David Aldridge fired by ESPN.

[The_herd]

According to the NY Post, Aldridge was let go by ESPN. Awful move by ESPN. He was the only basketball analyst they had that was 1) Knowledgable 2) Didn't yell at the viewer.

Sad to see them keep Steven A. Smith instead of DA.

[Ksyrup]

Huh. Maybe he asked for Deion Sanders money.

[rexallllsc]

At least they have Dick Vitale and A. Smith.

If they hire Scoop Jackson, I'll never watch ESPN again.

[Ksyrup]

What about Kenny Smith? Is he available?

[SunDevil]

Just another example of what everyone was talking about two weeks ago in those espn threads.

[korme]

DA is awesome!

[Crapshoot]

what a load of shit. Smith is the loudest most irrelevant jackass around, while Aldrige seemed to be one of the more informed and studious guys out there- I always enjoyed his columns. I hope one of the big sites (Sportsline, Cnnsi) picks him up - he's actually able to conway more than hyperbole.

[LastWhiteSoxFanStanding]

Aldridge was intelligent, concise and entertaining. Why would they want to keep a guy like that around? He was one of the few guys who actually did a decent job in filling in for PTI also. A real shame.

[Philliesfan980]

There's probably more to this. I really doubt they just "fired him". He probably wanted some more cash.

[terpkristin]

Originally Posted by rexallllsc

At least they have Dick Vitale and A. Smith.

If they hire Scoop Jackson, I'll never watch ESPN again.

AT LEAST THEY HAVE DICK VITALE?!?!?!

Are you crazy?! They got rid of probably one of their best bball analysts and kept the asshole who changes his opnion more often than Bush lies. Man that guy is one of the most abnoxious morons people to ever hit the airwaves. And his voice is SO annoying. Why the hell HOOTERS of all people thought he'd be a good spokesperson to promo their NCAA/Hooters Air thing is beyond me, I'll be glad to see him die. Er, I mean, retire...

Well, whichever comes first.

~tk

[pennywisesb]

I always thought David Aldridge was a very good commentator. Much better than big mouth Steven A. Smith. But I guess once you get the ball rolling in a downhill direction, its pretty easy to let it keep going.

[The_herd]

The funny thing about Vitale is that when he's not self promoting, he's actually watchable. I've never seen a broadcaster/analyst so obsessed with himself and his image. I was listening to him on ESPN radio during the NCAA tournament and he was talking like a regular person for once and had some nice insight on a few games.

Unfortunately, 99.9% of the time Vitale is so full of himself and in love with Coach K and Duke that nothing but shit pours from his mouth.

[terpkristin]

Originally Posted by The_herd

The funny thing about Vitale is that when he's not self promoting, he's actually watchable. I've never seen a broadcaster/analyst so obsessed with himself and his image. I was listening to him on ESPN radio during the NCAA tournament and he was talking like a regular person for once and had some nice insight on a few games.

Unfortunately, 99.9% of the time Vitale is so full of himself and in love with Coach K and Duke that nothing but shit pours from his mouth.

I love you man.

No, seriously. Anybody that shares my distaste for Dukie V is alright in my book.

~tk

[rexallllsc]

Originally Posted by terpkristin

AT LEAST THEY HAVE DICK VITALE?!?!?!

Are you crazy?! They got rid of probably one of their best bball analysts and kept the asshole who changes his opnion more often than Bush lies. Man that guy is one of the most abnoxious morons people to ever hit the airwaves. And his voice is SO annoying. Why the hell HOOTERS of all people thought he'd be a good spokesperson to promo their NCAA/Hooters Air thing is beyond me, I'll be glad to see him die. Er, I mean, retire...

Well, whichever comes first.

~tk

Sorry, I was being super-sarcastic. I liked him when I was 13. Then I heard him compare Coach K to John Wooden.

[terpkristin]

Heh. 'Twas hard to tell, there were no or or angry faces in it. You're ok in my book, too, then.

~tk

[Suicane75]

The slide down the slippery slope continues.

[cthomer5000]

WTF?

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Philliesfan980

There's probably more to this. I really doubt they just "fired him". He probably wanted some more cash.

His contract was up. They just chose not to renew it, deciding to go with Smith as their main NBA guy.

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by Logan

His contract was up. They just chose not to renew it, deciding to go with Smith as their main NBA guy.

Good Lord. What a stupid decision. Horrible.

[Cringer]

Maybe they can get Joe Buck, isn't it time he to moved into basketball too?

[Philliesfan980]

Originally Posted by Cringer

Maybe they can get Joe Buck, isn't it time he to moved into basketball too?

Joe Buck is absolutely brutal.

[SunDevil]

Flipping through channels, stop at espn for a second, they are showing tennis on a Friday evening. WTF, last time I checked this was still baseball season.

