After watching the national games and other local broadcasts there is one thing that Calvin Murphy does better than anyone..... the post game interview. After watching and listening to the same ol' crap from the players countless times, Calvin does a highly underappreciated job of getting the player to relax, laugh and open up like no-one else on the planet. Last nights interview with Davis is an example. He had him giving some insightful answers to what the Hornets wanted to accomplish against the Rockets but what he thought about Yao also. Not only do the Rocket players open up and show their personality to him on the air but the opposition does also. He and Bill IMO have become an awesome duo behind the mikes and truly give their opinions on the air that you just don't see anywhere else. Can you imagine a national tv broadcast saying the changes made to todays game have screwed it up in comparison to 20-30 years ago. Nice job guys, I hope the rest of you can appreciate these guys as much as I do.
As a player and as an announcer Calvin Murphy is a gift ,,Houston Rocket fans are truly lucky to have him with us.
I agree. Has everyone noticed Calvin saying on the air about Steve or Moochie, but especially Steve, "Pass the ball!!" He also says "give it to the big fella (Yao)". You have to think that Calvin also has influence behind the scenes with Rudy and the players. Wouldn't surprise me if Clavin along with Carroll is the reason why Rudy doesn't seem to have well known ex- coachs as assistants.
A lot of people don't like Calvin. I have to admit, he can get on my nerves sometimes, but I can't think of anyone I'd trade him for. What I like best about him: he's no homer. He loves the Rockets, but he calls it like it is. "The Rockets got a break there." "Stevie got away with that foul." "The Rockets are their own worst enemy." Calvin is cool.
Great thread subject. Refreshing. A friend and I were talking yesterday about the other announcers we hear on League Pass. We both came to the unbiased conclusion that Bill and Calvin are two of the most objective announcers out there. Calvin really calls it like he sees it and is not afraid of calling out players on the team. Ive always thought that NBC should have offered Murphy a tryout on their broadcasts. I think the nation would love his style of color, not to mention his suits. I think he would quickly become a cult favorite, not unlike Walton. Who else would love to see Calvin on a national broadcast?
I can't stand Murph as an anouncer. He talks about cookies, his Mom, friends, sweet old ladies, the mascots and himself. He dresses like a pimp on acid. You can tell he eats and makes a mess all over their area. Once he spilled his soft drink on Bill. In the past he and Worell sounded like an old married couple bickering amoung themselves. I remember games where I was literally embarassed for Bill. All that being said, I do respect his basketball knowledge and his understanding of the team. If he would just stick to the game, I would like him. I do think he has toned it down a bit from a couple of years back, but he has a long way yo go in my opinion.
but you see thats why we love calvin. because he is so laid back and it keeps the games fun and interesting with his energy. if he was laid back like other boring guys then it wouldn't be fun. and why would you be embarrassed for bill? him and calvin are obviously great friends. they have some of the best chemistry out of any announcing team in any league. never an awkward or dull moment and calvin gives great insight.
Anyone who has anything negative to say about Calvin just needs to listen to the other announcers in the league. Calvin is definitely the most objective, and IMO the most knowledgable I"ve heard. And as far as his discussion about non game-related content, come on now, it gives the game a certain personality. You may complain about it now, but once you've heard guys like the Spurs announcers, or the Mavs announcers, you'l be be begging to hear Calvin. Most certainly Calvin has some major influence with the team -- he's one of Rudy's best friends. They roomed together when they played for the Rockets.
I have been a Calvin Murphy fan for years. That being said- the cookies, the childish humor, the clothes- part of the "fun" part of the broadcast. I do not care for the clowning. Calvin Murphy can break down a game better than many and most. He is objective, and his read on the game is right on. I really like him and respect him. I tolerate the clowning....
Calvin can say some stupid things, like how he learned to run fast by running away from the police, but I think we all remember when the Rox tried to let him go. God the games were boring. What completely monotone freak was that they put in to replace him? plus, you gotta love the suits
The dude can be annoying, but he keeps it fresh and interesting. There is never a dull moment with old Calv.
Humorless wooden people. Whats wrong with lighthearted banter? Murphy is smart, and insightful. He is not some chest beating homer, and he is not some negative nelly. Bill and Calvin are a blessing to us all here in Houston. You just can't please everyone.
Yeah, Bill and Calvin are great, especially as a duo since they have great chemistry and really seem to be friends. My favorite line ever by Bill Worrell came during the 2000-2001 season when Mo Taylor just went off at the beginning of a game, hitting shots and forcing turnovers in a the first few minutes, and Bill just lost it! "Mo Taylor is possessed!!!" That one had me rolling! It's not often that you see Bill get more excited than Calvin. What about one of the first games where Griffin was blocking shots and hitting 3s? I remember Bill getting really excited and Calvin trying to calm him down, "Bill, relax! Your heart can't take all this!" That's just great chemistry and it makes for great broadcasting. The only other announcers I hear sometimes are the Bulls guys on WGN, and MAN, are they bad! They both have similar sounding voiced, and they'd put you right to sleep if you weren't rolling your eyes so often at they way they suck up to a team that really sucks.
I love Bill and Calvin, including Calvin's clowning around. Murph is just plain str8 up. If you can't see that, then ask the players as jsb pointed out. If you don't like it when Murph is having a little fun, just telling it like it is, why don't you just go back to watching senior tour golf, olympic curling, or whatever it is you watch.
I have listen to many announcers and I wouldn't trade Calvin and Bill for any of them. Beside making the game sound fun, Calvin seems to be very knowlegeable about the game. He always seem to know what went wrong if the team doesn't play well. I think he would be a good coach for some team. May be if one day Rudy decide to move on, I think Calvin good be an excellent replacement. Beside of getting along well with the players, he seem to know his X and O well. He is the type that will demand his player to stick with the game plan. He wouldn't be afraid to bench his star player if they do not follow his demands. I hope the Rockets would utilize him more during the game rather than just being an annouincer. I think in the past he had express the desire to bae a coach if the right situation came along. It would be great if Les can hire him as an assistant to Rudy.
i would buy 5 copies of Nba live if calvin was the play by play announcer........ or they just let him clown on the player... he should atleast be the announcer for rox games,,,,,,, and oh yea BIll is a nice complemet to Calvin....
