July 3, 2007
See ya Norma…
Jay wrote this today:
Okay, strange as it may seem for me to say, I am actually a bit ambivalent about Norma Wick leaving the Raptors broadcasts. While she definitely wasn’t one of my favourites on television, on the radio, she seemed like a completely different person. But besides that, I don’t think anybody could really make a strong argument that Norma doesn’t know her basketball. She does. As I have mentioned before, if you’re a woman and you’re in a position like she was on national television in sports, you probably know your game pretty well.
The important thing here is that the Raptors broadcasts are losing an important female voice, a voice that I think is necessary if the Raptors are going to be the focal point of trying to build the game in Canada. We have all seen some of the women who have been put in sports broadcasts in meaningless positions (hello sideline reporters) or on highlight shows who just are not in their element (um…hello Jennifer Hedger). So when you have a woman who actually understands the game and has interesting things to say, it’s too bad that they have to go.
But as I said, I don’t think Norma’s strengths were well conveyed on television. Thankfully, there weren’t any halftime interviews with Jim Todd last season, because those were downright painful.
Anyway, as we like to say on RF, “See ya _____.” This time, Norma, it’s your turn to fill in the blank. Best of luck.
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Filed under: Raptors Forum
July 4th, 2007 at 10:20 pm
Norma was okay and she knows hoops. She might have seemed better then she actually was due to how horrible Paul Johnson is. I don’t want to be a Debby Downer, but the guy doesn’t even get respect from his peers. I’d even pay more for raps tv if they’d consider canning him.
July 4th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
Agreed, she does know her hoops, there’s just something about her on television compared to radio…
You’re right on Paul Johnson. Sometimes the other guys just stare at him after he has said something, thinking, “Okay, so like, what are we supposed to say to that?” How does he hang around and there’s no more Norma? The inequalities of the world are staggering.
July 5th, 2007 at 10:40 am
where did she go? and why?
if only we could get rid of Geek Boy Swirsky
July 5th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
I haven’t heard anything on where she has gone, but she will pop up somewhere. Geek Boy Swirsky? Come on man! Sure, Swirsk is a little geeky, but he is passionate and knows his basketball. And you can never get tired of hearing him say, “Dwight Howard is A MAN.”
July 6th, 2007 at 11:23 am
I like Swirksy… any guy dedicated enough to answer fan email is okay with me. They need to replace Paul Johnson, sorry for harping on this, but he’s painful to watch.
July 8th, 2007 at 10:00 am
Can’t agree more on Paul Johnson. Somebody should start a write in campaign to MLSE and Rap’s TV.
Dump Johnson who knows zero about BB and bring
back Norma Wick who has a long history in BB going back to the Vancouver Grizz days.
July 9th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Not Norma!!! she was a little boring but her on air personality brought a sense of consistency to the raptors organization. whether the season was good or bad, she was their with her big eyes and manly voice. good luck norma.
July 11th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
I will miss Norma. I liked her. db