Bogdanski: Blazers Announcers Are "So Boring" I Turn Off Sound
Lewis and Clark law professor Jack Bogdanski writes on BoJack.org that he is watching Portland Trail Blazers games on mute this season while leveling some harsh criticism at television play-by-play announcer Mike Barrett.
--------------------------
Probably the most revealing aspect of our Mute Strategy is to get a good look at the announcer guys we've shut off... Especially Mike Barrett, the television play-by-play guy. His commentary is so boring that we can't stand it. And the look he gives when he's on camera -- well, it just screams "I hate this job." Never smiles, never shows any enthusiasm -- his facial expressions alternate among suspicion, fatigue, and anger. What a way to suck the life out of what is supposed to be entertainment.
--------------------------
"Craziest thing I've ever heard," Barrett wrote in response to the idea he's not having fun. "I'm the luckiest guy in the world."
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter
4 months ago
Ben Golliver
225 comments
0 recs |
Email
PrintComments
Haha
He doesn’t get it
"What began as a credible protest against bank bailouts, crony capitalism and the like has, in large measure, been hijacked by crazies and criminals,"
Now I suppose someone will complain that Wild One Rice is too sober.
#20 The Enforcer 1952-2010 RIP my hero
by bigcuedaddy on Jan 24, 2012 12:12 PM PST reply actions 6 recs
I was watching Courtside maybe a year ago when only Barrett and Wheels were
on. They were joking about the Rice as a heavy drinker meme and having booze in his teacup. Then they said the really funny thing about it was that Rice rarely if ever drinks. They followed that up by saying that Rice is so cheap that he’d never waste money on alcohol.
#52--------I believe in Greg Oden
hehe. Yeah he takes it by I.V. now.
He had a fifth of scotch implanted where his liver used to be.
#20 The Enforcer 1952-2010 RIP my hero
by bigcuedaddy on Jan 25, 2012 10:05 AM PST up reply actions
I have my complaints about Mike Barrett, like how he often says someone traveled when they didn't or says the ref called something
one way but it was obvious it was the other way. I’m certain he loves the job though. He always is enthusiastic about under performing players. This guy is just being a hater.
Hmm
There’s enough valid criticism toward Mike Barrett to fill a law textbook, but him hating his job can’t be one of them.
Homer? Check
Whiner? Check
Uninformed? Often
Overly melodramatic? Every play
Obnoxious? Unquestionably
Not passionate about the Blazers? Ha
"If you type two spaces after a period, you're doing it wrong."
by joelor on Jan 24, 2012 12:12 PM PST reply actions 11 recs
He lost his fight against MLS to Portland, guess he found something new to gripe about.
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
Homer?
Would you rather he root for the Lakers or Heat when they come to town? I supposed that makes Wheels and Rice homers also? Whiner and melodramatic yes.
I would rather that he provide insight on the Blazers from an inside perspective
without sounding like he is a emo cheerleader.
"If you type two spaces after a period, you're doing it wrong."
Off subject but...
Your signature just changed my world
I have nthn btr 2 do than spend time coming up with a clever signature
This is my sentiment exactly, joelor.
I’m not a fan of Mike Barrett in even the least bit — as well as would fire him myself if I could — but he’s still passionate as all hell about his job. The guy cares a ton about his job, arguably to a fault.
"I Am Mine"
Gus Johnson
How much would it cost per viewer if we all chipped in the get Gus Johnson? You could easily coax a dollar a game out of me to listen to Gus instead of mike and mike.
by Oden Mad, Oden Smash! on Jan 24, 2012 12:14 PM PST via mobile reply actions
OK...that is $82
"What began as a credible protest against bank bailouts, crony capitalism and the like has, in large measure, been hijacked by crazies and criminals,"
by 92wastheyear on Jan 24, 2012 12:14 PM PST up reply actions
82....it wouldn't happen til next year
"What began as a credible protest against bank bailouts, crony capitalism and the like has, in large measure, been hijacked by crazies and criminals,"
by 92wastheyear on Jan 25, 2012 8:48 AM PST up reply actions
He would be a vast step up
but I think Gus Johnson is ludicrously overrated as an announcer. He’s great at basketball though, much better than he is at football.
"If you type two spaces after a period, you're doing it wrong."
Don't get me excited...
I love Gus. right now he is doing NFL/NCAA Football broadcasts for Fox Sports, but I think he has some free time on his hands since the NY Knicks let him go last year & football is over for awhile.(At least I don’t think the SuperBowl is played on Fox, but the Pro Bowl might). I’d love to see him finish out the season as the Blazers announcer, I know he went down to Eugene last year and met with the Ducks & called their game VS Nevada, it was awesome. Even in a blowout I was loving every single play 100% more then I usually did.
"We gotta get this $#!^ together guys!" - Phil
Gus is a blowhard
OSU '06
GForce Crash Wallace FTW!
by TyboOSU on Jan 24, 2012 1:58 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Me too
Mike Barrett is a broadcasting pro
"What began as a credible protest against bank bailouts, crony capitalism and the like has, in large measure, been hijacked by crazies and criminals,"
by 92wastheyear on Jan 24, 2012 12:15 PM PST up reply actions
I like mike barrett
He reminds me of every bar I’ve seen a blazers game at…
LaMarcus Aldridge All-Star 2011-2012.
by Eat Politicians on Jan 24, 2012 2:17 PM PST up reply actions
Yep. Same response here.
The Toronto guy sure did a lot of yelling.
by simoninaustralia on Jan 24, 2012 3:47 PM PST up reply actions
I just had a conversation about the opposite yesterday!
I have been watching via league pass to all the blazers game this year, Mike and Mike are by far the most interesting and entertaining to listen too. Some of other teams announcers are so bad, making Walton and Barkley sound like word smiths. The New Orleans announcers spent 30 minutes talking to a 65 year old Wrestler going so far as to have the camera on him during game time! If there was not a time delay I would just listen to the radio during the game than have to listen to some of the nonsense from other announcers. I cheered yesterday when I found out it was Mike and mike….
