Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
Moderators: Clyde Frazier, Doctor MJ, trex_8063, penbeast0, PaulieWal
Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
-
- Senior Mod - NBA Player Comparisons
- Posts: 30,298
- And1: 9,863
- Joined: Aug 14, 2004
- Location: South Florida
-
Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
Who are the best you've heard?
I don't remember forming any major attachment to a particular announcer as a kid, other than going way out of my way to listen to Ken Beatrice on the radio. (Football, heck yes, but not basketball).
Probably go with Bob Costas for play by play, if for no other reason than you have to love a guy who once announced, "Let's hope we don't see a repeat of last Tuesday's blow job."
I liked Hubie Brown as a color guy.
Favorite commentator was Ken Beatrice, Washington radio guy. Annoying nasal voice, patted himself on the back a lot, but was super knowledgeable about virtually everything, even less known stuff like Euroleague basketball, world soccer leagues outside of the big names, and college baseball, and always played it completely straight.
I don't remember forming any major attachment to a particular announcer as a kid, other than going way out of my way to listen to Ken Beatrice on the radio. (Football, heck yes, but not basketball).
Probably go with Bob Costas for play by play, if for no other reason than you have to love a guy who once announced, "Let's hope we don't see a repeat of last Tuesday's blow job."
I liked Hubie Brown as a color guy.
Favorite commentator was Ken Beatrice, Washington radio guy. Annoying nasal voice, patted himself on the back a lot, but was super knowledgeable about virtually everything, even less known stuff like Euroleague basketball, world soccer leagues outside of the big names, and college baseball, and always played it completely straight.
“Most people use statistics like a drunk man uses a lamppost; more for support than illumination,” Andrew Lang.
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
-
- Starter
- Posts: 2,265
- And1: 2,270
- Joined: Jul 01, 2022
-
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
As a function of my time watching, it’s Kevin Harlan or Ian Eagle for me. This is definitely influenced by watching a fair share of NFL and March Madness as well
Mogspan wrote:I think they see the super rare combo of high IQ with freakish athleticism and overrate the former a bit, kind of like a hot girl who is rather articulate being thought of as “super smart.” I don’t know kind of a weird analogy, but you catch my drift.
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
-
- Analyst
- Posts: 3,404
- And1: 1,989
- Joined: Mar 23, 2022
-
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
Mark Jackson... he played no favorites had punchlines for days had no agendas, and was one of the few commentators on national tv with the cojones to openly critisize the golden state warriors if they were playing badly> havent watched an abc/espn telecast since he was let go
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
-
- Analyst
- Posts: 3,261
- And1: 2,972
- Joined: Dec 25, 2019
-
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
-
- RealGM
- Posts: 22,395
- And1: 18,827
- Joined: Mar 08, 2012
-
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
NBA4Lyfe wrote:Mark Jackson... he played no favorites had punchlines for days had no agendas, and was one of the few commentators on national tv with the cojones to openly critisize the golden state warriors if they were playing badly> havent watched an abc/espn telecast since he was let go

Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
-
- Rookie
- Posts: 1,082
- And1: 662
- Joined: Apr 12, 2014
- Location: Herkimer YMCA
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
i really like george blaha.
for color give me stacey.total bogus and over the top but really enjoyable.at least for me.
for color give me stacey.total bogus and over the top but really enjoyable.at least for me.
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
-
- Senior Mod
- Posts: 53,207
- And1: 22,222
- Joined: Mar 10, 2005
- Location: Cali
-
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
I'm an LA guy so I gotta go with Chick.
Getting ready for the RealGM 100 on the PC Board
Come join the WNBA Board if you're a fan!
Come join the WNBA Board if you're a fan!
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
-
- Forum Mod
- Posts: 12,593
- And1: 8,222
- Joined: Feb 24, 2013
-
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
I think either Kevin Harlan or Marv Albert (except for the latter's animosity toward Mike Fratello was at times uncomfortable) for announcer.
For colour commentary......not sure if he's really the colour guy (he's a bit of both), but I sort of like Jeff Van Gundy, actually. I like how Mark Jackson sort of teases him, and he takes it so well (and I don't get the sense of animus that I did with Albert/Fratello).
For colour commentary......not sure if he's really the colour guy (he's a bit of both), but I sort of like Jeff Van Gundy, actually. I like how Mark Jackson sort of teases him, and he takes it so well (and I don't get the sense of animus that I did with Albert/Fratello).
