Daniel Gafford and Dave Pasch Screenshot

Dave Pasch surely knows about Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford.

Yet for some reason, the veteran ESPN play-by-play announcer referred to Gafford as “Gaffney” in Thursday night’s Mavericks-Oklahoma City Thunder playoff game.

Not just once, but several times.


Granted, Gafford is not one of the NBA’s superstars, not someone who drives ticket and merchandise sales and TV ratings. He’s a role player (11 points per game this season). But he’s been around five seasons now. And he has played a key role for the Mavericks down the stretch since being acquired in a February trade with the Washington Wizards.

Gafford deserves better.

So it’s a mystery how Pasch confused Gafford for “Gaffney” in Game 2. But fans took notice.

Pasch joined ESPN in 2003. He’s earned high marks for his professionalism, someone who keeps the broadcast on track, although he and color analyst Bill Walton have had some memorable exchanges during games through the years.

But fans were right on Thursday. It’s Gafford, not “Gaffney.” Here’s betting that’s a name Pasch never gets wrong again.

[Awful Announcing]

About Arthur Weinstein

Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.