I've got to chime in here b/c this issue is irritatating as hell.......
It used to be a toss up b/w Brent Woody Musky-burgur and Billy Packard. Now, Musburger just sucks all by himself. If you are truly ENTERTAINED by Brent Musburger when he's calling a game then YOU ARE DEPRESSED. He is boring, monotonous, non-energetic and everything exactly opposite of what an annoucer on national television should be in 2009, particularly in high-intensity sports like college basketball and football (he's especially pitiful and pathetic in basketball, however, IMO). And just because a guy is a gambler and throws juice on the game he's calling doesn't make him "cool" and a good commentator; if, as suggested, he even does in fact bet on the games (which I would love to know how and where you got that information), then he is either losing his ass every game he calls or just plain sucks. In either case he should retire because he rarely, if ever, has flashes of greatness. Even when I watch old games on ESPN Classic that he commentated, he was never any good even then--just his bland, boring self like always.
However, to not dump just on him because he's certainly not alone, many of the guys ESPN throws in our faces are very sub-par and I don't understand the reasoning. Hence, why can't the domineering and almighty corporate bully that is ESPN in their infinite wisdom and power pull some better quality guys to call their damn basketball games? Is "the wide-world leader in sports" not aware of these issues? Am I alone here? Which leads me to another question that I've been wondering for a long time, to wit: Why is Gus Johnson not on TV more often calling basketball games, CBS or otherwise?
Given that ESPN cut ties with the NHL 4 or so years ago, and, in-turn, televise CBB every night of the week, you'd think they could have pulled it together by now and found/recruited some quality commentators. If ESPN had any sense they get rid of some of these "traditional" guys and pay CBS whatever it took to get Gus Johnson under a damn contract for during the regular season!
To me, he is the quentisential commentator: enthusiastic, up-beat, non-bias, knowledgeable/intelligent, easy to follow, involved in the game, listener friendly, and you don't have to listen to him long to know that he absolutely enjoys his job and has a passion for college basketball. When he is calling a game, it is appointment television for me b/c I know he will single-handedly make it more exciting and interesting. It is well-known that he seemingly gets the "most exciting games", this is not a coincidence because HE makes the games pleasurable for the viewer/listener. I wish more commentators would take heed to his style because some of these guys, a la Musburger, make listening to a game downright miserable, and at times, unbearable. Gus could make any shitty Big 10 game better, so don't give me that 'pitty party for Musburger' crap.
:toast: Here's to you, Gus. Job well done. Now do us all a favor and get your ass over to ESPN, please!
georgiasluke.
ope:!!!!!!!!!!!! E !!
