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View Full Version : Does Anyone Miss Billy Packer?



Faustus
01-25-2009, 12:20 AM
You know, I was sitting around watching a lot of college bball games today, and near the end of the Memphis-Tennessee game on CBS it suddenly dawned on me that this was the game he likely would have called had he not been sent out to the Pasture For Angry Old Color Commentators. Instead there was Greg Anthony, who was reasonably good, certainly articulate, absolutely not railing incessantly about what mistakes were being made but rather positive comments about what players could be doing instead. He wasn't intrusive, and he did not grate.

And then it dawned on me further that I had watched A LOT of baskeball this season, and only now had I remembered that the crusty old curmudgeon was finally gone from the scene. It's not like Packer has been replaced by brilliant successors - most the people thrown out there by CBS, ESPN and Fox are still pretty unremarkable. Only Bobby Knight, who has shown like a star in the firmament, stands out among "new" commentors. But I surprised myself at how completely I had already forgotten the former presence of Billy Packer. I don't think I've even seen his name invoked this year on this forum. Does anybody miss him? Has he done any non-CBS games this season? Forty years the guy must have done TV games, but like a puff of smoke... gone. And I don't miss him.

Ben63
01-25-2009, 12:52 AM
Does anyone miss Billy Packer?

No.

DukieInKansas
01-25-2009, 02:13 AM
I misread your title and wondered who "Miss Billy Packer" was. Must be time for bed.

captmojo
01-25-2009, 09:09 AM
No. I haven't thought of him all season until you mentioned him now.

camion
01-25-2009, 09:10 AM
Well, I had a toothache once.

Faustus
01-25-2009, 10:52 AM
Dukie In Kansas,
The mental image of Billy Packer in a prom dress has deeply disturbed my otherwise pleasant Sunday morning. Thanks :)

davekay1971
01-25-2009, 12:16 PM
In a word, "NO!"

At least, not until Clark Kellogg starts commentating the final four...

OZZIE4DUKE
01-25-2009, 12:23 PM
To quote myself in replying to a question on the Off Topic board if anyone was watching the ice skating last night:
"No. Make that HELL NO!"

Devilsfan
01-25-2009, 01:00 PM
About as much as I miss my pre root canal tooth.

Lavabe
01-25-2009, 01:02 PM
No. :mad::mad::mad:

Faustus
01-25-2009, 01:05 PM
Ozzie's post now has me picturing Billy Packer in a tutu on ice. I wish you all wouldn't do this to me :,

Wildling
01-25-2009, 01:46 PM
No! It's been such a nice season not having to hear that know it all say "they should have done this" after the play has already happened.

DukePA's Mom
01-25-2009, 03:26 PM
I read a short time ago Packer will be doing the NCAAs with Bobby Knight. Hope it isn't true but if it is, I don't think Bobby Knight will hold back on his thoughts if Packer starts in on his junk, as he usually does. Might be interesting.

_Gary
01-25-2009, 04:28 PM
Good golly, no!!!

rockymtn devil
01-25-2009, 04:58 PM
I read a short time ago Packer will be doing the NCAAs with Bobby Knight. Hope it isn't true but if it is, I don't think Bobby Knight will hold back on his thoughts if Packer starts in on his junk, as he usually does. Might be interesting.

They are doing analysis of the tournament (not calling actual games) from a casino in Vegas. It's on a cable network (not ESPN) and not CBS.

UncleBill
01-25-2009, 04:59 PM
Yes, but my aim IS getting better.

dukebballcamper90-91
01-25-2009, 05:48 PM
I don't think it would be called missing, but that something that is going extremely different, hearing Jim Nantz calling the final four with somebody else. I hope they get enberg to pair up with him. Greg Anthony is ok but when it comes time for the final four I want to hear a veteran calling it. I think that is what has crushed the NBA for me, no more Costas, snapper Jones, Stockton and those guys that use to do the finals. ABC is crap compared to when it use to be on NBC or CBS.

tbyers11
01-25-2009, 06:02 PM
I don't think it would be called missing, but that something that is going extremely different, hearing Jim Nantz calling the final four with somebody else. I hope they get enberg to pair up with him. Greg Anthony is ok but when it comes time for the final four I want to hear a veteran calling it. I think that is what has crushed the NBA for me, no more Costas, snapper Jones, Stockton and those guys that use to do the finals. ABC is crap compared to when it use to be on NBC or CBS.

