Don't expect a neutral voice from Jeff Van Gundy
Posted: Tue Jun 2, 2009 5:59 am
by Verbal
POW GASOW!
Re: Don't expect a neutral voice from Jeff Van Gundy
Posted: Tue Jun 2, 2009 6:02 am
by snaquille oatmeal
hermes wrote:when has he even had a neutral voice, i've never been a fan of his broadcasting
i prefer hubie brown
Re: Don't expect a neutral voice from Jeff Van Gundy
Posted: Tue Jun 2, 2009 6:03 am
by KObe Bryant
I really don't care. Most times, I really don't listen to color commentators. I just like Mike Breen's play by play.
Re: Don't expect a neutral voice from Jeff Van Gundy
Posted: Tue Jun 2, 2009 6:27 am
by milesfides
Jeff Van Gundy wasn't all that neutral during the Lakers-Rockets series, understandably.
Re: Don't expect a neutral voice from Jeff Van Gundy
Posted: Tue Jun 2, 2009 6:33 am
by Verbal
Did Chick Hearn ever get a chance to broadcast the nationally televised games?
Re: Don't expect a neutral voice from Jeff Van Gundy
Posted: Tue Jun 2, 2009 6:38 am
by AceFresh
Not Hubie,
just get Mark and Breen+ filler guy
Re: Don't expect a neutral voice from Jeff Van Gundy
Posted: Tue Jun 2, 2009 1:39 pm
by SashAlex
Verbal wrote:POW GASOW!
PAW GASAW !
Re: Don't expect a neutral voice from Jeff Van Gundy
Posted: Tue Jun 2, 2009 3:42 pm
by NetsForce
JVG is kind of annoying now. They need to switch the announcers up every now and then.
Re: Don't expect a neutral voice from Jeff Van Gundy
Posted: Tue Jun 2, 2009 4:00 pm
by kevin_405
JVG is great.. i love the guy, his analysis and his passion as a coach..
We should look at bringing him on if Phil decides to retire...
I was never a fan of sugar coated broadcasting ... Jeff does well calling a spade a spade..
Even the TNT team is great at it..
Re: Don't expect a neutral voice from Jeff Van Gundy
Posted: Tue Jun 2, 2009 4:59 pm
by DowJones
If anything he will be biased toward the Lakers because he will do everything he can to be professional.
You are kidding yourself if you think these announcers aren't all biased in some way.
Re: Don't expect a neutral voice from Jeff Van Gundy
Posted: Tue Jun 2, 2009 5:48 pm
by Mamba Venom
They could get Marc Gasol or Bill Walton in the booth to even it out
Van Gundy and Walton
The difference is that Walton tries not to be a homer
That would be hilarious for 5 minutes... You are so biased we are going to bring in 2 guys to offset you
Re: Don't expect a neutral voice from Jeff Van Gundy
Posted: Tue Jun 2, 2009 5:56 pm
by TommyTheCat
i like the breen, jackson & jvg crew. i'm fine with him doing the games even if he has a bias for stan.
i usually only listen to parts of the broadcast and have music going most of the time.
Re: Don't expect a neutral voice from Jeff Van Gundy
Posted: Tue Jun 2, 2009 6:12 pm
by Sedale Threatt
I'm so locked in to the games I barely even pay attention to the announcers. Especially at this point. So I couldn't possibly care less who they get to do these games.
Re: Don't expect a neutral voice from Jeff Van Gundy
Posted: Tue Jun 2, 2009 10:11 pm
by Jordan-esque
Didn't they just announce that Mike Tirico and Hubie Brown will be doing the games?