Trader_Jorge, I've seen Cooper interview players during the All-Star weekend, and she did seem a little "amateurish." I'm a huge Cooper fan, but not of her commentating on camera. Lets hope that, like Kenny Smith, she's able to improve (greatly!).
What really puzzles me is why people think that ex-players make good color commentators. These people are simply not trained in the art of journalism. Ever watch Darryl Hamilton on Channel 12's baseball show, or listen to the commentary of Dave Justice on ESPN baseball games? It's pathetic. They are not articulate. They do not have informed opinions. They think that simply because they played the sport, then they are the world's foremost authority on that sport. It's a total drag on the intelligence-quotient of the show, and it's a slap in the face to the people who work so hard to build a career in journalism, only to be shown the door in favor of some dolt who can shoot a basketball. Ridiculous. If I wanted to listen to people of that little intelligence opine on basketball, I would go sit in the peanut gallery at the YMCA and watch the afternoon pickup games. Cynthia Cooper didn't even play in the NBA. Heck, if they are hiring her because of her basketball talent, then why don't we go round up a bunch of male high school players who are just as good as Coop? What insight will she have on a league in which she didn't even participate in? Lisa Malosky was the epitome of class and professionalism. To fire her for a broadcasting novice is pure insanity and yet another example of the Rockets' marketing taking a big SWING AND A MISS. It's no wonder we were the laughing stock of the league for so long with our pinstriped clown suits and Calvin in the color commentary role.
I wonder if Cooper will rap?? Heh heh heh Jeff is going to be really good replacing Lisa. He really does his homework and knows all about the OTHER teams and players and situations. Lisa unfortuantly stuck only with the Rockets info and didn't give much information about other games but the score and leading scorer of that game. She, at times, couldn't even pronouce names of other players. Don't be suprised if there are actual highlights of other games also during the half-time/post-game shows. They wanted to do this when I was doing the games for 20, but there wasn't the means to really do it at 20. Needed more tape decks and editors. Now with the boradcast being solely at the Toyota Center, I'm sure they will have everything possible to getting ALL the highlights fed to them easily and be able to edit them down easily. Also the Rockets have, or will be hiring editors. In the past, they would either use the stations people (at 20, Tube, 51) or freelance out. Now they will have their own full-time editors. Should make things look better. Cooper will bring good insight, much like Calvin does.
TJ: The vast majority of sports color commentators are former athletes or coaches. Play-by-play announcers are usually broadcasters. That is just the way it is. Monday Night Footabll - Michaels (broadcaster), Madden (former coach) TNT - Ernie Johnson (broadcaster), Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley (former players) Astros - Milo Hamilton/Bill Brown/Bill Worrell (broadcasters), Jim Deshais (former player) Texans radio - Mark Vandermeer (broadcaster), Andre Ware (fomer player) I'm not sure why you are so up in arms over what is clearly the industry standard. Besides, Cooper is NOT replacing Malosky. Jeff Haggadorn (a broadcaster and play-by-play man) is replacing Malosky. Cooper is being added as a commentator. Look, I liked Lisa Malosky. She was clearly a VERY nice person, but her interviewing skills were terrible and she had absolutely ZERO ability to ad lib, something that makes or breaks broadcasters doing live feeds like she was. She probably would be a great television anchor, but this was ultimately a bad fit. When everyone sees how comfortable and good Haggadorn is handling the same duties, it will all become clear.
