Anyone else enjoy Jeff Van Gundy's commentary last night?

[CT34]

I've said it before, and I'll put it forth again: This broadcast team is second in basketball only to MSG's tandem of Breen and Walt Frazier.

Breen and JVG are absolutely great.  Whether or not you like Jax's analysis (for the most part, I'm no booster), he only adds to the chemistry and rapport the group has as a unit -- and there's something to be said for that.

-sw

Sorry but any tandem that has Coach Hubie Brown a part of it, to me, is the best tandem when it comes to calling a basketball game.  I learn some much about the game everytime I watch a game that coach Brown calls. I think he is great and he not only tells it like it is, he teaches you the game as you watch it.

[Steve Weinman]

I've said it before, and I'll put it forth again: This broadcast team is second in basketball only to MSG's tandem of Breen and Walt Frazier.

Breen and JVG are absolutely great.  Whether or not you like Jax's analysis (for the most part, I'm no booster), he only adds to the chemistry and rapport the group has as a unit -- and there's something to be said for that.

-sw

Sorry but any tandem that has Coach Hubie Brown a part of it, to me, is the best tandem when it comes to calling a basketball game.  I learn some much about the game everytime I watch a game that coach Brown calls. I think he is great and he not only tells it like it is, he teaches you the game as you watch it.

He also has taught me a bit too much about the second person for my liking.

I'm up and down with Hubie.  Some nights he seems to get it; others, not so much.

"You're Hubie Brown.  Sometimes you're just a solid analyst.  Others, you need a timeout asap."

Tirico doesn't blow me away -- and I believe that's who he is usually paired with at this point.

-sw

[CT34]

I've said it before, and I'll put it forth again: This broadcast team is second in basketball only to MSG's tandem of Breen and Walt Frazier.

Breen and JVG are absolutely great.  Whether or not you like Jax's analysis (for the most part, I'm no booster), he only adds to the chemistry and rapport the group has as a unit -- and there's something to be said for that.

-sw

Sorry but any tandem that has Coach Hubie Brown a part of it, to me, is the best tandem when it comes to calling a basketball game.  I learn some much about the game everytime I watch a game that coach Brown calls. I think he is great and he not only tells it like it is, he teaches you the game as you watch it.

He also has taught me a bit too much about the second person for my liking.

I'm up and down with Hubie.  Some nights he seems to get it; others, not so much.

"You're Hubie Brown.  Sometimes you're just a solid analyst.  Others, you need a timeout asap."

Tirico doesn't blow me away -- and I believe that's who he is usually paired with at this point.

-sw

Yeah I really don't like Tirico but he does a nice job bring the point back to Hubie for some insight.  I thought Hubie was great working with Mike Breen last season.  I still think Hubie is the best in the business. I always walk away from a Hubie Brown game feeling a little bit smarter about the game of basketball.  If a person can teach you something and you enjoy it that makes for a great teacher.  Hubie Brown is a teacher of the game of basketball. He does have a degree in education.

[RebusRankin]

I really like the crew we've got. Had a good laugh about Jeff borrowing the doorman's coat, Jackson wimping out with Hot Cocco and marshmellows etc.

[crownsy]

I also really enjoyed this crew, and a TP to van gundy for having the cahojnes to bring up a conversation he had from 3 months ago that irked the hell out of me, him saying pierce isn't a guy who the celtics should retire, and correcting himself on air.

as another poster said, any other commentator would have either kept quite or acted like they never said the first comment. too many national guys refuse to change thier opinions or admit they were mistaken, and it makes it hard to take them seriously sometimes. JVG has shown a refreshing  ability to change his mind and have fun admiting he may be human and make mistakes.

[MattG12]

Van Gundy is great to listen to, i can actually stand to watch these games that are televised nationally now. usually have to listen to them on the radio or watch on mute or watch the play by play thing on espn because national commentators are so bad. Jackson and Breen are also pretty good, better than most, and probably the best national team of any sport. Except golf and euro soccer where the commentators are amazing.

Anyways, this may be a stupid question but why isn't CSN doing the games anymore? i really have no idea.

[GroverTheClover]

I'm really starting to love JVG as a commentator. He's very frank and calls it as he sees it. He's markedly differently from Breen (who I don't care for) and Stockton who push the "NBA Hype Machine" thing a bit too much. For instance, the "No regard for human life!" quote by Stockton was quite possibly the most asinine thing I have ever heard on TV. For ****, it was a freakin' dunk.

JVG seems natural and doesn't force anything. I like him for his cajones to call out the terrible officiating and provides some actual insight. I think Mark Jackson works well with JVG and they seem to have a good dynamic.