"The fact that a proposition is absurd has never hindered those who wish to believe it." -Edward Rutherfurd
"Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities." - Voltaire
"Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities." - Voltaire
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
-
- Lead Assistant
- Posts: 5,645
- And1: 1,383
- Joined: Nov 05, 2010
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
TOMMY POINTT
tlee324 wrote:
Lebron made it to the finals with that cleveland team.
Bird would have won 4 rings with that team, in this weak ass era of basketball.
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
-
- Rookie
- Posts: 1,143
- And1: 388
- Joined: Aug 22, 2012
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
Kevin Harlan or in prime George Blaha!
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
-
- Lead Assistant
- Posts: 5,089
- And1: 8,328
- Joined: Jun 16, 2015
-
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
+1 to Eric Collins. The guy is electrifying.
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
-
- Sophomore
- Posts: 180
- And1: 141
- Joined: Sep 09, 2012
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
PBP: Ian Eagle. Doesn't really feel like a big game unless Mike Breen or Kevin Harlan are on it though. Shout outs to Mark Followill in Dallas, should definitely get a national gig at some point.
Color: solo JVG (Jackson brings out all his worst traits), SVG, Brent Barry for that one season.
Color: solo JVG (Jackson brings out all his worst traits), SVG, Brent Barry for that one season.
10 nash/09 daniels
05 ginobili
06 battier/12 iguodala
08 kg/11 dirk
07 duncan
05 ginobili
06 battier/12 iguodala
08 kg/11 dirk
07 duncan
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
- Texas Chuck
- Senior Mod - NBA TnT Forum
- Posts: 92,371
- And1: 98,216
- Joined: May 19, 2012
- Location: Purgatory
-
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
Mike Breen is the gold standard. I mean every other announcer who has a signature phrase you never ever want to hear it again. But dangit if Bang doesn't give me goosebumps still.
Walton was my favorite color guy just because well you never knew what he might say. Kerr was pretty good too.
Walton was my favorite color guy just because well you never knew what he might say. Kerr was pretty good too.
ThunderBolt wrote:I’m going to let some of you in on a little secret I learned on realgm. If you don’t like a thread, not only do you not have to comment but you don’t even have to open it and read it. You’re welcome.
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
- Clyde Frazier
- Forum Mod
- Posts: 20,226
- And1: 26,106
- Joined: Sep 07, 2010
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
Marv Albert in his prime still the GOAT play by play guy to me, with Breen being his clear successor.
As for color guys, It's hard for me to come up with someone other than Hubie Brown. I learned so much from him and Jack Ramsay on the call growing up. It's very cool to hear him still calling games at 90 years old! He's still got it too as opposed to TNT shamelessly letting Marv continue for years when he'd constantly get stuff wrong.
And of course honorable mention to my namesake. His style is obviously unique, loves the knicks but not a homer on the broadcast at all. That's what fans should want.
As for color guys, It's hard for me to come up with someone other than Hubie Brown. I learned so much from him and Jack Ramsay on the call growing up. It's very cool to hear him still calling games at 90 years old! He's still got it too as opposed to TNT shamelessly letting Marv continue for years when he'd constantly get stuff wrong.
And of course honorable mention to my namesake. His style is obviously unique, loves the knicks but not a homer on the broadcast at all. That's what fans should want.
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
- OldSchoolNoBull
- General Manager
- Posts: 9,078
- And1: 4,468
- Joined: Jun 27, 2003
- Location: Ohio
-
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
Texas Chuck wrote:Mike Breen is the gold standard. I mean every other announcer who has a signature phrase you never ever want to hear it again. But dangit if Bang doesn't give me goosebumps still.
Walton was my favorite color guy just because well you never knew what he might say. Kerr was pretty good too.
I don't have a bad word to say about Breen, he deserves all the praise he gets, but I agree with Clyde - NBC Marv is the GOAT.
"Oh! A spec-tacular move, by Michael Jordan! That's thirteen consecutive field goals..."
"Michael, indicating, he can't believe it" (when he shrugged at Clifford Robinson)
"Smith blocked, Smith stopped, Smith blocked by Pippen" etc
"Rockets do not want to foul, Starks for three, came up short...!"
