The Bobcat Nation

Watching basketball this weekend, I had to ask myself: who is the more annoying basketball television personality, Dick Vitale or Bill Raftery? Personally, I used to like Dicky V, but his act is now completely stale, he never takes a hard stance on anything, and he has just continued to become more annoying with every passing year. Sad as that may be, I still have to vote for Raftery. Dick Vitale just annoys me - listening to Bill Raftery makes me want to stab myself in the ear. Can anyone tell me what compels the networks to hire these idiots?

Bill Raftery needs to shut up. Hes so biased about who he wants to win. Its sad. UNC-Nova game was a perfect example. He said that the bogus
travelling call was the right call.

I've never give much thought to Raftery. Vitale is by far the worst and most annoying-I can't hardly watch the game if he's on.

But in my book Billy Packer is right up there. He's a know-it-all has been/never was with a tremendous grasp of the obvious. I find myself yelling "SHUT UP PACKER" at least 20 times per every game he does.

But then there's John Madden-ugh!

As much as I can't stand Vitale, I think the worst is Bill Walton. I would rather listen to the Carpenters.

Cat-theotherwhitemeat wrote:As much as I can't stand Vitale, I think the worst is Bill Walton. I would rather listen to the Carpenters.

I 2nd the vote on Bill "I never missed a free throw in my life, got every rebound, played awesome defense, way better player than anyone in the history of basketball" Walton

Cat-theotherwhitemeat wrote:As much as I can't stand Vitale, I think the worst is Bill Walton. I would rather listen to the Carpenters.

Can I change my vote above and also write in Walton

Another one I can't stand is Brent Musburger. Yeah, he grew up with Dave McLucky from Billings and his family has land by Big Timber and he's great friends with the Fizzlie coaches...now I know why I don't like him

Joe Theisman really tweaks me.

CelticCat wrote:Joe Theisman really tweaks me.

Joe Theisman is right up there too with me. He just makes me laugh most of time how bad he is I love it when his other announcer buddies laugh at him/make fun of him in the booth

Actually, the one's that bug me are the jocks and halter tops. Usually have to turn the sound off late in the game because I just want to watch what's happening. All the old pros add is: "Well, duhhhh! Like I didn't see that?" And the cuts to any insight from the halter tops as to the latest injury update really adds to the flow of the game--especially if they miss two or three plays

NO QUESTION...Bill Walton is the worst!!! I don't watch NBA that much, but if I turn on a game and Bill Walton is doing the game I immediately change the channel. I would rather watch professional bowling on ESPN8 than listen to that bumbling idiot. I hope he hitches a ride with John Madden on that bus someday and they both get lost FOREVER!

I just thought of someone I might put as my 1b choice: Tom Katz from KPAX

mslacat wrote:I just thought of someone I might put as my 1b choice: Tom Katz from KPAX

Katz is an award-winning caliber announcer compared to the previous Missoula sports guy Grayson Davis. :-&

Besides, Katz ticks off Griz fans on a daily basis...that must count for something.

i can't believe you guys in here knocking walton around!!! actually, i used to hate him, too, but then i just started listening to him under the assumption that he was a big, dumb idiot and somehow he started making me laugh. i think what i like about him is just how ridiculous some of the things he says are! at least he doesn't have some overdeveloped voice, bay-beeee, and he does have some nuts!

This poll is ridiculous at least Raftery & Vitale have passion for the game. The only choice on this poll should be Billy Packer. I have not once found one person who could say one kind word about the way he calls a game. I agree Walton is a moron but Packer is a bigger moron who thinks the game should still be played the way it was back in '29 when he played. Then you have Jim Nantz who does nothing kiss Packer's rear end. Personally I would love to see Gus Johnson & Len Elmore do the final 4.

anacondagriz wrote:This poll is ridiculous at least Raftery & Vitale have passion for the game. The only choice on this poll should be Billy Packer. I have not once found one person who could say one kind word about the way he calls a game. I agree Walton is a moron but Packer is a bigger moron who thinks the game should still be played the way it was back in '29 when he played. Then you have Jim Nantz who does nothing kiss Packer's rear end. Personally I would love to see Gus Johnson & Len Elmore do the final 4.

Sorry I hear what you say about Packer, and generally I can just tune him out, but I still have to go with Walton

My least favorite would have to be Kevin Harland. This guys is so over the top with his adjectives, it's scintilatingly rediculious. He's the guys who shouts "right between the eyes" after every made three pointer.

I can't disagree with any of these people - every single one of these guys is a babbling idiot. I absolutely hate Bill Walton, but he only does NBA games, so that doesn't really affect me because I don't watch NBA (I only watch real basketball). One of the worst days for the NFL was the day Pat Summerall retired and John Madden kept going - for all that is sacred and holy, why wasn't it the other way around???

Still, the question remains: HOW are these guys getting hired??? For my money, I still prefer Bob Costas in anything he does.

Bill Raftery! sux
Bill Walton! sux
Billy Packer! sux
Dick Vitale! sux
Pam Oliver, Susie Kolber! wish they sucked

So who are some of your favorites. I personally enjoy Ron Franklin and Gary Thorne. Both of these guys do a variety of sports and excel at all of them.