Even my girlfriend who could care less about basketball, commented on the difference of the quality of announcers.
David
by David Loitz on Jan 24, 2012 12:14 PM PST reply actions 8 recs
This is very true.
I used to be a little embarrassed for Mike and Mike, particularly Rice, who just sounds like a crotchety old man sometimes.
Then I watched the free League Pass preview, and listening to all the other local commentators around the country, Mike and Mike are comparatively REALLY good. The quality of commentators/announcers out there is really bad.
I mean let’s be honest here, most sports announcers are horrible/annoying (NFL has the worst in my opinion) whether or not they’re national or local. The best you can hope for is that they’re slightly entertaining as well, and/or not completely ruining your experience with their egos every game.
Mike and Mike and relatively easy to listen to when compared to the rest of what’s out there. That being said, they’re still sports announcers, and still annoying from time to time.
by damdaman on Jan 24, 2012 12:41 PM PST up reply actions 4 recs
agreed
Mike and Mike are far from perfect, but they are head and shoulders better than most other teams’ local announcers. From watching pretty much every other NBA team’s local feeds on leaguepass and such, I’d put the Blazers’ crew in the top 15%.
The Thunder, Kings, and New Orleans announcers are all just downright terrible. Low energy mixed with inarticulate yelling and daft homerism.
On the other hand, Clippers and L*kers crews are pretty good, in my opinion.
Mike and co bring energy, witticisms, running jokes, and relatively good knowledge of the game and league to bear.
The Nets are heads and shoulders
above everyone else I’ve heard so far, as well they should be, given they regularly trot out Marv Albert and Mike Fratello when they’re available. Not sure who their replacements are when they’re off on national gigs, but they’re also decent.
Houston’s are also downright terrible. As good of a basketball player as Clyde was, he’s just hideous as an announcer.
Agree, agree agree
Mike and Mike, perhaps not the ‘best’ whatever that maybe. Are by far leaps and bounds above every other team’s commentators. Mike and Mike are enjoyable, fun and total homers… isn’t that what we want?!
I saw that wrestler feed as well, good god was that bad TV.
I can't agree with you more
I’ve been freed from the tyranny that is Comcast…the only downside is having to watch the game by “other means”. I used to get annoyed with the Homer-ism of Mike and Mike and the ridiculous thinks that Rice would say. But after watching and listening to other commentators I think Mike and Mike are some of the best. I enjoy Rice’s rants on bad calls and how Barrett talks loud enough for the officials to hear him. I just wish Rebecca was still part of the team…..
I miss Rebecca too..
…aside from the eye candy, which lead to some great debates between the guys at the bar. She was actually pretty good, way better then the girl Houston has.. wow.
I'm not into boxer jaw
but if rumors are right, the whole blazer team is.
I KNOW!!
I couldn’t BELIEVE that bit with the wrestler!!! It went ON and ON and On…
"The invention of basketball was not an accident. It was developed to meet a need. Those boys simply would not play Drop the Handkerchief." - James Naismith
I know!! again
The stupid wrestler bit, after reading David’s post I had to log on and agree. It mad me mad all over again, listening to some washed up wrestler from Texas.. not even the home town, while a game is happening.. I almost hulk-smashed my TV.
Yup--League Pass for me, too.
And it’s a bonus when I get the Portland feed with the Mikes. There’s 3 groups of NBA broadcasters,1) Professional-Prepared-Interesting, 2) Mediocre and Forgettable, and 3) Obnoxious, Uninformed Blowhards.
The Mikes are easily and obviously in the first category.
Tell me again why we traded Miller?
by RenoBlazerFan on Jan 25, 2012 9:27 AM PST up reply actions
I'm going to jump on this
I love Mike Rice. He is a treasure. The value to Blazerdom cannot be calculated. And Bodanski is a troll. I’m sure Mike Barrett Loooooovvves his job, like, a lot.
BUT…I mute the tv too because I cannot stand Mike Barrett as a play by play man. He constantly interjects his (wrong) opinion, and is generally so annoying it starts to ruin my experience watching the game. But whatever, that’s why we are a small town because we have to suffer with someone like Barrett calling the games on TV. I’m sure most people love him. I actually think he contributes a lot to some wrong-headed ideas among fans. He should stop giving his opinion, or trying to guess what the call is before the refs tell us, because he is so often wrong and it’s super annoying.
I actually invented something called the Mike Barrett mute button. I wish.
Yes!
Ricey is absolutely a jewel. Barrett is generic, whiny, and generally uninformed.
"If you type two spaces after a period, you're doing it wrong."
And Rice is often right about what he is saying.
He points out things like lapses in Blazer defense..the big guys are getting into foul trouble because that guy was allowed to get all the way to the rim…he’s RIGHT!!!
And he doesn’t sound like he’s going to have a stroke about something every other minute. Mike Barrett can become the maistro of gloom and doom. “and now just like that the Blazer lead is cut to 13…when before half time it was up to 20”..
Well Mike, AT half time it was 15…ewww….now they are down a whole 2 POINTS.
by Natsthecat on Jan 24, 2012 1:22 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
I can't imagine anyone who has listened to Pete Pranica or Pat Lafferty ...
…would ever gripe about Mike Barrett
"What began as a credible protest against bank bailouts, crony capitalism and the like has, in large measure, been hijacked by crazies and criminals,"
by 92wastheyear on Jan 24, 2012 12:21 PM PST up reply actions
Pranika's on-air rebuke of Steve Jones
is an all-time awkward play-by-play moment. He stunk to boot. A total scrub.
Play-by-play is a lost art though.
Come on, let's all hug it out.
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jan 24, 2012 2:46 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
"Play-by-play is a lost art though."
Listen to some Kevin Calabro then.
"I Am Mine"
by AK1984 on Jan 24, 2012 3:44 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Calabro was the best ever
I don’t know why he’s never got the national props like Chick Hearn or… well I just Hearn is the only famous local NBA broadcaster.
