It could be giving the Nets disorganization an excessive amount of credit score for timing the firing of Steve Nash to coincide with, and take the warmth off, the most recent Kyrie Irving controversy.
Things bought so dangerous for Brooklyn, Jay Williams, self-proclaimed Nets fan, oft Irving supporter and confidant, mentioned on ESPN (one of many league’s nationwide TV companions): “They are now the most unlikeable team in the NBA.” This doubtful title will stick. For the controversy isn’t going away.
“With Kyrie Irving there is always going to be something,” mentioned ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith.
This grew to become obvious Tuesday night, hours after Nash was fired. TNT, the NBA’s different nationwide TV companion, opened its pregame present with courtside reporter Jared Greenberg itemizing — incident by incident — how the approaching of Irving and Kevin Durant adversely impacted the franchise. The listing included the most recent episode; Irving selling a film containing antisemitic tropes whereas promoting preposterous conspiracy theories.
Rather than give the NBA a tender place to land, TNT’s crew spent a half-hour, previous to Bulls-Nets, digging into the controversy. This included Charles Barkley calling for Irving to be suspended. In case it didn’t know, Barkley reminded the Free World that NBA boss Adam Silver is Jewish. “… You gonna insult me, you have the right,” Barkley mentioned. “But I [Silver] have the right to say: ‘You can’t take my $40 million and insult my religion.’”
Even the non-apology, apology Irving and the Nets issued Wednesday night time was shaky. And by the point he issued a extra direct apology late Thursday night through his Instagram account, after the Nets hit him with an indefinite suspension (at the least 5 video games), the one factor sure concerning the Nets is the uncertainty surrounding the group.
Has the workforce been irreparably broken as a TV product? No matter when, if, or how, the Irving scenario is finally resolved, it won’t be forgotten. Now, relating to likeability, the Nets don’t register. That’s not good for TV rankings. And how will NBA stars going mum on the Irving fiasco affect the league’s picture and the rankings for its nationwide TV package deal?
Last week, when given an opportunity by ESPN reporter Nick Friedell to place the hearth out, to make clear or additional clarify why he was selling the film, entitled “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America,” Irving mentioned: “I’m not going to stand down on anything I believe.” The Nets first cockeyed intuition was to not make Irving accessible to the media messengers, shielding him from boss scribes.
Could the adverse response to Irving’s controversy, and concern of what’s subsequent, trigger eyeballs to exit Nets video games on the Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network? More importantly, may present advertisers determine they don’t wish to be related to the Nets, a workforce that protected and coddled, a participant who endorses antisemitism?
Could advertisers abandon Nets telecasts on YES for a similar purpose? The Nets’ backside line, already impacted by sluggish season ticket gross sales, might be adversely affected by the continued presence of Irving, who as soon as once more generated self-centered controversy, and created an enormous distraction for the Nets group and the NBA.
Will the Nets’ inner woes drive extra eyeballs to Knicks telecasts on MSG? Lately, the Knickerbockers haven’t provided up their acquainted manufacturers of chaos and dysfunction, though Knicks prez Leon Rose nonetheless reserves his proper to keep up media silence — except he’s talking to an MSG voice.
The MSG Network now sells Knicks’ hope whereas YES waits for the Nets’ subsequent shoe to drop. Those present YES promos that includes superstars Durant and Irving are extra discouraging than encouraging potential viewers to observe Nets basketball. They don’t produce the identical star shine they did when the pair first arrived in Brooklyn.
And now, in addition to Irving’s upcoming assembly with commissioner Adam Silver, all events can stay up for the approaching of coach Ime Udoka, who was sitting out a one-year suspension from the Celtics for an improper relationship with a feminine subordinate. Another Nets mess?
At least till Irving points one other proclamation. Or Durant plots to get one other coach fired.
NOT GREAT, SCOTT
Never shy about critiquing the media, Bart Scott, accused Gang Green scribes of making turmoil contained in the Jets locker room primarily based on Elijah Moore’s response to not being focused by Zach Wilson.
