It’s a slightly different story here in Germany. Dirk has been the face of a major ad campaign for a big consumer bank pretty much his entire career. So he just split the difference when it comes to exposure because although he‘s universally liked and recognized amongst sports fans in Germany almost nobody watches the NBA.
Ethan, one day I would love to hear you and Glass discuss how Reggie Miller keeps getting hired.
Your point about fame setting a floor doesn’t quite account for likeability / Q rating.
I can’t believe there is a single NBA fan living more than 30 miles from Gainbridge Fieldhouse who doesn’t find Miller’s voice/persona to be nails on a chalkboard.
You have somewhat of a fact error within your correction to the commenter regarding the Kelces. Travis hosted in 2023 before he was dating Taylor Swift. He might not be quite as charismatic as Jason, but he still has a good bit more personality than your average NFL player. So it was a fairly inspired choice to tap a tight end to host at a point before he had broken into mainstream pop culture like he has at this point.
I personally like stars broadcasting big games even if they're not the best possible broadcaster. I would rather have Tom Brady announce the Super Bowl than Greg Olsen. Having Doris Burke and Richard Jefferson announce the NBA Finals is ridiculous
Maybe hosting SNL isn’t a job that’s in demand amongst this group? I’m not that plugged in, but according to the last episode of Black Jeopardy that I saw, it seems like the community isn’t all that into SNL.
I'm excited for this new NBC crew just because it's not Inside the NBA. My dissatisfaction with that crew has been buildiing for 6-7 years and we need something else. Anything else. ESPN is ok but i always feel like something's missing. I hope that this NBC crew actually focuses on the game, it's positives and critiques in a way that doesn't come across as just old man hate.
I wish there was someway to allow KG a seat at the table that allowed for him to be fully himself. (i.e. cursing) KG LOVES the game, says interesting things, critiques the current game without sounding like a hater. The tv studio format just doesn't fit him. But if you simply turn on a camera, let him watch the game and talk, it's been a fun time in my opinion.
KG is allegedly going to have a front-office role with the Wolves, once the Lore/Rodriguez purchase is final, so that might preclude him from any full-time studio job. But I agree that the new studio shows should find some way to harness the energy of the ex-player podcast world.
Speaking of Blake Griffin’s hilarious podcast appearances I would recommend his ‘you made it weird’ with comedian Pete Holmes episode. He’s able to hang with Pete’s high level yet manic sense of humor for over two hours, riffing on various topics like sex and god, swinging from serious to silly with such ease.
I can’t believe Blake Griffin never hosted SNL.
It’s a slightly different story here in Germany. Dirk has been the face of a major ad campaign for a big consumer bank pretty much his entire career. So he just split the difference when it comes to exposure because although he‘s universally liked and recognized amongst sports fans in Germany almost nobody watches the NBA.
Ethan, one day I would love to hear you and Glass discuss how Reggie Miller keeps getting hired.
Your point about fame setting a floor doesn’t quite account for likeability / Q rating.
I can’t believe there is a single NBA fan living more than 30 miles from Gainbridge Fieldhouse who doesn’t find Miller’s voice/persona to be nails on a chalkboard.
Something about Malika Andrew’s bugs me- I think the root of it is: from Oakland, but went to the snottiest private school.
Public v private education underrated variable in likability. Jalen rose: likable. Chris Webber (Detroit country day)…something was always off
You have somewhat of a fact error within your correction to the commenter regarding the Kelces. Travis hosted in 2023 before he was dating Taylor Swift. He might not be quite as charismatic as Jason, but he still has a good bit more personality than your average NFL player. So it was a fairly inspired choice to tap a tight end to host at a point before he had broken into mainstream pop culture like he has at this point.
Correcting. And ya, would agree it's a more inspired choice in that context.
I still quote Blake Griffin's lockout professionals video to this day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWw4qGrArZw&pp=ygUaYmxha2UgZ3JpZmZpbiBsb2Nrb3V0IHByb3M%3D
I personally like stars broadcasting big games even if they're not the best possible broadcaster. I would rather have Tom Brady announce the Super Bowl than Greg Olsen. Having Doris Burke and Richard Jefferson announce the NBA Finals is ridiculous
Why? (to the first sentence, not the last one - can’t stand Burke/Jeff)
B/c I think analysis of games is overrated and analysts are all more or less the same. I'm there for the vibes
Maybe hosting SNL isn’t a job that’s in demand amongst this group? I’m not that plugged in, but according to the last episode of Black Jeopardy that I saw, it seems like the community isn’t all that into SNL.
We aren’t. Most of us dont find it funny at all.
I'm excited for this new NBC crew just because it's not Inside the NBA. My dissatisfaction with that crew has been buildiing for 6-7 years and we need something else. Anything else. ESPN is ok but i always feel like something's missing. I hope that this NBC crew actually focuses on the game, it's positives and critiques in a way that doesn't come across as just old man hate.
I wish there was someway to allow KG a seat at the table that allowed for him to be fully himself. (i.e. cursing) KG LOVES the game, says interesting things, critiques the current game without sounding like a hater. The tv studio format just doesn't fit him. But if you simply turn on a camera, let him watch the game and talk, it's been a fun time in my opinion.
KG is allegedly going to have a front-office role with the Wolves, once the Lore/Rodriguez purchase is final, so that might preclude him from any full-time studio job. But I agree that the new studio shows should find some way to harness the energy of the ex-player podcast world.
Blake Griffin vs Jeff Ross in a roast battle was funny stuff, take a trip back in antiquity for anyone unfamiliar.
Speaking of Blake Griffin’s hilarious podcast appearances I would recommend his ‘you made it weird’ with comedian Pete Holmes episode. He’s able to hang with Pete’s high level yet manic sense of humor for over two hours, riffing on various topics like sex and god, swinging from serious to silly with such ease.