Him and Marques were basically the greatest duo to ever call a game.
M, period. Fresh, comma.
I lived in Long Beach, CA till '71
and had the pleasure of listening to Chick Hearn on my transistor radio. The man literally told you every player who touched the ball. It spoiled me for life even though I moved to Portland at the age of 11. These days announcers ignore entire sequences. Hm, I was just going to say I don’t like Barrett because he’s such a joyless downer but I have to say he and Rice do follow the action. (Of course, not like Hearn did, who was in a class of his own) And at least Rice realizes that basketball is entertainment. When I started following the Blazers again I appreciated the friendly back and forth Mike and Mike have developed. They seem to respect each other, such a nice change after watching so many announcers constantly bickering on air. Who wants to listen to that?
Two other broadcasting teams I’ve been impressed by are those of the Bucks and Lakers, although the calm detachment of the Laker announcers toward something as mundane as a regular season game probably wouldn’t fly in Portland.
what they had in common
is that they were doing radio (Calabro was doing a simulcast on TV and radio at the same time) whereas the Mikes and I think every local team has a tv-specific team and a different radio team.
M, period. Fresh, comma.
When he gives his
opinion or wrong call it should just challenge the listener to look and get his/her own impression.
My feeling is that the play by play should call the game. He should tell us who has the ball and who that person is passing to, etc. The analyst should give us insight into the why and more deep whats of the game. And, I just disagree with so many things Mike Barrett says that it distracts me from my enjoyment of the game. He needs to be more objective because not everybody shares his opinion, and ultimately he isn’t paid to give opinions, he’s paid to tell us what is happening on the floor from his vantage. Because the TV does not give us an opportunity to see, always, who a foul was on or what player checked into the game. Mike Barrett should talk less, and say more about what is objectively happening, and less about what he thinks is happening. Because what he thinks is usually wrong. And it’s annoying. That is my impression. Sorry I had to rant because it’s been bothering me for about four or five years now.
You're probably
right and I’ve noticed some of that. I haven’t listened to them much and I usually watch most sports on mute. I especially hate those broadcast shows like terry howie jimmie doofuses and can’t even stand to see them on a set in a bar playing music. The only reason I could listen to those Mikes is that they seem real low key and I haven’t listened to them enough to get irritated.The homer thing bothered me at first but I don’t pay attention to most of what they say. As long as they stay low key and unpretentious, I can have the sound on.
I have to mute Barrett as well
Especially when he goes into the “sky is falling” mode. Last night when the blazers first shot didn’t go in he immediately referenced the last loss. Please stop telling us to worry. I watch basketball to forget about my worries. Rice follows along unfortunately.
Last night they were already worrying about Memphis, so I will start tonight’s game with the sound muted.
by odensraven on Jan 24, 2012 1:37 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Overall I like Barrett and Rice
but I agree about Barrett and the “sky is falling” thing. If an 11 point lead turns into a 7 point lead by the end of a quarter God help us all.
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
I agree with the "sky is falling" comment..
I call it his “concerned announcer” voice..
by JAWKS on Jan 24, 2012 1:53 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Heck, even if you mute out all announcers
you can get all the “Sky is falling” commentary that you can stand from the comments on the GDT!
LET THE LAMONSTER ERA BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thankyouforblaze
throw up that Wambulance ,because thats all this Professor is doing.
by Daddygr33nJeans on Jan 24, 2012 12:16 PM PST reply actions
Haha I love both of the Mikes
I know they aren’t perfect, but I dunno, I grew up with them. The way Shonz represented the Blazers to a generation, these guys do so to me, even if they aren’t legends like Shonz.
They compliment each other well and have good chemistry. I love Mike and Mike!
"Brandon Roy has done this before."
Wait, a college professor has called someone ELSE boring?
"You don't want to leave Patty Mills open."-Clyde Drexler 1-5-2011
by Steve6644 on Jan 24, 2012 12:24 PM PST reply actions 12 recs
exactly
Tell me again why we traded Miller?
by RenoBlazerFan on Jan 25, 2012 9:29 AM PST up reply actions
I'm sorry...
even though I LIKE both Mike Barrett and Mike Rice, I’m afraid I have to agree. This season has been bad. At some point in the broadcast we get the inevitable litany of how fatiguing the season is, and how hard the travel schedule is for them and the players. Which IMO just makes them sound like they don’t like their jobs.
Also 1 time it was funny, and I assumed it was just spontaneous. But the inabilty for Mike Rice or Barrett to KNOW what the details of “Rices Deal of The Game” are? IMO is unprofessional. Spending an extra 40 seconds of air time while Mike and Mike try to figure out what the price of a pair of Blazer shorts are….is not fun.
Barretts response is illuminating. Maybe they simply don’t realize how bad they sound? But I want insights to the game, and commentary about the players. I don’t want to hear about how Mike Rice needs an energy drink, or about how late they will be getting to the airport, or how early they will be getting into the next stop.
I’ve gone into work sick. I’ve gone into work tired. But when I do? I take it as part of my job NOT to share that with everyone around me.
I believe Barrett thinks he’s the luckiest guy in the world. I’ve heard him say it before. So maybe Mike and Mike just don’t realize how bad they sound? But if you enjoy your job? If you realize you are lucky to have it? Then start projecting that.
When I tune into a broadcast, it’s to forget about “stress and fatigue” for an hour or so. So I really don’t want a rundown on how hard life in the N.B.A. is for either the broadcasters or the players.
Separately? I also have to agree about the Spirit Mountain commercial. But…if I whine about that?….well I need more time….
"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"
Not to mention those deals suck
Nothing like the first season they did it.
by Sabonis4Ever on Jan 24, 2012 12:38 PM PST up reply actions
I was pumped when they announced
the deal of the day was “FREE SHIPPING!”
Krang from downtown...
(swish)
Come on, let's all hug it out.
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jan 24, 2012 2:39 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
They'll review to make sure there wasn't a toe on the line....
Aaaand it’s good.
