Imagine an ultimate NBA Fantasy broadcast draft? Charles Barkley sharing airtime with Stephen A Smith, or Kevin Harlen calling games with JJ Redick.
These are some unlikely teams that would have been dream team rosters if fans and pundits had their way.
Which is why Awful Announcing cast their net over sportswriters to pick a fantasy booth team.
The team must consist of:
2 Play-by-Play Announcers
2 Game Analysts
1 Studio Host
2 Studio Analysts
1 Reporter
1 Wild Card.
Here are the 36 draft choices as done by the sports writing analysts. Do you agree?
The number one overall first pick goes to … drum roll … Charles Barkley. Barkley will fit into the studio chair snugly and is not an upset number one pick by a stretch of the imagination.
Coming in at the first round and the at number two overall pick is the vociferous Stephen A Smith, the Studio Analyst playing out of ESPN. His selection is surprising in that it is controversial, but Smith would not have it any other way.
Out first play-by-play announcer and number three overall is Mike Breen, also playing out of the colors of ESPN. Armed with decades long court experience with the Knicks, he is the perfect go to.
The fourth pick is TNT’s Studio Host Ernie Johnson. The Hall of Famer is a no-brainer in the first round.
In round two and fifth overall we have free agent Jeff Van Gundy. He may not be the most popular game analyst at corporate level, but he is certainly one of the best. Let’s hope he picks up a gig soon.
The sixth overall pick and amongst a handful of former players in the GOAT conversation is Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq plays out of TNT and is a world class studio analyst.
The seventh overall pick is one of the best transitional players who effortlessly made the switch to broadcasting. Introducing game analyst JJ Redick out of the ESPN corner.
Another TNT expert is our number eight overall pick with Kevin Harlen lining up at play-by-play.
The first pick in round three and our ninth overall is Doris Burke, a sensational game analyst from ESPN.
At number 10 and a play-by-play specialist is TNT’s Ian Eagle. The reigning sportscaster of the Year is our third-round pick, but this talks more to the overall depth of talent.
Another former legendary player makes our number 11 pick with Reggie Miller filling in as game analyst, hailing from TNT.
Number 12 sees another play-by-play commentator with ESPN’S Ryan Ruocco rounding out the first dozen.
The lucky number 13th spot kicks off our fourth-round picks with Stan Van Gundy from TNT selected as a game analyst. This will see the Van Gundy brothers on the same network.
You won’t believe out number 14th pick. Talk about experience. We have incomparable 90-year-old Hubie Brown slotting in as a game analyst. He can spin a yard like Tom Brady can throw a pig skin and that’s why he is so high up the list.
We have another game analyst as our 15th overall pick with Richard Jefferson, out of ESPN, and while he could have been higher the quality so far has been otherworldly.
Number 16 sees another studio analyst in Candace Parker, and no she is not the sister of Peter Parker. She is a superhero though and one of the best in the game.
In our first round five pick and at number 17 is game analyst Tim Legler, another ESPN alumni. He is versatile, can do both radio and TV, short windows, studio work ‘peh’, it’s all a walk in the park.
At number 18 we have a wild card pick in Brian Windhorst, who can fill any role with aplomb. The ESPN graduate can slot in all over the park and will be a perfect team player.
Number 19 is not so much a player as a vivid imagination, and we are giving this slot to the NBA on NBC theme. John Tesh bringing “Roundball Rock” is synonymous with great basketball.
Coming in at number 20 is a play-by-play analyst Mark Jones who can carry a broadcast by candlelight, such are his fine features and interesting takes.
The fifth round starts with our number 21 overall pick Adrian Wojnarowski, another wild card specialist out of ESPN. He can be a a reporter, an analyst, heck he can sweep the courts for all we care, we just want him in the squad.
Who is flying into our number 22 slot? None other than NBC play-by-play specialist Noah Eagle. Young, polished, fun and exuberant, he is the perfect foil to the likes of Baker, who gives up 64 years to the affable Eagle.
Coming in at 23 is a popular TNT studio host and while she may not get enough game time, she is definitely on the list. Welcome Taylor Rooks.
Gus Johnson slides in at number 24 and the TNT play-by-play broadcaster will liven up any game, post season review and even calling random names from a phone directory will be entertaining.
Round 7, number 25 on our list and ESPN reporter Andraya Carter makes the cut and then some. From the SEC to the NBA in five years her stars are aligning and well deserved due to get professional versatility.
Another reporter makes the cut at number 26 with the charming Shams Charania, from Fan Duel.
A studio analyst fills the roster at 27th with Chiney Ogwumike from ESPN brings the three e’s, enthusiasm, energy and electricity. She would make a great diet with Shaq.
Lisa Salters joins the draft at number 28, as a reporter hailing out of the ESPN factory. A veteran that oozes credibility she makes courtside her own domain.
Number 29 brings us to Kendrick Perkins, a studio analyst from ESPN. He is perky and while not as accurate as he is sharp witted, he will add extra shine to a spic and span team.
The number 30 slot is for a reporter that can play any position with Monica McNutt proving her credentials and then some.
We have space for another studio analyst at 31 with Bob Myers of ESPN, a burgeoning star with inside knowledge and a respect from the locker rooms.
32 is both entertaining and polarizing and you cannot go far wrong with TNT studio host Adam Lefkoe. He is personable, well liked and brings allows the other guests to shine.
Round 9 kicks off with our 33rd draft pick Steve Javie, another wild card out if the fortress of ESPN. His sandwich on a keyboard will provide comical anecdotes about the funny side of broadcasting, like peanut and jelly we cannot leave him off the menu.
At 34 we have the surprising choice of Dave Pasch, a play-by-play up man with not much star power but potential oozes from his mouth like Deion Sanders speaking about himself.
At 35 and almost not making the cut is Michelle Beadle, a studio host from powerhouse Fan Duel. She was awesome on Countdown and will be foil to the likes of Shaq.
And finally, number 36, Mr Irrelevant, Draymond Greene an analyst from the powerful stock of TNT. He is loud, he is stubborn, he is made for television. He could soon be the Brock Purdy of analysts.
We thank out esteemed judges, Brendon Kleen, Ben Axelrod, Brandon Contes and Sean Keeley.
