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You may have noticed that ESPN's NBA Draft coverage was slightly less annoying than usual. While that was due in large part to Stephen A. Smith being moved off the main set to simply conduct interviews, it also had a large part to do with a focus on not repeating the same player descriptions that wear on you come late 1st round. There's also a good change you noticed these changes because you weren't as drunk. Jay Bilas said he made a concerted efforts to avoid the typical descriptive terms such as "long" and "upside." Please note this is part of the double secret ESPN Insider, so if you don't hear from me for a while, you'll know why.
"Did you notice that I did not use the terms "long" or "upside" a single time during ESPN's NBA draft coverage? I am aware of the drinking games that are based upon the use of such terms, and I did my level best to reduce binge drinking across the country. We all have to do what we can. Instead of "long," I used the terms "length," "stretch," "elongated," "extend" and the ever-popular "considerable linear extent in space." With one player, I stated that his arms "extend beyond normal or moderate limits." The descriptive term "long" has been a term of art in basketball for years, but it was kind of fun to see if I could go the entire draft without using it. I'll probably go back to my usual terminology now."Gee, thanks. Here I was thinking Bilas was always looking out for us.
We'll give him credit for coming up with every possible synonym, but I won't excuse him for telling us that Michael Beasley had "second-jumpability" and noting Kevin Love's "pick and popability." If we ever run into Jay, we're getting our drinks back.
'Long' thoughts on the NBA draft [E$PN] via [FanHouse]
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