Which Commentator/Journalist Do You Respect?

[ReubenJRD]

I love Shaq, he brings a lot to more than people think. Because he just came off playing last year, he can talk about the guys he played against, or what coaches say i.e when Boston plays, he can talk about what Rondo is saying, or what goes through Pierces mind. Etc, Etc. He can talk about as well the pace of a game and all that sort of crap. He's hilarious as well.

[ReubenJRD]

I love Miami's commentators. They are tremendous. TNT & ESPN are great as well.

My top 3 are...

Steve Kerr
Jeff Van Gundy
tommy heinson #2 (Jack Armstrong)

[jimmie]

- Surprised Eric Koreen isn't getting more love. He's pretty good. Agree on Chisolm and Wolstat. Grange was the best when he was covering the beat.
- NBA-wide, Aldridge is outstanding. I like Woj, but he can grind his ax every now and then.
- Broadcasting isn't for hardcore fans, so I understand the frustration with Devlin and Jack. Part of their job is to entertain and keep more casual fans interested when the Raptors are getting blown out. I actually like their banter, and Jack is a favourite.
- I hate Leo, condescending jackass. Worse though, are the occasions where Rod Black and Leo work together. Black has no business coming within 100 yards of a basketball court. The new TSN guy, Nabil Karim, is really good; would like to see him more often.

[akashsingh]

most respected: Jack

most annoying but I got used to it: devlin (biased of course)

most hated: kenny smith, colour commentator for the clippers, that guy who does the games for the warriors.

[slaw]

I lost a lot of respect for a lot of basketball "journalists" during the lockout. A lot of the reporting was guesswork or downright fabrication. The one guy who I thought distinguished himself through all of that was Aldridge who had a pretty balanced and keen perspective.

In terms of Raptorland, I find that Chisholm and Wolstat have interesting things to say. Grange used to be the gold standard in Toronto but he has moved on. Smith plays it straight but I don't find him insightful, informative or new. I can't remember the last time Doug broke a Raptors story before a US guy.

I used to like Jack but I am honestly getting tired of the schtick with him and Devlin constantly going on and on about 60s TV shows or singing or whatever. My wife just started watching BB this year and, as a totally casual fan, she finds them incredibly annoying. Not sure who that appeals to but it must focus group test well.

[knickz]

hubie brown is the best

dan shulman

kevin harlan

marv albert

leo rautins

[CT2010]

The Swirsk
&
Jack Armstrong

Obviously the Swirsk. I like Paul Jones as well. I tend to lean towards guys who have played at a high level (like the Swirsk) over puffy haired Matt Devlins.

[DoNDaDDa]

The Swirsk
&
Jack Armstrong

[planetmars]

I'm not a big fan of the tv commentators as well. I like turning the volume down and then turning on the fan590 and listening to Smith/Jones instead. Those guys are decent.. the Raps could do much better though.

As for journalists - my faves are Woj from Yahoo.com and Lowe from SI.com. For a fun read I like Simmons from grantland.com. Locally, my fave is probably Chisholm. I do read Doug Smith's blog on a regular basis though.

[ceez]

I like when Jack gets flabbergasted and forgets to filter himself

[The Fox]

JVG is my favourite along with Eric Smith. I think he knows his ball inside and out.

[CalgaryRapsFan]

no jack is good. I really don't mind our commentators they are decent. Better than 3 quarters of the leagues

I don't watch enough non-Raptors games to comment on the comparison, but I disagree that our announcers are good. Most of the time I wind up turning down the volume to not have to hear them, or I spend my time yelling at the tv to actually comment on the game going on. All the singing, talk of olympic team, talk of cell phones, yatta yatta yatta, I could care less about. I don't want to hear about their private lives or rambling on about whatever non-game crap they have an axe to grind about. Call the game, educate about the game for new/young fans, be mostly unbiased with just an ever so slight hint of homerism and stay on topic... that's what I'd like new announcers to be like.

[Joey]

My 2 cents ... Matt and Jack are BRUTAL.


David Aldridge is Cream of the Crop.

Steve Aschburner is fantastic as well (former President of Professionsal Basketball Writers Association.)

Zach Lowe over at SI.com is Top Notch as well.

And of course, last but not Least Doug Smith, (current President of the Professional Basketball Writers Association)

[NoPropsneeded]

no jack is good. I really don't mind our commentators they are decent. Better than 3 quarters of the leagues

[CalgaryRapsFan]

Throw in my fav Jack Armstrong, HELLOOOOOOOO!!!!

I respect Jack for his general basketball knowledge, but he's a terrible commentator. All 3 of the Raptors TV broadcasters are awful - Jack, Leo and Devlin. I wish we could to a rebuild in the broadcast booth.