"One of the best in the game" - Another problem with sports commentators
>> Thursday
Well, Vinnie got to bitch about announcers, so let me make a quick comment about this trendy phrase in sports: "He's one of the top (x #) of players in the game right now (at this level, at his position, etc.)."
I'm sick of commentators making this effusive comment over and over... and changing their minds over and over! Every year, there's another "best hitter in the game right now" or "best penatrator in the college game." And usually these claims are short-lived and based on a very narrow window of time... I guess it's not enough to call Wes Welker a very good possession receiver; he has to be "the best in the game right now."
Unfortunately, I think it's a product of our media fragmentation. In order to be heard nowadays, the successful commentator needs to make increasingly ridiculous and attention-grabbing comments or else drown in the mainstream. And with bloggers ready to make those ridiculous, unfounded statements without consequence, these commentators feel the pressure to call Rajon Rondo "one of the best point guards in the NBA right now." (I don't remember what jackass ESPN analyst said that, but I heard it!)
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