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Post by eagles18000 on Sept 13, 2023 9:23:56 GMT
Sky have announced lead commentators Todd Harris and Azania Stewart. This is the pair that were awful (the cornball American referred to somewhere above) on some games at the of last season (including the eagles play off game at palace). Not a great start. Production values might be up but knowledge base has taken a hit.
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Post by spacejammer on Sept 13, 2023 9:27:03 GMT
Sky have announced lead commentators Todd Harris and Azania Stewart. This is the pair that were awful (the cornball American referred to somewhere above) on some games at the of last season (including the eagles play off game at palace). Not a great start. Production values might be up but knowledge base has taken a hit. I didn't mind Azania Stewart although I wouldnt want them getting rid of Dan Routledge unless he choose to retire or step away from commentating. The man is practically the voice of the BBL and I could see this upsetting alot of fans across the entire BBL. |
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Post by LTfan on Sept 13, 2023 10:29:47 GMT
Sky have announced lead commentators Todd Harris and Azania Stewart. This is the pair that were awful (the cornball American referred to somewhere above) on some games at the of last season (including the eagles play off game at palace). Not a great start. Production values might be up but knowledge base has taken a hit. I didn't mind Azania Stewart although I wouldnt want them getting rid of Dan Routledge unless he choose to retire or step away from commentating. The man is practically the voice of the BBL and I could see this upsetting alot of fans across the entire BBL. Totally agree with this. Dan Routledge is the voice of the BBL. Partner him with a host of other voices if you want, but to not have him as lead commentator on their flagship broadcast of the week (Sky) is a huge mistake. Just a thought, but could this actually be Dan's decision? He does a lot of work for Euroleague/Euro Cup, and now that the Sky games are Thursday nights could he have had to make a decision to work for one or another? And maybe Euroleague/Euro Cup was financially the better option - more games for starters. Hopefully we get some info from the man himself soon. |
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Post by LTfan on Sept 13, 2023 10:34:59 GMT
Full broadcast team for tomorrow night...
Jeanette Kwakye, Todd Harris, Azania Stewart, Drew Lasker and Ovie Soko.
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Post by dexter on Sept 13, 2023 11:12:37 GMT
No Nat Coombs? He's probably busy with NFL coverage.
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Post by LTfan on Sept 13, 2023 11:54:22 GMT
No Nat Coombs? He's probably busy with NFL coverage. Nope, replaced by Jeanette Kwakye. Nat was employed by Buzz 16, that's not to say the BBL couldn't have employed him going forward but it looks like they've chosen not to. The possibility of the BBL coverage moving to Thursday nights clashing with Nat's NFL commitments did cross my mind too, but as far as I'm aware he doesn't do any NFL presenting on Thursdays. And as all BBL presentation will now be done in London (where Nat lives) he'd be home in time to watch any Thursday night NFL games on TV. Personally losing Dan Routledge is my biggest disappointment. But losing Nat Coombs is my second biggest disappointment. |
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Post by spacejammer on Sept 13, 2023 11:57:34 GMT
I didn't mind Azania Stewart although I wouldnt want them getting rid of Dan Routledge unless he choose to retire or step away from commentating. The man is practically the voice of the BBL and I could see this upsetting alot of fans across the entire BBL. Totally agree with this. Dan Routledge is the voice of the BBL. Partner him with a host of other voices if you want, but to not have him as lead commentator on their flagship broadcast of the week (Sky) is a huge mistake. Just a thought, but could this actually be Dan's decision? He does a lot of work for Euroleague/Euro Cup, and now that the Sky games are Thursday nights could he have had to make a decision to work for one or another? And maybe Euroleague/Euro Cup was financially the better option - more games for starters. Hopefully we get some info from the man himself soon. Given he was one of the many people against 777 removing the salary cap I wonder if they wanted to push him out similar to how they pushed Vince out? I like to think he choose to walk away. Although given how long he been broadcasting the BBL you'd think he would atleast annouce it and go out with some kind of honours. Mind you as we already established theirs alot of things that have been announced late or not announced at all. |
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Post by dexter on Sept 13, 2023 12:26:36 GMT
No Nat Coombs? He's probably busy with NFL coverage. Nope, replaced by Jeanette Kwakye. Nat was employed by Buzz 16, that's not to say the BBL couldn't have employed him going forward but it looks like they've chosen not to. The possibility of the BBL coverage moving to Thursday nights clashing with Nat's NFL commitments did cross my mind too, but as far as I'm aware he doesn't do any NFL presenting on Thursdays. And as all BBL presentation will now be done in London (where Nat lives) he'd be home in time to watch any Thursday night NFL games on TV. Personally losing Dan Routledge is my biggest disappointment. But losing Nat Coombs is my second biggest disappointment. I agree. It will be very difficult for the new presenters and commentators to reach the high standard set by Nat and Dan. |
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Post by LTfan on Sept 13, 2023 14:28:50 GMT
Dan Routledge has confirmed he will still be doing some BBL commentary, but won't be the primary voice on the Sky coverage anymore. I suppose doing YouTube coverage of some BBL games is better than nothing. But it's still a huge mistake not to have him as the voice of the league. At least he's still working for the BBL so they can move him back to the Sky coverage when they realise what a massive error of judgement they've made.  |
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Post by dexter on Sept 13, 2023 15:09:58 GMT
It's good to see every BBL game will be on YouTube. I don't know what's happening with WBBL. My guess is probably not much. Bringing in a female presenter and a female commentator could be a smart move. Having dragged my wife and daughters to just about every kind of sporting event the most male environment of them all was probably the BBL Cup final. Other sports are better at attracting families. I will miss Nat and Dan but I'm still going watch regardless of the presenters. I guess with the extra time outs there can be cheerleaders and dancers which my girls enjoy more than the basketball.