Scott, who famously performed a one-man boycott of the media whereas taking part in for the Jets, launched his idea on SNY’s Jets postgame present final Sunday, after video of Moore’s interview aired. It was the wideout’s first media gab session since he was despatched residence by the group after arguing with offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur.
Scott was miffed over reporters repeatedly asking Moore the identical questions (Why was he not being focused?) in several methods. “It’s always where can we poke? Where can we pry?” Scott mentioned on SNY. ”If all you are able to do is ask the identical query, go kick rocks.”
Still, didn’t Moore’s personal response set off the controversy? Maybe Scott isn’t accustomed to the previous line: If at first you don’t succeed, attempt, attempt once more. On this event the scribes had been doing their job They are paid to be persistent. Scott ought to know that. After all, he has been a media member (SNY, CBS, WFAN, ESPN) for fairly some time.
THE NUMBERS LIE?
It’s so complicated?
On 1050-AM, the house of ESPN Radio’s nationwide programming in NYC, a promo typically airs saying “The Michael Kay Show” (ESPN-98.7) “is the number one rated (sports talk) show in afternoon drive” within the New York market.
But historical past exhibits, WFAN’s Craig Carton and Evan Roberts program holding an edge over the Kay present on 98.7. Nielsen Audio’s just lately launched Fall e book exhibits that pattern persevering with. Carton/Roberts notched a 6.8 share whereas the Kay soiree recorded a 3.5 share.
Either ESPN fits are usually not monitoring 1050-AM for stale promos or they’re bending the reality.
ON THE MOVE
It’s not like they’ve been despatched to Nosebleed City to name Knicks video games on MSG, however Mike Breen and Walt (Clyde) Frazier have moved.
Anyone watching can see the 2 veteran voices positioned at a small desk close to the Knicks bench. For many moons they’d been stationed on the other facet at mid-court. Turns out the Knicks took the chance to promote seats within the former mid-court broadcasters’ location.
While the voices can probably now hear the chatter on the Knicks bench, we’ve observed Breen, to be able to see what’s happening, being compelled to peak round an official who winds up in entrance of him. A small value to pay for being voice of the Knicks.
AROUND THE DIAL
Congratulations to Suzyn (Ma Pinstripe) Waldman and Christopher (Mad Dog) Russo for being formally inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame Tuesday night time in Chicago. In the time they needed to converse, each voices emotionally captured the ups and downs of their careers. Memorable stuff. … Give 98.7′s Don La Greca credit score for not solely saying he was sick of speaking about Kyrie Irving, however vowing to cease yapping concerning the Nets beleaguered star. “I’m out!” DLG proclaimed. … Pat McAfee is so steamed over the NFL charging his firm $$$ to make use of its logos, he’s vowing to shine a lightweight on the darkish facet of NFL soccer. Wasn’t he speculated to be doing that on his present anyway — earlier than he bought into enterprise with the NFL? … After Zach Wilson threw one other interception in opposition to New England, CBS’ Ian (The Bird) Eagle mentioned: “There’s been a sense of panic around the quarterback position for the Jets.” Will Eagle be compelled to be much less diplomatic, take a extra direct shot at Wilson Sunday, when he works Bills-Jets with Charles Davis/Evan Washburn?
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DUDE OF THE WEEK: RICHARD JEFFERSON
His potential to border his ideas on the most recent Kyrie Irving controversy, and specific them in a significant soundbite on Saturday night time, indicators he’s a full-time commentator, not an ex-player hanging out for kicks.
DWEEB OF THE WEEK: AUBURN UNIVERSITY
A faculty desires to dismiss its soccer coach midway through a season. Fine. But to omit Bryan Harsin’s title from Auburn’s official press announcement is gloomy, silly and classless. And not any strategy to do enterprise.
DOUBLE TALK
What Mike LaFleur mentioned: “We’ll continue to incorporate Elijah [Moore] in some of the stuff, along with [Braxton Berrios], along with our run game, along with our tight ends. We’re trying to get all these guys involved.”
What Mike LaFleur meant to say: “At least I’ve succeeded in having all these guys ticked off at me.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com