When "talking heads" are harshly criticized on the forum, you think:

[Jimgolf]

It strikes me as disingenuous to knock those who are not qualified officials for complaining about officiating, then complain about play-by-play and color analysts, when none of us are qualified announcers.

[All_Heart]

It is helpful to point out mistakes made by announcers so that others may learn from this. I'm sure that a number of officials watching games learn incorrect rules based on what the announcers say. These are the officials that don't move up and don't care to open their rule book.

I do agree with Jimgolf that bashing a profession that is probably very difficult to work, is exactly what we would like them to stop doing. If I had to ramble on about everything and nothing during a 2 hour basketball game then I am sure that I would spew out a lot of nonsense.

My 2 Cents

[JRutledge]

Most criticisms about announcers are based on rules and mechanics knowledge. I think any criticism on this level is completely fair and justified. If you are going to talk to the general public at the very least make yourself knowledgeable about what you are talking about. I do not see criticism about other aspects of their job as it relates to the technical side of their job.

Peace

[Junker]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Most criticisms about announcers are based on rules and mechanics knowledge. I think any criticism on this level is completely fair and justified. If you are going to talk to the general public at the very least make yourself knowledgeable about what you are talking about. I do not see criticism about other aspects of their job as it relates to the technical side of their job.

Peace

Yup. That's the way I see it.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by All_Heart

It is helpful to point out mistakes made by announcers so that others may learn from this. I'm sure that a number of officials watching games learn incorrect rules based on what the announcers say. These are the officials that don't move up and don't care to open their rule book.

I disagree. The officials who "learn incorrect ruels based on what the announcers say" are not likely to show up here to learn the correct rule.

imo, it's a wobw. (And, yes, I can, and do, just skip the threads)

[mplagrow]

Originally Posted by Jimgolf

It strikes me as disingenuous to knock those who are not qualified officials for complaining about officiating, then complain about play-by-play and color analysts, when none of us are qualified announcers.

Qualified Announcer=the ability to fill dead air with noise, any kind of noise. I'd say more of us may be qualified than you think.

[canuckrefguy]

Originally Posted by mplagrow

Qualified Announcer=the ability to fill dead air with noise, any kind of noise. I'd say more of us may be qualified than you think.

Hmmm - I can say for a fact that this is NOT true.

[FMadera]

Originally Posted by mplagrow

Qualified Announcer=the ability to fill dead air with noise, any kind of noise. I'd say more of us may be qualified than you think.

This is no less ignorant than those who thinks that reffing is just showing up with a whistle.

[tomegun]

Originally Posted by FMadera

This is no less ignorant than those who thinks that reffing is just showing up with a whistle.

Maybe, maybe not. Most, at a minimum, of us talk a lot during the day, every day. We do this our entire lives. How many people walk around daily with a whistle in their mouths calling fouls?

[FMadera]

Originally Posted by tomegun

Maybe, maybe not. Most, at a minimum, of us talk a lot during the day, every day. We do this our entire lives. How many people walk around daily with a whistle in their mouths calling fouls?

Do you talk daily with a microphone/headset? In front of a video camera?

Being a talker does not equal being a qualified analyst.

[mplagrow]

Originally Posted by FMadera

Do you talk daily with a microphone/headset? In front of a video camera?

Being a talker does not equal being a qualified analyst.

Nor does being a former player, former coach, etc. Yet they get the jobs, don't they?

[just another ref]

I seem to recall Mendy Rudolph having a brief career as an NBA analyst, back in the uuhhhhh, a long time ago. I was a kid, not qualified to critique anybody
or have opinions on important matters, or to know anything significant about most things........not much has changed......but I seem to recall him saying over and over, "good call by the official," notably moreso than any other analyst before or since. Anybody back me up on this or correct me?