KIE wrote:Also, his "couldn't shoot" comment was directed at Dahntay Jones, not Salmons. I remember him being pretty high on Salmons last night.
Well yes, that was to Jones. Which is fine, Jones isn't much of a shooter.
But Buckner said, "that's all Salmons wants to do, is drive to the hoop". I remember it distinctively because of how sure of delivery of the statement was. Which obviously isn't true, John's a willing and capable shooter for how effective he can be in a few ways. Not a good shooter, but also not mediocre, either. That doesn't make his shooting ability insignificant as a threat, and therefore isn't just a slasher. It was just an inaccurate statement by Buckner, thus giving the viewers who mainly focus on the Pacers, a flawed perspective of Salmons for the game and in general for the future. Buckner should of said this instead about Salmons offensive game "Yeah, Salmons is best at slashing, but also is a threat shooting the ball out to three and off the dribble". A significant mistake by the Pacers broadcast prep. dpt, and Buckner himself. Salmons is of course a different player from his Philadelphia days.
KIE wrote:I'm not sure I agree with the "homer" label...blatantly ignorant is more like it.
I disagree on the former, because of how he was literally putting almost everything on the Pacers, as an excuse or any kind of credit he could put out there. Even when it wasn't deserved or there wasn't much of anything there for Indiana. I've also heard him be homer-ish in the past, from collective Indiana games. I just think the accuracy needs to be better with him (and the preparation department), and be a bit more balanced. I don't expect him to be balanced, and not go more for the Pacers, but not like he tends to be. Especially in this game. Being ignorant can be part of being a homer, too. Which it was here. So that's just an underlying factor.
I'm just mixed on him as an announcer. I like his style, and is an old-school guy, but needs to be some more refined.