CBS will have Clark Kellogg calling the Final Four along with Nantz. He's not my favorite announcer but I don't really find that much objectionable about him either. He definitely calls the game with a more positive vibe than Packer, but then again who doesn't.

DukePA's Mom
01-25-2009, 07:24 PM
I'm happy Packer won't be calling the NCSSs but I'm not wild about Nantz either. Wish GMan had been considered.

hurleyfor3
01-25-2009, 10:51 PM
Wait, Greg Anthony did that game? The UNLV Greg Anthony, who fouled out against us in 1991? Did we ever manage to foul Packer out in a big game? If not, that's an improvement. I like being reminded of that game.

I had forgotten about Packer myself, but that's easier to do when you don't live in ACC country in the first place.

I'm not sure about Kellogg. He seems to know a lot about players, but what about game situations? IE: unc is down three in the national semifinal with 30 seconds to go. What are Roy's options? What does he usually do? What should he do? Packer was great at this; not so sure about the basketball-faced breakfast-cereal magnate.

Newton_14
01-25-2009, 10:55 PM
I get why most everyone hated watching games Packer called, but I have a slightly different view.

When I was a kid back in the 70's, ACC basketball was religion around here. There was no ESPN. Most games were televised by Jefferson-Pilot (basically today's Raycom) and they had a 3 man announcing crew. It was Billy Packer, Jim Thacker, and Bones Mckinney, who once coached Wake. I think Bones actually coached Packer but not sure. Jim Sumner would have to enlighten us on that.

Anyway, in those days Billy was much less senile and ornery, and it was actually a good crew to listen to. The complaints at my house were for 2 refs named Hank Nichols and Lenny Wirtz who with the exception of my dad, we all swore was on Dean Smith's payroll. My dad, God Rest His Soul, was a good man but a misguided hole fan! But in those days we loved Billy, Jim, and Bones, and saved all of our hatred for Hank and Lenny.

Lenny Wirtz later became famous for calling technical at a critical moment during a NCAA tourney game that swung the momentum. He called the T on a coach for being out of the coaching box a few steps and as was his habit, he came from about 80 feet away as play was on the other end of the court and hit the coach up. It was awful. I believe that was the last tourney game he ever called.

So there is a bit of history...and I do get that the old Billy riled many, but hey, at least he defended Gerald for breaking Hanswalks Beaker!

hurleyfor3
01-25-2009, 11:01 PM
Lenny Wirtz later became famous for calling technical at a critical moment during a NCAA tourney game that swung the momentum. He called the T on a coach for being out of the coaching box a few steps and as was his habit, he came from about 80 feet away as play was on the other end of the court and hit the coach up. It was awful. I believe that was the last tourney game he ever called.

Kentucky vs. UMass in '92, right? UMass had just gone on a run to close it to two I think. Then Verne Lundquist says: "And a technical foul has been called on Jim Calipari... by referee Lenny Wirtz!" I remember it expressly because it was Lenny. Maybe he helped bring about TGCBBGEP. :)

fan345678
01-25-2009, 11:10 PM
Who? That Wake Forest guard from the 1960's? Why?
What a weird question.

DukieInKansas
01-25-2009, 11:50 PM
Dukie In Kansas,
The mental image of Billy Packer in a prom dress has deeply disturbed my otherwise pleasant Sunday morning. Thanks :)


Ozzie's post now has me picturing Billy Packer in a tutu on ice. I wish you all wouldn't do this to me :,

Sorry about that, Faustus.

You have quite a vivid imagination. Are you a writer by any chance?

Lavabe
01-26-2009, 12:06 AM
... and the answer is still "No!"

I do, however, miss Bones McKinney.;)

devildeac
01-26-2009, 12:23 AM
If we didn't miss him, who would we have to complain about?

Oh, wait a minute, there's elmore, patrick and ...

sbpollo
01-26-2009, 05:51 AM
At least he never said anything like Alabama's "Senario Hillman has a 71-inch vertical" according to Tim Brando in UK's game on Sat. I thought David Thompson's 48 was awesome.

