NBA's worst play by play announcers

[SD2042]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1241 ... sults#poll

Let's just say you need to read it for yourself.

[jefe]

Indeed. My issue is the repetitive use of phrases. It used to be "dances and drops," now it's "the play-by-play story." But I suppose every announcer does that to a degree, a "savvy veteran" like Michael Cage certainly did.

[SD2042]

Cage did two seasons with the Grizz and weren't able to come up with a compromise to meet his requests.

http://thememphisedge.com/2006/08/29/de ... /#comments

BTW, remember when Matt Devlin used to say "DEEP FRY" everytime somebody would hit a 3ball?

[jefe]

Cage did two seasons with the Grizz and weren't able to come up with a compromise to meet his requests.

http://thememphisedge.com/2006/08/29/de ... /#comments

BTW, remember when Matt Devlin used to say "DEEP FRY" everytime somebody would hit a 3ball?

I thought a savvy veteran like Michael Cage could make a savvy veteran negotiation that resulted in a savvy veteran compromise, but I guess I was wrong like a savvy veteran sometimes is.

Edit: I think I missed most of Devlin's time - I went to school in NOLA from 02-06.

[I Am Awesome-O]

We go from the great Don Poier to Pete Pranica...

I'll tell you what though, the worst play-by-play announcer for any sport at any level is on the radio for one of the best college basketball teams in the country, our very own Memphis Tigers. You all know who I'm talking about- Dave Woloshin.

The guy makes me want to puke every time I hear him, with his idiotic phrases (Stopping, Popping, Dropping!!), his complete lack of understanding of the game of basketball, and his idiotic interviews in which he basically answers the questions himself. He just takes you out of the game and you don't even know what is going on. Hell, he makes it so that you don't even care.

The Tigers deserve way better than that. Woloshin should listen to some old Poier tapes and see how a real play-by-play announcer calls a game, or he can just get the hell out of Memphis.

[rag-time4]

The article is inaccurate. Grant Long is not a first year guy on tv. He has had experience broadcasting for the Hawks. I remember hearing him talk a little about Stromile Swift during a few games as they were teammates in Vancouver.

Interesting thread though! I never liked Don Poier at all, and I had a lot more fun listening to Pete Pranica when I was following the Griz. I thought Pranica was non-judgemental about the Griz players, which I appreciated.

Some of my least favorite play by play guys are Mike Breen, Joel Myers, and most of all Bill Worrell of the Rockets. Hearing Worrell gush all over Juwan Howard was sickening.

Sean Tuohy might be my least favorite of all color commentators, but I also can't stand Matt Bullard of the Rockets. His comments to me show a real lack of deep thinking. He seems childish and I found it extremely irritating. Another one I really dislike is Michael Smith of the Clippers. He lets his feelings about players affect his commentary too much, which I think is unprofessional. He doesn't like Stromile Swift and he never misses a chance to take shots at him, and even his more positive comments on Swift have been slanted in a negative way.

Actually I can say that I dislike most of the color commentators in the NBA. There is a short list of those I can tolerate and even enjoy: Steve 'snapper' Jones, Phil Chanier (wizards), and Stu Lantz of the Lakers who more than just about any other commentator is respectful towards Swift even when Swift is on the losing end of a big play. Keeping an environment of mutual respect, love for the game, and fun, without being condescending, overly judgemental, and insulting is what I look for in announcers and most of them don't do a good job.

I really really enjoyed Hersey Hawkins as color commentator for the Griz. He was fair with the players, gave some insights, but had a very loosey-goosey style that kept things light hearted and fun.