Greg Anthony/Tim Legler/Stephen A. Smith/John Saunders GET THE BOOT!!![article]

[MightyToine]

http://thebiglead.com/?p=986

Sources inside the Worldwide Leader tell us that the NBA Shootaround team is the latest casualty in the ESPN bloodletting that is being characterized around the Bristol campus as the “End of the Boo-yah Era.”

In a deal that is nearing completion, host John Saunders, along with analysts Greg Anthony, Tim Legler, and Stephen A. Smith are being kicked to the curb. The new team, sources claim, will consist of Dan Patrick, Mike Wilbon, and Mark Jackson, the trio who worked together on ABC last season.

While the new team isn’t cast in concrete yet – i’s must be dotted and t’s must be crossed on Wilbon’s deal – Saunders, Anthony, and Legler will be reassigned to game coverage, sources say. Nobody’s exactly sure what will become of Smith. Suffice to say, NBA viewers won’t be forced to sit through another night of watching steam emit from Legler’s ears as he does battle with Screamin’ A. The plan is for the new team to rival TNT’s idyllic trio of Kenny the Jet, Sir Charles, and Ernie Johnson.

If ESPN thinks that Patrick, Jackson, and Wilbon could compete with Johnson, Smith, and Barkley......THEY'RE COO-COO FOR COCOA-PUFFS, DUDE!!

Dan Patrick is pretty funny, I'll give him that.

Mark Jackson isn't bad but he just seems a bit uncomfortable out there.

Wilbon is alright but he's Great when paired with Kornheiser....I think that if they wanted to *REALLY* compete, putting the PTI-Duo together would've been a smarter move.

[spreedom]

Putting the PTI guys together wouldn't have been much better, because Kornheiser doesn't know square one about the NBA.. I've always liked Saunders and Legs, so it's a shame that they're getting the axe. Stephen A and Greg Anthony I can live without..

And by the way, if they want to get rid of the "boo-yah" era so badly, how come their game recaps consist only of dunks and blocks? And why is the completely worthless Stuart Scott still employed?

[Dirkadirkastan]

I hate Wilbon. He doesn't think the Mavs can do anything.

When we were up 3-1 on the Spurs he said there was a 50-50 chance of the Spurs winning the series. Although they did almost win I think they climbed a mountain rather than win a coin flip. Or barely lose, whatever.

In his pregame analysis before every Finals game, he seemed so sure Miami would win each time as if they actually deserved to.

[Nash13]

Even though i liked Smith and Anthony, this will probably be better. Saunders is average at best, and the only teams Legler seemed to know anything about are the Spurs and Heat.

I've heard Jackson do game commentary before, and he'd serve better as a pregame/halftime analyst. Wilbon's been one of my favorite people on Espn for the past 4 years or such. He knows about the NBA. The person i can't stand is Patrick. He serves no purpose.

[jthig32]

It's weird, between this, and Fraley and Blackistone being bought out at the Dallas Morning News, it's like people are actually listening to what the general public has to say.

I mean, Steven A. Smith was absolutely awful at what he did, and I'd say 75% of the viewers agreed with that. It's amazing to see management actually realize this and can him.

[fluid.forty.one]

Originally Posted by spreedom

Putting the PTI guys together wouldn't have been much better, because Kornheiser doesn't know square one about the NBA

Not like the people doing it know anything about the NBA. My neighbors could predict winners and provide more insightful analyst quirps than the crap that Anthony and Smith churn out. At least Kornheiser would make it funny...and I'd give him enough credit to say that he would do his research if he had a NBA analyst position.

[samoan-maverickII]

Dammit! Anybody realize what happend when Marc Jackson picked his winners in the playoffs. Everytime he selected a team it was always against Miami. He chose CHicago, New Jersey, Detroit, then Dallas. He's A Jinx.

[Flacolaco]

Stephen A Smith is TERRible

[TripleDipping]

Holy crap. This is the best news I've heard in a while. Firing those guys is something that should've been done long time ago.

[nashtymavsfan13]

I liked Smith, sucks to see him go. I hope they keep Ernie and Kenny too.

[Hitman]

Stephen A Smith is the worst.

I actually listen to him on the radio once in a while b/c he is the only radio guy in new york that consistently talks hoops. But that is out of shere desperation. He is an idiot, his opinion is worthless and he is borderline racist.

[rakesh.s]

Mike Wilbon is cool, but he doesn't know anything about basketball.

Mark Jackson is annoying as hell

Dan Patrick -- take the 'a' and the 't' out of patrick and the new word best describes him. I have never ever seen a sportscaster as egomaniacal and pompous as this blowhard.

[alby]

wilbon used to cover bball, no?

[fluid.forty.one]

Originally Posted by nashtymavsfan13

I liked Smith, sucks to see him go. I hope they keep Ernie and Kenny too.

Dont Ernie and Kenny work for TNT?

[Dirkadirkastan]

Stephen A. is Barkley minus the laughs.

[nashtymavsfan13]

Originally Posted by fluid.forty.one

Dont Ernie and Kenny work for TNT?

Yeah, I misread the article. I thought it meant that the new trio was going to try to take over for Kenny Ernie and Charles.

