Kevin Calabro appreciation thread

[chris_in_pdx]

The last several games I've listened to the local TV broadcast, I have to say that Calabro has found his groove. His calls are passionate and detailed. Hurd has grown into a solid but unspectacular rah-rah color man, but Calabro is the real star of this team. He about came out of his skin for that Dame put-back dunk against the Suns, and he really seems like he's transitioned himself back to a local guy, getting emotionally invested in his calls (not to the extreme of Wheels, but a tolerable amount).

After all the Mike&Mike whining and crying (and I was one of them for a while), I'm happy that Kevin seems to have re-found his home in the PacNW.

 

[Chris Craig]

Oh, I thought maybe he was leaving

 

[blazedanugz]

It helps when the team gives them something to get excited about.

 

[hoopsjock]

Do we have to watch what we say about the Blazers broadcasters on this site? I am just not going to respond with what I really want to say because I don't want to be a jerk.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Do we have to watch what we say about the Blazers broadcasters on this site? I am just not going to respond with what I really want to say because I don't want to be a jerk.

You can say what you want.

 

[hoopsjock]

You can say what you want.

I know I can say what I want. I just didn't know if stuff gets back to a guy like Calabro on this site.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I know I can say what I want. I just didn't know if stuff gets back to a guy like Calabro on this site.

I know some of it gets back to Calabro's boss.

 

[Hoopguru]

Do we have to watch what we say about the Blazers broadcasters on this site? I am just not going to respond with what I really want to say because I don't want to be a jerk.

HJ
I always told my employees that if you have something to say, say it! And be assured, I want hold a gun to your head for doing so and I'll listen.

 

[SIeepwalker]

You're god damn right they are both great

 

[Mr. Robot]

Calabro IN!

 

[chris_in_pdx]

I know I can say what I want. I just didn't know if stuff gets back to a guy like Calabro on this site.

If you have constructive criticism to give, and not "HURR DURR CALABRO SUX, BRING BACK THE MIKES!!!", I'm sure that it would get fed back to him in a respectable manner.

 

[SportsAndWhine]

Calabro's been pretty good lately and I like that.

One thing about the blazers broadcasts in general that I hate is how they don't SHOW how many points or fouls the guy who just scored or fouled has. Kevin might say it, but I have to have my volume down a lot when I watch because there's stuff going on in the house. The overlay showing the score doesn't have any pop-ups to show events that happened just then. Maybe they fired the guy who used to do that and never bothered to automate his job, I dunno. But for accessibility's sake, seeing it in an overlay would sure be nice.

 

[Strenuus]

I sometimes forget they are there because they get drowned out a lot. That dame put back dunk is one... I hear the call, but it's actually kind of low.

 

[TBpup]

I like that Calabro is realistic. He wasn't being a raving homer celebrating every basket like it was a Finals winning shot like some play-by-play guy when Portland wasn't playing well. Now that they are beating good teams or winning in dramatic fashion, he is the guy that was a national voice and incredibly respected around the league.

Have thoroughly enjoyed him and as the Blazers are improving, he has more to get fired up about. Well done.

 

[riverman]

It helps when the team gives them something to get excited about.

It also helps when the team has an identity and a backstory...Calabro and Hurd didn't have much to work with when they took over...now they're starting to have a narrative with some history behind it.

 

[Scalma]

Who’s in charge of cutting to replay/the overhead shot? Fuck that guy.

Kidding, but I hate when we miss live action because of Hurd breaking down a relatively insignificant play.

 

[e_blazer]

I've gotten over the Mike and Mike thing because it's obviously not going to go back to them anyway.

I do agree that Calabro seems more settled into his role and is doing a good job. Still goes into "national broadcaster" mode a bit, but I guess that's to be expected. I think Hurd is fine as his sidekick. He gets some good info in and has a good sense of humor. He's never going to be Mike Rice, but I'm not sure that anyone would want him to be.