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
Barrett is okay
…it’s Wheels I can no longer stand to listen to. Any time something goes wrong he sounds like he’s going to shoot himself.
“..and RICHARDSON goes for three, and what do you think. ONLY A 32% three point shooter and he HIT TWO THREES. My goodness. What ELSE can go wrong?” BLAM!
The other day I was watching a game with the other team’s commentators and one of the Blazers made a nice move. Instead of lamenting the fact that he scored, the commentator sounded impressed and complimented the player on how great a move it was. Wheels never does that — never gives anyone who isn’t a Blazer any credit. It’s always “bad luck.”
I am the homer! The play-by-play and color commentator need to be fairly neutral and just call the game.
Must be SAD
OSU '06
GForce Crash Wallace FTW!
by TyboOSU on Jan 24, 2012 2:00 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
I agree that wheels is a homer, but I kinda like that about him.
He makes no apologies for it either. He’s just a fan with a headset on. Your point is well made though.
I bet he doesn't any more
"What began as a credible protest against bank bailouts, crony capitalism and the like has, in large measure, been hijacked by crazies and criminals,"
by 92wastheyear on Jan 24, 2012 3:25 PM PST up reply actions
Other then his...
…And JUST LIKE THAT the lead is down to 15… when it’s been hovering between 13 and 17 for a full quarter I have nothing against Mike Barret.
Yeah he’s a homer… and I wouldn’t want it any other way… but saying he hates his job is ridiculous. If you really want to be annoyed mute Mike & Mike and listen to the radio guys. It’s a life and death soap opera with every play with those guys.
#7... GO BLAZERS!!!
by Ilikeemall on Jan 24, 2012 12:36 PM PST reply actions 3 recs
Classic MB
Guess what Mike? This is basketball. Teams make shots. Shots are worth two points (usually). One team making a shot “just like that” does not mean you can whine about how the score is two points different.
"If you type two spaces after a period, you're doing it wrong."
Barrett lost a little credibility
When Rhino shoulder checked the crap out of Isiah Thomas and Barrett made a big stink.
As I recall they both agreed with the call
but said it was called late – the mikes usually fess up after seeing the footage
The tensions are so high because the stakes are so low!
I have no problem with Barrett
It’s Mike Rice I would pinpoint as the main problem. Don’t dislike the guy personally just don’t like his style.
I liked it better when it was Barrett and Steve Jones.
by neutroticblazerfan on Jan 24, 2012 12:47 PM PST reply actions
THIS
I think anyone can deal with a play-by-play that comes off as a little flat at times. If it was radio, Barrett couldn’t pull it off. Rice’s TV style is grating, especially for someone who isn’t looking for the homer call on a TV broadcast. Interesting observations about the game change when you’ve seen the action with your own two eyes.
Now, that being said, Rice was perfect doing color for radio. You need someone who can tell stories, get excited and be a goofball because you’re filling that visual space with words and emotion. I wish the schtick translated well over to TV. It doesn’t, at least not for me.
thats what first came to my mind
why does anybody care what you have to say when your 2012 blog looks like a 1999 blog…
His worst call just happened a few games ago
You remember, when Aldridge pulled down his 20th board on a missed free throw and they didnt say a word. Then when he grabbed his 21st board they said there it is his 20th board!!!
by Cjones10 on Jan 24, 2012 12:48 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
You would think with
2 of them, one of them would have seen it! I was sure looking for it, have no idea what BOTH were doing.
My evaluations of Blazer broadcasters (scale of 1-10; 1 is awful, 10 is awesome)
Mike Barrett: 2
Mike Rice: 3
Antonio Harvey: 2
Brian Wheeler: -1
Michael Holton: 1
Adam Bjarnson: 1
I'd take Bob over Adam
Adam constantly stumbles on his play-by-play. Bob was smooth and knew where he was going with his next sentence. All I ever think of when I hear Adam is that I hope he goes back to KGW.
BRoy #7
Pretty close, I'd say I'm more at:
Mike Barrett: 1
Mike Rice: 4
Antonio Harvey: 2
Brian Wheeler: 1
Michael Holton: 3*
Adam Bjarnson: 2*
*Unintentional hilarity gives these two bonus points. Also, Holton gets an extra point for saying he likes Red Vines during the game last night.
And yes, it’s a reflection on how bad the announcers are that he gets bonus points for that.
"If you type two spaces after a period, you're doing it wrong."
He was eating them all night.
When the camera would show the bench you could see Holton constantly chewing.
by Sabonis4Ever on Jan 24, 2012 8:06 PM PST up reply actions
low scores
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
Marv Albert- 10
Kevin Harlan- 10
Kevin Calabro- 10
Gus Johnson- 9
Steve “Snapper” Jones- 8
Jeff Van Gundy- 7
Tim Roye (GSW radio guy- I live in the Bay Area)- 7
Ralph Lawler (Clips tv play by play)- 8
Been a while since I've heard Calabro
But I couldn’t agree more about Marv and Kevin. Those guys are head and shoulders above every other basketball announcer these days.
Kevin Calabro does Washington Husky games for Root Sports Northwest.
Calabro is often paired with Lenny Wilkens, who’s a boring color commentator.
"I Am Mine"
I've been pretty impressed by the Minnesota guys too.
They actually talk about PER, usage rate, rebound percentage, stuff like that.
You gotta knock Harlan down a point or two for biting Marv’s style.
by howlingfantods on Jan 24, 2012 2:56 PM PST up reply actions
Payback
Don’t think Marv can complain about anyone biting him given his history.
It’s definitely pretty obvious and deliberate with Harlan, though. Still, if you’re going to copy someone, way better to copy the best than someone like Mike Tirico.
Van Gundy.... can't listen to him
he’s not funny. He thinks he’s funny. He is a distraction, and distracts himself from the game.
Marv Albert’s announcing is representative of what I hate about the way the NBA has been marketed since Magic/Bird. Every time I listen to him I think, “huh, so this is what the average, disinterested fan who watches Christmas games and the playoffs is thinking.”