[Big Boy Laroux]

actually, out of theat whole team, i thought saunders was by far the worst. he would do the play-by-play on the highlights and would NEVER get anything right. he'd always say the wrong player's name, or be 2-3 plays behind the highlight.

as for this:

the “End of the Boo-yah Era.”


did stuart scott get fired? did i miss that? that would be my happiest day in some time.

[Big Boy Laroux]

Originally Posted by rakesh.s

Dan Patrick -- take the 'a' and the 't' out of patrick and the new word best describes him. I have never ever seen a sportscaster as egomaniacal and pompous as this blowhard.

dude, that is DEAD ON. i can't stand to see him on TV, especially when he's interviewing someone. "Answer my question! I am the great dan patrick!"

[HexNBA]

Awesome, awesome news.

[nah-vit-ski]

Pretty good news I have no problem with Jackson, Patrick, nor Wilbon although all 3 have annyed me for one reason or anotherin the past.


....................and what's so wrong with Stuart Scott??

[nashtymavsfan13]

Stuart Scott is great, he better not have been fired.

[fluid.forty.one]

I hope you're kidding, Stuart Scott is one of the most annoying, biggest idiots on tv.

[Dirkadirkastan]

I thought it was great when Scott coined the phrase, "cooler than the other side of the pillow."

Examples for why he's so bad? The lazy eye? I'm not convinced.

[fluid.forty.one]

He's just a lazy eyed version of Carlton from The Fresh Prince. I've never ever heard him add something insightful... and he's not clever, I like my analysts with a sense of humor. I like Barkley, I like Kornheiser... and if you can't be funny then please add something. He just doesn't for me.

[nashtymavsfan13]

Originally Posted by fluid.forty.one

He's just a lazy eyed version of Carlton from The Fresh Prince. I've never ever heard him add something insightful... and he's not clever, I like my analysts with a sense of humor. I like Barkley, I like Kornheiser... and if you can't be funny then please add something. He just doesn't for me.

Well, I like Stuart Scott as an analyist for Sportscenter, and he seems to have a good sense of humor. I don't like Barkley at all, Stu Scott is much better than him imo.

[Drbio]

Originally Posted by fluid.forty.one

I hope you're kidding, Stuart Scott is one of the most annoying, biggest idiots on tv.

I must agree.

[Just211]

stuart scott was okay at first, but he started trying to be too cool. AND he is terrible on SC. Using a little slang is alright, but all show, it's overkill.

[nashtymavsfan13]

Originally Posted by Just211

stuart scott was okay at first, but he started trying to be too cool. AND he is terrible on SC. Using a little slang is alright, but all show, it's overkill.

Yeah that's true. It's become a bit much, but I like some of it.

[Big Boy Laroux]

Just211 hit the nail on the head. Scott used to be different/unique. i'll even say a breath of fresh air. but over the years he has become a parody of himself and goes waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay overboard. TARHEEL!

honestly, i don't like ANY sportscenter anchors, except for Scott Van Pelt. he reminds me of kilborn a little bit.

and don't get me started on Linda Cohn (I-Rod?!?!? I-ROD?!?!?!)

[Dirkadirkastan]

Originally Posted by nashtymavsfan13

Well, I like Stuart Scott as an analyist for Sportscenter, and he seems to have a good sense of humor. I don't like Barkley at all, Stu Scott is much better than him imo.

How can you not like Barkley? If anything you have to laugh at his speech impediment.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by Dirkadirkastan

How can you not like Barkley? If anything you have to laugh at his speech impediment.

...and his lack of rings (oh, that will have to wait until AFTER we win the Championship!)

[bernardos70]

I never saw Craig Kilborn on sportscenter but based on all the work he's done after it that I've seen, he's the unfunniest person labelled as a comedian that I know. Scot Van Pelt's definitely my favorite from the SC crew, by far and away.

[nikeball]

I think we are all spoiled with sportscenter. If you go watch any other local sports (highlighs) show on network tv it is absolutely, positively boring. Thus, dont bash the anchors..most of the time they have a script that is handed to them.

on the otherhand... stephen a. smith. i really dislike that guy. he is so stubborn and never listens to anything other people say. he just yells "quite frankly"...blah blah... btw...did that show get canceled? i hated it.

[FreshJive]

"he's the unfunniest person labelled as a comedian that I know"

He was a kick in the balls on SC too.


Replacing boo yah with Dan Patrick doesn't do much for me. It's sad when Barkley is my favorite post/pre game personality.

[Five-ofan]

I HATE dan Patrick with a passion. As for Scott, watch him and then watch Chris Arnold and tell me that there is a big difference. That is definitely not a compliment to Stuart Scott. As for Wilbon, i love pti but he doesnt know any more about sports than anyone who watches sports more than just watching sportscenter for 10 minutes a day.

[Drbio]

The onbly SC anchors I can stomach anymore is Van Pelt and Trey Wingo.

[Nash13]

I gave up on sportcenter about 3 years ago. The only "news" shows i watch are pti and around the horn.

I just hate the way they bury the NBA. I miss CNNSI.

[sike]

Originally Posted by jthig32

It's weird, between this, and Fraley and Blackistone being bought out at the Dallas Morning News

this Blackistone news is new to me....any details?

[chumdawg]

JJT has been promoted to columnist. He can't be worse than Blackistone, but I highly doubt that he will be much better. I'll give JJT the benefit of the doubt until I read a few of his columns, but I found his Cowboys work dreadful.

[alby]

pti is the best show on tv =p