NBA Season 2024-25

[Who]

Why on earth did ESPN hire Udonis Haslem? To make Perk look good in comparison?

I have seen some good Haslem clips. Some good takes at the desk + some good video breakdowns. He likes to put on the "entertainer's hat" when he does the video breakdowns which I am not sure work that well ... but give it some time as he gets more comfortable, he might be good.

[Phantom255x]

Why on earth did ESPN hire Udonis Haslem? To make Perk look good in comparison?

I feel that way about a handful of ESPN's staff. Like why is the Warriors former GM (Bob Myers) not only on ESPN but also calling games?? Then you add Perkins, Haslem. It's going downhill. Only a few like Malika Andrews, Windhorst, SVP, Legler, etc. I feel are worth it because they are mostly respectful and give good opinions or reporting. Everyone else either screams, or are clueless.

Yeah, Bob Myers was painful to listen to during that DEN-LAC game. There just arent many good color commentators around anymore.

I don't even blame him really. I just think ESPN doesn't have enough support staff so some of these guys are thrust into roles. Like Reddick left quickly to coach LA, same with Doc Rivers last year. But then again, this is the same network that fires hundreds of people every year to support the salaries of SAS, Perkins, etc. 

Remember, they canned Lowe for no reason and he was one of the best still there

[Who]

Why on earth did ESPN hire Udonis Haslem? To make Perk look good in comparison?

I feel that way about a handful of ESPN's staff. Like why is the Warriors former GM (Bob Myers) not only on ESPN but also calling games?? Then you add Perkins, Haslem. It's going downhill. Only a few like Malika Andrews, Windhorst, SVP, Legler, etc. I feel are worth it because they are mostly respectful and give good opinions or reporting. Everyone else either screams, or are clueless.

I don't like Malika Andrews. She feels fake (fake smile type things). Has no chemistry with any of her co-hosts. She doesn't have that light / having fun vibe that people like Ernie Johnson or Rachel Nichols have. Everything she does feels force / fake.

[Phantom255x]

Why on earth did ESPN hire Udonis Haslem? To make Perk look good in comparison?

I feel that way about a handful of ESPN's staff. Like why is the Warriors former GM (Bob Myers) not only on ESPN but also calling games?? Then you add Perkins, Haslem. It's going downhill. Only a few like Malika Andrews, Windhorst, SVP, Legler, etc. I feel are worth it because they are mostly respectful and give good opinions or reporting. Everyone else either screams, or are clueless.

I don't like Malika Andrews. She feels fake (fake smile type things). Has no chemistry with any of her co-hosts. She doesn't have that light / having fun vibe that people like Ernie Johnson or Rachel Nichols have.

That's fair. I guess I just don't "mind her". There used to be some in the past who were truly "ugh" tbh, like fake as you said. I liked Nichols, but then she got let go too. ESPN a decade ago (between 2010-2015 especially) was awesome.

[Phantom255x]

WOW! 11-0 run, 22 point lead for MIN to open up the 3rd 

[Who]

Jay Williams is one of my faourites. I'd like him to be more involved. Enthuastic. Happy. Likes to emphasize the positives. Has good chemistry with whoever is next to him.

[Phantom255x]

This is also with Ant playing poorly (4-12 shooting)

[Who]

I don't understand the flexing of your muscles on a play like that. You were wide open and missed a 5 foot floater ... and you are gloating?

Good job following the miss and putting it home but that was a lightly contested rebound. And the only reason there was a rebound was because you blew the easy play.

[Phantom255x]

Jaxson Hayes is proving to be unplayable, so unless a 40 year old Lebron can play heavy minutes at that spot, LAL could be in trouble. They're already scrambling with Vanderbilt, etc. to find a fix but meanwhile Reid and the others are balling

Next few rounds they'll have a few of Sengun, Zubac, Jokic, etc. to deal with

[Who]

Luka is a lot like Magic Johnson on those baseline rotations / shot contests at the rim. Just sorta stands there.

Not like Bird. Bird went up and challenged shots.

[Who]

Minny are playing very well (a lot of hot shooting and large offensive contributions from supporting cast) but ... I feel these Lakers struggles are more about LAL playing badly (making bad decisions) than Minny's defense making them play bad.

[Who]

Some of LA's role players look shocked when the ball is passed to them. You are open at the three point line. Be ready.

[Phantom255x]

Oh yikes. Ant down with injury

[Larry for 3]

Minny are playing very well but I feel this huge deficit is more about LAL playing badly (making bad decisions) than Minny making them play bad.

Disagree totally. The Lakers predominately play a lineup that can?t play defense and doesn?t rebound well. Since when in the history of the NBA does a roster like that go 4 rounds in the playoffs? They don?t . The Lakers aren?t playing Utah, Charlotte, or Portland. This is the playoffs - coaches can game plan. And there?s so many weaknesses with them. Now they may come back and win the series but those issues will remain. Teams can always get great shots against them.

[SparzWizard]

Lakers with a comeback after being down by like 27