Far Flung

I suppose I'll update this post as I watch more games.

Valkyries...So I'm watching the first, pre-season game between the Sparks and the Valkyries...I wonder how much homework the announcers did, prior to the game. It didn't sound like they were very prepared. For example, Temi Fagbenle's last name is properly pronounced as Fag-ben'-lay...NOT Feg-bon'-lay as the guy keeps saying. That's really frustrating and distracting. It's like chalkboard screeching to me. The woman announcer doesn't bother with the last name...just says "Temi". Oh....then the guy says "Norz" instead of "Norse". At least the two announcers make an effort to pronounce the "t" in Martin...unlike so many others who say "Mar in". Yeah, I know...it's pre-season for everyone. Anyway, the Valkyries played most of the first half somewhat disjointed, relying on one-on-one play...the second half was much better and it turned out to be an exciting game...it's so unfortunate that so many great athletes all across the league will have to be cut from the rosters. Back to the announcers...I hope they improve...I found it extremely odd that they never mentioned Cameron Brink. They were a bit short in the overall, information department.

Update, May 16th...The Sparks defeated the Valkyries in the first game of the regular season today. The announcer has learned how to say "Fagbenle" but he still says "Norz" instead of "Norse" and...he can't pronounce "nuclear"...he says "nucular" instead of "nuclear". Oh...one other thing...the guy mentioned on air that the Dallas Wings lost. I was planning to watch that game next...but...now maybe I won't because the guy announcer is such a "tool".

Liberty...I thought it odd that the woman announcer has somewhat of a southern accent (rather than New York). The male announcer said, "...missed not having her on the court..." and "...as the night has went on..." I didn't find either of them to be especially knowledgeable about the game...other than the home team individuals.

Atlanta Dream against the Fever...Even though they were the Dream's announcers, I liked both of them. As far as the game goes, there were no street-fight fouls...both teams just played basketball...unlike what I saw from two players on the Mystics. I liked Paopao...maybe because she smiles a lot...I don't know what to make of Griner. I thought she was a rough player but she seemed just fine to me.

Dallas Wings game against some Japanese team...I know it's a personal problem of mine but I have a real problem watching Dijonai Carrington in spite of the fact that I consider her to be one of the most gifted athletes in the WNBA. It's just the way she presents herself...the long platinum blond hair, the nails, the gigantic eyelashes, the assault on Caitlin Clark...I can't take her seriously and I'd rather not ever watch her play...I do however enjoy watching Paige Bueckers...she's great. Oh...and of course Arike is worth watching anytime.

Minnesota against Chicago...The announcers were great. I've decided that I don't like the Chicago Sky because of Angel Reese. I have seen her play in lots of games and I know she is really good (except for her violent tendencies). It's unfortunate that there are so many negative videos of her play but one could compile negative videos about every player. Anyway, maybe due to all the biased news about her, I've become totally anti-Angel. The Lynx, however...I like everything about the entire team. 

Watching the Valkyries against the Mercury...after one quarter, neither team looks very good at all. When the Valkyries score, the announcers only say, "another bucket" and don't even say what player shot it. It's like they don't know the game is being watched by people outside of Phoenix. Anyway, this game reminds me of the few WNBA games I saw several years ago...all the missed shots, bad passes, awkward play. I can understand the Valkyries being a bit sloppy but the Mercury should be more polished. And then...the Valkyries (my second most favorite team) came back from way down and won the game! This is the second game in a row that they have had a great second half. Just an observation about what I've seen so far in the WNBA pre-season...there are far too many "threes" being taken throughout the league.

May 16th...The Mystics beat the Dream! Lucy Olsen didn't play much but did have a cuppla points and an assist.

May 19th...Well, the Fever is certainly not the same as last year...they crushed the Sky by 35. I don't understand the Sky. Maybe they can compete with Minnesota, Las Vegas and New York...maybe not. Angel Reese is so good and they don't seem to be able to get the most out of her. I don't like the male announcer's voice for the LA Sparks...he sounds like he has to really struggle to speak in a mostly unclear tone...oh, he also says "git" instead of "get". The Sparks look good but not in the top group of the WNBA (yet)...maybe when Brink returns. There sure are a lot of spectacular athletes in the WNBA and I would never have known if not for Caitlin Clark. I've already watched every team. Oh...another thing...I don't understand why some of the players get all painted up and such, with fake nails, long blond wigs, 2" eyelashes...it's a basketball game not a fashion show. I have to remember that these players are still very young and there's no telling how I might have acted at that age in such a public situation (not well, I suppose). It's the same thing with all the announcers I have a problem with...I certainly could not do better...actually, I probably wouldn't last a minute on the air, with a lot of stuttering and fumbling. 

I have to add something...In the Mystics/Sun game, I saw what I consider to be inappropriate action by one of the coaches. The Mystics coach was shown hugging (embracing) Melbourne (#5) during a timeout. I think this went too far. Then, after the game, it happened again. If male coaches can't keep their hands off the female players, they don't belong on the court.

Labels: announcers, Mystics coach hugging a player, Valkyries

posted by Tomas  # 10:35 PM