Capn Poptart
01-26-2009, 07:35 AM
Absolutely, though I understand why others don't. The guy is still a razor-sharp analyst, even at his age, and has the irreplaceable ability to put things into the long perspective of ACC history. Arrogant? Sure. But that was worth the price of admission for me.

blueprofessor
01-26-2009, 09:21 AM
I get why most everyone hated watching games Packer called, but I have a slightly different view.

When I was a kid back in the 70's, ACC basketball was religion around here. There was no ESPN. Most games were televised by Jefferson-Pilot (basically today's Raycom) and they had a 3 man announcing crew. It was Billy Packer, Jim Thacker, and Bones Mckinney, who once coached Wake. I think Bones actually coached Packer but not sure.
************************************************** ***********
Packer played for Bones from '59-'60 through '61-'62 and both were at the top of their games.

'59-'60: Wake tied UNC for best conference record(12-2),Packer,a 5'10" sophomore, was 2nd team all-ACC and Bones was coach of the year(Bubas 2nd).

'60-'61:Wake won the ACC tourney(beat Duke), Bones was coach of the year(Bubas 2nd again),and Packer was 1st team all-ACC. Wake finished 15th in final AP poll.

'61-'62: Wake won the ACC regular season and the tourney, Bones was runnerup as ACC coach of the year to Bob Stevens (USC coach) ,Bubas was third,Packer made the 1st team all-tourney team, but did not make 1st or 2nd team all-ACC.Guards Larry Brown, Wake's Dave Wiedeman, and Virginia's Tony Laquintano were 2nd team all-ACC ,while the first team was comprised of unanimous selections Chappell and Heyman, together with Jeff Mullins, SC's Art Whisnant, and NC State's guard Jon Speaks.

I miss Packer for his knowledge of the ACC and because I am a traditional person regarding sports announcers.He was not an idiot or career gamesman as are some of the announcers--commentators who get a lot of ink on DBR.Instead, he was smart, knowledgeable, and outspoken.I also respected him because he was a fine player who had a great coach (Bones) and who admired Vic Bubas, the most underrated "great" college hoops coach in my memory(and who deserves to be in the Naismith Basketball HOF)!Bubas was the 2nd best coach of the '60s.:D

Best regards---Blueprofessor:)

davekay1971
01-26-2009, 09:29 AM
Still NO for me.

But then, I get to listen to Billy's kid, Mark, on local am radio. He sounds just like his father, is a blowhard like his father, hates Duke just like his father, insinuates the refs give Duke all the calls just like his father, and has never, ever been wrong, just like his father. So, in a way, Billy's still around for me :)

jv001
01-26-2009, 09:30 AM
I don't miss Billy, but I have to give him credit. He does know college basketball. But his "know it all attitude" just got on my nerves. Go Duke!

billybreen
01-26-2009, 09:32 AM
Nope.

Faustus
01-26-2009, 09:48 AM
A writer only in my own mind, DukieInKansas, although I can now imagine Billy Packer ice dancing in his tutu in an empty arena with the theme song to "The Bodyguard" being belted out over the PA system after the announcer bellows, "Ladies and gentlemen... Miss Billie Packer!!!".

In seriousness, I, too, remember when it was a welcoming sound to hear Packer as the commentator on basketball games and he clearly knows the nuances of the game far better than many of the schmucks who do that job, and he never tried to build up a fake personna of cute phrases. There were ACC tournament first rounds when I was disappointed to see him take off after the afternoon games to run off to New York to cover the Big East, meaning we were left with some lesser underling to do the evening games. But matters got to the point where fans of every single ACC team were absolutely convinced that Packer hated their team (Wake fans included), and whereas the truly good announcers infuse their enthusiasm and love of the game itself into their performances, Packer had reached the point of self-importance that he declared pretty much everyone on the playing floor as unworthy of HIS game, and only his way was acceptable. I can only imagine how he would have called the climax of the Duke-Kentucky game in Philadelphia, where he likely would have ignored Laettner's shot while berating Kentucky's defense. Valid, no doubt, but is that really what is best in college basketball?

