Luis Scola = "the ice cream man... give me a scoop!" I think that one was so bad, Bill realized it as he was saying it and stopped it himself. He's been doing this forever. Carl Hererra was "Amigo". Otis Thorpe was OT. Vernon Maxwell was "Mad Max... with the ice water in the veins!". Scotty Brooks was the "Energizer bunny." Bullard became "Air Bull." McGrady was "T-mac" (when he was good)... Tracy, when he was bad... and he beat that analogy to death. In the end, Bill is always going to be looking to give guys nicknames. He doesn't give them to everybody... Beverly/Lin/Omer don't have one, Kenny Smith and Cassell never did... but once he finds one for you, he will use it till he can no longer stand it himself.
Ice Cream Man is a perfect example of a nickname that absolutely no one on earth uses and/or used except for Bill.
Seriously? Perhaps that's because it's his first year as a Rocket?? Anyway, I agree that it's a stupid nickname. Another thing I hate about the Rockets' announcers: Anytime a player unintentionally banks in a shot, Bullard chirps: "Bill, did he call bank? I didn't hear him call bank!" Every freakin' time. And Clyde's imitation of Dream ("Just give me the ball") got old a few seasons ago.
His nickname for Howard and Harden sucks so I hope who ever has twitter should tweet to bull for better suggestions ...how Double H ?
I know. But that's my point. How do you get that nickname over all the people who were here for YEARS the moment you sign a contract in Houston? I just don't get it.
A good nickname is often a clever play on words, notes something key about the player, and is organic. It is never the result of sitting down to think of a nickname. H+H boys is none of those; it is uncreative and unclever. Bulls on Parade is equally horrible. "Magic" Johnson referred initially to his play (only much later to his member); Iceman Gervin, Big E, Big O, Dream, etc. Mad Max is pretty good actually also. Dude was/is psycho.
What about a player who can finish with both hands: Is he amphibious or ambidextrous? Har har har I don't mind Rocketman. I prefer Superman, especially since it annoys Shaquilla.
I try to get the Rockets' feed on broadcasts because I want to hear from announcers who know our players. But these stupid nicknames, especially the "H&H boys" which sounds like some stupid Proctor and Gamble product, is gonna make me switch to the opponent's feed next game.
Do you seriously think Knick broadcasts are good? OMG... Bill is a rare NBA announcer with a radio quality voice for one thing and his play by play is very good. Bullard came in second on the dream job announcers contest and is widely considered to be quite knowledgeable. Bill often makes spot on critical opinions on our own players which 90% of NBA play by play guys would never do. Most of them operate as 99% tools for the team. I watch a lot of NBA games and I think you're analysis is quite flawed.
Give Bill a break. He has been in the business probably longer than most of us has been born and he's been great for Houston sports. His nicknames aren't that bad. And our color commentators are average. There are definitely more broadcast that are so homer to their team and bind to the other team. At least Bill, Clyde and Bull can acknowledge good plays from other teams, well Bull really lol
I rather listen to Worrell than Clyde, any game, any day. And Worrell is being colorful to distract from the dullness/mistakes of Drexler, and at times Bull too. Hating on Worrell, of all the announcers, really makes me smh. Bring back Calvin Murphy for the love of God.
I absolutely love Walt Frazier as a color man. To me he's the gold standard in the league. Van Gundy is up there, too.
As much as I'm absolutely anti-Laker, I really liked Chick Hearn and wish we had guy like him. Check this out - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSM82f3Zj_g (I know this should be on NBA Dish, but it enhances my comment)
I love Bill Worrell and I will miss him when he's no longer calling the games. His goofy nicknames don't bother me at all. As for "The Ice Cream Man," I personally nicknamed him Luis "The Dragon" Scola for being so deceivingly good and crafty around the basket, and untiring in his work ethic. I wish we had him back, he'd fix our lack of mid range game nicely.
