Steve Albert deserves his own thread--and that's not a good thing

[AzStevenCal]

We inbound the ball with 2 seconds left on the clock, Beasley takes a step and puts up a shot the ball hits iron and then the shot clock horn goes off. Albert's expert call: "Beasley, couldn't beat the clock".

Steve

 

[Superbone]

We inbound the ball with 2 seconds left on the clock, Beasley takes a step and puts up a shot the ball hits iron and then the shot clock horn goes off. Albert's expert call: "Beasley, couldn't beat the clock".

Steve

Yep, heard that.

He beat it, you dolt. He just missed. (Talking about Steve, not Steve. -Steve)

 

[Superbone]

Aw, geez. Albert, twice in a row, vaguely refers to players from the past while calling the play, then has to explain whom he was referring to while the play is going on.

Ann Meyers Drysdale gently tries to bring him into the 21st Century.

And instead of taking the hint that he has to appeal to today's audience, he says, "We're going down memory lane whether they remember or not." That's what he said.

'Freaking New York attitude. What a snot!

That does it! I've switched the sound on my stereo system from TV to radio and am listening to Al McCoy. And, as I sit at my computer, because of the 5-second TV delay to bleep out sounds where the camera is pointed, every play is visually like an instant replay.

That's the way it will be until "The Klutz", as he calls himself, hitchhikes his way back to New Yawk. Or gets DUI's or tells the Front Office what shirts he is going to wear.

I think you're being too hard on him here. Nothing wrong about talking about players from the past. His problem was apologizing for it.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Yep, heard that.

He beat it, you dolt. He just missed. (Talking about Steve, not Steve. -Steve)

At least we finally have an answer to that immortal question "can you truly have too many Steves?" The answer is, YES. And I'm talking about Steve, not Steve or Steve.

Steve

 

[BC867]

I think you're being too hard on him here. Nothing wrong about talking about players from the past. His problem was apologizing for it.

I reacted to his putdown of the current fans of the Phoenix Suns and especially to the classy lady who tried to hint that he appeal to them, Ann Meyers Drysdale.

And instead of taking the hint that he has to appeal to today's audience, he says, "We're going down memory lane whether they remember or not." That's what he said.

His New York arrogance doesn't fit in Phoenix. He is supposed to be the picture window of the team and he was a bad choice.

 

[Phrazbit]

I'll still take him over Leander, who was like nails on a chalkboard for me.

FREE FOR THREE!

WITH THE CRUSSSHHHH!

DOWNLOADS A THREE!

Just awful. If he could dump all of his really awful catchphrases he would have been stomach-able, but every good moment the Suns had got slightly diminished by one of his nauseating slogans.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I'll still take him over Leander, who was like nails on a chalkboard for me.

FREE FOR THREE!

WITH THE CRUSSSHHHH!

DOWNLOADS A THREE!

Just awful. If he could dump all of his really awful catchphrases he would have been stomach-able, but every good moment the Suns had got slightly diminished by one of his nauseating slogans.

But he called the game that was happening, not the one he "guessed" was going on like Mr Albert does. I didn't like Tom's catchphrases, in fact, I don't like any of the catchphrases even the ones Al McCoy popularized. All I want is accurate talk about the game, everything else is an annoyance and occasionally even a hindrance to the act of viewing the game. I think Tom would have grown out of some of his shtick but the game has clearly passed by Albert.

Steve

 

[Phrazbit]

But he called the game that was happening, not the one he "guessed" was going on like Mr Albert does. I didn't like Tom's catchphrases, in fact, I don't like any of the catchphrases even the ones Al McCoy popularized. All I want is accurate talk about the game, everything else is an annoyance and occasionally even a hindrance to the act of viewing the game. I think Tom would have grown out of some of his shtick but the game has clearly passed by Albert.

Steve

I guess its just whatever irritates you less. For me, I can roll my eyes and laugh a little when Albert has one of his blackouts, but Leander made me twitch with his gimmicks.