So maybe I do miss Billy Packer, but the Packer of the 70s and 80s (even 60s). But the most recent version, I do not miss at all.

billybreen
01-26-2009, 11:17 AM
A writer only in my own mind, DukieInKansas, although I can now imagine Billy Packer ice dancing in his tutu in an empty arena with the theme song to "The Bodyguard" being belted out over the PA system after the announcer bellows, "Ladies and gentlemen... Miss Billie Packer!!!".

The horror! That's awesome. :)

Lavabe
01-26-2009, 11:35 AM
Billy Packer will team up with Robert Montgomery Knight during the NCAAs.

On second thought, forget about Packer.;)

rsvman
01-26-2009, 12:06 PM
Do I miss Billy Packer?

Heck no.


The only thing he did that was remotely amusing and worth remembering happened in last year's tourney: "This. game. is. over." :):D

4decadedukie
01-26-2009, 01:45 PM
I love injections of humor on DBR, and -- obviously -- the question posed in this thread is intended to be a very good joke.

roywhite
03-12-2009, 07:56 PM
http://deadspin.com/5168781/how-billy-packer-solved-the-oj-simpson-murder-case

The ACC Tournament seems different without Billy as part of it and I was almost missing the guy. But I came across this story, which is just bizarre. Billy is a different guy.

BD80
03-12-2009, 08:09 PM
Now we know how Billy discovered the "Duke gets all the calls" conspiracy.

His psychic told him!

diveonthefloor
03-12-2009, 08:24 PM
March without Billy Packer?

Basketball Heaven!:)

Cameron
03-12-2009, 08:48 PM
"Once he solved the Beers case, we flew him [Billy's physic] to LA to find [OJ's murder] knives to solve the case."

-Billy Packer

That's fantastic. Now that I know that, I really do wish he was still broadcasting. I hate him, but that's awesome, Bill Packer trying to solve a prolific murder case with no expertise in that capacity whatsoever.

BD80
03-12-2009, 09:01 PM
... That's fantastic. Now that I know that, I really do wish he was still broadcasting. I hate him, but that's awesome, Bill Packer trying to solve a prolific murder case with no expertise in that capacity whatsoever.

Well, he also seemed to be able to broadcast basketball games with no knowledge of the rules, whatsoever.

tele
03-12-2009, 10:14 PM
So that's why he thought he was always right.

jipops
03-12-2009, 10:14 PM
I see enough negativity in articles on the internet and hear enough on the radio waves. I don't need to hear more of it during games.

No, I do not miss Packer. I will say this though, unlike the junk we read by so-called "journalists" and the garbage spewed by hyena radio clowns, atleast Packer knows something about basketball.

Kimist
03-12-2009, 10:32 PM
I tend to agree with Boozer.

The Packer/Thacker broadcast team of days gone by was very good. I recall my father-in-law (who saw a lot of Packer as a player at Wake) had great respect for Packer's insight and commentary.

But that was then.....in recent years I could not stand the guy. Aside from his "attitude" and the "Duke gets all the calls" stuff, it really bugged me how Packer seemed to have psychic powers regarding what a player thought or why he did something.

And one of the final straws was his little arrogant brush-up with a "female" in Cameron Indoor....I forget those details.

Nope - don't miss the guy at all!!

k

tele
03-12-2009, 10:49 PM
Here's Billy's blog, has Knight on with him too: http://www.surviveandadvance.net/component/myblog/Welcome.html

Let's all sign up to play Billy's bracket game here too. You can win valuable Prizes, grand prize is appearing with Billy Packer on his show. Second prize is two appearances, 3'rd three, and so on.

Reminds me of that Dan Hicks song "How can I miss you when you won't go away."

roywhite
03-12-2009, 10:55 PM
Billy's original family name was Paczkowski.

Always thought K tolerated him in part because of the Polish connection.

BD80
03-12-2009, 11:17 PM
According to the Wikipedia entry and his interview linked, Packer plays golf backwards, green to tee. So I have missed him so far. Little bugger must play down the middle of the fairways where I am least likely to encounter him.

sagegrouse
03-12-2009, 11:29 PM
I read a short time ago Packer will be doing the NCAAs with Bobby Knight. Hope it isn't true but if it is, I don't think Bobby Knight will hold back on his thoughts if Packer starts in on his junk, as he usually does. Might be interesting.

