OT: Chris Chris Webber could be out at TNT after March Madness frustration
Uh oh. Would TNT really get rid of Webber? If so, maybe Juwan will hire him as a team analyst. How awesome would that be?
The Webber part is halfway down the article after Marv's retirement info.
https://nypost.com/2021/05/05/marv-albert-could-retire-chris-webber-may-be-out-of-tnt-nba-booth
Grant Hill was the better analyst anyway. C-Webb got Wally Pipp'd.
This is true.
C-Webb is thoughtful and knows the game, but he too often gets off on tangents and doesn't properly analyze the game.
What *should* happen is put C-Webb in the studio, becoming a regular sub for the non-Kenny/Charles/Shaq nights (and personally, I could do without Shaq, who is often too hard to understand b/c of his voice and his takes are typically, "If you're a superstar, you should score 30 points and 20 rebounds every night", but Shaq is too much of a popular jester / foil for Chuck for that to happen.)
I like this. Also I may add that I really like Barkley.
Charles Barkley is one of my favorite sports figures. Love that guy.
Speaking of going off on a tangent, did you happen to click on the link in the article about Paul Pierce getting fired after posting a racy video? Dude just has strippers at his house hanging out and doing strippery things.
Lol...that was the talk of social media a few weeks ago. I have to believe his time at ESPN was coming to an end soon and he just went out in a blaze of glory.
This is goddamn true.
"I'll see it when I believe it." - Grant Hill (actual quote)
Don't you mean Grant Grant Hill?
It pains me to say it, but just in terms of quality of broadcast performance, I think Grant Hill (and to a lesser extent Richard Jefferson) would be a pretty big step up.
The fact that I cant even remember watching C-Webb is probably not good.
You know what would be an excellent pairing? Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye. When those two were on the Cavs (and in the years since they retired) they were a freaking comedy act. And Frye is one of the smartest and funniest players I've ever followed (so is Jefferson).
Not huge names but man do those guys have personality and wit.
We used to sing about Channing's sister Constance at parties.
"and he stepped on the ball"
"Nobody wants your drugs here, Louis."
Where's Clarence Beeks when you need him?
This reference isn't receiving enough upvotes.
Excellent!! Well played. I wish I could trade places with you right now.
Arizona wildcat bias.
For me, that is all that matters in a commentator, personality & wit. Just be friendly & somewhat funny. I don’t need to have a simple scheme scientifically broke down time after time. It gets really tedious.
Even more so with player/coach interviews. I don’t watch or listen to them at all, unless I’m watching a replay of it because of previously discovered entertainment value.
Jefferson borderlines on being funny/cheesy too much for me. Surprisingly I think Jim Jackson does a decent job as an analyst.
Yes that is surprisingly. JJ is pretty terrible.
Grant Hill makes Captain Obvious in the travel commercials sound like a genius. If Bill Rafftery wasn't there, I wouldn't watch his game.
I actually really like Webber on these games. And I think it's bullshit that TNT wants to fire him for not risking his health to work. They say that's not the reason, etc. but the fact that it's even mentioned is pretty bad.
I like Grant Hill as straight man to Rafftery but I always appreciated Webber's analysis and smooth delivery. But they definitely shouldn't fire Webber, especially for such a bogus reason.
I have no idea what CWebb sounds like on TV because I don't watch the NBA, so I don't know how he 'connects' with fans. But the article clearly states that the big issue with the NCAA tourney is the last minute refusal. From a business standpoint, I agree with the network - wait until the last minute to bail, and I have issues. The world knew a Covid bubble was coming to Indy, there is zero reason to wait if you don't like that plan.
On their own, I don't think either issue (fan connection or tourney refusal) would get him dropped. But together, yeah, I can see it...
Eh, but it's not that big of a deal. There was a pandemic and everyone needed to be flexible. If he made the decision for his own personal health reasons, the network should respect that and not punish him for it. In fact, this was a problem throughout the pandemic and lots of people were forced to go to work by their employers and many of them ended up getting sick. And this was for a job calling basketball games - not exactly crucial or essential. Plus, a fan died in the bubble - it was not 100% safe. TNT should get over themselves.
Last minute refusal, you say? Well, he was out of timeouts so had to make the quick call.
Too soon?
Disclaimer(?): I’m a huge Webber fan, but couldn’t resist.
I love CWebb, but Grant Hill's a better announcer at this stage. I'd take Hill over Webber, Reggie Miller and Richard Jefferson. And I hate choosing a Duke guy over a Michigan man.
Grant Hill is a standup, quality, well spoken dude.
"well spoken"
You basically never see that mentioned for anyone other than a black male athlete or former
I didn't realize Chris Webber's middle name was Chris. :)
He has two brothers both named Darryl as well.
and they all chew Doublemint gum
I'll take two please...
I didn’t either. If he’s ever interested in being part owner of a steak house chain, Ruth‘s Chris Chris Chris has a nice ring to it.
That reminds me, what's going on with Chaz Michael Michaels?
I heard he beat the crap out of his parents for being morons.
I am not sure what Chaz is up to, but he is probably living out his phiosophy of "Clothing Optional"
Its because of Chaz I say "mind bottling"
He's truly not a strong announcer and unfortunately gets clowned on social media for his unnecessary tangents at times. I love C Webb but understand this move especially coupled with the March Madness fiasco.
Speaking of announcers, was Reggie Miller on any of the games? I saw all the Wendy's commercials but never heard him do a game.
He and his girlfriend recently had a baby, so he took some parental leave.
Wait, so they got busy in a Burger King bathroom and had the baby in a Wendy's bathroom?
They say Reggie is ugly, but it just don't faze him (or his girlfriend).
Grant Hill is a legend in Detroit obviously.. but he clearly didn’t watch college basketball last year. I challenge anyone to find one single insight he brought to the games.
Most of what I heard from him was “wow that was an incredible play - you have no idea how hard that actually is and ___ made it look easy”
When it comes to broadcasting, the problem with Webber has always been that he is, in Monty Python terms, the man who says things in a very roundabout way (bonus points if you remember the sketch). When he is brief and to the point, like you would want in a sports broadcast setting, he's actually quite good, I think. I won't fault him for watching out for his health, if that's what it was, for I have sporadic attendance at professional events for the last year for the same reason.
I much prefer Webber's commentary to Hill's.
When did he start going by Chris Chris?
This story seems like it is a piece of fiction written by some reporter who has no information.
I've never thought Webber was very insightful or interesting. Has always seemed like a guy to whom fame came way too early and who became jaded by it. On the other end of the spectrum are Jalen and Juwan - both charismatic and interesting. Was always surprised Webber had a TV gig because he's so dull. So not surprised he's losing it for people who are more talented. Such is life.