"Alright, twenty-five seconds in regulation, game tied at 86, four second differential between the twenty four second clock and and the game clock, it is Michael Jordan time, Scottie Pippen, looking, looking for Michael Jordan, checks the clock, five on the twenty-four, here's Jordan, did not have the shot, Kerr does, AND (drowned out by the crowd)"
"Jordan able to scoop up the loose ball, with the possession, with forty seconds remaining, the game tied 85, ten on the shot clock, Pippen, backing Hornacek, here's Jordan, YES! Michael Jordan, from straight away! He looks like he's a, a, a boxer, just hanging on, along the ropes, but able to hit for a three point Chicago lead." (Flu game, winning shot)
"We're down to seven seconds, Bryant putting the move on Christie, rebound O'Neal, coming up short, Horry, FOR THE WIN....YES!!!"
Coaches are usually the best color guys - Hubie is great, I always thought Doug Collins was a better commentator than coach, The Czar, JVG, etc. As for players, Walton is singular in terms of entertainment value.
As a Bulls fan, I want to give a shout out to the late, legendary Johnny "Red" Kerr and our current color guy Stacey King.
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
-
- Forum Mod
- Posts: 28,403
- And1: 7,626
- Joined: Jul 25, 2016
- Location: Kingston, Jamaica
-
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
Breen is obvious. Marv as well but you have to erase the last 10 years or so from your memory. I like Ian Eagle and his barrage of dad jokes. Blaha and Steele are solid local guys IMO.
JVG is a lot better when separated from Mark Jackson's corny ass. Hubie is always rock solid. I liked Kerr when he was in the booth. Clyde's rhyming always cracked me up, and he isn't a homer like a lot of local colour guys.
JVG is a lot better when separated from Mark Jackson's corny ass. Hubie is always rock solid. I liked Kerr when he was in the booth. Clyde's rhyming always cracked me up, and he isn't a homer like a lot of local colour guys.
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
-
- Senior Mod - NBA Player Comparisons
- Posts: 30,298
- And1: 9,863
- Joined: Aug 14, 2004
- Location: South Florida
-
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
OldSchoolNoBull wrote:...As a Bulls fan, I want to give a shout out to the late, legendary Johnny "Red" Kerr and our current color guy Stacey King.
Stacey King finally found a niche he is good at? Good to hear as he was one of those victims of MJ's constant disparagement.
“Most people use statistics like a drunk man uses a lamppost; more for support than illumination,” Andrew Lang.
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
- Texas Chuck
- Senior Mod - NBA TnT Forum
- Posts: 92,371
- And1: 98,216
- Joined: May 19, 2012
- Location: Purgatory
-
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
OldSchoolNoBull wrote:Texas Chuck wrote:Mike Breen is the gold standard. I mean every other announcer who has a signature phrase you never ever want to hear it again. But dangit if Bang doesn't give me goosebumps still.
Walton was my favorite color guy just because well you never knew what he might say. Kerr was pretty good too.
I don't have a bad word to say about Breen, he deserves all the praise he gets, but I agree with Clyde - NBC Marv is the GOAT.
Yeah its obviously subjective. And I know for me part of why I like Breen is almost certainly because he's the sound track to the little Mavs only title. All those big comebacks and huge Dirk moments are called by him.
So he's obviously really good at his job, but also I clearly have some sentimental ties bleeding in with him.
Not sure if the same is true with you and Marv, but it would be understandable since he was the guy for the threepeats.
ThunderBolt wrote:I’m going to let some of you in on a little secret I learned on realgm. If you don’t like a thread, not only do you not have to comment but you don’t even have to open it and read it. You’re welcome.
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
-
- Head Coach
- Posts: 7,455
- And1: 11,211
- Joined: Jan 08, 2010
-
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
Matt Guokas was fantastic as a color commentator for the Magic. Very knowledgeable about the game and also had great sense of humour. And he didn't shy away from giving the Magic's opponents credit or admitting when we benefit from ref mistakes.
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
-
- Rookie
- Posts: 1,077
- And1: 1,228
- Joined: Jul 11, 2006
-
Re: Best basketball announcer, color guy, commentator you've ever heard
Mike Gorman, consumate professional 40 years of duty, let the game speak for itself rather than over-engineering commentary like many of today's crews do. All whilst artfully steering our favourite homer Tommy Heinsohn on colour.
Mike Breen is a big fan, and before 'bang' there was 'got it'.
Mike Breen is a big fan, and before 'bang' there was 'got it'.