OT: Best NBA coverage: TNT, ESPN or ABC?

slavavov

I hope this isn't too off topic, but I was just thinking about this and wondered what everyone else thought about the different networks that do NBA games these days.

My favorite is TNT. I think they have the best announcers out of the three. Marv Albert is probably the best NBA play-by-play man alive (but still not as good as Chick was), you can't beat his "YES!!!" call and his distinctive voice. Kevin Harlan is also really good, not as well known, but maybe the most creative play-by-play man. They have decent color men, although not as good as before. They used to have Fratello, he was pretty good, Doug Collins is also pretty good, is he still with TNT? And you can't beat Inside The NBA with Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley. Some hate Barkley, but he (sometimes) has decent insight, and you have to admit he's real funny sometimes. Kenny has decent insight too, Ernie is good as keeping them in check, I actually look forward to watching it.

ESPN is OK, but I can't stand some of their commentators. They seem a little cocky and immature, which makes me think they are Kobe/Laker haters (oh wait, they are, what was I thinking?). Mike Breen is solid, I actually enjoy Bill Walton (at least a little bit), but the other guys aren't that good. It also seems like ESPN dumbs down their coverage, maybe to target the hip-hop crowd.

ABC has gotten a little better. I like Al Michaels, he's grown on me as a basketball announcer, and Hubie is THE best color commentator. They just need to do a better job of hyping the games and the coverage to make them seem bigger and more dramatic, as long as they don't make it seem like a reality show (ugh). And please make a new theme song that sounds more exciting.

Maybe it's just me, but I'm a little nostalgic for how NBC used to do things. They used to hype the games and present them in a way that got you excited for them. Remember how they would do their intros, how they would set the scene for the game and build the drama, then go straight to the timeless NBA on NBA theme song with the opening animation? That's what it should be like. I've seen some old games of CBS' coverage in the 80s, and that was also great and well done, although in an 80s kind of way. I hope ABC tries to copy that stuff and update it for the 2000s.
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ocho · Retired Number Joined: 24 May 2005 Posts: 53796

tnt hands down.
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eureca · Franchise Player Joined: 18 Jan 2004 Posts: 15824

TNT but I do miss NBA on NBC.

ocho · Retired Number Joined: 24 May 2005 Posts: 53796

msb212 · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 6:26 pm Post subject:

tnt HD rocks. I switched from DirecTV to Dish specifically to get it.

eureca · Franchise Player Joined: 18 Jan 2004 Posts: 15824

KobeButler · Franchise Player Joined: 14 Nov 2004 Posts: 10179

Definitly TNT. I like to tune in early just to listen to Charles and crew. Plus they have the best commentators and best matchups. And overall has the best presentation.

I hate watching games on espn. Especially their commentators.

dcarter4kobe · Franchise Player Joined: 30 Jul 2005 Posts: 17674

Tnt by a mile

Lurker-no-mo' · Star Player Joined: 17 Jun 2002 Posts: 2799

TNT above all.

On ESPN, I find Walton's hyperbolic rants to be hilariously inspired and Hubie on ABC is outstanding. I learn so much from listening to him.

Man, that NBC song used to get me so hyped.
John Tesh...

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lakers0505 · Franchise Player Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 10701

Texas_Pete · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 6:55 pm Post subject:

TNT. Was this a trick question?

lakers0505 · Franchise Player Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 10701

lol i voted for none , but i would say TNT is the best, mainly because at halftime u get point blank ,no B.S analyst from Kenny and Charles.

Charles · Star Player Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 4525

TNT easily. ESPN's analysis and commentating is horrible that it's disgusting.

Bigguy · Starting Rotation Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 584

TNT is the best right now but the last few years that the NBA was on NBC were truly great. Nothing could beat Walton and Snapper going back and forth.

lakers0505 · Franchise Player Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 10701

What about Tolbery A.K.A "The Queens lover", it seemed for like 2 years in a row every series he was asked he was programmed to the say kings.

Lakers Dynasty 2000 · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 7:19 pm Post subject:

I like TNT - more replays for us to use as opposed to ESPN & ABC.

Although, I must admit, NBA on NBC had the best coverage imo. Replays, analysis, good stuff... I miss those days

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dmills · Star Player Joined: 18 Aug 2005 Posts: 3711

TNT hands down. The NBA on NBC was vastly superior to ABC because of the double and triple headers. Not to mention the fact that they actually knew how to hype up a big game unlike ABC. Al Michaels puts me to sleep but Hubie makes up for it. Although I have to admit that Al and Hubie were some of the only commentators who gave Kobe a fair shake and I thank them for that. There is one other reason I prefer NBC, it was the last time the Lakers won a championship

wolfpaclaker · Retired Number Joined: 29 May 2002 Posts: 58336

TNT. Though NBC was much better.

TNT's still a little too inlove with the "hype/drame" theme.

DaKobeShow · Star Player Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Posts: 1321 Location: RSM

NBC by far. That theme music and the sunday triple headers were great. Also, the color and presentation/grahpics on NBC made the game more appealing. Hopefully once this contract is up, the NBA will be back on NBC.

By the way, the Lakers haven't won a title since the NBA went to games on ABC, ESPN, etc...

orwell · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 8:42 pm Post subject:

lakers0505 · Franchise Player Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 10701

shnjb · Franchise Player Joined: 08 Oct 2002 Posts: 13320

Boy I miss the NBC coverage, especially the triple headers.

The Dagger · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 9:25 pm Post subject:

Zhengi · Star Player Joined: 06 Sep 2004 Posts: 6445

Two words: Triple Headers!!!!
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*TheNextKobe* · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 9:50 pm Post subject: