03-05-2021, 08:42 AM
So, we’ve got threads for every player, Mark Cuban, etc, and thought it’s about time we dedicated a thread to the broadcast team, and ask ourselves... is this really working? Are we on the treadmill of mediocrity or is it time to blow this thing up?
Let’s investigate:
Mark Followill AKA “mavsluvr”:
For me personally, I think he’s one of the best in the business. His encyclopaedic knowledge of everything Mavs related is incredible, his play calling is top-notch AND he somehow manages to bridge the gulf between Skin and Harper (more on that later). There are minor issues of course; his “step back jack” and in particular “hello Wenda” jokes are borderline cringe inducing, but on the whole, I couldn’t be happier with him. Give that man his max entension!
Player comparison: Luka Doncic
He’s our franchise player and I hope he never leaves...
Skin:
This is a tricky one. On the one hand, I really enjoy his understated homerism, and dig the fact he seems to be a real MFFL. When he talks a little X’s and O’s I find him to be quite insightful, and most importantly, he seems like a genuinely cool guy who you’d like to have a beer and shoot the breeze with... but there’s another side to him...
His broadcast style just doesn’t work for me. His constant obscure references and “zaniness” more often than not distract from the game, rather than enhance it. Now I’m all for a little zaniness, and his chemistry with Followill is really nice and I like their “riffing”, but it’s just too much... I’m not sure if it’s him calling the play or if he’s told to do it, but it all needs reeling in a bit.
Player comparison: Aaron Gordon
In the right situation, I think Skin has A LOT to offer. The talent is certainly there, but he’s being misused... badly.
Which brings us to:
Derek Harper:
*long sigh* Derek Harper... where do I begin?
First of all, I’d just like to say that, despite what I’m about write, I actually don’t hate him. It’s like listening to the game with your grandad; a bit irritating, but basically comforting.
I wrote in another thread yesterday, that I genuinely thought two seasons ago that he was drunk every broadcast. He was surly, could barely string a sentence together, and mistakes were frequent. He’s tightened it up recently, but it’s still a bad product he’s putting out there...
I was thinking recently, what qualities are you looking for in a colour guy, and I thought it was a combination of the below:
1) a good knowledge of X’s and O’s
Now, I’ve never played organised ball, so a lot of the specifics of the plays are lost on me, and do enjoy the insight when available. Does Harp give you good, detailed breakdowns? Literally never.
2) an insight into what it’s really like to be an NBA player
I’d love to hear the particulars of team schedules, what an average day is like, what the locker room is like in times of adversity, etc, etc, but he just doesn’t deliver the goods . It’s almost like he’s never actually played on an NBA team and got all of his information second hand...
3) good NBA anecdotes
Harp, there’s only so many times I can hear about the time you knew Kobe would be great. Really get in there, man! Dish the dirt from time to time!
4) a fun attitude and good rapport with the other announcers
Look at the Toronto guy. I don’t watch them much, but I enjoy his regular references to drinking and getting drunk. That’s something we can all enjoy and feel good about. Harper on the other hand is not that type. He seems like an intense kind of guy, and a man with little sense of humour.
When Skin’s riffing, Harper is lost and just does not know how to handle it. He either makes it too literal or flat out ignores it, occasionally even interrupting the other two to give his thoughts on another entirely different topic.
It seems like Followill and Skin try to get him involved all the time, and laugh hysterically any time he makes a SEMBLANCE of a joke, but the dynamic is just not there. I think him and Skin have some of the worst chemistry I’ve ever seen from any two individuals during my time on this planet ...
5) talk good
Maybe this is the harshest point of all, but you’ve got to be at least articulate, coherent and have a certain charm, and Harp, unfortunately, is not a naturally charming man...
So, for me, Harp goes 0/5 there. Ouch... but there is an obvious fix: Ced Ceballos.
The few times I’ve heard the man talk, I’ve just been in awe. He’s got it all; a GREAT voice, natural charm, a way with words, great insight, just the total package.
It’s time for a blockbuster trade, my friends...
Player comparison: Kristaps Porzingis
He should be our second star; a pillar of the broadcast team, but the fit just isn’t working, and it looks like it’s time to bring the experiment to a merciful end, and try something new...
