The New York area is all about the national announcers as of late, but this seems like a smart move. Word is that YES will soon be reuniting the once NBC and occasional TNT duo of Marv Albert and Mike Fratello for the Nets' 2008-2009 season. Via the NJ Star-Ledger....

The Nets have filled the TV analyst gig left vacant by Mark Jackson, we're told, and the choice is none other than Mike Fratello (of course).

We all should have seen this coming: Mike's family is still in Hackensack, his kids are in NYC, his heart remains in Jersey, and there aren't many people better at this gig - especially when he's teamed with Marv Albert.

The announcement is still some time off, presumably because he is shopping around for a new telestrator.

The Knicks and Nets may have two of the worst teams in the NBA last season but they've got the announcer market cornered. I'm not the biggest "Czar" fan, but he knows his stuff, and when you Marv Albert, Mike Breen, Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel, Bob Wischusen, Gus Johnson, Walt Frazier, etc....New York has some pretty good leads and backups in their stable.

NJ Nets: Marv and Czar, Together Again (NJ.com)

The NJ.com's Rutgers Football blog posted an item this past Thursday when they learned that Erin Andrews would not be on sideline duty with her normal team for the Fresno State-Rutgers game yesterday. The post stated that Rob Stone was to replace her and the commenters were not very happy about the switch....

Posted by cojoneka on 08/21/08 at 9:49PM
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Posted by rurockin on 08/22/08 at 7:31AM
Can I write my congressman about this. So unfair!

Posted by scarletpig on 08/22/08 at 12:16PM
I have never felt so betrayed in my entire life.

Okay so there were only seven total quotes, but you could tell it greatly upset Rob Stone. So much so that he and the booth decided to address it part of the way through the fourth quarter....

The guy just continues to crack me up during every report. Also, if Erin Andrews is going to be faxing out letters to read on air, she might want use a little bit nicer kind of letterhead. Maybe something with subtle off-white coloring, tasteful thickness and a watermark? Just a suggestion.

Rob Stone to replace Erin Andrews on the sidelines for Rutgers-Fresno State game (NJ.com)

There's nothing else really going on in the Sports Media department so I'm just going take this spot to add any draft day items and post another mock draft. I have nothing to do but watch Soccer and count down to live-blog and the Bulls going on the clock.

Our First Item:

Yi to the Nets for Richard Jefferson!!!!

The Milwaukee Bucks have agreed in principle to trade Yi Jianlian to the New Jersey Nets for Richard Jefferson, two league sources told SI.com.

The Bucks also are sending Bobby Simmons to the Nets. He has $20.5 million left on a contract that expires in the summer of 2010, when LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh could become free agents.

Well that's interesting isn't it? Add that to Jermaine O'Neal moving to the Raptors and we've got two pretty big moves. That doesn't mean that Toronto and Milwaukee aren't being idiotic for making these trades though. We're one step closer to LB23 coming to the East Coast.

Nets dealing Jefferson to Bucks for Yi (SI.com)

Our Second Item:

Michael Beasley is considering pulling a prank on David Stern....

Our Third Item:

Unsubstantiated Rumors From ESPN.....

1. David Lee to Portland
2. Leandro Barbosa to Portland for Martell Webster, the No. 13 overall pick
3. Clippers and Sonics have agreed to swap picks as long as the Wolves take O.J. Mayo at No. 3
4. The Bobcatas looking to trade Adam Morrison

AA's Final Mock Draft:

1. Bulls- Derrick Rose, PG (Memphis)
2. Heat- Michael Beasley, F (Kansas State)
3. Wolves- OJ Mayo, PG/SG (USC)
4. Sonics- Brook Lopez, C (Stanford)
5. Grizzlies- Kevin Love, PF/C (UCLA)
6. Knicks- Eric Gordon, SG (Indiana)
7. Clippers- Russell Westbrook, PG/SG (UCLA)
8. Bucks- Joe Alexander, SF/PF (West Virginia)
9. Bobcats- Danilo Gallinari, SF (Italy)
10. Nets- Jerryd Bayless, PG/SG (Arizona)
11. Pacers- D.J. Augustin, PG (Texas)
12. Kings- Kosta Koufas, C (Ohio State)
13. Blazers- Anthony Randolph, SF/PF (LSU)
14. Warriors- DeAndre Jordan, C (Texas A&M)
15. Suns- Brandon Rush, SG (Kansas)
16. 76ers- Robin Lopez, C (Stanford)
17. Pacers- Mario Chalmers, PG (Kansas)
18. Wizards- Darrel Arthur, PF (Kansas)
19. Cavaliers- JJ Hickson, PF (NC State)
20. Charlotte- Roy Hibbert, C (Georgetown)
21. Nets- Donte Greene, SF/PF (Syracuse)
22. Magic- Courtney Lee, SG (Western Kentucky)
23. Jazz- JaVale McGee, PF (Nevada)
24. Sonics- Mareesse Speights, C (Florida)
25. Rockets- Ante Tomic, C (Croatia)
26. Spurs- Nicolas Batum, SF (France
27. Trail Blazers- Alexis Ajinca, PF/C (France)
28. Grizzlies- Jason Thompson, PF (Rider)
29. Pistons- DJ White, PF (Indiana)
30. Celtics- Chris Douglas-Roberts, SG (Memphis)

I know this video has nothing to do with anything but it's downright hilarious. Vince Carter is being asked about new Net PG Devin Harris and how he played in practice. Wait...he practiced?

We talkin' bout practice. Practice. Seriously Vince.

(Via Fanhouse)

This is yet another quote that deserves to fall into the "What in the Hell were you thinking?!?!?!" category, and might actually head to the top of the list. ESPN Hockey Analyst (I was unaware ESPN talked about Hockey anymore) Barry Melrose was talking about the New Jersey Devils' new Arena (Prudential Center) when he dropped this bomb on the State of New Jersey (1:30 mark)....

"Don't go outside if you have a wallet or anything else, because the area around the arena is just horrible."

New Jersey is rightfully up in arms, and Melrose has already issued a "heart-felt" apology....

"I was trying to be funny and I'm sorry it didn't come through that way," he said by phone from St. Louis. "No excuse. When I talk I don't want to offend anybody. I love hockey and I want Newark to be a success. I certainly never wanted to hurt the feelings of the people of Newark or the people of New Jersey. There was no malice on my part."

The key words in that apology "trying to be funny". Sportcasters are not comedians, and this practice of trying to be is ruining the profession. There's a reason why people like myself and others hold people like Al Michaels, Keith Jackson, and Marv Albert up on a pedestal. It's because they are classy (Marv's personal problems aside) when calling a Sporting Event. Sure they can be funny at times, but it never distracts from the sport and puts them above the players and the game.

This is the main reason people like Dennis Miller and Tony Kornheiser have failed or are failing in the booth. There's no need for humor or entertainment....the game is the entertainment. On the flip side though, no one really even knew the Hockey season had started. Good work by Barry to bring some attention to the Sport. Any news is good news right ESPN?

ESPN's Melrose sorry for remarks about Newark (USA Today)
Barry Melrose Thinks Newark Might Be A Tad Unsafe (The Lefty Call)