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Post by reallyoldfeenixfan2 on Sept 13, 2023 15:47:50 GMT
Is it time to start a 'bring back Dan" çampaign even before he's gone. Just thought I'd repost this. |
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Post by D44 on Sept 13, 2023 17:12:25 GMT
God no. Todd Harris is pure Mozzarella. I wonder if they asked Josh Bett? Josh and Azania are great together
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Post by everard on Sept 13, 2023 17:41:45 GMT
Would like to have had Jason Swaine continuing as well. May just have to watch with the sound turned down!
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Post by LTfan on Sept 13, 2023 19:23:06 GMT
God no. Todd Harris is pure Mozzarella. I wonder if they asked Josh Bett? Josh and Azania are great together I believe Josh Bett will be doing commentary on some YouTube games, but not on any Sky coverage. |
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Post by eagles18000 on Sept 13, 2023 19:31:19 GMT
I listened to a number of games with Azania last year and learned nothing (other than the oft repeated fact that Tomislav Zubcic is a nice guy). Its crazy that they have gone for an American who hasn't commentated on basketball for the best part of 2 decades and basically a rookie summariser. And then stuck them in a room 300 miles from the venue of the first game.
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Post by massiveridersfan on Sept 13, 2023 20:27:46 GMT
Dan Routledge has confirmed he will still be doing some BBL commentary, but won't be the primary voice on the Sky coverage anymore. I suppose doing YouTube coverage of some BBL games is better than nothing. But it's still a huge mistake not to have him as the voice of the league. At least he's still working for the BBL so they can move him back to the Sky coverage when they realise what a massive error of judgement they've made. Gutted about Dan not doing commentary every game. By far the best person for the job. |
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Post by dandayr on Sept 13, 2023 22:03:39 GMT
God no. Todd Harris is pure Mozzarella. I wonder if they asked Josh Bett? Josh and Azania are great together so a choice of Mozzarella or Marmite there ! |
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Post by erj14 on Sept 13, 2023 23:10:54 GMT
I listened to a number of games with Azania last year and learned nothing (other than the oft repeated fact that Tomislav Zubcic is a nice guy). Its crazy that they have gone for an American who hasn't commentated on basketball for the best part of 2 decades and basically a rookie summariser. And then stuck them in a room 300 miles from the venue of the first game. Couldn't agree more with this. It's an insane decision to trash what was a great formula in favour of a relatively untested pair who have very little knowledge of the BBL. Azania did what, 3 seasons in the WBBL? 2 of those walking through the league on a super team. Literally no one thinks it's a good idea but here we are. All this going on in a cupboard in London. The insights you'd have from Routledge and Rowe sitting next to the scorers table, soaking up the atmosphere of games was the best we've ever had. Fucking insane. Would love to hear the justification for it, won't hold my breath though. |
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Post by LTfan on Sept 14, 2023 18:59:31 GMT
First impressions…
I like the new graphics, music, general on-screen presentation. A bit of a refresh after 3 seasons which was probably needed to keep things fresh.
I’ll be honest, I don’t think the presenters/commentators are bad, it’s just that they aren’t as good as the old team. So definitely a step backwards there.
And finally, maybe I’ll get used to it, but I don’t like the presenters/commentators not being at the arena.
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Post by dandayr on Sept 14, 2023 22:12:21 GMT
early days - so many things looked fresh and added, like having a studio based team and feeling like how the biggest sport in UK gets treated.
However I was busy and watched this 'as live' but 30min behind real time.
My gripe is lack of updates by commentary team or onscreen graphics to say that's a players 2nd or 3rd or 4th foul. I was thinking a couple of sharks must be close to fouls impacting minutes - but couldn't go to double check on live stats cause I was watching 30min behind real time.
However even if I was watching real time I'd expect the on screen graphics and the commentators to keep me informed on that (I'd rather know that player x was on 3rd foul than all the different US colleges various folk on the floor have attended).
Was two incidents where being in London meant the commentary team couldn't say what was happening:
first was when looked like handbags at dawn might be getting way on the baseline, but camera stayed on ref McDonald and Azania even said cameraman show us whats happening.
second was a pause in play after a foul in the key and camera hung about some players but no refs in sight - was clear the refs were in conference but was it at the bench and using IRS or was it a timing issue or a discussion about what had occurred? Late into the pause in the play the camera went to the refs in a mid court huddle and now the commentators knew what was happening!!
Last point for tonight - I guess the league is not using IRS or coaches challenge then?
If coaches challenge was in place (and he had not used it in an earlier poor call in first half) then surely Mark would have used it for the 'travel' lol by JJ on his made 3pt shot that got wiped. Plus the refs instead of that mid court conference would have gone to IRS to double check (if it had been in place)
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