ESPN commentator Doris Burke felt the wrath of the internet on Monday night after fans were left underwhelmed by her performance in the booth for the NBA playoffs.
Burke, 60, was on the mic for Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals match-up between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder, which the latter won to secure a 3-1 series lead.
While the game itself was a thriller, some fans claimed their enjoyment was tainted by Burke’s commentary, with one particular moment leaving a bad taste.
Midway through the game, Burke made a bizarre reference to World War II, when she spoke about the German family history of Isaiah Hartenstein, and French native Rudy Gobert.
‘I don’t know much about history, but I know the French and German don’t like one another,’ she began. ‘And Rudy says, «Bonjour, Mr Hartenstein! Have a little bit of that left-handed dunk!»‘
Mike Breen, alongside her in the booth, then jumps in to say: ‘What are you trying to start here?’
Doris Burke (pictured last week with Chris Paul) felt the wrath of social media on Monday night
Burke (center) was in the booth alongside Richard Jefferson (left) and Mike Breen (2R)
On social media, fans were quick to share their thoughts on Burke’s on-air performance, with one writing: ‘Doris Burke tonight: 100% Crush on Gobert, 1 WW2 Joke, 134 «Cousin» mentions. WORST COMMENTATOR OF ALL TIME.’
Another added: ‘SGA clearly got fouled by Rudy Gobert on the arm, but unprofessionally Doris Burke calls SGA a «Free Throw Merchant». There is no way she should be saying this on air, shoutout to RJ [Richard Jefferson] for sticking up and understanding.’
A third noted: ‘Doris Burke should not have a job as an announcer,’ while another said: ‘Haven’t tweeted in over a year but felt I needed to say how much I hate listening to Doris Burke call these games.’
Fans were furious after Burke called Shai Gilgeous-Alexander a ‘free-throw merchant’
Some disagreed, though, with one user coming out in support of the female voice, claiming: ‘Doris Burke is a great commentator.’
Burke has always been a polarizing voice among sports fans, but ESPN have stuck by her and given her a huge role in this season’s NBA playoffs.
ESPN are also showing this year’s NBA Finals and it is expected the veteran broadcaster will continue to have a huge role in the rest of their coverage.
