A ranked list of the 10 best NBA announcers in the league right now

Each NBA analyst has their style, and the most memorable voices are those who bring something new to the conversation. Those on this list will go down in history as the best NBA announcers ever. These are the most influential and insightful pundits in professional basketball history. No one outside of play-by-play announcers and in-game analysts was considered for the position.

Best NBA announcers in the league

10. Steve Kerr

Kerr is a former NBA player and coach who has worked as a colour commentator for NBA games on TNT and NBC since 2003. He played for several NBA teams, including the Chicago Bulls and the San Antonio Spurs, and won five championships as a player.

Kerr is also a highly successful coach, having won three championships as the head coach of the Golden State Warriors. He is known for his analytical approach to the game and ability to break down complex strategies for viewers. Outside of broadcasting, Kerr is involved in several charitable organisations and advocates gun control reform.

9. Reggie Miller

Miller is a former NBA player who has worked as an announcer for NBA games on TNT since 2005. He played for the Indiana Pacers for his entire 18-year career and is widely regarded as one of the best shooters and clutch players in NBA history.

Miller is known for his witty commentary and ability to provide unique insights into the game, drawing on his years of experience as a player. He has covered several Finals and All-Star Games and is highly respected by fans and players. Outside of broadcasting, Miller is involved in several charitable organisations and advocates for cancer research.

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8. Mike Tirico

Tirico is a veteran sportscaster who has worked as a play-by-play announcer for NBA games on ESPN and ABC since 2003. He is known for his versatility and ability to cover various sports, including football, basketball, and golf. He is one of the best TV announcers.

Tirico has covered several Finals and All-Star Games and is regarded as one of the business's most knowledgeable and insightful announcers. He began his broadcasting career as a sports anchor for a local TV station in New York and has worked for several major networks. Outside of broadcasting, Tirico is a dedicated family man and enjoys playing golf in his free time.

7. Mike Breen

Breen has been the lead play-by-play announcer for NBA games on ABC and ESPN since 2006. He is known for his signature call of "Bang!" when a player hits a big shot and his ability to capture the excitement and drama of every moment in a game. Breen has covered several NBA Finals and All-Star Games and is widely regarded as one of the best in the business.

He began broadcasting as a radio announcer for the New York Knicks in the 1990s and has covered many sports throughout his career. Outside of broadcasting, Breen is an avid runner and has completed several marathons.

6. Jim Jackson

Jackson is a former NBA player who has worked as a colour commentator for NBA games on TNT since 2018. He played for several teams throughout his career, including the Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat, and was known for his versatility. He is one of the best NBA announcers in 2023.

Jackson is highly regarded for his basketball knowledge and his ability to provide insightful analysis during games. Jackson is involved in several charitable organisations outside of broadcasting, including the Jim Jackson Foundation, which provides scholarships to underprivileged youth.

5. Marv Albert

Albert recently retired from broadcasting in 2021 after a storied career that spanned over 50 years. He is known for his iconic voice and catchphrases, like "Yes!" and "With the kiss!" Albert worked as a play-by-play announcer for NBA games on TNT, NBC, and CBS throughout his career and was one of the most recognisable and beloved broadcasters.

4. Kevin Harlan

Harlan has worked as a play-by-play announcer for NBA games on TNT since 1996. He is known for his high-energy delivery and his ability to make every moment of a game feel important. Harlan began his broadcasting career in the 1980s and has covered many sports, including football, basketball, and baseball.

He is also a talented voice actor and has lent his voice to several video games and television shows. Harlan is a fitness enthusiast outside of broadcasting and enjoys running and weightlifting.

3. Ian Eagle

Eagle has been the play-by-play announcer for NBA games on TNT since 2010. He is known for his smooth delivery and ability to make any game exciting and engaging. Eagle began broadcasting in the 1990s and has covered many sports, including football, tennis, and boxing.

He is also a talented impressionist known to imitate various celebrities and athletes during broadcasts. Eagle is an avid music fan and has attended hundreds of concerts outside of broadcasting.

2. Doris Burke

Burke is a former college basketball player who has been a sideline reporter and colour commentator for NBA games on ESPN since 2003. She is widely regarded as one of the best analysts in the game, known for her deep knowledge of basketball and ability to communicate it effectively to viewers. She is ranked one of the best NBA announcers.

Burke began her broadcasting career as a PA announcer for the New York Knicks and quickly became a fan favourite for her engaging personality and insightful commentary. She has received numerous awards for her work, including the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

1. Walt Frazier

He is also known as "Clyde," a former NBA player and current colour commentator for the New York Knicks. Frazier played for the Knicks from 1967 to 1977, helping the team win two NBA championships in 1970 and 1973. Frazier was a seven-time NBA All-Star and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987.

After retiring as a player, Frazier became a colour commentator for the Knicks in 1987. He has been a staple of Knicks broadcasts ever since, providing insightful analysis and colourful commentary.

Frazier is known for his extensive vocabulary and use of rhyming phrases, earning him the nickname "Clyde the Glide." Frazier has won several awards for his broadcasting work, including the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018. He is ranked best among NBA announcers.

Who is the longest-serving NBA commentator?

American sportscaster Al McCoy (April 26, 1933) is known as The Voice of the Suns since he has been the team's play-by-play announcer for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA) since 1972. It is his 51st year with the franchise, and he is currently in the season 2022-2023. In the history of the National Basketball Association, he has the longest tenure of any announcer.

How much do NBA announcers get paid?

Commentators for basketball games in the United States can earn anywhere from $27,370 to $187,200 per year, with the median compensation at $65,530. With a median income of $65,530, the middle 50% of Basketball Commentators make $187,200 more than the bottom 25%.

Who is the best sports announcer of all time?

For 68 consecutive seasons, from 1950 to 2016, Vin Scully provided the iconic voice of the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers. He had greater name recognition than many other former Dodgers greats.

NBA announcers can be very helpful to viewers trying to understand and enjoy the game. Overall, the best NBA announcers are an essential part of the viewing experience for basketball fans, providing a deeper understanding and appreciation of the game and making the experience more enjoyable and engaging.

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