M&M were still better than the Warriors crew. *Green spears a defender in the stomach* "well, that was just poor defense by the Blazers' guard, great screen from Green there".
I miss the familiarity of their voices during games. Something has definitely felt off about the two broadcasts I've seen. That being said, it's how a lot of people view change at first but we will get used to the new guys over time. It also kind of feels like their mics aren't turned up enough. And no, I'm not talking about the volume of my TV. Anyone else feel the same way?
I agree. They talk so fast that they have no time to inject inflective homerism. (For those of you not as bright as I am, I'll put it more simply. They lack emotive conjugation.)
This raises a vital conundrum. Which side should have to fit the other side? Should the Blazers hire media people who fit the community? Or should the community California-ize to fit the Blazer commentators? Does art imitate life, or vice versa?
Who's better is so subjective. Personally I just miss listening to two guys who I knew were real fans just like me, and I found them both entertaining as well. These new guys are great at their job but I miss the homerism.
It definitely sounds weird but I realized pretty quick I could get used to these two. Calabro is just impressive, no other way to describe it. I wasn't sure about Hurd but from game one to game two he settled down and improved so much I think it was just nerves and he's going to be great too. Mike and Mike were more of the "Keep Portland Weird" Portland and Blazers appear to want to appeal to a broader audience.
What Blazers commentators are from California? I know Wheels worked in Sacramento before coming from Portland, but he was originally a Chicago guy. And, of course, Rice was a Detroit guy. Does that mean the team was trying to Midwesternize the community when they hired those two? Calabro was a Seattle guy and Hurd was a Corvallis guy before joining the Blazers crew. At least they both have Northwest ties. BNM
This. It seemed like since day one, this board has been polarized on the whole M&M vs. Calabro/Hurd situation. Frankly, I don't see why it's not possible to like both, for different reasons. I liked Mike and Mike for what they were - an over the top homer and everybody's drunk uncle. Not the most professional sounding crew out there, but still likeable for the hometown crowd who grew to love their unique banter. Mike Rice anywhere near a live microphone certainly had his share of Homer Simpson moments. If Rice didn't make you laugh, at least as much as he made you cringe, maybe you're a little too Ned Flanders. But, I welcome the change and have no problem with the new guys. Calabro is the consummate pro and Hurd is a sharp guy on the ascent. I understand the reasons for the change. Paul Allen dropped a shit ton of money on the team this summer, and I don't think it was any small coincidence that this move was made less month before Paul Allen opened his wallet to give REALLY big bucks to Turner, Crabbe, C.J., Harklesss and Meyers Leonard. Perhaps, the desire to appeal to a larger, regional audience with a more professional broadcast team, was a calculated move to help offset the expected massive jump in payroll expenses. I have no idea how much this move will help expand the team's fanbase and support, but if this move had anything at all, even if it was only psychological, in Paul Allen's willingness to pay whatever it took to keep this team together and add a couple key pieces, then I'm all for it. Paul Allen may be a fan, but the Blazers are still a business and not a local charity. I'm all for whatever it takes to fund this team adequately to compete. BNM
Huge upgrade if you want my opinion. With Calabro every call has a playoff game type vibe. Hurd seems alright. Would have preferred Steve Smith.
Anybody who says Mike & Mike were unprofessional homers hasn't actually listened to them for a few years now.
It doesn't matter, really. Within an amount of time the Californians will be fully transplanted and their kids will be Blazer fans. They either move on or Dad gets shouted dowm in the living room as his kids where Dame's shoes and has Dame's poster on his wall. Give it ten or fifteen years. What are the transplants going to do--force them watch reruns of Kobe on YouTube?
I always delegated petty cash. I didn't want to have touched it when it didn't reconcile. This thread is like reading George Orwell's "1984" in the 60s. You don't want Oregon to robotize, but you know you can't stop it. With the replacement of easygoing commentators with hard-driving ones, peaceful Oregon conforms a little more to the warring nation surrounding it.
Two things. 1. Change isn't ALWAYS good, and people that might not like a particular change are NOT automatically "scared of change." That is ridiculous. Clearly some of you didn't grow up in the "new coke" era. 2. I seriously doubt bringing in new announcers will INCREASE viewership, except maybe in Seattle because of Calabro's connection. Which matters. I get it. But for people already in Portland and are already fans, or perhaps were not fans, the hiring of a voice isn't going to increase the ratings. That, again, seems ridiculous to me.
But could it be that some people are just homered out about the announcers like we almost all are about the Blazers? Id be curious to think what the national thoughts are on this... if there even is any. I've read the thread thru and thru, and no one gives any specific reason why M&M were better or these guys are worse, other than the Homer factor. Your opinion couldn't be because your homered out on them could it? I was too, but I have accepted the change, come to understand why it was done and I now see it was a good change. Not all change is good, but this one was IMO.
