Semi-OT: Chart of NBA Announcer Homerism

[Athanacropolis]

I didn't see this anywhere, so forgive me if it's a double-post. I found this on TrueHoop. It's a chart of NBA Announcer Homerism</a>, broken down into four categories: "NBA Knowledge", "Homerism", "Objectivity", and "Lack of NBA Knowledge."

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62498538@N ... 5/sizes/o/

Look at where they put Tommy. Now, I totally understand the homerism ranking, but lack of NBA knowledge?

[wigglestrue]

Since NBA knowledge is carefully defined there as "Facility with Current Player Information & Statistics" as opposed to general basketball knowledge, I don't have much of a problem with that chart. It's maybe a little overstated, because Tommy does in fact know a lot about the top veterans in the league. He's just useless when it comes to stats, foreign names, and mid-tier/lower-tier players, But anyway, I'd rather have a commentator who can use his deep basketball instincts to immediately size up a player's tendencies, strengths, and weaknesses within 5 minutes of watching him than a commentator who relies heavily on the stats and biographical notes we can access ourselves on the net.

[MyInsatiableOne]

Because to those outside of New England who have never heard of Tommy Heinsohn or who only know him as a broadcaster, he's just a wacky old man. They don't know he's a HOFer who won 8 or 9 rings as a player and 2 (should have been 3 or 4) as a coach.

[the sea duck]

I'd rather have a commentator who can use his deep basketball instincts to immediately size up a player's tendencies, strengths, and weaknesses within 5 minutes of watching him than a commentator who relies heavily on the stats and biographical notes we can access ourselves on the net.

Back when Tommy was playing, then coaching, he didn't have all the scouting crap there is today. Players needed just good, solid overall feel for the game of basketball in order to play opponents they had never, or seldom seen before.

Just as valuable for playing and coaching on the fly as the statistical analysis of the game today.

[Athanacropolis]

Since NBA knowledge is carefully defined there as "Facility with Current Player Information & Statistics" as opposed to general basketball knowledge, I don't have much of a problem with that chart. It's maybe a little overstated, because Tommy does in fact know a lot about the top veterans in the league. He's just useless when it comes to stats, foreign names, and mid-tier/lower-tier players, But anyway, I'd rather have a commentator who can use his deep basketball instincts to immediately size up a player's tendencies, strengths, and weaknesses within 5 minutes of watching him than a commentator who relies heavily on the stats and biographical notes we can access ourselves on the net.

Those are very good points, Wiggles, and if statistics are how this chart is defined, you are correct.

However, I still am not a big fan of stats always telling the whole story, and therefore I think that this is a somewhat incorrect categorization of "NBA knowledge." Tommy can't rattle off everyone's PER or +/- rankings, or how many times Shavlik Randolph's yawns while sitting on the bench, so he lacks NBA knowledge?

So essentially, yeah, I agree with you (especially the part I boldfaced). I know it's dumb, but maybe since Tommy reminds me of my grandfather--and the fact that he's a Celtic legend--just makes me wish he'd get some more respect.

[Tricky Ricky]

lol that is great, I love Tommy

[Datruth345]

what a horrible evaluation

[Athanacropolis]

^^ Glad I'm not the only one who thought so. I mean, I could understand if it said "Athanacropolis" in that lower-left-hand corner, but Tommy Heinsohn? Come on.

[MyInsatiableOne]

Thing is, like I said, almost no one younger than 40 outside of New England even knows he was a HOF player and title-winning coach. All they know is the lame jokes they make at his expense on ESPN and SportsCenter

[chakdaddy]

After seeing everyone on league pass, Miami's guys seem awfully stupid. Can't even say "Dwyane Wade", always something corny like D-Wade.

And Sean Elliott was the biggest homer I've seen this year.

[Taget]

How can you call Tommy a homer? It's not his fault the refs are always out to get us!

[Athanacropolis]

How can you call Tommy a homer? It's not his fault the refs are always out to get us!

Post of the day, right here. ^^^

[MyInsatiableOne]

After seeing everyone on league pass, Miami's guys seem awfully stupid. Can't even say "Dwyane Wade", always something corny like D-Wade.

And Sean Elliott was the biggest homer I've seen this year.

You want BAD announcers? Where I live the Hawks and Bobcats are both the local teams so I get their games...their announcers are just plain BAD...lots of dead air time and silence, nothing interesting or exciting to say...really painful to endure!

[MalReyn]

So there's no objective announcers who lack NBA knowledge?

[lojowo]

No doubt about it, Tommy's a homer.

But Tommy also has forgetton more about basketball then 90 percent of those on that list will ever know.

He should be at least half way up on the NBA Knowledge side, if not 3/4 the way.

[wigglestrue]

No doubt about it, Tommy's a homer.

But Tommy also has forgetton more about basketball then 90 percent of those on that list will ever know.

He should be at least half way up on the NBA Knowledge side, if not 3/4 the way.

Again, whoever created that chart was fair enough to define NBA knowledge as knowledge about current players and current statistics, not general knowledge about the game of basketball. It's almost as if the chart's creator did that precisely in order to be fair to Heinsohn.

[MyInsatiableOne]

No doubt about it, Tommy's a homer.

But Tommy also has forgetton more about basketball then 90 percent of those on that list will ever know.

He should be at least half way up on the NBA Knowledge side, if not 3/4 the way.

I never question Tommy's homerism. I myself am a huge homer for the Boston teams. But the comment you made which I boldfaced is exactly right.