 

[Errntknght]

I've got my hearing filter working well now... I watched the LA game twice with sound and was not aware of a word Albert said. I remember the second time through I winced a few times upon hearing EJ repeating a mistaken analysis but of Albert, nada, not even his blunders... I'm assuming they were abundant. It would be nice if they didn't show him on camera because the mere sight of him is annoying.

 

[BC867]

FYI, I sent a note to Al McCoy on the Suns web site, which I'll share with you.

ATTN: Al McCoy - Sr. Vice President, Broadcasting.

Al, I have been a Suns fan since 1970. I suggest that you made an awful mistake in choosing Steve Albert as a telecaster. True, he is from a storied family of broadcasters, but he is the worst of the lot.

He is constantly being corrected by his color analysts because he misses or mis-calls plays and his self-depricating humor ("klutz") is wearing thin.

But on Fri. Feb. 1, he was downright arrogant on the air to your fans and to Ann Meyers Drysdale. Twice in a row, he vaguely referred to players from other teams in the past while calling a play. Then he tried to explain himself while play continued.

When Annie gently tried to suggest that he become more relevant to your current audience, instead of taking the hint, he arrogantly said, "We're going down memory lane whether they remember or not." "They", referring to the fans.

In one breath, his obnoxious New York attitude was disrespectful to the fans and especially the classy lady next to him.

Why don't you speak with Annie and E.J. and get their candid views.

Steve Albert makes it very uncomfortable to view a Suns telecast. Sooner or later, that is going to affect your sponsors.

If he was hired by someone else in the organization, please forward this message from a fan to that person.

 

[Phrazbit]

FYI, I sent a note to Al McCoy on the Suns web site, which I'll share with you.

... "THE POWER AND FURY OF BC867!!!!"

 

[BC867]

... "THE POWER AND FURY OF BC867!!!!"

Hey, it's frustrating to have these two choices. Listen to Albert or mute the sound and listen to Al on radio with the 5-second delay on the video picture.

Watching the 1012-13 Suns is stressful enough without adding to it.

Ask the guys on the ASFN D'backs board. I was just as vocal about the egotistical antics of the two guys with their adult beverages, Sutton & Grace, and they're both gone.

 

[Phrazbit]

Hey, it's frustrating to have these two choices. Listen to Albert or mute the sound and listen to Al on radio with the 5-second delay on the video picture.

Watching the 1012-13 Suns is stressful enough without adding to it.

Ask the guys on the ASFN D'backs board. I was just as vocal about the egotistical antics of the two guys with their adult beverages, Sutton & Grace, and they're both gone.

Those 2 had definitely ran their course in my mind. Grace, with every pitch that a batter takes for a strike supposedly being "Center cut, right down broadway", and hearing for the 1000th time that he is a slow runner. And Sutton after a while... was just generally irritating. They combined for a very mushy booth, fawning over former players (and people/kids in the stands) to the point that it was awkward.

I am very much looking forward to next year's dback booth.

 

[BC867]

Update

I've gotta tell ya' that I am enjoying listening to Al McCoy call the game on radio while getting the video feed on TV.

Whether I am relaxed in my recliner in front of the TV or at my computer glancing over at the TV, I am absorbing everything that is going on. Much more than listening to the rambling of Albert trying to figure out what is going on while limited to the TV angle that the director chooses.

Tim Kempton doesn't have the most pleasant voice for color commentary, but he knows his stuff and doesn't miss a trick.

And, after the first game I watched with a 5-second TV delay, the rest have been only 1 second on the road and 2 seconds at home.

The Suns haven't, but I have, banished Steve Albert and it is much more enjoyable.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I've gotta tell ya' that I am enjoying listening to Al McCoy call the game on radio while getting the video feed on TV.

Whether I am relaxed in my recliner in front of the TV or at my computer glancing over at the TV, I am absorbing everything that is going on. Much more than listening to the rambling of Albert trying to figure out what is going on while limited to the TV angle that the director chooses.

Tim Kempton doesn't have the most pleasant voice for color commentary, but he knows his stuff and doesn't miss a trick.

