Originally Posted by
tommy
To me the best announcers are the ones that a) focus on the game, and b) are authentic, and not putting on a shtick of some sort.
Al McGuire, in another era, was that guy for me. Dude was priceless, one of a kind. Along with Hubie Brown for the NBA. Just explain the game, but also do it in a way that is interesting and entertaining. Maybe even teach an interested viewer something he or she didn't know. Not trying to put on a show or make it about yourself. Today, I think Raftery does a pretty good job of that, as does Gminski. Those guys are authentic and real. Of the play-by-play guys I really like Gus Johnson although I don't get to see him much anymore. Dude is super enthusiastic and knowledgeable and loves the game and makes it fun.
Packer was an oddball because he wasn't about showmanship, he did focus on the game, but he was still annoying. But I'd take him any day, even with his anti-Duke bias, over the yahoos with their stories about themselves that are unrelated to the game, their silly attempts at creative nicknames that nobody thinks are cute or funny, or any of the other nonsense that passes for "commentary" today.