Thank God For...Doris Burke

by Gene Banks on Mar 10, 2008 12:39 AM CDT

Since I don't have anything to say about the state of the Bulls (inability to properly close out on shooters, take hard fouls at the rim, and finish around the basket), I'd like to take time to pay homage to the real highlight of tonight's game - Doris Burke.

Can we appreciate the fact that she offered that Kirk was a good 'baseline' defender (chasing Rip off screens), actually diagrammed Tayshaun's weakside backdoor cut and spoke knowledgably about basketball for the entire game. While the networks continue to force 'outrageous' or 'entertaining' personalities down our throat (Stephen A., Jon Barry, Mark Jackson, Reggie Miller), Doris Burke actually knows the game and explains it to the viewers. I might actually watch the Big East Tournament if she's going to be the analyst.

Thanks Doris...

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id rather listen to charles barkley

than a woman any day. and i thought she did a bad job. i think she said that tayshaun prince was "long" at least 15 times throughout the game and i just cant stand to listen when women talk about sports. a little sexist? maybe but there aren't really many quality tv broadcasters around these days especially in chicago.

by Jbasic89 on Mar 10, 2008 1:01 AM CDT reply actions

That was quite harsh

I missed the game (lucky?) so i dont know who this burke person is, but in my commentators, i would like someone who knows the game, or knows how to describe whats really going on. I actually like Funk on the radio. Hes been there for a while, but man he really is good, neutral and informative. ANd wennington is a perfect companion for him.

Kirk Hinrich. The Best White American Point Guard in the NBA.

by piccolomair on Mar 10, 2008 1:11 AM CDT up reply actions

It's a lot sexist

and a lot dumb.

She's better than Reggie Miller who usually doesn't have a clue of what's going on (his sister would be a better choice), and most of the folks at ESPN outside of Hubie Brown.

by KT on Mar 10, 2008 6:17 AM CDT up reply actions

Poor Reggie is just about the worst ever.

One has to wonder when his audition/contract will be up. His sister is ten times the announcer he is.

by alec on Mar 10, 2008 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Charles Barkley

over any woman? Any? You need help, man. A time machine to get you out of the 1950s in the very least.

by cranscape on Mar 10, 2008 7:14 AM CDT up reply actions

Er...

I prefer a good woman over a bad man any day. But if you go the other way...

by Sports2 on Mar 10, 2008 7:25 AM CDT up reply actions

She's actually pretty intelligent

Jon Barry is an idiot, Tim Legler or Greg Anthony would be far better as a color guy for ESPN. I watched the 2nd half, and I liked her, although the broadcast was a little dry(Shulman is pretty boring). I wish we could get JVG on one of our games, I love hearing him go off on the league.

Dickey Simpkins>Ben Wallace

by Ozzie Montana on Mar 10, 2008 1:25 AM CDT reply actions

I really like the

Jeff Van Gundy/Mike Breen/Mark Jackson booth that ESPN runs.

by upther on Mar 10, 2008 7:49 AM CDT up reply actions

Among the ESPN color crew

I like Jeff Van Gundy, Doris Burke, Mark Jackson, and Bill Walton is pretty good when he's not teaching history and instead commenting on the game he's watching.

Shulman's really a college play by play guy. He's not really up to speed on the pro game.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Mar 10, 2008 8:45 AM CDT reply actions

I didn't

watch ESPN so I have no idea who she is. I watched CSN and enjoyed the three stooges.

by sue369 on Mar 10, 2008 9:24 AM CDT reply actions

If I had the CSN option

I gladly would've taken it. It would've kept me away from the risk of Jon "No seriously, I played in the NBA!" Barry.

I whole-heartedly agree on the 'Thank God for Doris Burke' notion. She was very knowledgable of the game and didn't beat into the ground that the Bulls are a jump-shooting team.

On another note, I guess this is what basketball hell is like; your team sucks and any time they play on a large stage, the announcers can only focus on your team's bad shooting, lack of identity, and their pressing need/issue/player that NEEDS to be addressed.

by ForWhomTheBullTolls on Mar 10, 2008 11:20 AM CDT reply actions

I found her annoying

I love women and I have no problem with women commentators, but I found her annoying. Some insightful comments were made, but there was a lot of annoying fawning over how great the Pistons are (particularly Chauncey) and negative comments about the Bulls organization ("something like Duhon missing shootaround would NEVER happen with the Spurs organization"). I think she came off like an annoying know-it-all.

Now that's probably still an improvement over an annoying know-nothing, but I was left wishing she could share her insights without letting the other stuff spoil the effect.

Noah is a hussle machine, and Matt Duhon is our best guard.

by preverbal on Mar 10, 2008 12:21 PM CDT reply actions

The Pistons

are hot right now and the Bulls are not. And would that happen with the Spurs? Not that the Bulls should be compared to the Spurs, but it has been an embarrassing year for the Bulls organization. String a few wins together and the Bulls would get better press. It is hard to just create good press for a team that is losing and making public their personnel problems.

by cranscape on Mar 10, 2008 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Doris Burke has done a solid job

over the years. I've been a fan of UCONN women's team since 1995, and Doris was certainly among the very best doing women's games. She was a good player, worked her way up the ladder, and knows the game. I'm glad that she is getting opportunities to do college and even NBA games, but I hope ESPN has her do the women's NCAA tourney because the current WCBB color analysts are beyond terrible.

by Scotter on Mar 10, 2008 2:12 PM CDT reply actions

Anything's better than Jon Barry, but...

She seemed stuck on the tired statements:

"The Bulls are a jump shooting team."
"They need a back-to-the-basket low post scorer."

I thought it was a crappy broadcast. The lowlight was when Noah blew a coverage allowing a lay-up. Boylan barked at him, and Noah yelled back, "My bad."

One of the announcers said something along the lines of "My bad" just doesn't cut it. Very insightful.

by khaledelamin on Mar 11, 2008 1:19 AM CDT reply actions