Harlan is good, Calabro is great and Lawler my favorite away announcer, mostly because he adores LaMarcus.
scrappy
by Honka Playboy on Jan 24, 2012 9:50 PM PST up reply actions
As much as everyone is going to tear this apart
Have to give Walton a lot of credit for standing up and saying officials were blowing calls out there. He was the first guy I remember to do that, and I think the now common practice is one reason the NBA’s manipulation of games has decreased to where it is today. Tim Donaghy being another, of course. And Doug Collins was the worst jobber I’ve ever heard.
by heybabydrinkyourmilk on Jan 24, 2012 5:29 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Walton also called the Malice at the Palace game.
Which is a kind of illustrious distinction.
Johnson, Johnson, Smith, Smith, Thomas, Williams, and Babbitt: the Blazer's law firm.
Oh, nice take
For some reason I seem to disagree with everything Harvey says. Possibly I’m biased against him because he was so worthless in Blazers vs Bulls, ..
by heybabydrinkyourmilk on Jan 24, 2012 5:22 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
anyone remember the Sonics announcer Kevin Calabaro?
Best NBA play-by-play guy of all time, IMO.
A displaced Sonics fan that has somehow emerged as a Blazers fan (and loves it).
by anitachampionship on Jan 24, 2012 12:57 PM PST reply actions
Calabro was without question at the top among team play-by-play guys. Some of the national guys (Marv, Kevin Harlan) are on his level, but most local guys are terrible. Even with that being the case, MB is well below average for a local guy. He’s an uninformed, whiny, homerish concern-troll.
On the topic of national announcers, I have no idea how Mike Breen is the ABC #1 over Marv/Kevin so he gets to do all the huge games. ABC must prefer constant fellating of lucky role players and overuse of the catchphrase “bang.”
i keep dancing on my own.
and then there's bill walton.. :)
A displaced Sonics fan that has somehow emerged as a Blazers fan (and loves it).
by anitachampionship on Jan 24, 2012 1:08 PM PST up reply actions
I love Bill Walton calling games
THROW IT DOWN BIG MAN. Imagine Walton + Rice…. hahahaha
"We gotta get this $#!^ together guys!" - Phil
i lost faith in Walton when he said (a number of years ago)
“Now that Greg Ostertag. He’s something. He’s the most underrated player in the league”
A displaced Sonics fan that has somehow emerged as a Blazers fan (and loves it).
by anitachampionship on Jan 24, 2012 1:18 PM PST up reply actions
oh please dear good YES
wouldn’t even need a game, just let ’em go for an hour.
I love Rice. I learn more about the game from him than anyone else I’ve heard, and I love the historical knowledge he has describing things that used to be staples but have fallen out of use in the iso-heavy nba.
MB is simply meh. Wheels makes me violent, he is THE WORST I’ve ever heard.
Callabro is fantastic, so good, neutral, great voice and knowledge, a true pro.
I also like Hubie, but don’t miss mark jackson.
I prefer a neutral play by play announcer and color analyst because
I feel like it helps you watch the game from a more objective perspective.
Mike and Mike are certainly not neutral announcers, but I think at least 25 of the 30 teams in the league have biased announcers so you can’t hold that against them.
I personally think the Nets announcers might be the most unbiased pair of announcers in the league. Golden State has a very solid color analyst, sometimes a little too coach/professor-ish for most people’s tastes, but I personally don’t mind. And the Knicks announcers are almost too critical of their team sometimes. In years’ past, the Clippers announcers would essentially gawk at how good every opponent is compared to their team — that used to be pretty entertaining even though a lot of people aren’t too fond of Lawler and Smith.
Even most Clippers fans dont particularly care for Mike Smith
But Lawler is awesome. If nothing else, the “bingo’s”, and “oh me oh mys” just make my day.
You have to know Jack is like this
He is a bit of a middle aged curmudgeon, so he’s not entirely positive about that much.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Jan 24, 2012 12:58 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
I'm just glad
Mike Rice got the memo that he shouldn’t repeatedly use “goes down on” as a basketball term…
by dulcamara on Jan 24, 2012 1:00 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Now thats funny !
Ricey is priceless Blazer history. Fans need to respect that we wont have him forever.
I have to wean myself off the Blazers media/announcers all in general. I opt for listening/reading the national guys now, who arent on Allens payroll, or patting their own backs. Watch the games with the volume down. I can read Nates lips, he is the only one I care to hear.
A blind person can see what the Blazers need to do, but we keep hearing the same old song, year after year.
just win baby !
Still a fan of bump and grind though
by Sheed'sTowel on Jan 24, 2012 3:31 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Lots of talk about "balls" and "taking it to the hole"
Rice is the worst when it comes to sexual innuendo.
by Sabonis4Ever on Jan 24, 2012 8:12 PM PST up reply actions
Mike and Mike are Okay, but
I watch the game and listen to music most of the time. It gets me pumped. Or if the Blazers are playing bad, at least I can be happy with the song I’m listening to. I like to listen to the announcers when we are on a national broadcast, to hear what they have to say.
by desperationshot on Jan 24, 2012 1:13 PM PST reply actions
Mike Rice is one of a kind!
Mad love for Mike and Mike right here. Listening to other announcers is so boring! THE WILD ONE continues to crack me up every game. I loved in that last game when he was totally making fun of all the chuckers on the Kings. If we had “neutral” commentators we would witness this pure broadcasting gold.
by imlebronjames on Jan 24, 2012 1:18 PM PST via mobile reply actions
I like Barrett, but Rice on the other hand...
Batum Shakalaka
JAJAJAJA
Good to know I am not the only one. I but on music and watch – much more enjoyable. Most of my issue is with Rice, guess I was spoiled by Jim Barnett – a much more insightful announcer. Barrett isn’t much better though.
Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital. ~Aaron Levenstein
Oh, and give me Hubie or give me death
Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital. ~Aaron Levenstein
Kerr > Hubie
(imho)
Come on, let's all hug it out.
