http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcon.../stories/031005dnspomavsbriefs.120e4baba.html Cuban irked with conduct of ABC's Gray By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News Michael Finley cut to the heart of the matter Wednesday regarding Mark Cuban's contention that ABC's Jim Gray is guilty of some devious interviewing techniques. "Jim Gray is trying to make a big spiel out of nothing," Finley said. "And Mark has pretty much let him know that he's not going to get it done with the Mavericks. "So two guys being themselves, I guess." Cuban was irked by the way Gray conducted a courtside interview with Dirk Nowitzki during Sunday's ABC telecast of the Mavericks game in Houston. Cuban addressed the situation on his web log on Monday. He called for Gray to apologize or be suspended. As of Wednesday afternoon, nobody from ABC had contacted Cuban regarding the interview, nor had Cuban called the network. In the interview, Gray asked Nowitzki if the chemistry of the Mavericks was better since Steve Nash left, asserting that Finley and Cuban had said as much, which they had not. "To misrepresent what was said by one player or myself to Dirk or to anybody, you only do it for a specific reason – to create news or create a controversy that wasn't there," Cuban said. "And that's just not the way business should be done." Nowitzki shot down Gray's line of questioning by saying the Mavericks had no chemistry problems with Nash and have none without him. Cuban said it is not the first time Gray's ethics have come under question. "Fortunately, Dirk's a very smart guy and he knew Jim Gray has a history of being full of ...[expletive]," Cuban said. "It's not like people are saying it's out of character for him. No one's saying, 'Boy this is the first time. We can't believe that happened with Jim Gray.' " "If anything, it's exactly the opposite. Everybody's saying we expect that out of him and you should, too. So ignore it. But at some point, someone's got to call ...[expletive] on it." Cuban has instructed his media relations staff not to set up any interviews for Gray, who is scheduled to work Sunday's game at Minnesota. "We are planning to go about our business the way we do for any other event," said ABC spokesman Mark Mandel.
Wasn't Jim Gray the one who got into Steve Francis' face after the 2nd quarter of some heated game (playoffs?)
Yep, he sure did. I remember one game a while back on ABC I was watching, he thought he was off camera and was trying to get a player for an interview after the game. He pushed and shoved other players and was acting like a jerk trying to get that interview. Also, he just looks like a pest.
I dont care for Mark Cuban, he never apologized about his announcer doing that chinese voice everytime he said YAOs name when he scored a basket in Dallas.. I wish Jim would have gotten something out of Dirk to make Mark even more mad...
This is what I remember. It's funny, I distinctly remember having a high opinion of Gray's work before the Rose fiasco..
I remember JVG and Steve Francis blowing off Jim Gray after our playoff win against the Lakers. Gray was left standing there, with no interview, looking like a fool.
Jim Gray is one of biggest $hit stirrers in the media. He deserves all the crap coming his way. I will do a happy dance the day he gets fired.
[expletive] Jim Gray. That [expletive] is nothing but an [expletive] pile of [expletive]. And [expletive] Marv Albert and his manlove for the Knicks, Shaq and Kobe. I'd rather listen to Herb Alpert. I wish they's bring Calvin back and that Bill and Calvin would cover every game, even the ones broadcast on TNT, ABC, whatever.
No he is a weasel and that's what makes him a weasel. There are plenty of good reporters out there that dont have to resort to weasel tactics. It is the CRAPPY reporters that have to resort to those tactics to TRY to get a story.
the one thing that i did enjoy was when gray interviewed karla after the j*zz lost to the bulls. gray asked karla, "Do you feel like you let down all of salt lake city with your performance tonight" I thought karla was going to punch him.
