NBC Lead Analyst

[Mr.Cleeks]

Just saw this and I think this might actually be good for NBC. Kiz would be a lot better then Azinger and I thought he actually provided some good insight at Phoenix instead of blabbering above pressure.

[subrew]

I agree.  I just hope the rest of the crew will quit trying to lead him along with everything.  It felt like the other guys would do their schtick, then have to dumb it down a little for Kiz to jump in with some sort of "how do you look at it from a players perspective their Kiz, chipping into the grain.  Is that difficult?"  Maybe after half a dozen events in the booth they can let him settle in.

 

That and maybe cut the frat boy references to college teams, and his friendship with certain players down about 50%.  The jokes about ribbing Spieth get old after about 8 holes.  

Edited March 8, 2024 by subrew

[gripandrip]

Would love to see Kiz land the job. Always entertaining, but I also enjoyed the Luke Donald commentary.

[kamaaina1]

6 minutes ago, gripandrip said:

 I also enjoyed the Luke Donald commentary.

Yes, Luke Donald's commentary is refreshing...

[jimb6golf]

I've liked Faxon in the booth as he's very knowledgeable of the game and putting in specific.  Donald and Kiz are both just ok.  They need to do something to liven up the broadcasts.  Even Rory looks bored playing.

[Mr.Cleeks]

1 hour ago, subrew said:

I agree.  I just hope the rest of the crew will quit trying to lead him along with everything.  It felt like the other guys would do their schtick, then have to dumb it down a little for Kiz to jump in with some sort of "how do you look at it from a players perspective their Kiz, chipping into the grain.  Is that difficult?"  Maybe after half a dozen events in the booth they can let him settle in.

 

That and maybe cut the frat boy references to college teams, and his friendship with certain players down about 50%.  The jokes about ribbing Spieth get old after about 8 holes.  

I think that was more to do with environment of the Phoenix Open. I would much rather have that over Azinger slobbering about pressure and being unaware about how a course plays 

[Holy Moses]

Kiz is good, but he doesn’t quite know what or when to say things (which is understandable this early on). He will improve and I think he could be pretty good. He’s the best overall choice of the guys I’ve heard. Byrum is a better pure color analyst right now, but just doesn’t have the name recognition.

[Hawkeye77]

Haven’t seen him but there will be a thread crapping all over him before the 4th of July. 
 

He’ll get a pass for awhile because he’s new and popular - enjoy it while it lasts Kev. 

[kwcsports]

Luke, Kiz or Kurt would be good. I should be sick of beating up on Zinger but I'm not. Anyone but Azinger and I'm happy and will watch haha.

[JetSpeed79]

Not a bad choice. 
 

I would have voted for Smylie though. 

[drgolfaholic]

Max Homa whenever he’s done playing.  Funny in Twitter and even more on TV with Smylie Kaufman today.

[PedronNiall]

2 hours ago, JetSpeed79 said:

Not a bad choice. 
 

I would have voted for Smylie though. 

 

Smylie is super personable but wouldn't quite say he's there as a golf analyst, let alone a lead one. Neither is Kisner so far. Credit to Smylie for asking questions that generally get players talking and being able to interact well with any non-golf guests; those are his strong suits. Kisner understands the game inside the ropes well enough to give player perspective, but so far he hasn't come across as any kind of shoe in for the lead role in his limited time. Even more so because as already pointed out he's rarely gotten to take the lead, he's always being spoon fed, and likely unnecessarily.

 

No idea if Donald is in consideration but he's been a surprise hit despite his limited time in the booth and flows through it like this isn't new to him. I don't see any reason NBC needs to rush it if they can make it work with a rotation to give everyone some more time, but Donald is by far the most polished and professional of the three.

[st1800e]

16 minutes ago, PedronNiall said:

Donald is by far the most polished and professional of the three.

✅

[Holy Moses]

Smylie might not be the best lead color option right now, but he’s really good on-course

[One Putter]

It's glaring how bad Azinger was. Kiz, Luke Donald, Smylie Kaufman have been a breath of fresh air. Heck, during that happy hour thing with Smylie, he had Jordan Spieth on and his commentary was really good.

 

Crazy how horrendously bad Zinger was. The man did no prep work and didn't practice at all. Just blathered like an idiot about god knows what. I'm not one that tunes in just for announcers. But man, a great announcer/commentator certainly enhances and adds to the experience, while a bad one detracts, steps all over, and fumbles the big moments.

Edited March 9, 2024 by One Putter

[Holy Moses]

46 minutes ago, One Putter said:

It's glaring how bad Azinger was. Kiz, Luke Donald, Smylie Kaufman have been a breath of fresh air. Heck, during that happy hour thing with Smylie, he had Jordan Spieth on and his commentary was really good.

 

Crazy how horrendously bad Zinger was. The man did no prep work and didn't practice at all. Just blathered like an idiot about god knows what. I'm not one that tunes in just for announcers. But man, a great announcer/commentator certainly enhances and adds to the experience, while a bad one detracts, steps all over, and fumbles the big moments.

He couldn’t handle the pressure of the job

[vernon]

Surprised at all the love for Luke as I think he's horrible.

 

And talk about being led around by the hand.

 

Them "letting" him read the promo for an upcoming soccer match was like fifth grade level stuff.

 

It'll be what it'll be though and like everyone else I'll live with whatever they decide.

 

 

[ShowMe]

My vote is for Brad Faxon.  

[CircleC29]

 

[jdl]

20 hours ago, Hawkeye77 said:

Haven’t seen him but there will be a thread crapping all over him before the 4th of July. 
 

He’ll get a pass for awhile because he’s new and popular - enjoy it while it lasts Kev. 

I already hate the guy they are gonna use when Kiz is gone.

[me05501]

On 3/8/2024 at 2:20 PM, subrew said:

I agree.  I just hope the rest of the crew will quit trying to lead him along with everything.  It felt like the other guys would do their schtick, then have to dumb it down a little for Kiz to jump in with some sort of "how do you look at it from a players perspective their Kiz, chipping into the grain.  Is that difficult?"  Maybe after half a dozen events in the booth they can let him settle in.

 

That and maybe cut the frat boy references to college teams, and his friendship with certain players down about 50%.  The jokes about ribbing Spieth get old after about 8 holes.  

 

100%.

 

If this is going to be his full-time gig then everyone involved needs to treat it that way. 

 

If the rest of the crew can't stop being awkward around him he needs to straighten them out. It's up to him to define his role in the broadcast, and up to the rest of the team to nurture that along. 

[kamaaina1]

Maybe a total revamp is in order...But who????