Best and Worst of ESPN

[TheLetterZ]

Re: Best and Worst of ESPN

The only guy on ESPN that I really have any respect for is Bob Ley.

[ehh]

Re: Best and Worst of ESPN

Objectively....

Best: Peter Gammons
Worst: Stuart Scott

Personally....

Best: Mike Golic
Worst: Stuart Scott/Steven A. Smith/Rachel Nichols/Mike Patrick

[jmood88]

Re: Best and Worst of ESPN

I know many people on these forums (myself included) feel that ESPN tries a little too hard to cater to the non-sports fan. They do this by including gimicks, graphics, gameshows, and talking heads, that are not related to sports highlights. I also know that many people (myself included) continue to watch ESPN religiously anyways.

Anyways my question is this:
Who is the best on air personality on ESPN?
and Who is the worst?


For me, the best has got to be Peter Gammons, his competence became painfully evident this past season at the trading deadline when, while Peter was sidelined in the hospital, Buster Olney stepped in as ESPN's main insider. I think that it could be possible that some GM's used Buster as an outlet to spread rumors and that could have had a small part to play in why it was a rather lame trading deadline.

The worst, hands down, is Steven A. Smith. At least most guys at ESPN can pass as analysts because maybe they played or have connections inside the sports world. SAS on the other hand, works on the premise that if your are loud and opinionated, it doesn't matter that you make the same point six times in a row.

Im just wondering what other OSers think about ESPN personalities.

Steven A actually played college basketball and is a writer for a major newspaper so I don't see how his credentials can be questioned.

The worst guys on espn has to be Jim Rome and Skip Bayless. Both of them are idiots.

[pk500]

Re: Best and Worst of ESPN

Oh, forgot about Rachel Nichols. She's HORRIBLE.

I should Andrea Kremer to my list of things that are good about ESPN. A quality reporter.

Take care,
PK

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Re: Best and Worst of ESPN

Best: Bucci, Melrose, Gammons, Andrews
Worst: Bayless, Scott, Smith, Irvin

[sense]

Re: Best and Worst of ESPN

Best:
Chris Berman
Peter Gammons
Mike Patrick
Tom Jackson
Merryl Hodge
Jaws
Mike Wilborn/T.K.

Worst:
Stuart Scott (he try's to hard with the slang. I liked when he first started he used it just alittle bit)
Skip Bayless (The Worst)
Woody Paige
Jim Rome (I liked Jim Rome the first time with espn, but now i think he's annoying)

[PlayaHataSupreme]

Re: Best and Worst of ESPN

To the people that think the worst of ESPN is Stuart Scott (which is just about everybody):

How did you feel about him in 1996/1997? Personally, I'd have to say he was my favorite, especially back then on SportsCenter, because it was so unique....... I used to love SC in the mornings because of that guy.

I do think the show Dream Job (I watched every episode of the 1st one, the 2nd, not so much) did miss the boat, however....... it was almost like who can put forth their best Stuart Scott imitation.......... and that stole the spotlight about what's chiefly important about what that job is really supposed to do. Not everybody needs to be Stuart Scott and have mad one-liners left and right.

I don't think he's the BEST of ESPN now, but I definitely do not think he is the worst (I know I'm in the VAST minority here, but there's nothing I can do about that). I still think he's entertaining, and if all else fails, just remember what the E in ESPN represents. I know Scott is no longer entertaining to many of you, but he had to have done something really well to get where he is and stay where he is and advance to where he is. I respect that about Scott, at least.

[pk500]

Re: Best and Worst of ESPN

I've hated Stuart Scott since the minute I first heard him. I never thought he was talented -- not for one second. He was all schtick, no substance, and nothing has changed.

Take care,
PK

[koebner]

Re: Best and Worst of ESPN

Sweet sassy molassy!

[TarHeelMan]

Re: Best and Worst of ESPN

I'm in the minority... I didn't care much for Stephen A.'s act on the NBA show (this is where ESPN gets owned by the crew on TNT), but on "Quite Frankly", I've enjoyed him, the few times I've been able to catch the show. He's been able to get some pretty interesting guests, and for the most part, I've enjoyed the interview.

[cjonesfan921]

Re: Best and Worst of ESPN

I like Stephen A Smith. The worst imo is Stu Scott.

[WhiskeyD0G]

Re: Best and Worst of ESPN

I think the best of ESPN is how Rachel Nichols say's "ESPN".

[CM1847]

Re: Best and Worst of ESPN

Any ex-coach/manager they bring in is pretty much always horrible. Same with players, Tom Jackson is an exception as he has been doing it so long he is actually pretty good at it now.

Just about all of these new sportswriters they have been brining in over the past few years are bad too: Stephen A, Woody, Skip, anybody who has ever been a replacement host on PTI, anybody who has ever been on ATH and others. I enjoyed watching The Sports Reporters with Dick Schapp because it was a once a week time to get the views of some sports writers, it was different and interesting, now they are everywhere, there is a reason these guys are journalists and not TV personalities, give them their hour every sunday but keep them away the rest of the week. TK and Wilbon are the notable exceptions but only when together, they work off of each other perfectly.

Finally, they need more straight up anchors, as someone said, it has become "who can do their best Stuart Scott impression" every night on Sportscenter. Seeing Scott when he first came out, Olberman, Kilborn, Mayne and guys like that was much better years ago because they were the only ones doing those kind of things. Now you hear more catch phrases/pop-culture references then you do sports news.

[JohnnytheSkin]

Re: Best and Worst of ESPN

In my opinion, what's the "Worst" about ESPN is the never ending T.O. and Yankees/Red Sox discussions (this just in, T.O. took a record crap this morning, back to you Stu).

The "Best" is everything else...I really enjoy PTI, Mort, Jaws, Clayton, Berman, Jackson, and a few other personalities (save Pedro Gomez who's entire job is to stalk Barry Bonds).

[Laettner32]

Re: Best and Worst of ESPN

Not so much as the ESPN talking heads. But just the ESPN brand. I mean, c'mon..ESPN the magazine is terrible, do they ever say anything bad, or question any athelete on anything("Is America ready to love Barry Bonds?"), ESPN Mobile...I mean how long until its ESPN Credit Card, ESPN Cookbook, The Best of ESPN DVD Vol.1, ESPN "After Hours", ESPN Calendar...hmmmm Rachel Nichols in a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader outfit...thats my film clip for tonights dream...err....OUT!