[hhiipp]

Originally Posted by SunDevil

Flipping through channels, stop at espn for a second, they are showing tennis on a Friday evening. WTF, last time I checked this was still baseball season.

The other night I turned on ESPN in hopes a baseball game or at least Sports Center was on so I could just check scores while I lay in bed. You know what I got? Hoosiers. . .

[SunDevil]

Found this on another site

LOSING DA
Reports are filtering out that ESPN Entertainment has elected not to renew the contract of NBA analyst David Aldridge, basically ending an eight year pairing. The 39-year-old Aldridge joined ESPN in 1996 and has been the networks face for the NBA for years. Aldridge had been a sports reporter for the Washington Post, covering all sports in Washington including the Bullets, Redskins and international events such as the U.S. Tennis Open, Indianapolis 500, and the 1992 Olympics. ESPN has yet to address the news publicly as reports have begun to leak out that come August 28th Aldridge will become part of ESPN history. Depending on whom you listen to, ESPN’s decision was two part, one that David apparently was asking for more money and a larger role – possibly even his own show, and two that the network was going with a younger more “advertiser” friendly set in Andy Katz and Steven A. Smith. Its unclear why the network would shed it single most accurate source of information, but this is also the same network that banks on Chad “If it sticks, It’s news” Ford, who is also getting a larger stage with the DA departure. For all of the DA fans out there, no worries, rumor has it TNT is ready to snatch David up at his asking price and if he wants his own NBA news show, TNT seems ready to make that happen too. Should a TNT deal fall through, do not be surprised to see DA at FOX or more strategically important for the NBA, on NBATV. ON A

PERSONAL NOTE: I had the opportunity a few years ago to “kick it” with DA in Chicago at a Bulls game, neither of us were too interested in the all lottery matchup on the floor and spent the bulk of the game in the media workroom, just running down NBA stuff… I can say with all certainty that of all of the major media personalities I have met in my travels around the NBA, that David Aldridge is by far, the classiest, most honest guy I have met. I do not bank on many people in this business, but I’d bank on David Aldridge. ESPN has made a tragic mistake letting their best guy go, and if the boys at ESPN believe that Screamin’ Stephen and Chad Ford are going to keep them at the forefront of breaking NBA news and inside scoop, they have radically under estimated David’s value and credibility to the network.

[stevew]

Aldridge is the Man.

[Suicane75]

We all agree that DA is the man? One love. Unity, thy name is FOFC.

[pennywisesb]

Originally Posted by SunDevil

Found this on another site

Depending on whom you listen to, ESPN’s decision was two part, one that David apparently was asking for more money and a larger role – possibly even his own show, and two that the network was going with a younger more “advertiser” friendly set in Andy Katz and Steven A. Smith.

Good luck with these two idiots ESPN.

[Chief Rum]

Stephen A. was a jerk to a waitress I work with at my restaurant a year ago. He tipped good, though.

CR

[Crapshoot]

Originally Posted by SunDevil

Found this on another site

PERSONAL NOTE: I had the opportunity a few years ago to “kick it” with DA in Chicago at a Bulls game, neither of us were too interested in the all lottery matchup on the floor and spent the bulk of the game in the media workroom, just running down NBA stuff… I can say with all certainty that of all of the major media personalities I have met in my travels around the NBA, that David Aldridge is by far, the classiest, most honest guy I have met. I do not bank on many people in this business, but I’d bank on David Aldridge. ESPN has made a tragic mistake letting their best guy go, and if the boys at ESPN believe that Screamin’ Stephen and Chad Ford are going to keep them at the forefront of breaking NBA news and inside scoop, they have radically under estimated David’s value and credibility to the network.

Thanks Sun Devil- that's the impression I had of the guy, and its good to see it confirmed to some degree. His only mistake seemed to be that he didnt scream loudly enough.

[Crapshoot]

Seriously, we're not a totally representative sample, but not one person has actually said that they like Stephen A. Smith- who is ESPN targetting with this idiot ?

[SunDevil]

Sorry if that was misleading, the whole post including "kicking it with DA" is not me, but someone who posted on another forum, I just copied and pasted it.

[Subby]

I love DA...but I really like Chad Ford - hopefully Ford is the silver lining here...

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by Aadik

Seriously, we're not a totally representative sample, but not one person has actually said that they like Stephen A. Smith- who is ESPN targetting with this idiot ?

I think Shorty likes him. I recall him saying it in another recent thread.

He just seems like he's yelling at the audience to me, as if every question he's asked is the stupiest thing he's every heard.

[Crapshoot]

Ct, I agree- the guy needs to come with a seperate volume control...