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jan 24, 2012 2:31 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Overall, I enjoy Mike & Mike..
My only complaint with MB is that he’ll make a point and he’ll absolutely beat it to death. For example, he’ll say, “Portland has been struggling at the lately with their free throws”… With every single miss thereafter he brings it up again and again and again.. He’ll say, “missing shots is contagious”.. No.. Pink eye is contagious, missing jumpshots is not.. Look, nobody’s perfect, but I think this law professor is too harsh. Mike and Mike are the first Blazer TV duo in PDX that I really have enjoyed even though sometimes MB drives me crazy with his tendency to beat the hell out an observation from time to time.
Mike and Mike have got to be among the best
LOCAL broadcasting crews in the league. They are way more fun than other local broadcasts I’ve heard on League Pass. I even prefer them to the ESPN broadcasts for national TV games. Although I wish we still had Snapper… He was the best.
Well ESPN usually sticks us with their C broadcasting team
Which would be at the level of TNT’s F team.
by Jonathan Wright on Jan 24, 2012 1:51 PM PST up reply actions
When was the last time Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy did an espn broadcast with the Blazers?
It seems rare. It’s usually Doris Burke and some no-name play-by-play guy..
I don't want Jeff Van Gundy anywhere near a Blazers broadcast.
If he’s the “A team” the C team suits me just fine. I hate having to listen to that whiny little rat.
It's because we are usually the late game that nobody watches
by Sheed'sTowel on Jan 24, 2012 3:32 PM PST up reply actions
I hear you on that.
I was just on the East coase last week and man its tough staying up to 1:30 to watch the 2nd of game of double-header. I did it thought Wed, Thur, and Fri.
BRoy #7
"It’s usually Doris Burke and some no-name play-by-play guy."
I like when it’s Dave Pasch or Dan Shulman paired with Doris Burke. That’s better than getting stuck with the D team of Terry Gannon and Chris Mullin like last time against Atlanta.
"I Am Mine"
Agree.
Shulman and Burke are good together. I prefer Shulman as a baseball guy, but he does a pretty decent job. Doris is also pretty solid, as long as the Blazers aren’t playing against LeBron.
As many opinions as there are people
I love Mike and Mike. They are WAY better than the radio broadcast (was the opposite when I was a kid). I pefer them to national broadcast and listening to those announcers frame EVERYTHING on the basis of what the other team is doing (which I suppose hasn’t been happening that much this year, with the Blazer’s fast start). Thanks for the consistant professionalism, Mike Barret, and I agree with multiple other commenters that Mike Rice is consistantly and surprisingly accurate when pointing out basketball strategy.
by GLDavis on Jan 24, 2012 1:46 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
This, we have awesome announcers trust me
OSU '06
GForce Crash Wallace FTW!
by TyboOSU on Jan 24, 2012 2:02 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
He's not nearly as bad as radio announcer Wheeler
who spends the entire game screaming, yelling, moaning, complaining or having slam dunk orgasms. My nerves can’t take that crap.
Disagree completely.
Brian Wheeler is hands down the best radio play by play announcer in the NBA. Occasionally in years past my only option had been to listen to games on audio league pass… He gets easily exasperated, yes, but he’s the only radio announcer who’s ever convincingly made me feel like I could be watching the game live. Further, he’s VERY clear and accurate with his announcing and never misses anything. There are radio guys around the league who seem to forget disturbingly often that the listeners cannot see what is happening in the game and they need to relay EVERYTHING. Ugh.
I listen to the radio with the sound down
Wheeler makes my ears bleed. I want to gouge my eyes out when the blazers are losing. His remarks about the refs, opposing coaches, and players are out of line, uncalled for, and totally unprofessional. And when they’re winning? Putting down opposing coaches and opposing players is unprofessional and wrong. I refuse to listen.
by Ground Bound on Jan 24, 2012 8:31 PM PST up reply actions
Wheels is the mayor from Nightmare Before Christmas.
Come on, let's all hug it out.
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jan 24, 2012 2:28 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
wheels is awesome
you feel like you’re at the game with the emotions he puts in to his commentary.
PHILLY!
Happy Wheeler is great, but I can't handle Sad Wheeler
I’m a pessimist by nature, but I can’t handle Sad Wheeler when the Blazers give up more than one consecutive bucket by the other team. He sounds so negative, it’s like the Blazer team plane just crashed.
On the other hand, when the Blazers are playing well I really enjoy the emotion that Happy Wheeler brings. I can tell he really cares, and he makes it exciting to listen to.
Intellectually, I get the whole ying/yang balance thing: you have to be as sad about the bad things as you are happy about the good things. If you don’t cry after losses, you can’t experience true joy after victories. But in practice it’s really hard to listen to on the radio day after day.
by unblindloyalty on Jan 24, 2012 3:00 PM PST up reply actions
I will NEVER complain about Barrett nor Rice.
Barrett can only be fairly compared to his opposite numbers around the league, amongst whom he holds his own very well. As has been mentioned above, anyone whose only opportunity to watch Blazers games is from afar over NBA League Pass will agree: as far as local NBA announcers go, we have a pair of the best to be found. As an annual League Pass subscriber, I see at least one broadcast from every other local crew in the league every year and while some are comparable in terms of quality, none are noticeably better and MANY are considerably worse.
I feel bad for Mike Barrett
He has to spend the entire game trying to keep up with Mike Rice’s constant mis-identification of players and teams. “Yes but that foul was called on Player X, Player Y has been sitting on the bench for 7 minutes.”
If only MB could put the “kw” sound in the word quarter…
I always like to read
MB’s almost bored tone as being constantly exasperated and sarcastic towards Rice. It makes it a lot better.
Johnson, Johnson, Smith, Smith, Thomas, Williams, and Babbitt: the Blazer's law firm.