Actually, if true, there is a fair chance that Knight will murder Packer during a live broadcast.

sagegrouse

sagegrouse
03-12-2009, 11:30 PM
I'm happy Packer won't be calling the NCSSs but I'm not wild about Nantz either. Wish GMan had been considered.

Gminski works for Fox, doesn't he? How could he possibly be considered by CBS.

sagegrouse

gpokmd
03-13-2009, 12:20 AM
[QUOTE=blueprofessor;247370]************************************************** ***********
Packer played for Bones from '59-'60 through '61-'62 and both were at the top of their games.

Couldn't agree more. Grew up watching Billy and Bones on the ol' ACC network. (Bet he called the Greatest ACC Game ever, Md/NC State Championship 1974 !) Packer was THE most knowledgeable , analytic announcer of his era - changed the face of announcing really. Wish those here could have heard him in his heyday ! Long live the Billy and Bones combo ! :o

Devilsfan
03-13-2009, 12:36 AM
I miss Billy like I miss my decayed tooth, Jimmy Carter as President, Arafat, the tar whatevers, Maryland fans, and bernie madoff on the streets.

cspan37421
03-13-2009, 09:14 AM
Here's why I don't miss Billy Packer:

Player takes a 3-pointer.
Packer waits to see if it goes in.
If it goes in, Packer extols the player's wise decision.
If it misses, Packer declares it careless, reckless, foolish, etc., and why he shouldn't have taken the shot.

This is the distinction. You take open shots, generally. You don't retrodict the wisdom of the shot based on whether it fell or not. No good coach, esp. not Coach K, is going to rip one of his shooters for taking an open shot and missing. But Packer second-guessed players all the time. What's worse, he would even praise players for taking BAD shots (low percentage, out of control, etc.) simply because they went in. For a guy who played college ball at a high level, you would think he would know better. And perhaps he did, but he chose an announcing style that promoted this fallacy.

Bostondevil
03-13-2009, 09:35 AM
I misread your title and wondered who "Miss Billy Packer" was. Must be time for bed.

DiK, me too!

'Miss Billy', I'll always think of his as 'Miss Billy' now. Hee!

chadlee989
03-13-2009, 12:28 PM
NO!!! I do not miss Billy Packer at all

Indoor66
03-13-2009, 01:17 PM
NO!!! I do not miss Billy Packer at all

Miss who?

notacolour
03-13-2009, 02:01 PM
Speaking of the old guys, when are they going to stop rolling out Mike Hogewood for some comments at halftime? He isn't looking so great these days...

77devil
03-13-2009, 02:34 PM
Gminski works for Fox, doesn't he? How could he possibly be considered by CBS.
sagegrouse

ESPN allows Bilas to work for CBS during March Madness. One would think the same accomodation could be made with Fox for the G-man if CBS was so inclined. If I were running CBS sports, I would buy out Giminski's contract at FOX and put him on CBS for the entire season.

weezie
03-13-2009, 05:10 PM
there is a fair chance that Knight will murder Packer during a live broadcast.


Wow, that sounds like a ratings extravaganza! I'd settle for the General to clock Miss Billy with a folding chair. Now we're talking compelling tv!!!

weezie
03-13-2009, 05:11 PM
Speaking of the old guys, when are they going to stop rolling out Mike Hogewood for some comments at halftime? He isn't looking so great these days...

Yes, team him up with Mike Patrick and keep the EMS at close hand.

hudlow
03-13-2009, 06:42 PM
Seems as though I remember the Thacker/Packer days as Packer being the "color" guy and Jim Thacker was the "straight" man with the facts. Bones was usually courtside commenting on the plaid pants that Norm Sloan wore.

hud

captmojo
03-13-2009, 06:46 PM
...and Jim Thacker was the "straight" man with the facts.

Some would say this was questionable. :D Thinking back, he still seems a little more factual than Mike Patrick does today, but wow, what a voice he had.

yancem
03-13-2009, 07:28 PM
I haven't read the other posts but in answer to the thread's question, NO!

heyman25
03-13-2009, 07:37 PM
Packer being gone is one of the highlights for this year's tourney. An emphatic NO

devildownunder
03-13-2009, 11:46 PM
Count me among the few around who really, really miss Billy Packer. The man knew basketball and knew how to convey those insights through his commentary. I don't know anybody doing college basketball right now who was on his level. Countless times I heard Packer suggest that a team or player should adopt a certain strategy and then watched them succeed when they did exactly what he said. His keys to the game were always on point and he always focused on the game itself, not some other nonsense (like vitale, who is synonymous w/college basketball but famously lacks focus).

