Without naming names, Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey made it clear Tuesday that he views select television broadcasters as a part of the problem when it comes to the NBA’s broader interest.
Speaking Tuesday on Fox Sports 1’s First Things First, Morey was engaged by the hosts in a panel discussion about potential changes in future years to improve the league’s product.
After initially making suggestions such as using the Elam Ending for overtimes and not allowing players to foul out, Morey then explained why he views the style of certain broadcasters as problematic for the league.
Morey said:
Right now, if you tune into a lot of NBA telecasts, the announcers are hate watching their own game. It’s crazy. You’ll tune in, and they’ll be like, ‘Well, what’s happening here? They’re shooting too many 3-pointers. Back in my day…’
Imagine the NFL if [Tony] Romo was basically like ‘Oh, this passing is not going to work. Where’s my cloud of dust? Where is it?’ Literally, it’s the whole game. That’s NBA games right now. ‘Where is my cloud? Why aren’t we smashing that ball in there?’
You tune into any NBA game, that’s what you get all night. I think we’re going to fix it over time, but right now… [sigh]
Morey was also critical of broadcasters and media members who downplay the importance of the league’s regular season.
The other thing that happens, you tune in, and they go ‘Well, why are we watching tonight? Nothing matters until the playoffs. Nothing.’
People are like, ‘Okay, I’m going back to CSI.’
“I think we have the best game that highlights our best athletes in the world, every single night,” Morey concluded. “It’s almost like cognitive dissonance. People tune in, and they’re being told how they shouldn’t watch, and how it’s not a fun game to watch. It’s bizarre to me. The NFL would never let it happen, and I don’t understand it.”
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