Quick, name the number of current or former coaches and players that ESPN has on payroll for their NBA coverage? Give up??? Eleven. Eleven out of twenty three personalities that they can go to for analysis of the Lakers-Spurs Series rather than add a twelfth.
That twelfth person….Cleveland Cavs Guard Damon Jones….
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz. You couldn’t make Jones more boring if you hit him with a handkerchief of chloroform. How can someone who’s so crazy on the court (even when he isn’t playing) come off so dull and repetitive? I do like how he said that Manu and Parker “spurred the Spurs” though. That was clever.
Seriously though, I know it’s the Summer but ESPN has been basically running a current athlete TV Training course over the last few months. Braylon Edwards was on NFL Live for multiple days, they have in-car analysis from Nationwide drivers, and AC Milan’s Clarence Seedorf provided nothing during a half of the UEFA Final. If I was a current personality I’d be a tad bit bitter. I mean when is the last time you saw Jamal Mashburn or Dee Brown on an NBA telecast?
It would be one thing if most current and former athletes were like Charles Barkley, but 99% of the time they’re afraid to say anything controversial (see: Herm Edwards). This causes them to come across boring as hell, much like their newest hire Damon Jones. Having a stable of athletes to parade out usually doesn’t make your coverage any better.
