Al McCoy

[addicted2noise]

I don't know if there's already a thread about this somewhere, but it's something that I've been thinking about for awhile. This is mostly for those of you who listen to to the game broadcasts on KTAR nowadays.

Does anyone else feel like Al McCoy has become more and more of a homer announcer over the years? Back when he used to do commentary during the Kidd and Marbury years, I remember he always seemed to be very objective with what he said, but nowadays I feel like he whines more than even the fans do. I've had to listen to some of the games during this series on the radio while driving, and it seems like every time a call doesn't go in favor of the Suns, he makes a sarcastic comment about it or simply criticizes the officiating. During the pre-game show before Game One, he said "Tim Duncan is the whiniest player in the league," which is the type of statement I would never think he'd make. I've always loved listen to Al commentate, but this newfound trend of homerism honestly kind of annoys me. It tends to distract you from the actual action in the game, and it takes away from your own objectivity as a fan because you feel like you should agree with a credible announcer. I think that play-by-play announcers like Al should try to maintain integrity by shying away from personal indictments of the referees, and leave the decision up to the fans.

Then again, I guess watching the Suns from the sidelines for every game over 40 years can take its toll on your patience...

I dunno, what do you guys think?

[TASTIC]

He hasn't got jack on Celtics announcers

He's paid his dues, let him call it how he wants...

[WTFsunsFTW]

I don't know if there's already a thread about this somewhere, but it's something that I've been thinking about for awhile. This is mostly for those of you who listen to to the game broadcasts on KTAR nowadays.

Does anyone else feel like Al McCoy has become more and more of a homer announcer over the years? Back when he used to do commentary during the Kidd and Marbury years, I remember he always seemed to be very objective with what he said, but nowadays I feel like he whines more than even the fans do. I've had to listen to some of the games during this series on the radio while driving, and it seems like every time a call doesn't go in favor of the Suns, he makes a sarcastic comment about it or simply criticizes the officiating. During the pre-game show before Game One, he said "Tim Duncan is the whiniest player in the league," which is the type of statement I would never think he'd make. I've always loved listen to Al commentate, but this newfound trend of homerism honestly kind of annoys me.

Then again, I guess watching the Suns from the sidelines for every game over 40 years can take its toll on your patience...

I dunno, what do you guys think?

I agree his homerism has increased. I certainly dont mind it at all. Growing up listening to McCoy, muting NBA on NBC and turning up 620 AM (before broadcast delays) I always wondered how he truly felt about the team. He was so objective it seemed like it was just his job, even with someone as great as cotton fitsimmons along side him, he kept his objectivity to crazy levels.

One could argue that he retired a few years ago, and now to pass the time he does suns commentary his way

He knows he's better than 90% of the refs out there.
He knows a dirty play when he sees it.
He knows nobody is going to call him out for anything unorthodox.
He knows he's earned a little editorializing.

He's making it known he feels every diehard suns fans' pain
He's making it known that he thinks we were screwed last year.
He's making it known he doesnt respect the Spurs.
He's making it known he truly wants this team to win it all before he officially retires.


With all those givens, he is still one of the most elite and objective guys in the business.

[Itmotep]

Isnt he right tho? Isnt Duncan a whiny player? Probably the whiniest.... And has the officiating been pretty bad? Yes....So uh?

[addicted2noise]

Well I'm not saying that his remarks are wrong by any means... but I do feel like commentators should refrain from complaining about calls going against their team every play, and making absolute statements like the one about Duncan. It may be a preference issue as well. I know I'm personally drawn more towards objectivity, but some fans enjoy it when commentators make statements that favor the home team, and that's perfectly understandable. I basically just wanted to see if anyone else noticed that Al has becoming more disdained with the officials as the years have gone on.

[scootfu602]

Homer or not, listnening to the Suns without Al McCoy is unherd of. He is the voice of the Suns and will continue to be.
+1 on everything WTFsunsFTW said.

[whambamslam]

addicted2noise
I agree Al has really started to complain about the refs a too much. I think it started to get really bad after the suspensions last year. He is really a lot more of a homer during the Spurs games than when the suns play other teams. They need to get rid of Tim Kempton. Kempton is horrible.

[addicted2noise]

Homer or not, listnening to the Suns without Al McCoy is unherd of. He is the voice of the Suns and will continue to be.
+1 on everything WTFsunsFTW said.

I was by no means suggesting that we get rid of Al. I of all people can't even imagine the day when Al steps down as voice of the Suns. I was really upset a few years ago when they moved him off the TV broadcast in favor of Tom Leander. I just think he should refrain from complaining all the time, but I guess it just adds to the flair of the playoffs, especially against the Spurs.

addicted2noise
I agree Al has really started to complain about the refs a too much. I think it started to get really bad after the suspensions last year. He is really a lot more of a homer during the Spurs games than when the suns play other teams. They need to get rid of Tim Kempton. Kempton is horrible.

I think you're right whambamslam, it does mostly just come out against the Spurs. But even during some regular season games against other teams last year, he made a lot of remarks that just seemed out of character, and it was just surprising to hear. For instance, I remember one time when a call went against us (I don't remember who we were playing), and he said something like "I guess that wasn't a foul. But what do I know? I've only been doing this for 35 years." I guess I really don't mind it that much, but from time to time it just becomes a little distracting. And I agree with you 100% about Kempton. That guy needs to do something else for a living... I swear sometimes it seems like he has memory lapses or has no idea what he wants to say. He just makes Al's radio broadcast sound bad, haha.

[addicted2noise]

With all those givens, he is still one of the most elite and objective guys in the business.

+1. I think that pretty much sums up the bottom line, so I'm gonna quit my ranting. I feel like I'm alienating you guys by raising questions about Al.

[eastsidecrossover]

When you have been a fan for so long, and your heart broken so many times, you understand where he is coming from. I tink he sees the door closing faster than we relized it would and is getting sick of bad karma in the playoffs. He is on the sidelines and sees ol timmy and his fellow cry babies cry over ever little call it gets annoying. I am actually happy to hear him say it. He was right about the refs last year, and some of the calls. Its the nba, the worst officials in any pro sport outside of ping pong. really, ok I don't about that.

I also think it irked him when stern did the suns like he did last year. But I think he has been a little more open about the suns bad play, lack of effort and so forth. So he has come down on the refs, little timmy and the suns as a team.

Al is still one of the best.

I rather listen to him instead of bill walton or Jeff van gundy. Those guys are idiots. VG seems like does not like the suns with some of his stupid comments. Hes only good at humping Zo's leg like a dog.

[whambamslam]

Yes Al is still the greatest. Still remember listening to him as a kid when the games were on Pay per view. Still love his call of Rex Champmans 3 against seattle.

[Suns_fan_2007]

All true in this thread. Al is the greatest and he is becoming more o f a homer.

[djuandemarco]

Al McCoy is the greatest

[GoDogGo]

Well I'm not saying that his remarks are wrong by any means... but I do feel like commentators should refrain from complaining about calls going against their team every play, and making absolute statements like the one about Duncan. It may be a preference issue as well. I know I'm personally drawn more towards objectivity, but some fans enjoy it when commentators make statements that favor the home team, and that's perfectly understandable. I basically just wanted to see if anyone else noticed that Al has becoming more disdained with the officials as the years have gone on.

How long have you followed the Suns?
Personally I think Al is beyond fed up with how bad of calls the Suns get, and I am right there with him. We haven't for a very long time. Let Al vent.

[Orange_Blooded]

Al is allowed to be a homer in my book, he's been a sun longer than anyone I can think of.