Another note about Packer, large numbers of people from every fanbase in college basketball seem to think he had it in for their team/program/coach/players. In my business, we always take that as a sign that we're being pretty even-handed, since you sure won't ever please everybody.

Bostondevil
03-14-2009, 12:26 AM
Packer, excuse me, Miss Billy might have been the man, but he was a man who sure didn't seem to like women all that much.

Buckeye Devil
03-14-2009, 08:43 AM
Billy always seemed anti-Duke to me. I am glad that he is gone. In my mind he will always be remembered for prematurely saying that the UNC game was over which was his death sentence. I kind of wish they would take Jim Nantz away as well. I really like Sean McDonough better than Nantz for play by play and enthusiasm.

I don't miss the old geezer commentators. But during football season, I do miss hearing the voice of Pat Summerall alongside John Madden. They made a good team IMO-Summerall the factual straight-laced one with actual playing experience, and Madden the humorous but knowledgeable coach who had it figured right by getting out of coaching and going to the booth.

gw67
03-14-2009, 09:43 AM
Put me in that lonely corner who will miss Packer. For those of us who watched ACC basketball in the early days, the Thacker-Packer team brought ACC basketball alive on Saturaday afternoons. He was one of the first color men who analyzed the game and provided insights. His time as a sidekick to Enberg and Nantz during March Madness was terrific TV, IMO. Kellogg has improved significantly but he still has a ways to go to match the experience and overall knowledge of Packer. I also like Nantz but would prefer Enberg who is knowlegeable, articulate, funny and easy to listen to.

gw67

devildownunder
03-14-2009, 09:47 AM
Packer, excuse me, Miss Billy might have been the man, but he was a man who sure didn't seem to like women all that much.

My endorsement of him as a broadcaster isn't an endorsement of him as a person. In fact, it wasn't a comment on his character one way or the other. Just for the record.

devildownunder
03-14-2009, 09:50 AM
Billy always seemed anti-Duke to me. I am glad that he is gone. In my mind he will always be remembered for prematurely saying that the UNC game was over which was his death sentence. I kind of wish they would take Jim Nantz away as well. I really like Sean McDonough better than Nantz for play by play and enthusiasm.

I don't miss the old geezer commentators. But during football season, I do miss hearing the voice of Pat Summerall alongside John Madden. They made a good team IMO-Summerall the factual straight-laced one with actual playing experience, and Madden the humorous but knowledgeable coach who had it figured right by getting out of coaching and going to the booth.

I can't really say I dislike Nantz but I don't get excited about hearing him either. He does convey a love for doing what he does and his appreciation for how fortunate he is comes through in his performances. I think it is good that he has worked with Packer and now Kellogg because they are both bring some fire and exuberance that is missing from Nantz's delivery. He's interested, but he also never loses his cool. His broadcast partners need to complement that and I think they do.

dukemsu
03-14-2009, 01:19 PM
I disliked Packer for his off-court persona and Old Guy in the Room sensibilities, but I really liked listening to him break down a game and its strategies. When he was on, and not pushing an agenda, he was great at actual analysis. Virtually no announcers actually analyze what is going on the games now, they are too busy trying to get their catchphrases is or sell something, usually themselves.

dukemsu

chrisheery
03-14-2009, 02:20 PM
Seems to me Jay Bilas may be filling the void that Billy Packer left. He knows a lot about basketball, but his harping is getting harder and harder to listen to every time I hear him. I've started to turn the sound down on him. I actually prefer Vitale.

Favorites: Nance/Kellogg and Gminski and Brando. Oh, and anyone and Bobby Knight (its amazing how well he knows the game and can analyze the entire game so quickly).

Bostondevil
03-14-2009, 04:38 PM
My endorsement of him as a broadcaster isn't an endorsement of him as a person. In fact, it wasn't a comment on his character one way or the other. Just for the record.

