FanHouse

To open up the NBA season, we at FanHouse got together with Brian from Awful Announcing to have a bull session about all the announce teams we'll be complaining about enjoying all season. (Part I can be seen here.)

Ziller: We all either follow local teams or watch a lot of League Pass. Any favorite local announce teams?

Brian, Awful Announcing: I'm a huge Steve Buchantz fan. The term "dagger" needs to be in everyone's lexicon. I also enjoy Kevin Calabro from the Sonics (he made an unwatchable team watchable), and of course Gus Johnson on MSG.

Bethlehem Shoals: The Grizzlies used to have a guy who always had the mic too close. I don't know if he's still there, but it was kind of like a record where they've driven all the levels into the red.

Marcel Mutoni: For the record, Chuck Swirsky (the Raptors' play by play guy, and something of a hero in Toronto) is the absolute worst in the business. His homerism and forced catchphrases have made it practically impossible for me to enjoy what is actually a pretty damn good basketball team.

Ziller: I'll see your Chuck Swirsky and raise you Jerry Reynolds, who along with being a Kings executive, actually says things like "Mike Bibby, there at his Bibbilicious best." Grant Napear (forever taunted by if you don't like that, you don't like NBA basketball) is also a smug jerk. Wanted to get that out of the way.

Biggest game of the year -- give me your announcing lineup. Marv's a shoe-in for play-by-play, but...

Brian: I'd go Marv, Jeff Van Gundy, and Bill Walton. Walton is crazy, but I just can't get enough of him for some reason. I'd also have David Alrdridge on the sidelines so we wouldn't have to hear one of Cheryl Miller's crappy reports.

Shoals: I know it would probably break all sorts of laws, but my personal dream team would be Harlan, Hubie, and Van Gundy. With DA on the sidelines, of course.

Mutoni: Biggest game: Marv, Kerr, and Walton (because, it's fun to be reminded that it is not only the biggest game of the year, but quite possibly the most important event on the planet.) Aldridge on the sidelines is a must.

Ziller: Craig Sager and Jim Gray are plotting their vengeance. Actually, who's worse -- Cheryl or Jim? I'd prefer Cheryl, bad as she is, because I don't like Jim staring into my soul.

Brian: That's one of the hardest questions that's ever been proposed to me. I guess I would go with Cheryl as well, but if she does one more Eva Longoria interview I'm going to lose it.

For more chatter on NBA announcing, be sure to check out Brian's fantastic NBA on TNT and NBA on ESPN/ABC previews. And never forget Kelly Dwyer's exhaustive announcer report card from SI.com last season.