ABC’s Game 1 uncalled for….

ESPN’s Mark Jones was in way over his head.

The Celtics played an incredible fourth quarter against the Warriors Thursday to take Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

It’s too bad their epic comeback was called with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for a Summer League contest between the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans.
With Mike Breen out due to Covid, ESPN Radio’s Mark Jones jumped over to the TV side and called the game alongside Mark Jackson (Jeff Van Gundy was sidelined with Covid as well).

Jones didn’t produce one signature call, unless you count describing the Celtics’ furious comeback as an “insurrection.”
“The Celtics have stormed ahead! This insurrection has them leading by 11,” Jones said after Marcus Smart hit a 3-pointer with 2:53 remaining.
Apparently, it was Jan. 6 night at Chase Arena.


Stormed? Insurrection? The heck...

Jones failed to seize the moment, describing the action in humdrum fashion as the Celtics stormed past the NBA’s greatest dynasty since Jordan’s Bulls. Al Horford was deadly in the quarter, hitting two straight 3’s and a mid-range jumper to propel the Celtics ahead by eight.
And what did Jones have to say?
“Horford feeling it. A couple consecutive three and a mid-range, and Al Horford has come alive.,” he said flatly.


Mark Jones was just handed a historic 4th quarter. He didn't live up to it.

(Fortunately, Jackson provided some amusement when he sent the broadcast to break after Horford put Boston up by three: “All the ladies in the house say ‘Al!’)
Jones has worked at ESPN for more than 30 years. He started his career at the WorldWide Leader as the host of a weekly NBA studio show, “NBA Today,” and currently calls NBA games with a variety of partners. Most commonly, Jones is paired with Hubie Brown, who carries him at 88 years old.
Jackson was not able to do that, considering he struggled to correctly pronounce “Horford.” Breen’s and Van Gundy’s absences were palpable.

I like when Mark Jones asks serious questions—such as whether this is a series where Pritchard can play more—and Mark Jackson just responds with idiotic, generic cliches that have nothing to do with the actual subject.

Anybody who underplays the importance of a good play-by-play man should rewatch the fourth quarter of Game 1. Breen would’ve added to the experience. Meanwhile, it’s almost like Jones wasn’t even there.

It's nice when a play-by-play guy produces an extemporaneously memorable moment (e.g. "AND DOWN GOES FRAZIER!!  DOWN GOES FRAZIER!!") but I need them to just call them as they see them.  We still have the color guy to do the analysis and metaphors.

"Hotter than fish grease" is one of Jones' signature exuberances, and that one is ok although, like everything that is overused, it gets old with time and use.  I just burned the everlovin' shite out of my hand 2 days ago from tomato bisque soup and am all blistered up now without ever being within casting distance of a fish market or seafood restaurant.  I also could have lived without the "insurrection" statement.  Aside from the unavoidable overtones from current events I think it revealed his opinion that GSW (are you aware GSW missed the playoffs the two previous seasons before this one, Mark?) are royalty and we're just rabble with roundballs, a pack of peasants with pitchforks.  Well, I got a pitchfork right heah for ya, Mark.  Jones was a Canadian and is now a US citizen (slumming, if you ask most Canadians).  His older brother is the radio guy for the Raptors and Mark Jones now lives in Miami.  It wouldn't be much of a surprise if he's not a fan of the Boston Celtics, now would it?


Bob


.

I didn’t think Jones was that bad, I can’t stand Jackson’s comments generally. If I hear Mama there goes that man one more time….we’ll it’s stupid and annoying as hell IMHO.

Isn't Jones the guy that says "Butter!" and "Swish!"? Those are lame.

Mike Breen says, "Bang!"

Mike Gorman is retiring soon, maybe he can sell "Got It!!"

gyso wrote:Isn't Jones the guy that says "Butter!" and "Swish!"?  Those are lame.

Mike Breen says, "Bang!"

Mike Gorman is retiring soon, maybe he can sell "Got It!!"

I kinda like when Jones says “Butter” and “Laced it”. Everything else are overworked clichés.

The very first time I heard “Bang” was when Johnny Most used to spit it. Everyone else needs to fall in line behind the best to evah do it- Johnny Most!

bobheckler wrote:It's nice when a play-by-play guy produces an extemporaneously memorable moment (e.g. "AND DOWN GOES FRAZIER!!  DOWN GOES FRAZIER!!") but I need them to just call them as they see them.  We still have the color guy to do the analysis and metaphors.

"Hotter than fish grease" is one of Jones' signature exuberances, and that one is ok although, like everything that is overused, it gets old with time and use.  I just burned the everlovin' shite out of my hand 2 days ago from tomato bisque soup and am all blistered up now without ever being within casting distance of a fish market or seafood restaurant.  I also could have lived without the "insurrection" statement.  Aside from the unavoidable overtones from current events I think it revealed his opinion that GSW (are you aware GSW missed the playoffs the two previous seasons before this one, Mark?) are royalty and we're just rabble with roundballs, a pack of peasants with pitchforks.  Well, I got a pitchfork right heah for ya, Mark.  Jones was a Canadian and is now a US citizen (slumming, if you ask most Canadians).  His older brother is the radio guy for the Raptors and Mark Jones now lives in Miami.  It wouldn't be much of a surprise if he's not a fan of the Boston Celtics, now would it?


Bob


.

There’s going to be lots of crow chomping when we finish them off. Folks still don’t know. They better ask somebody..

bobheckler wrote:It's nice when a play-by-play guy produces an extemporaneously memorable moment (e.g. "AND DOWN GOES FRAZIER!!  DOWN GOES FRAZIER!!") but I need them to just call them as they see them.  We still have the color guy to do the analysis and metaphors.

"Hotter than fish grease" is one of Jones' signature exuberances, and that one is ok although, like everything that is overused, it gets old with time and use.  I just burned the everlovin' shite out of my hand 2 days ago from tomato bisque soup and am all blistered up now without ever being within casting distance of a fish market or seafood restaurant.  I also could have lived without the "insurrection" statement.  Aside from the unavoidable overtones from current events I think it revealed his opinion that GSW (are you aware GSW missed the playoffs the two previous seasons before this one, Mark?) are royalty and we're just rabble with roundballs, a pack of peasants with pitchforks.  Well, I got a pitchfork right heah for ya, Mark.  Jones was a Canadian and is now a US citizen (slumming, if you ask most Canadians).  His older brother is the radio guy for the Raptors and Mark Jones now lives in Miami.  It wouldn't be much of a surprise if he's not a fan of the Boston Celtics, now would it?


Bob


.

There’s going to be lots of crow chomping when we finish them off. Folks still don’t know. They better ask somebody..

cowens/oldschool wrote:I didn’t think Jones was that bad, I can’t stand Jackson’s comments generally. If I hear Mama there goes that man one more time….we’ll it’s stupid and annoying as hell IMHO.

Here’s another Jackson Diddy : “Just flat out getting it done”.

Nothing, I mean nothing is as bad as Magic’s “And, Also , Too”.
Or Hubie’s “Plenty of time here”..