And, after the first game I watched with a 5-second TV delay, the rest have been only 1 second on the road and 2 seconds at home.

The Suns haven't, but I have, banished Steve Albert and it is much more enjoyable.

I've taken to recording the home and the away team broadcast and picking whichever crew bothers me less. Last night, it was an easy choice - I listened to the Grizzlies group. The announcer was a big improvement over Albert and Brevin Knight, though far from perfect, is less annoying than Eddie.

I have to say as much as Albert bothers me Eddie is making it much worse. His "absolute" comments drive me nuts. The "that should never happen" and the "you never do that" and the "that will get called every time" kind of stuff drive me crazy. He makes it sound like every game played during his career was played perfectly. Also, on today's pre-game show he did something else that bugs me. He basically tried to take credit for Dragic's late game performance. His ego is running unchecked, bring on Anne.

Steve

 

[AzStevenCal]

Albert really must not be able to see the game. A few minutes ago, O'Neal put up a perfect shot and Albert called it a "line drive". Any more arc and it would have drawn rain. Also, every game, he say's "pulled the string" on a shot that misses. Apparently, the only thing necessary to qualify for "pulling the string" is to miss the shot.

Steve

 

[elindholm]

The "Driving Miss Daisy" gaffe was classic.

 

[BC867]

Albert really must not be able to see the game.

Who is this Albert guy you're referring to?

The "Driving Miss Daisy" gaffe was classic.

'Sorry, I can't resist. What did he say?

 

[Folster]

Did you guys hear Eddie Johnson the other night? He was talking about Darrell Arthur's poor shooting night and said "Arthur couldn't buy a hamburger if he walked in to a restaurant with a million dollars". Albert, obviously lying stammered that it was the perfect analogy.

 

[Phrazbit]

Did you guys hear Eddie Johnson the other night? He was talking about Darrell Arthur's poor shooting night and said "Arthur couldn't buy a hamburger if he walked in to a restaurant with a million dollars". Albert, obviously lying stammered that it was the perfect analogy.

It was a vegan restaurant.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I hadn't watched a moment of tonight's Suns telecast until just before the end of the 3rd quarter I decided to check out Albert and Johnson. The absolute first play I watch, once again Albert blows it. Thabo steals the ball and Beasley slaps at him as he dribbles away from Michael. A reach-in foul is called and Albert says "he got pushed". Seriously, he can't see a thing out there on the court, he hears the whistle and takes a wild guess.

He's wrong more often than not and he's really reaching embarrassment status. The only thing saving him brings to mind that classic scene from Major League when his partner chastises him for swearing on the air and Harry Doyle responds: "Don't worry, nobody is listening anyway". If anyone actually watched the Suns play these days there would be a mild uproar over this man's inability to do the one thing he is charged with doing. Obviously, I immediately switched back to the OKC broadcast.

Steve

 

[BC867]

Now that I listen to the radio audio, Al McCoy is honest on the air about not seeing some of the action because on the road they sit waaaaay up in the rafters. Tim Kempton fills in the missing part.

As far as I know, the TV announcers, home or away, always sit courtside. Perhaps it's Albert's tangents that take his focus off the game. Such as his references to the 1970's.

But thanks for the update, Steve.

 

[Superbone]

I hadn't watched a moment of tonight's Suns telecast until just before the end of the 3rd quarter I decided to check out Albert and Johnson.

What did you think of Johnson last night?

 

[Superbone]

Now that I listen to the radio audio, Al McCoy is honest on the air about not seeing some of the action because on the road they sit waaaaay up in the rafters. Tim Kempton fills in the missing part.

As far as I know, the TV announcers, home or away, always sit courtside. Perhaps it's Albert's tangents that take his focus off the game. Such as his references to the 1970's.

I have to think Albert is not watching most of the time. He must be reading script or something. He often doesn't know what happened on the court.

 

[AzStevenCal]

What did you think of Johnson last night?

I can honestly say it rivaled his greatest performance. I wasn't there long enough (on that viewing) to realize Anne was with him.

Steve