Like dealing with the drunk uncle who doesn’t care if you correct him or not and can’t tell when you’re being rude anyway.
by PixiePaperdoll on Jan 24, 2012 2:53 PM PST up reply actions
there's no "w" in quarter
it’s no qua like quark;
quarter should be a hominym with court-er
that is, unless you drink “kwafey” from starbucks
M, period. Fresh, comma.
If starbucks sold quaffe instead of coffee, I’d probably stick the W in there.
Do you buy a “court” of milk? Are we “coraling” over this “kibble”?
by PixiePaperdoll on Jan 25, 2012 10:42 AM PST up reply actions
I'd rather listen to the Mikes
than Van Gundy and the rest of the TNT morons jabber about flopping for 10 minutes while there is presumably a perfectly good NBA game happening in front of them.
Johnson, Johnson, Smith, Smith, Thomas, Williams, and Babbitt: the Blazer's law firm.
by Doctor Worm on Jan 24, 2012 2:21 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
Yes. Our standards are that low,
which is really sad.
One lead. One color analyst. Enjoy the game. Relish the moment. That’s how good sports are done.
Come on, let's all hug it out.
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jan 24, 2012 2:26 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
At least
When it’s mike and mike we get to see the whole game…TNT sucks at sports broadcasting.
At least mark jackson is gone
I was so tired of the catch phrases. I miss Doug Collins though.
by Sheed'sTowel on Jan 24, 2012 3:33 PM PST up reply actions
I like the Mikes
but if you really want excitement, you gotta go with Wheels.
we can still win........
Right on the money. Barrett comes off like a miserable, petty dude.
Of course he loves the Blazers. That’s obvious. He and Rice even have a charming “old married couple” kind of chemistry together. But his persona is despondent, always focusing on the negative, and if things are going right at least trying to balance that off with a “let’s see if this good fortune can continue”. It’s just not fun. The man doesn’t know how to party.
Look, life sucks sometimes. Sports are a diversion. Enjoy the game. Make it fun. A constant barrage of “Now it’s a NINE – 0 run; it’s hard to imagine they were just up by 20 only 5 minutes ago. Now it’s down to 11.” A run? In the NBA? OMG OMG OMG. PANIC!
Come on, let's all hug it out.
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jan 24, 2012 2:23 PM PST via mobile reply actions
this is the first time I disagree with you, but not the last...
The Mike and Mike combo are that way for a reason. Barrett has to be the straight man to Rice’s antics. Rice is totally awesome and I am proud that people around the world watch as he represents Portland.
by Kevlar Rocket on Jan 24, 2012 3:40 PM PST up reply actions
dont like mb's commentary
i like rice’s quirkiness, but he needs to go back to radio.
bring in calabro and broy.
PHILLY!
Yep, I agree, Mike Rice has the perfect face for radio. :-)
LET THE LAMONSTER ERA BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In my opinion
both are awesome! Like them a lot!
I would watch every game with the announcers muted
Not hating on the Mikes in particular, but if I could mute the announcers but still hear the arena noise I’d be all over it. I remember when the NFL Network was new there was a whole half with no announcers, only stadium noise. Still the best commented game I have ever listened to…
Aut disce, aut discede; manet sors tertia, caedi
God, these guys are horrible.
I was stuck with only the Portland feed of the broadcast last night. Just so painful, only Denver’s team is worse than the Mikes. Ignorant, incredibly inaccurate, just pissy and passive aggressive.
Other broadcast teams are homers too, but don’t basically spend the entire broadcast implying that every opponent is basically a negative stereotype of everything all white middle aged sportscaster hates about black athletes (“these guys are so selfish, they will never pass the ball”, “Cousins only goes for offensive rebounds because that’s the end where he can score” etc etc) (in a game where the Kings had more assists than the Blazers btw).
New Orleans crew were the worst I've heard this year
but it might be residual memories of other bad performances. OKC’s did not impress, either
scrappy
by Honka Playboy on Jan 24, 2012 9:58 PM PST up reply actions
those guys fill the airspace with good natured, substanceless and inane banter.
Which I much prefer to hateful inaccurate BS, with heavy doses of victim complex and bitter screeds against all opposing teams and all officials.
by howlingfantods on Jan 25, 2012 10:22 AM PST up reply actions
I'll be the odd one and say
I enjoy MB a lot more than Rice. It’s kind of like when you bring over your latin friend for dinner and someone at the table starts explaining why they’re not racist, but just think that we should make a 20 ft electric fence along the Mexican border to stop crime.
Whether or not your points were valid or not, it’s just simply not acceptable dinner table etiquette with a guest at the table. Rice and Barrett have to understand that you cannot spend the entire game making jokes about players from the opposing team. The way Rice just went in on DMC last game was just awful.
League Pass has been around a while now Rice, do you not know that kings fans and casual fans watching around the world are listening to the crap that you are spewing out right now? I honestly believe our crew is the worst in the league, bar none. Even worse than the Celtics.
This is pretty absurd.
Mike and Mike stand apart from other color commentators in the NBA- they actually root for their team like fans (which makes complete sense, since they are employed by this organization), they say whats on their mind instead of conforming to the censored cliches like other broadcaster, and they put a lot of emotion into the game. This is exactly why people who are not Blazer fans hate them so much.
a play by play guy boring?
Not sure that’s really a knock so much as it is a revelation by Mr. Bogdanski, who from the looks of some of the other headlines on his blog, knows a thing or two about fascinating…
‘Breaking news: Portland planning to maintain a street’
’Romney’s tax return: 203 pages’
by heybabydrinkyourmilk on Jan 24, 2012 3:24 PM PST reply actions
I'm just glad Mark Jackson got a coaching job
I like idiosyncratic guys like Mike and Mike, as well as Walton, Barkley, Snapper. Guys like Marv Albert, Mike Fratello, Kevin Harlan are kind of nostalgic for me, as their voices/calls remind me of the early 90s, when I would religiously sit through triple-headers on Sunday on NBC, and then go to the park to play pick-up.
I cannot stand Reggie Miller and Mark Jackson.
You know what we need?
Radio jockeys from Jazz stations.