[Ragone]

Stephen a Smith reminds me of a young spike lee.. in fact.. has anyone seen them together... maybe spike lee invented the wayback machine?

[Suicane75]

To me Steven A Smith is less about the story and more about his persona, and he's loud. It's just annoying.

[SunDevil]

Is there a reason why ESPN has music groups and interviews this week on sportscenter. Flipping through the channels again, and they are interviewing Alanis Morrisete (sp). What did she do, kick a field goal, compete in the olympics? Nope she just released a new album and is promoting it on sportscenter. I am speechless....

[rexallllsc]

Originally Posted by SunDevil

Found this on another site

LOSING DA
Reports are filtering out that ESPN Entertainment has elected not to renew the contract of NBA analyst David Aldridge, basically ending an eight year pairing. The 39-year-old Aldridge joined ESPN in 1996 and has been the networks face for the NBA for years. Aldridge had been a sports reporter for the Washington Post, covering all sports in Washington including the Bullets, Redskins and international events such as the U.S. Tennis Open, Indianapolis 500, and the 1992 Olympics. ESPN has yet to address the news publicly as reports have begun to leak out that come August 28th Aldridge will become part of ESPN history. Depending on whom you listen to, ESPN’s decision was two part, one that David apparently was asking for more money and a larger role – possibly even his own show, and two that the network was going with a younger more “advertiser” friendly set in Andy Katz and Steven A. Smith.

Andy Katz sucks, too.

[rexallllsc]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

I think Shorty likes him. I recall him saying it in another recent thread.

He just seems like he's yelling at the audience to me, as if every question he's asked is the stupiest thing he's every heard.

Great way of putting it.

[duckman]

Originally Posted by SunDevil

Is there a reason why ESPN has music groups and interviews this week on sportscenter. Flipping through the channels again, and they are interviewing Alanis Morrisete (sp). What did she do, kick a field goal, compete in the olympics? Nope she just released a new album and is promoting it on sportscenter. I am speechless....

They're doing something about 'music in sports'.

[rufusjonz]

aldrige rocked, thoughtful and intelligent
steven a smith sucks loudmouth joker

[Joe]

I love me some Stephen A. Smith

[sterlingice]

I can't believe they use the phrase "Chad 'If it sticks, It’s news' Ford" right after not using that to describe Andy Katz in the previous sentence. He's the exact same way: If it's a rumor, it's news to him.

This is a shame. Aldridge was the NBA guy I enjoyed reading. Nothing too flashy, has a good rather than awful writing style (as opposed to the late Ralph "Oh stewardess! I speak jive." Wiley), and seemed to have genuinely good analysis. Where can we find him now?

And, tk, are there really that many people not on Tobacco Row or inbred (and, in many cases, both) who like Vitale? Few people in Kanas like him and the only ones who do loved him because he was usually in Roy Williams's jock, just not as much as he was in Krew-ja-woo-ski's.

SI

[CraigSca]

2 days after the fact, but I have to agree that Steven A. Smith is nothing but a blowhard. I know ESPN is all about entertainment, but it sickens me when they turn their back on journalists for these arrogant personalities.

[ISiddiqui]

Smith sucks. I'm tired of him on my PTI with Skip Bayless while Wilbon and Kornheiser take some time off. Aldridge on that show would be a great pairing.

[Crapshoot]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

I

This is a shame. Aldridge was the NBA guy I enjoyed reading. Nothing too flashy, has a good rather than awful writing style (as opposed to the late Ralph "Oh stewardess! I speak jive." Wiley), and seemed to have genuinely good analysis. Where can we find him now?

SI

Aye- I think a deal with TNT is supposed to be wrapped up sooner rather than later.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Smith sucks. I'm tired of him on my PTI with Skip Bayless while Wilbon and Kornheiser take some time off. Aldridge on that show would be a great pairing.

Me too. They are horrible. Having one guest is fine, but the show shouldn't go one without both Wilbon and Kornheiser. It's awful. Bayless and Smith suck. I don't even know who the hell Skip Bayless is.

[RPI-Fan]

Aldridge is just plain old boring.

Smith isn't afraid to give opinions (he's on ESPN for that; not news), which is something just about every sportscaster nowadays is.

[ISiddiqui]

I've seen Skip Bayless on other ESPN shows (I believe he's been on the Sports Reporters a few times). He's pretty decent, it's Smith that brings it down (after he starts yelling, you have to match his volume to get anything across).

[wbatl1]

Originally Posted by Suicane75

We all agree that DA is the man? One love. Unity, thy name is FOFC.

Thats the problem. Those of us at FOFC care about information, stats, and insight from a sports analyst but the majority of the general public and the public that ESPN markets care only about the voice of the announcer, and David was not a cool, hip-hop guy.