End of an era: Phil Chenier won’t return as CSN’s primary Wizards game analyst

[keynote]

BF or TAI was theorizing that Caron Butler, not Jamison, would be the replacement: he's been doing more media work lately, and has talked from the perspective of a "former Wizard" in many of those engagements (as opposed to being a "Milwaukee guy"). He did earn his two AS appearances here in DC (as well as the "Tuff Juice" nickname), so there's that.

Also: a friend of mine in the know estimated that athletes who drop in to national studio shows earn a per-appearance fee of "a few grand" (up to $5K or so). That's not bad for a day's work, of course, but it's not steady money, either. So, if Butler or Haywood were to receive an offer from CSN-MA, they'd likely compare the steady check they'd get from CSN with the money they'd forgo (business dealings they wouldn't have time to pursue -- plus, say, ~$30K in studio appearance fees per season). And, of course, they'd need to be willing to travel for 41 games + playoffs (which, frankly, might be a plus for guys who miss the camaraderie of the road).

[80sballboy]

Studio work is easy. They've had rotating analysts between Ronny Thompson, Cory Alexander and Tony Massenburg for years now. Now they have Phil. I think Thompson is the best and most analytical.

Going on the road and preparing and prepping for each game is not easy. If I were a player, I'd take a few years off before I'd want to go on the road again and leave my family.

[keynote]

Interesting. Steinberg's list of candidates (based on conjecture, not on sources) does *not* include Jamison.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2017/05/23/caron-butler-kara-lawson-the-search-is-on-for-phil-cheniers-replacement/?utm_term=.ec939c794c6c

Here's his list:

The network has not publicly identified any candidates for the job. But there are several obvious names who — based on their local ties, personalities, professional ambitions and broadcasting experience — would make sense as potential candidates. Among those names: former Mystics guard Kara Lawson; former Wizards players Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood, Antonio Daniels and Drew Gooden; and former Maryland star Christy Winters-Scott.

Butler is definitely about that life, and is sufficiently thirsty for the gig:

Butler twice attended broadcasting boot camps at Syracuse University, and has made dozens of media appearances over the past year — from Fox Sports to ESPN to Turner — as he transitioned from playing to analyzing. He already has a studio in his Los Angeles home, and told associates that he would definitely be interested in the CSN analyst job.

[FAH1223]

I wouldn't mind Caron.

I think it'd be awkward if it's Buck with a female like Christy or Kara Lawson

[gravytrain24]

Interesting. Steinberg's list of candidates (based on conjecture, not on sources) does *not* include Jamison.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2017/05/23/caron-butler-kara-lawson-the-search-is-on-for-phil-cheniers-replacement/?utm_term=.ec939c794c6c

Here's his list:

The network has not publicly identified any candidates for the job. But there are several obvious names who — based on their local ties, personalities, professional ambitions and broadcasting experience — would make sense as potential candidates. Among those names: former Mystics guard Kara Lawson; former Wizards players Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood, Antonio Daniels and Drew Gooden; and former Maryland star Christy Winters-Scott.

Butler is definitely about that life, and is sufficiently thirsty for the gig:

Butler twice attended broadcasting boot camps at Syracuse University, and has made dozens of media appearances over the past year — from Fox Sports to ESPN to Turner — as he transitioned from playing to analyzing. He already has a studio in his Los Angeles home, and told associates that he would definitely be interested in the CSN analyst job.

My top two would be Caron and Antonio Daniels. I don't think AD would leave his OKC job for this one tho. I also would like someone who played in this organization at some point, like Phil.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

How great would it be to have Paul Pierce replace Phil?

The guy knows the game, is incredibly articulate and tells it like it is.

Caron's my second choice. ADK'sAD is too much of a kiss up.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

I wouldn't mind Caron.

I think it'd be awkward if it's Buck with a female like Christy or Kara Lawson

Yep. I'd be worried about a premature dagger... especially as Buck ages.

[CobraCommander]

How great would it be to have Paul Pierce replace Phil?

The guy knows the game, is incredibly articulate and tells it like it is.

Caron's my second choice. ADK'sAD is too much of a kiss up.

Naw man... PP considers himself a Celtic... you don't replace a wizard with a Celtic...naw no way...

Caron at least a wiz and local.

[Dat2U]

Caron is a complete bore hearing him on NBAtv. I don't care if he had a modestly successful NBA career and decent run with the Wizards. I want someone that will actually be good at the job. Now unlike Jamison and Massenburg he does have command of the English language but his next good point will be his first one and he's displayed little to no personality the times he's been on air.

I'll still beat the drum for Haywood. He's really sharp, doesn't hold his tongue and displays a passion and love for the game that's palpable. I'd also be cool with Lawson or Daniels. I'd also take Winters over Butler and Jamison.

[Wizardspride]

Caron is a complete bore hearing him on NBAtv. I don't care if he had a modestly successful NBA career and decent run with the Wizards. I want someone that will actually be good at the job. Now unlike Jamison and Massenburg he does have command of the English language but his next good point will be his first one and he's displayed little to no personality the times he's been on air.

I'll still beat the drum for Haywood. He's really sharp, doesn't hold his tongue and displays a passion and love for the game that's palpable. I'd also be cool with Lawson or Daniels. I'd also take Winters over Butler and Jamison.

In terms of actual knowledge (and being able to explain it to the average Joe), I think Winters is the choice.

And no, it has nothing to do with her physical appearance. I just think she has "It'.

[keynote]

Read on Twitter

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Well I just saw this and had not heard about this. This is just sad. I have always liked listening to Phil. Regardless of the quality of the product on the court, his knowledge, class and humor have always made the Wizards game enjoyable. His chemistry with Buck is just great. Like the Caps announcers Beninati and Laughlin, they really got it right with that pair. Now this is another reason for me not to waste my time on Wizards games.

Jamison would be terrible. Any of those mentioned, I just can't even picture it. One person I think of that could be good is Gary Williams. I don't think he's doing much else now, and when I hear him on 980 he has good insight, and seems to know the Wizards well, he obviously watches them a lot. He also seems to have a sense of humor, and I could see him having a good mix with Buck.

[80sballboy]

Well I just saw this and had not heard about this. This is just sad. I have always liked listening to Phil. Regardless of the quality of the product on the court, his knowledge, class and humor have always made the Wizards game enjoyable. His chemistry with Buck is just great. Like the Caps announcers Beninati and Laughlin, they really got it right with that pair. Now this is another reason for me not to waste my time on Wizards games.

Jamison would be terrible. Any of those mentioned, I just can't even picture it. One person I think of that could be good is Gary Williams. I don't think he's doing much else now, and when I hear him on 980 he has good insight, and seems to know the Wizards well, he obviously watches them a lot. He also seems to have a sense of humor, and I could see him having a good mix with Buck.

I would be fine with Caron, then Christi Winters-Scott and Kara Lawson. You do need somebody who has some or has potential to develop chemistry with Buck. Gary Williams is not very good on TV. He's done some TV work with the Big 10 Network and his humor is very dry. He was a very good coach though. Also he's about 70 so I'd think they like a younger broadcaster to relate to a younger audience.