The broadcast is quality, but I do hate it when there's a questionable call and instead of showing the replay on that they slip in a highlight from two plays ago. I get wanting to tamp down the bitching about the officiating, but that's part of the game too. As it is, I sometimes have to do my own review by pausing live action and rewinding. That's okay, but I don't get to look at it from other angles and that often is what it takes to see if the refs got it right.

 

[Chris Craig]

I know some of it gets back to Calabro's boss.

Really. Other stuff too. So, they must be saying, " This Chris Craig guy is a real asshole."

 

[Haakzilla]

The last several games I've listened to the local TV broadcast, I have to say that Calabro has found his groove. His calls are passionate and detailed. Hurd has grown into a solid but unspectacular rah-rah color man, but Calabro is the real star of this team. He about came out of his skin for that Dame put-back dunk against the Suns, and he really seems like he's transitioned himself back to a local guy, getting emotionally invested in his calls (not to the extreme of Wheels, but a tolerable amount).

After all the Mike&Mike whining and crying (and I was one of them for a while), I'm happy that Kevin seems to have re-found his home in the PacNW.

...glad you posted this, I was thinking the same thing when watching replays of the Phoenix game! Sounds like a totally different guy. Hope he keeps it going

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

I've watched several non Blazer games the last month on NBA TV and Calabro and Herd are much much better than the other teams local guys that I heard.

 

[ripcityboy]

They have gotten better but I still think Calabro and Hurd are rather dry and distant. I prefer my announcers as homers. Sorry, that's just my thing. But I respect Calabro's style. He's very good at what he does. A true pro.

 

[riverman]

They have gotten better but I still think Calabro and Hurd are rather dry and distant. I prefer my announcers as homers. Sorry, that's just my thing. But I respect Calabro's style. He's very good at what he does. A true pro.

I listen to Wheels and now Scott Lin on the radio most of the time....Wheels is my voice for the Blazers.....hope he stops missing broadcasts and gets healthy

 

[HailBlazers]

His calls are passionate and detailed. Hurd has grown into a solid but unspectacular rah-rah color man, but Calabro is the real star of this team.

Meh. Just can't get into his smokers voice.

 

[H.C.]

Who’s in charge of cutting to replay/the overhead shot? Fuck that guy.

Kidding, but I hate when we miss live action because of Hurd breaking down a relatively insignificant play.

Have to teach us tree hugging hippies about basketball.

 

[CupWizier]

I've watched several non Blazer games the last month on NBA TV and Calabro and Herd are much much better than the other teams local guys that I heard.

Definitely agree on that point as there are a lot of poor play by [lay guys in the NBA as well as color commentators. Mike and Mike were fun and I accepted Calabro and Hurd and like others have commented they have grown into their roles quite well. Like you mentioned, we could have a lot worse.

 

[gatorpops]

They have gotten better. They have gotten better at telling us who came in for whom most of the time. Calabro tell us a lot what the score is when we can see it on the screen.

Part of the enjoyment of watchng a game is the editing of the screen we are to view. I think they have a new "editor" ( the guy who selectes the screen we are watching) and it really bothers me when we miss any action. I am watching the BLAZERS because that is my team. In the Jazz game there was a time out at a fairly important juncture and they are showing, the whole time, the Jazz bench. Please use split-screen or another method if it is important to show the other team. Less is more in most cases as it is in photography. Hurd often has good comments but needs to be more sucinct. Pithey! This is my opinion and my likes though.

 

[BBert]

Do we have to watch what we say about the Blazers broadcasters on this site? I am just not going to respond with what I really want to say because I don't want to be a jerk.

I sincerely doubt you would say anything less flattering than what has already been said before you joined.

Blast away!

 

[BBert]

I agree with the OP. Calabro and Hurd have both improved in all aspects.

BBert abides.

 

[noknobs]

Nope, still miss Mike and Mike.

 

[DaLincolnJones]

I also thought that this was going to be a spoof.

Kind of funny. I watched the game on replay vs the suns. I kept thinking how much I would have enjoyed Rice making comments on Paytons goofy ass hair. Also the Mikes would have pointed out the 1 for 8 Dame threes at the nine minuet in the forth and how flat footed the team played for most of the game.

I want to hear valid criticism as well as kudos.