Calvin Murphy? He's just a more interesting color commentator. Clyde is OK, but he doesn't really offer anything outside of a 1995 championship ring. Calvin at least makes me laugh.
His commentary is just awful. Bill, Bull, and Clyde are all huge homers, but at least Bill and Bull don't say dumb stuff constantly.
And if he were asked who are the four small forwards ahead of Ariza on his list, you'd be lucky to get three names. He just makes stuff up on the spot without thinking, and of course no one calls him on it. The guy is just cashing in checks because he's a bball legend. The flipside of Frazier of the Knicks.
Yeah, Frazier actually knows what he's talking about and from what I heard, he's not a homer. Clyde sounds like a 10 year kid who just got interested in basketball.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/statistics/_/position/sf So what's ridiculous about his statement? Name me five guys that are clearly above Ariza. Bron KD Melo Kawhi? ?
Rudy Gay Gordon Hayward Luol Deng and maybe Nic Batum Those guys are all also better than Ariza. I like him a lot, but when it comes to ranking players, im far from a homer. And there's no question mark after Kawhi's name. That guy is no doubt better than Ariza is.
Those four plus arguably: Iggy Deng Hayward Batum I wouldn't say those guys are unarguably better than Ariza, but I think most GMs would probably take them instead of him.
You can also add Rudy Gay. Also, no way in hell is Iggy even a top 10 SF anymore. 7 points, 2 assists, and 3 rebounds in 27 mpg, shooting at 48%? C'mon now... gimme a break lol. Iggy is nothing like what he used to be, at all.
Iggy, Deng and Batum have below average seasons. Hayward is better, I give you that. But impact-wise Ariza it's clearly not far-fetched to name Ariza top 5 or close to top 5.
C'mon guys, stop taking everything Clyde says so seriously. "You learn to love 'em" "Slimy, yet satisfying!" (difficulty 2/10)
Waaay too early to be defining players by what they've done this season. We're not even 25% of the way to the end of the season. Iggy is still in the top 2-3 wing defenders in the league, and that + his long history counts for something IMO.
Too bad ROOT Sports did not move Calvin back to the booth. I think Calvin with Bull and Worrell would make an awesome team. I do have to say that after watching a lot of streams from other teams announcers on crappy streams the last two seasons (ugh!!!! CSN ) the Rockets team is one of the best, even with Clyde, and that is not being a homer. Most of the other teams announcers truly suck. Even though our guys are homers, they are actually pretty good calling out bad calls even when they benefit the Rockets. They are also good at giving other teams credit when it is due!!!
Last year WS/48: Hayward- .062 Deng- .132 for Chi, .077 for Cle Batum- .128 Iggy- .135 Gay- .114 Ariza- .141 Ariza is the highest this year as well. Ariza is the superior 3pt shooter in this group. And as far as defense, well, you've seen it. The Rockets are #1 in defensive efficiency in no small part thanks to Ariza. Does Ariza have his weaknesses? Sure. He can't create or handle the ball. But those guys have their issues to. Best of all? Ariza is the cheapest. Drexler says a lot of dumb stuff. I've decided to just turn on the radio during games. But this wasn't one of his dumb comments. (Although he was still talking out of his arse).
On the whole, Ariza has played well this year, especially on defense. but it sure will be nice when he gets his three stroke back more consistently. In ths offense, he gets some nice looks from three which he needs to hit!!!
In my post I wasn't talking about the statement's veracity, but Drexler's penchant to just spew stuff out without really thinking about it. My bet is he doesn't really have anyone in mind when he says so and so is a top 5 in his position.
I love JVG too, sad thing is, I can't stand to listen to him because he commentates with Mark Jackson, who is just all kinds of idiot.
I remember when Clyde called Rafer Alston "a borderline Allstar." This TV Clyde Drexler character has to be some form of ironic performance art.
I love Drexler but he is inept on court commenter. Now Calvin is a real good studio commenter. I wait for his analysis which is not Homer at all. I loved Calvin as a court commentator and was a huge fan of his my whole life almost. He is now much older and am wondering if he could handle the home court side commentary at the least. Very few come close to Murphy in analysis that we should use him as much as possible while we have him. Drexler needs to retire. I love Clyde and actually watched most of his college games at home personally but he is not what is needed courtside.