I disagree with one thing. Coop is a lot better that H.S. boys. She's practiced against NBA men most of her life. But that's another topic...(I'm huge Comet fan! ). I understand with what you are saying about professional journalism. I remember the first time that I saw Kenny Smith on TNT. It was hilarious. Kenny was trying sooooo hard to be professional. It wasn't working. He just wasn't trained. And to make matters worse, Charles would make fun of Kenny. Charles even tried to make fun of Ernie for being so professional. See, if Charles looked like a "goof-ball" then Charles had to make sure everyone else looked like one too. It was a slap in his own face. If Ernie said a *word* that Charles didn't understand he would scold Ernie for "talking over his head." Then, Charles would basically speak for the audience when we didn't want it...I would think, "Don't speak for me Charles, I know what Ernie is saying." Charles would say, "They don't know what that word means, why do you talk like that?!!!!" Charles was basically saying that young black kids shouldn't set their goals high, but rather stay dumb like him. It made me angry. Charles was calling out all African Americans to not be "Uncle Toms." It was tacky and "old think." I mean, come on! Just because Charles didn't understand what Ernie was saying does't mean that the TNT audience didn't. It really makes you appreciate how good some of these journalist are at their jobs! Ernie is a complete professional! You can't just get up there in front of a telepromt and start talking. It's not that easy. On the professional front in terms of former athletes. The best that I've seen in the NBA have been James Worthy, Jay Bilas, Kevin Johnson, and Eddie Johnson. The worst that I've ever seen has got to be Tim Hardaway.
Lets hope the theme music for the Season tickets commercials has changed, or atleast the amount of times they play the commercials has decrease. By the end of the telecast I was ready to slit my wrist & somebody needs to flip the switch on TOM from Reliant too!
Whoever said that color commentators are usually ex-players paired with broadcasters is right on. Nobody goes to journalism school expecting to land a high-profile color spot... it is expected and accepted that those gigs go to people who can bring a player/coach's perspective to the game that a broadcaster who's never been on that floor can give. I liked Lisa fine, she did a good job. I'm sure she'll get work elsewhere. But the decision to switch to a new team I doubt reflects on her. The halftime show has to bring in money (ad time), and names like Cooper will entice people to watch. That's why guys like David Justice get their jobs; they may not be trained to be on camera, but people actually want to hear what they have to say because their insight credentials are well documented and fans feel like they know them. As far as Calvin goes, I think he's great. He keeps things entertaining when the game is moving slowly and recognizes his role in the broadcast very well. It certainly helps that he has an absolute pro like Bill to work with, but the interaction between the two is what makes the their little team work. Plus those suits are just plain awesome.
I entirely agree with this statement. The best way to round off their group is as follows: Haggadorn: The anchor, whose main job is to present facts and try to be objective Coop: The color commentator, whose job is to provide intelligent, experienced and colorful statements to liven things up AND a hot-chick who is competent with a microphone: whose job it is to look super duper sexy. I kinda feel like Jenny MrCarthy or Rhonda Shear would do a good job. -- droxford
Well Super Cooper starts tonight!!! And I rooting for the team and her too. She's got big, man shoes to fill.
It was just a harmless atempt @ sarcasm!!! ____________ I'm so sorry you missed it man. ______________ Beyonce is better than Brittany Spears anyway...
Im gonna miss lisa, even though she has them big ol' horse teeth, she was a good at what she did, i dont know about this switch
I can't believe all you goons who actually took jabs at her looks. What kind of people are you? She wasn't a playmate, sure, but if you want to drool over women, go elsewhere, watch something else. She was an average looking woman from what I could tell, who worked hard at her job, doing what NONE OF YOU could do, I'm sure. She may not be perfect at what she did, but that's hardly a reason to insult her that way. She may read this board for all you know. She may be a follower of what we all follow here. I know some of you just spew things out without thinking, but come on, be respectful.
Alright, I was prepared to give Coop a perfectly fair chance, but now that Ive seen tonights game,....ughh! Its pathetic to seen someone who talks like that do any kind of "report." pa-tht-ic! I dont like no reporters dat use double negatives again and again. Sorry Cynthia, but I hope you are promptly fired. I sincerely wish you the best of luck in whatever you venture in, just stay away from the TV!
I didn't see the whole broadcast, but I did see the halftime feature and I thought it was fantastic. Cynthia brought out a different, more playful side of the players. I loved Kelvin Cato's line "I don't play defense -- I just foul". Classic! I had my doubts, but if that section was any indication, she's going to be great.
