Some suggestions for Thunder broadcasts
I am a Thunder addict. If I’m not at the Ford Center, I’m watching on television. Even if it’s not convenient. I’ve only missed 3-4games all year. A couple when I was in El Paso for the Sun Bowl. Maybe 1-2 during football season when I was in Lubbock or someplace and unable to get KSBI.
True story. I covered the Dallas-Philadelphia playoff game on a Saturday night. Me and assistant sports editor Ryan Sharp left Cowboys Stadium around 11:45 p.m. that night and drove home. I pulled in to my driveway about 2:50 a.m. I set my alarm for 8 a.m. to make it to church. Then I went in the living room, flicked on the DVR and watched the Thunder game, having avoided the score all night by switching off ESPN radio whenever it listed NBA scores.
Anyway, I don’t know if I’m an expert on the team, but I most definitely am an expert on the broadcasts. My thoughts:
* Grant Long, please tell more stories. You played 15 seasonsin the NBA. We know when the Thunder needs a stop. We know when Russell Westbrook makes a good pass. What we don’t know is what it was like to play in Chicago Stadium against the early Jordan dynasty. We don’t know what it was like to guard a 22-year-old Shaquille O’Neal. We don’t know what it was like to play basketball games in Vancouver, a city seemingly more passionate about curling than basketball. You can tell us what it was like. The other night, you told a great story about being literally eclipsed by Shaq; you were standing behind him, your coach couldn’t see you and was mad because you weren’t at your post. It was great stuff. Give us more. Give us a lot more.
* Can someone please do something about the audio/video problem when the games are on KSBI? The audio and video never are in sync on KSBI, and it’s not one of those split-second differences. It’s like a three-second delay. Doesn’t really ruin the game action, since you’re watching the court, but in pre-game, it’s unwatchable.
* The sideline reporting situation isn’t working. Isn’t working at all. Brent Weber did it last year and was removed. This year, the Thunder has gone to a rotation. Tom Werme works all Wednesday games, home and away, though he lives in Ft. Mill, S.C. Elissa Walker-Campbell, who lives in Fort Worth, works most other home games but doesn’t want to commit to any more games because of her two children, which is perfectly understandable. But it’s a mess. Part-time, out-of-town sideline reporters don’t know the team well and don’t know the city well, although at least Walker-Campbell used to live here and played basketball at OU. During the Bulls game the other night, Werme interviewed Mark Clayton and Tommie Harris. He had to glance down at his notes to remember their names as he introduced them.
* The in-game production of Thunder telecasts is very solid. But I have a complaint about the stats. During the game, individual stats are given for players all the time. Very good work. But halftime is a mess. Give me player lists, points, rebounds, assists. And the halftime team stats are spotty. Never are turnovers listed. Turnovers are a huge factor with this team.
* The post-game interview with Scott Brooks is a keeper. The commitment to a 20- or 30-minute post-game show is great for fans. Brooks never says a whole lot — an NBA season can get long; you tend to repeat yourself — but you learn a little, which is all any fan really wants.
* Some have criticized Brian Davis, and I don’t get it. I think he’s a whale of an announcer. Sets a tone. Lets his voice announce big plays and big moments. Knows the team better than does Nenad Krstic, I’d say. I hope Davis is here forever.
* With that said, I’ve never heard anyone in Oklahoma or OKC refer to Oklahoma or OKC as “the Southern Plains.” And on road trips, Davis says that all the time. I wonder where he got that? Technically, it’s true, I suppose. We are on the southern Plains. But I’ve lived here 47 years and never heard another human refer to Oklahoma City or Oklahoma with that term.
* The pre-game interviews are virtually worthless. I always start out watching them and then fast forward within 10 seconds. It’s always about the development of the team or the development of the player. Which wouldn’t be bad for one-game-a-week sport. But 3-4 games a week? Give me some questions about the individual. Let us get to know these guys. That’s my biggest gripe about the Thunder in general. They’ve been here 18 months, and we still don’t really know a lot of the ballplayers. Don’t know their personalities. Don’t know their character. I’m in the locker room on a consistent basis and don’t know them. That’s got to change.
* Hey, Brian and Grant. Criticize these guys when they deserve it. The other night against Chicago, OKC got possession with like 26 seconds left in the quarter. Kevin Durant got the ball in the backcourtand signaled that he would take it all the way (which is a bad move in the first place; run some offense). Then Durant jacked up a shot with nine seconds left, and Chicago got a scoring opportunity. You don’t shoot that quickly, and it wasn’t like KD got a wide open look. Pop him when he needs it.
-------------Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel. Visit Berry's website here.
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Comments
glad i found this.. i normally just go straight to the Thunder page, but for some reason, this one isn’t listed there.. like you, Berry, i’m a Thunder addict.. go to all the home games and watch all the away games on tv.. and if i must dvr a game, i avoid seeing the score at all costs..
all great points you make.. and i agree with them all.. i do know the player’s personalities, just from following them on Twitter and Facebook a bit, but i agree that the tv guys (and radio guys) need to do a better job of letting OKC get to know these guys.. especially since they are all such good guys.. high character, very classy, very fun and down to earth kids.. OKC would fall in love with them even more if they got to see their personalities more..
Real good calls, Berry. I like “BD” and Grant, too. I like the steady flow of conversation. I like BD’s exclamations. Grant does know the game. His observations are very good. And the sayings. Too early in the morning to remember any off hand right now.
I also watch the Mavs. Their guys are ok, but I would not trade. Not even consider it. 2 of my friends make a point to view the Thunder games – as an option.
Sideline: E is good and at times real good. She was a warrior at OU on some not so hot teams. But I will go with whatever the Thunder does. She is getting better as she knows the players.
All constructive remarks. Thanks Berry.