All thoughts welcome and appreciated!
Let’s investigate:
Mark Followill AKA “mavsluvr”:
For me personally, I think he’s one of the best in the business. His encyclopaedic knowledge of everything Mavs related is incredible, his play calling is top-notch AND he somehow manages to bridge the gulf between Skin and Harper (more on that later). There are minor issues of course; his “step back jack” and in particular “hello Wenda” jokes are borderline cringe inducing, but on the whole, I couldn’t be happier with him. Give that man his max entension!
Player comparison: Luka Doncic
He’s our franchise player and I hope he never leaves...
Skin:
This is a tricky one. On the one hand, I really enjoy his understated homerism, and dig the fact he seems to be a real MFFL. When he talks a little X’s and O’s I find him to be quite insightful, and most importantly, he seems like a genuinely cool guy who you’d like to have a beer and shoot the breeze with... but there’s another side to him...
His broadcast style just doesn’t work for me. His constant obscure references and “zaniness” more often than not distract from the game, rather than enhance it. Now I’m all for a little zaniness, and his chemistry with Followill is really nice and I like their “riffing”, but it’s just too much... I’m not sure if it’s him calling the play or if he’s told to do it, but it all needs reeling in a bit.
Player comparison: Aaron Gordon
In the right situation, I think Skin has A LOT to offer. The talent is certainly there, but he’s being misused... badly.
Which brings us to:
Derek Harper:
*long sigh* Derek Harper... where do I begin?
First of all, I’d just like to say that, despite what I’m about write, I actually don’t hate him. It’s like listening to the game with your grandad; a bit irritating, but basically comforting.
I wrote in another thread yesterday, that I genuinely thought two seasons ago that he was drunk every broadcast. He was surly, could barely string a sentence together, and mistakes were frequent. He’s tightened it up recently, but it’s still a bad product he’s putting out there...
I was thinking recently, what qualities are you looking for in a colour guy, and I thought it was a combination of the below:
1) a good knowledge of X’s and O’s
Now, I’ve never played organised ball, so a lot of the specifics of the plays are lost on me, and do enjoy the insight when available. Does Harp give you good, detailed breakdowns? Literally never.
2) an insight into what it’s really like to be an NBA player
I’d love to hear the particulars of team schedules, what an average day is like, what the locker room is like in times of adversity, etc, etc, but he just doesn’t deliver the goods . It’s almost like he’s never actually played on an NBA team and got all of his information second hand...
3) good NBA anecdotes
Harp, there’s only so many times I can hear about the time you knew Kobe would be great. Really get in there, man! Dish the dirt from time to time!
4) a fun attitude and good rapport with the other announcers
Look at the Toronto guy. I don’t watch them much, but I enjoy his regular references to drinking and getting drunk. That’s something we can all enjoy and feel good about. Harper on the other hand is not that type. He seems like an intense kind of guy, and a man with little sense of humour.
When Skin’s riffing, Harper is lost and just does not know how to handle it. He either makes it too literal or flat out ignores it, occasionally even interrupting the other two to give his thoughts on another entirely different topic.
It seems like Followill and Skin try to get him involved all the time, and laugh hysterically any time he makes a SEMBLANCE of a joke, but the dynamic is just not there. I think him and Skin have some of the worst chemistry I’ve ever seen from any two individuals during my time on this planet ...
5) talk good
Maybe this is the harshest point of all, but you’ve got to be at least articulate, coherent and have a certain charm, and Harp, unfortunately, is not a naturally charming man...
So, for me, Harp goes 0/5 there. Ouch... but there is an obvious fix: Ced Ceballos.
The few times I’ve heard the man talk, I’ve just been in awe. He’s got it all; a GREAT voice, natural charm, a way with words, great insight, just the total package.
It’s time for a blockbuster trade, my friends...
Player comparison: Kristaps Porzingis
He should be our second star; a pillar of the broadcast team, but the fit just isn’t working, and it looks like it’s time to bring the experiment to a merciful end, and try something new...
All thoughts welcome and appreciated!