[Steve Weinman]

I'm really starting to love JVG as a commentator. He's very frank and calls it as he sees it. He's markedly differently from Breen (who I don't care for) and Stockton who push the "NBA Hype Machine" thing a bit too much. For instance, the "No regard for human life!" quote by Stockton was quite possibly the most asinine thing I have ever heard on TV. For ****, it was a freakin' dunk.

That line has been a Kevin Harlan standard (he's the one who called the LBJ dunk as well; that wasn't Stockton) for a long time.  I've gotten the sense that a lot of Celts fans have kind of "taken it personally" as though it was more media-lovin' of LeBron than anything else.  It isn't.  Harlan has long been known for his over the top calls, and he's also a big proponent of "sucked the gravity right out of the building."  I'm not looking to advocate or hate on the extra enthusiasm (although personally I like Harlan); just pointing out that this wasn't unique to the LBJ play.

-sw

[BrickJames]

Sorry but any tandem that has Coach Hubie Brown a part of it, to me, is the best tandem when it comes to calling a basketball game.  I learn some much about the game everytime I watch a game that coach Brown calls. I think he is great and he not only tells it like it is, he teaches you the game as you watch it.

"<Insert player name here> is one of the premier <insert position or role here> in the game today..."    *snore fest*

[Chris]

I didn't hear it last night, but I love Van Gundy as a commentator...and even moreso, I love the combination of him and Mark Jackson.  They provide an excellent combination of comedy and insight. 

[crownsy]

jeff's also great at calling out the ticky tack fouls from last night on perks block of hamilton

Breen: "and a block, but a foul"

JVG watching replay: (amused half laugh) thats a clean block.

Breen: "but if you watch....right there....before the block, he does graze his arm with his elbow"

JVG: come on now, this is the playoffs, and that contact was incedintal. It had nothing to do with the the block, bad call.

Breen: but as per the rule, any contact before...

JVG: then it's a bad rule, thats a block, no question.

[Steve Weinman]

I'm really starting to love JVG as a commentator. He's very frank and calls it as he sees it. He's markedly differently from Breen (who I don't care for) and Stockton who push the "NBA Hype Machine" thing a bit too much. For instance, the "No regard for human life!" quote by Stockton was quite possibly the most asinine thing I have ever heard on TV. For ****, it was a freakin' dunk.

That line has been a Kevin Harlan standard (he's the one who called the LBJ dunk as well; that wasn't Stockton) for a long time.  I've gotten the sense that a lot of Celts fans have kind of "taken it personally" as though it was more media-lovin' of LeBron than anything else.  It isn't.  Harlan has long been known for his over the top calls, and he's also a big proponent of "sucked the gravity right out of the building."  I'm not looking to advocate or hate on the extra enthusiasm (although personally I like Harlan); just pointing out that this wasn't unique to the LBJ play.

-sw

One more Harlan point -- there's an old video game (NBA JAM 99, maybe?) that has him yelling "He's got mad cow disease!" as one of his catchphrases.  I have yet to find any documentation of his using this phraseology in real life, but if anyone can shed some light here, I'd be most amused.  Seemed like as good a time as ever to bring this up.

-sw

[winsomme]

Breen, JVG and Marc Jackson are by far the best team left calling the playoffs. i am glad we have them and hope they stay with our series.

they are both entertaining and informative.

i miss Mike and Tommy, but these guys are not a bad substitute.

[kenmaine]

Yes, that response to Breen's mindless comment  "he's not that kind of player" was priceless. To paraphrase Van Gundy- "Well if he's not that kind of player why did he do it?" He just cut through the politically correct crap in about ten words. How many national announcers would be as honest as that?
I watch very few national games until the playoffs, but I also like Hubie Brown. Stockton must have lifetime tenure for some reason, he's just awful.
Anyway, I try to pay as little attention to the announcers as possible, I get upset enough at the refs without worrying about the announcers.

[skowbball1999]

Can someone please explain why Mike Breen is the top announcer in the game? I know SImmons loves him.I cant' stand him.

I can't stand him. He takes the refs sides on a lot of calls(clearly, he is wrong 85% of the time).

Give me Marv ALbert, Dick Stockton(he cant remember players names half the time and I still enjoy him more than Breen). Mike Gorman, Kevin Harlon. Gus johnson. Musberger.

I'll take any of these guys over Breen.

Breen saying Hamilton wasnt that type of player shows his lack of knowledge.
Hamilton and Michael Redd were both tossed out of game a few years ago for getting into it. in fact, Hamilton has gotten into it with a few shooting guards over the years.