http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/martzke/2004-03-23-martzke_x.htm Critics of Gray's work on sideline have done poor job of reporting Rudy Martzke USAToday.com Even when he's doing his job, ESPN reporter Jim Gray cannot seem to get a thumbs up — from his own network cohorts nonetheless. Gray might have pushed too far in his celebrated interview with a stonewalling Pete Rose at the 1999 World Series. But he only asked a simple question Sunday night when Houston Rockets star Steve Francis began his response with a blistering profanity that drew a $25,000 fine Monday from the NBA. Gray had asked Francis, "What happened out there at the end of the half?" when Francis thought he was fouled on a play. Francis cursed and tried to walk away. At the end of the half, a contrite Francis told Gray he apologized to the fans and Commissioner David Stern, a move the league indicated limited his penalty to a fine and not a suspension. The NBA's fine of Francis recognized the increasing concern of profanity over the airwaves, as the House recently passed legislation — still needing Senate approval — that would boost fines for on-air indecency from $27,500 to $500,000. Though Gray performed his role in a professional manner, the scene caused Dan Le Batard and Michael Wilbon to find reasons to blast TV reporters on Monday's Pardon the Interruption on ESPN and ESPN2. The reactions were strange, considering both are columnists (Le Batard with The Miami Herald) and Wilbon with The Washington Post) with extensive television backgrounds. "This is the only thing we ever remember from what sideline reporters get," Le Batard said. "You get Roy Williams cursing, you get Shaq cursing, you get Lloyd Carr all bent out of shape about something. This is what they're there for. "Otherwise, in the history of sideline reporting, when do you remember something functional or good or informative coming out of it?" Le Batard obviously didn't do a lot of research before sounding off. In just the last month, Gray has interviewed the Philadelpha 76ers' Allen Iverson when he refused to play in a game in Detroit, learned from owner Jerry Buss that Kobe Bryant had the option to be a Los Angeles Lakers player for life and was told by Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo that he was looking for a partner and would sell the team. Gray said Le Batard "is entitled to his opinion. I flat out disagree." Wilbon's opinion was just as disconcerting for one who has covered hundreds of games. He blamed the messenger. "I don't blame Steve Francis," he said. "He is in an emotional basketball game where he is not only asked but required to be at an emotional pitch to play this game. And now you want him to come out and say nice things to a sideline reporter? That's junk." Answers Gray: "I've done about 20,117 of these interviews in my life and there only have been two times that I can recall that anyone's emotions spilled into profanity (the other was Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Greg Lloyd after an AFC Championship Game on NBC). Let's not make excuses for bad behavior. Having said that, I admire that Steve apologized as soon as he could."
"Blistering profanity"? That's a little much. Even so, I don't know why people need to find a place to "set blame." Is it Francis' fault for letting his emotions get the best of him? Is it Gray's fault for not giving him some time to cool off? Is this really some national scandal that we need to get to the bottom of? He cussed on TV and got fined. Maybe the network will get fined. That's it. It doesn't happen often. It probably will happen again in the future, though again not often. Fines will be paid then too. I don't think we need anything more corrective than that. I don't know why they need to attack the role of sideline reporters whom the networks must find some value in or else they wouldn't be signing the paychecks.
I agree with this. If somebody is pissed off and emotional, it is irresponsible of the sideline reporters to drag them to an interview. It's not all of SF's fault IMO. He saw what happened on the play and how SF is reacting, why did Gray ask "what happened on the play"? How stupid are you to ask that? Tell me what's the purpose of asking that? I want Gray go up to a coach right after he threw a temper tantrum after being thrown out of the game and see if he cusses. Same goes for emotional owners like Mark Cuban right after an anti Mavs calls.
Not only did he ask him once he followed him almost all the way to the tunnel and kept asking him questions. I would figure after he saw the reaction by SF that he would let him go and back off not grab his coat tail and drag along until it got to him.
I'm surprised that so many people are so shocked by the word bullsh-t. Like kids don't hear/say that word themselves at school every day...please.
I agree with him that sideline reporters do serve a purpose unlike Wilbon thinks, but that doesnt mean he never goes overboard. He made a mistake(in seeking Steve out immediately after a call like that) and Steve made a mistake in reacting the way he did. Steve apologized and that really should have been the end of it.
I don't like this kind of reporting never have. It is like going to a disaster area and asking how the victims "feel." Well what do you expect them to say!? I wish I had a dollar for every stupid question asked by the Media. I would be a millionaire in a day. Most of us have the common sense not to press an issue when someone is emotionally distraught.
Can anybody tell me a history as to why the word "****" is considered a bad word? It means feces literally...why is saying **** bad?
Exactly! My thoughts exactly! And yet here we have USA Today's Media Critic Rudy Martzke blasting Wilbon and Le Batard for calling out Gray and at the same time Rudy not even realizing the CIRCUMSTANCES of Francis' interview. All interviews are not conducted in a vacuum, Rudy! Rudy's media comments are ususally pretty good but he has been a Gray butt kisser for sometime now. The only thing that is worse than that is his butt kissing for Joe Thiesmann and Paul McGuire of ESPN's Sunday Night Football!
I hate this new trend of reporters running down players and coaches to get their thoughts before the game is over, whether it be in a timeout on the sideline or at halftime. It gives us next to nothing in insight, aggravates those that are focused on winning a game, and invites itself to moments likes Steve's when guys get emotional and speak without thinking. Lots of us cuss when we're pissed off about something. We say it reflexively, without thinking, most times. You put a mike close enough to a guy on the court, whether it be in an NBA game or a pickup game on the street, and you're liable to hear a few choice 4-letter words. Message to the media: leave them alone while they're playing. Quit disrupting the flow of the game for pointless interviews and wait until after the game to ask questions.
Those interviews are lame. And you always get the soundbite. Not really worth their effort if you ask me.
Jim Gray is a wormy weasel - why anyone other than those related to him would kiss his butt is beyond me.
Man, I totally misread this thread title. I thought it was going to be Gray talking about the "Francis Curse." You know, the curse that makes you dribble the ball off your foot in the last possession of every close game.
Francis curse? Someone put a hex on him? Working pretty well... his scoring's down, still dribbling off his foot and getting loads of technicals! OK OK I love the guy... has heart... let's hope someone reverses the curse and he/Yao lead the Rox to ringdom.
My brother has a theory that a culture's bad words are a reflection on their hang-ups. Americans have hang-ups about sex and hygeine and that's where the bad-words come from mostly. The French, the theory goes, have a hang-up with religion, so their taboos lie mostly there. Thadeus, I think you're thinking of the Pippen Curse.