No problem here. I didn't mind what you said, but I did want to bring up one of the reasons that I don't miss him. It's just something that always bugged me about Packer. When you are a female who watches a lot of sports, you pick up on the announcers who don't have much use for female sports fans. Packer was one.

dukestheheat
03-14-2009, 05:00 PM
NO.

dukestheheat

BobbyFan
03-14-2009, 05:22 PM
Count me among the few around who really, really miss Billy Packer. The man knew basketball and knew how to convey those insights through his commentary. I don't know anybody doing college basketball right now who was on his level. Countless times I heard Packer suggest that a team or player should adopt a certain strategy and then watched them succeed when they did exactly what he said. His keys to the game were always on point and he always focused on the game itself, not some other nonsense (like vitale, who is synonymous w/college basketball but famously lacks focus).

Another note about Packer, large numbers of people from every fanbase in college basketball seem to think he had it in for their team/program/coach/players. In my business, we always take that as a sign that we're being pretty even-handed, since you sure won't ever please everybody.

Agreed. I never understood all the hate.

He also had a unique ability to immediately notice (usually before his play by play partner) many of the minor but essential intricacies that developed throughout the game, whether it was off the ball activity, an ongoing coach-ref conversation, slight change in strategy, shot clock malfunctions, etc. I can't stand games in which I feel like I'm ahead of the broadcasting team, despite the fact that I'm at home watching it on TV.

Sixthman
03-14-2009, 06:35 PM
He also had a unique ability to immediately notice (usually before his play by play partner) many of the minor but essential intricacies that developed throughout the game, whether it was off the ball activity, an ongoing coach-ref conversation, slight change in strategy, shot clock malfunctions, etc. I can't stand games in which I feel like I'm ahead of the broadcasting team, despite the fact that I'm at home watching it on TV.

These are fair comments with which I largely agree. However, at least for the last 15 years, Packer's trademark was to predict the way the game would unfold in the pre-game comments, and then continue to insist that what he had predicted was in fact occurring, even when it obviously was not.

dukeman28428
03-14-2009, 07:42 PM
I never liked to listen to Packer as he was so biased against Duke.
Met him once on a bus at NCAA and he was arrogant and I am happy he is off TV

It is a great day when Heel's lose and Duke wins it's way to Championship game. Go Devils!! :)

eddiehaskell
03-15-2009, 07:11 AM
Packer and Vitale should do the final 4.

As long as I don't have to listen to the Pac10 commentators on Fox Sports South, I'm pretty happy.

DukeCO2009
03-15-2009, 07:13 AM
Do I miss Billy Packer?

In a word: no.

In two: hell no.

grossbus
03-15-2009, 08:16 AM
yes.

devildownunder
03-15-2009, 09:12 AM
No problem here. I didn't mind what you said, but I did want to bring up one of the reasons that I don't miss him. It's just something that always bugged me about Packer. When you are a female who watches a lot of sports, you pick up on the announcers who don't have much use for female sports fans. Packer was one.

I'm obviously not as keen an observer in this regard as you are because I've never thought about his opinions towards women in general or female fans -- except for the infamous run-in with the woman at Cameron. I'm curious, have you noticed some evidence of misogyny in his broadcasting?

dukegirlinsc
03-15-2009, 09:12 AM
I will never miss Billy Packer. Ever. In life.

ArnieMc
03-16-2009, 10:35 AM
I didn't mind his curmudgeonliness, and I certainly understand his hatred for Duke. He did, however, provide one of the really bright moments in sports television. ESPN was doing an Outside the Lines show on "What's Wrong with College Basketball?" with Packer, Vitale and Sonny Vaccaro. They asked Packer what he thought was wrong, and he said it was Dick Vitale. Vitale spent the rest of the show saying it was time to wrap it up, he had to go to church, etc. It was too funny for words.

Lavabe
03-16-2009, 01:20 PM
I will never miss Billy Packer. Ever. In life.

Normally, I agree with you completely ...

BUT...

This MIGHT be VERY interesting:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/sns-ap-bkc-ncaa-tournament-knight-packer,0,2036711.story

THIS might be a good role for a curmudgeon.

Cheers,
Lavabe