The NBA is the most exciting game to watch, and the presence of commentators makes it more enjoyable. They help us, the fans, with valuable insights and information. But like most other fans, I also had the question in mind, “Can NBA players hear the commentators?”
The answer is both yes and no, depending on which commentator you are talking about. If it is the TV commentators, then no, players cannot hear them. In the basketball arena, you can only hear the public announcers, whether you are a player or a spectator, in the gallery.
I noticed this while watching live games of the NBA from the gallery. The TV commentators are only for the TV viewers. There are several reasons for them not being heard in the court. Let’s find them out.
Why Can NBA Players Not Heat the Commentators?
Like most sports, NBA commentators are to entertain the audience at home. The players can hardly hear the commentators. Let me explain the reasons behind it:
The Commentators Are Not Speaking to the Players
The first thing you need to know is that NBA commentators do not speak to the players. In fact, they do not speak for the spectators present in the arena either. I tried to focus on what they were saying but did not find any luck there. The microphones they use are designed to send the sound to the TV audience.
Fans often make this mistake that since the commentators are speaking on the mic, everyone is supposed to hear that. But no, it does not happen in the arena. There is no speaker set around the arena where the commentators can be heard.
The Designs of the Arenas
NBA arenas are designed to reduce the outside noise of the court. The court is surrounded by noise-absorbing materials to keep the court free from the outside noise. This makes sense as to why my favorite player was not looking at me while I was shouting his name from the backseat of the gallery.
Here is a funny thing. I once shouted in an almost empty stadium after the match, hoping to hear an echo. But there was no echo! Later, I found out that the arenas are designed to remove echoes as well. So, if a commentator gets excited, his sound can hardly be echoed, and the noise-absorbing panels, noise leakage, etc., make the sound unreachable to the players.
The Players Are Focused on the Game
The players do not focus on what the commentators are saying. If they did, they might pick a word or two. But the game requires their full attention to the court. They are constantly jumping, running, chasing, and communicating with their teammates. It all makes it difficult for them to focus on if the commentators are saying anything.
Distance and Elevation
By this point, you must be wondering if the players can hear some noise from the commentary table. It seems very unlikely, actually. Commentary tables are situated in much distance from the court. Besides, the commentators’ table is mostly located on the top of the arena. Therefore, their sound cannot reach the players.
Nonetheless, some arenas are designed to accommodate the commentary team’s courtside. Still, there are other factors like crowd noise and court noise that mostly cancel out the sound of the commentators.
Crowd Noise
Though the arenas are soundproof, they cannot reduce the crowd noise to zero. Watching the game live from the arena is more fun than watching it on television. The excitement makes you cheer, jump, and cry out loud. The cheering of the fans overpowered the little noise of the commentators that could be heard in an empty arena.
Squeaky Noise in the Court
If you watch the NBA or basketball games on a regular basis, then you must have noticed the squeaky sound all over the court. This is the only thing I hate about the game. It makes me irritated, and I think it is the same for everyone. This noise comes from the friction between the shoes of the players and the floor.
Basketball shoes are different from regular shoes. The soles are made of EVA or polyurethane midsole and a harder outer sole material. Basketball shoes are designed to protect the ankles of the players.
The shoes have a soft layer to ensure a soft landing, quick movements, and maintain proper body balance. The soft layer of the shoes creates friction to reduce sliding, and the friction leads to the squeaky noise.
Do basketball shoes make you look taller? Well, the shoes can elevate you from one to two inches. If you consider that, then yes, these shoes can make you appear a little taller than usual.
Is It Beneficial for the Players Not to Hear the Commentators
When I watch the match from home, I find the commentary helpful. Won’t it be helpful for the players as well? Not actually. It would cause problems for them. Here are some benefits for them not hearing commentary:
Minimized Distraction
The players do not need to hear who is running with the ball. They do not need to hear if the opponent players made a dribble or not. They need to focus on the game and on the ball. The information that we find important is not necessary for the players. This would, instead, create distraction for them.
Communication and Strategy
Players make different strategies during an NBA match. If they hear everything the commentators are saying, it would make the arena too noisy for them to communicate effectively.
Mental Resilience of the Players
NBA commentators are often biased. They find faults in the players and criticize their mistakes. Hearing all these could affect the mental state of the players when they are playing. This could even have an impact on their confidence level. Therefore, it is necessary to bar the commentary from the courts.
Can NBA Fans Hear the Commentators?
No, even the fans attending the arena cannot hear the commentators. However, there are public announcers in the arena who keep the audience updated about who scored the point and additional information if necessary. The PA team is different from the commentary team.
The PA team does not provide moment-by-moment updates. They introduce the players when they arrive on the court. They announce the scores, the name of the scorer, and share some stats during the break time.
I felt better this way. Who needs commentary when you can watch all your favorite players from a close distance? I could not even focus on the announcer when they were taking the names of the players. Watching the game from the arena is a whole lot different from watching at home.
Do the players also hear the announcer? The answer is yes. Everyone in the arena can hear them unless they are too absorbed into the game.
Can NBA Players Put On Headphones During the Game?
I once thought it would be cool for the players if they wore headphones during the match. This would help them communicate among themselves properly, and they could also get rid of the outside noise. However, this is against the rules of the game.
NBA players, or basketball players in general, are not allowed to wear any non-regulation headgear. Since the players have to jump and run around the court, it would affect their speed and agility if they had to carry any device. Besides, players often get into physical contact, and the devices would have fallen down.
You must have noticed how high the players jump. If they wore any such gear, they had to be considerate about the device, and it would affect their attention.
FAQ
Do NBA players talk during games?
Yes, NBA players talk during games. They communicate to plan strategies, coordinate plays, and give each other instructions. Talking helps them work together as a team, making quick decisions on the court. It’s a crucial part of their teamwork and helps them play the game more effectively.
How loud is an NBA game?
An NBA game can be very loud. The crowd cheers, and players communicate, adding to the noise. Studies done on the game show that the noise level can range between 105 and 130 decibels.
Who is the oldest NBA commentator?
The oldest NBA commentator is Hubert Jude Brown, born on September 25, 1933. He’s a retired basketball coach and player who now serves as an active television analyst. His extensive experience and insights make him a respected figure in providing commentary on NBA games.
Are NBA players trained to ignore commentator commentary during games?
Yes, NBA players are trained to focus on the game and ignore commentator commentary. They practice mental resilience to stay concentrated, using techniques like staying in the moment and blocking out external distractions. This helps them perform at their best without being affected by what commentators say.
Conclusion
NBA players cannot hear the TV commentators; that is a hard fact. The design of the arena, commentators’ setup, crowd noise, court noise, etc., all contribute to barring the sound of the commentators from the court.
Players need to focus on their game. The intensity of the game demands it. The additional sound from the commentary table could distract them. Therefore, it is best for them not to hear any noise from the commentators.