Nice, easy-listening, voices. Imagine the exchange….
Play-by-play: “Aaand that was LaMarcus Aldridge with the offensive rebound, passed out to Ne-ko-LAH Batum for the corner 3.”
Color commentator: “He is having just an exquisite season so far, that I’m sure we all enjoy”
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
by HailOden! on Jan 24, 2012 3:27 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
Fresh Air woman
paired with Molly Shannon playing Fresh Air woman
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
embarrassment of riches
We’ve got such great commentators in Blazers broadcasting (both on radio and TV) that I think we’re a little spoiled – most of the other local analysts are really irritating, not to mention incapable of interesting orignial analysis. Mike and Mike aren’t brilliant but they do come up with interesting takes and analysis on certain plays. Most of the others basically just differentiate between good and bad plays, and make loud noises when there’s a highlight. So be greatful for what we’ve got.
hand down, man down, bojack
mike & mike a great local team. there’s only a handful of announcers i think are better, but i can’t even think of a single team with a better duo. they obviously both loves the blazers team and players and have a lot of time. mike barrett is the “straight man,” that’s just his look. it ain’t boredom. inflammatory remarks, i say. get those page hits, baybay!!!
If Mike Rice was to be sold at an auction,
he would command top dollar and be purchased by Gus Van Sant. Mike Barrett is like Rice’s Garfunkel. It’s not his fault to be paired with a genius and have to live with the shadow that Mike Rice commands.
by Kevlar Rocket on Jan 24, 2012 3:47 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
Mike and Mike compare favorable
I’d say about half of NBA teams have announces that are just bad.
Mike and Mike are Homers, but they’re not blind homers.
They do get excited but not by just anything.
They’re probably in the top 8 of humorous pairs.
They have good chemistry
Are they the best? no. But they’re better than what most teams got.
M, period. Fresh, comma.
Yeah, I thought the Mikes were terrible
until I got exposed to all the other local announcers with League Pass. Right now, I’d put them about in the middle of the pack. They’re pretty ridiculous as homers, but they at least keep up with the game for the most part (even if they’re fairly pathetic about keeping up with the promos), which is somewhat hit or miss for a lot of crews.
There not bad
I want my teams announcers to be homers i want them to call the game how im thinking of the game as a blazer fan. If the call is questionable i want them to take our side and even if the call is borderline the other way in critical situations i want them to make the case it should go our way. Why would i want my hometown town announcers to be neutral
I think everyone is a little off here - especially BE.
This dude is both a (very entertaining) tax law professor, and a stand-up comedian.
Everyone read one of his comedy pieces, and took it at face value. It was a joke.
tbd
Mike Rice Tweet:
Mike Rice @mikerice6 :
“@gparker503: @mikerice6 I’m looking to relax before the game with a drink. What do you recommend?”bloody mary
tbd
I find Barrett somewhat acceptable
When Rice tries to be funny it makes me want to hang myself. Then after the 6th time he gets a name wrong (usually about three minutes into the first quarter) I start tying the noose.
Wheeler’s catch phrase is ’Batooom Shakalaka!" Which would be awesome if I was still 11 and it was still 1993. It makes dry heave every time.
Harvey is the only guy I have positive feelings about.
volatilelyle.com
I agree with your opinion on Barrett and Wheeler
but clearly it takes a true connoisseur of the soul to appreciate Wild Rice fully. Maybe you need to drink more?
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
I can see why someone would say that about Barrett.
Besides, if we don’t agree with him he can sue the bejesus out of us.
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
Rice was all over the Cousins ankle sprain last night
Immediately he called it a re-tape job, and sure enough, that’s what it was. That sort of insight is much appreciated.
by heybabydrinkyourmilk on Jan 24, 2012 6:46 PM PST via mobile reply actions
I've been muting the Mikes as well
but my reason is that Barrett is so negative in his comments about play (especially if Blazers are losing) that he completely kills any excitement I have about watching the game. At tip off if we don’t score the first two baskets, Barrett will say something like “and the Blazers’ problems seem to be carrying over to this game as well!” Second reason I mute is that both Mikes will ramble on about their merchandise or other non-game specific content for so long that i need to look at the play-by-play to find out about # of fouls, details of ref calls, etc. Might as well be on mute!
If we could always hear the players
Games would have to be on HBO.
I always thought Steve Kerr did a great job as an analyst.
His insights were usually something that I appreciated instead of other analysts obvious comments.
tell me again why a law professor's personal preferences regarding sports announcers are relevant
I must have missed something.
I just don’t find any importance in this blogger’s remarks. Why on earth did Barrett respond? And why is this on Bedge?
Ok I changed my signature. Do you like it better now?
by scaredcow on Jan 24, 2012 9:31 PM PST via mobile reply actions
I'm sorry this was linked to his blog
I read it a few years ago and decided he was an ass.
I listened to the broadcast tonight – a rare treat since we usually get the foreign broadcast at the bar (Blazers feed doesn’t come through in HD, unless NBA TV helps it along). The boys were enthusiastic as I was when we were playing well. They were panicky when I was. They didn’t go nuts when a call was missed at the expense of the Blazers (I did). They recognized breaks that went Portland’s way when I’d prefer they ignore them (4th Q “Felton got away with throwing an elbow into Conley”) They did fine and it was fun.
And a nice win tonight.
scrappy
"I was a victim of a series of accidents, as are we all."
by thankyouforblaze on Jan 24, 2012 10:25 PM PST reply actions
I personally like both Mikes as a Blazer fan. They are exciting when they need to be but their chit chat during dull moments of the game
are relaxing to it through for me..
WITH ODEN ON OUR SIDE
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
NBA Playoffs Content Module
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Behind the Box Score, where the Boston Celtics are moving on to the conference finals
- NBA Playoffs Fan Fiction: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
- The Indiana Pacers? Gone till November
- Shaquille O’Neal is in a Chinese beer commercial, too (VIDEO)
- ‘Deep Thoughts’ and Cheap Thoughts: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
