TWC Sportsnet Needs to Fire Stu Lantz & Bill Macdonald

LAKERS/SPORTSNET NEED TO FIRE STU LANTZ AND BILL MACDOANALD Can we please fire these two, Please… I know I’m stretching in asking for both their heads, but at least fire Bill Macdonald. I just cant stand them anymore. I am a huge laker fan, and I enjoy watching the lakers play. And when the Lakers play bad, like all legit Laker fans I am pissed, upset, probably yelling and cussing at the television. At times its hard to keep the tv on and continue to watch. And this is when they are having a great season. This season....

I'm not a big fan of Billy mac either. My dad always hate on him too. The man is annoying is hell. Hope he see this. Stop yelling when kobe or Dwight score a basket especially when your down ten. Cmon dog you in the spotlight and everyones watching

They're starting to get annoying to me too. When a laker game is on espn I watch it there instead of time Warner because Jeff van Grundy is a must listen when compared to stu and bill.

I love Stu. Not only does he know the game, but he is flat out honest in what he reports and sees.

What is there to be all shiny and positive about? Some may hate honest reporting, but hey, we are living the real world.

You want hear something sickening, listen to some of those homers that are all around. Their teams stink but if you listen to them, you wonder why they are not leading their divisions. That is what is really nauseating to stomach. Every play their team makes is spectular and every medicore player is a soon to be all star.

I am damn glad I don't have to hear that kind of crap in a season that is hard enough to take as is. In other words, I do want my games and team called exactly as they are, not some rah rah fairly tale that only insults ones intelligence.

By the way, the legendary Chick Hearn also called it the way it was. It was one of the many great attributes he had. And if he were alive today, you better believe he would be telling exactly the way it is. Man, that dude invented the word sarcastic. He could bite. I can only imagine what he would say in his broadcasts this year. Would we want to fire him too, for living in the real world?

One thing I have always appreciated about the Lakers is they don't fill the booth with homers who are all sugar and spice and everything nice even when the team is putrid and rotting and rancid. That kind of sh*t can lead to sports fan diabetes.

This team deserves every honest appraisal and remark given to it.

As for Mac, I can take him or leave him. He doesn't impress me at all. After a loss last week, he said, "I am stunned, totally stunned. All Lakers fans are stunned." Um, no, we aren't, because they have losing all year. The guy sounded like he just woke from a coma.

Come on Mac, like the loss was something new or unexpected? Stunning? Sadly, not by now.

^^^^ Hahaha yea I do the same thing. Billy Mac doesn;t know what he's talking about. He'll be gone after this year. The dude the biggest bullshitter. Its funny cuz I've caught Stu Lantz call him out and correct him indirectly on many occasions. Sh*t put me in to commentate. I'll give him a run for his money hahaha

Interesting post, and especially for your first! You obviously put some thought and effort into it. Welcome to LTB.

By the way, your title was adjusted so it wouldn't be ALL CAPS.

I was never very happy with the Bill Macdonald hire even though I always liked the guy in the role he had with FSW doing interviews with Phil Jackson, etc. But then don't pay too much attention to me either because I wasn't really happy with them canning Joel Meyers simply in hopes of inking Spero Dedes either. I know many fans don't feel that way. I thought Spero was good for radio, but too monotone and humdrum for television.

But as far as the negativity goes, I haven't really picked up on that. To me they're just telling it like it is. If anything, they could actually be even more critical this year. I've always been happy that Lakers announcers, going back to Chick Hearn do not tend to be "homers" like the announcers for so many teams are. I'd be much more disappointed if they were NOT critical of the team this year.

Stu Lantz is one of the best in the business, he calls it like it is and doesn't suck up to the team he's broadcasting for which is how it should be. Billy Mac is more or less the same as Joel Myers before him, just kind of there, nothing special about him. When it was rumored they were going to bring in Spero Dedes to call the games alongside Stu I thought they would've been a perfect duo but unfortunately it never happened.

I liked Paul Sunderland he was legit with stu. btw thats just my opinion

^ Randy (SPQR): Ha! We were putting the same thought up at the same time. You expressed it with more intensity and eloquence.

It would be utterly sickening to have a "homer" try to gloss over the shortcomings of this season. I don't even like that in a good season, let alone one that's been this mystifying.

SPQR,

I appreciate your comment, and I agree with some of what you said.

I agree with you about honest reporting in a sense, because they are commentating for the home team, I don't want them to feed us lines that the Darius Morris is the second coming of Magic Johnson. But I would like them to focus more on the Positive instead of Negative, being positive is not being un-honest.

I totally agree with you about Chick, very honest, but he did it witch charisma and finness and his play-by-play which was magical was more his focus than his commentary.

For example, on a Play fast break cleveland. Chick would have said --- Metta taps the ball away from Kyle Irving, grabs the ball, throws it to Steve Nash, Nash pushes the ball up the middle, looks off to earl Clark, No look pass to Kobe in the Corner, Threee Pointer (i dont do him justice, and he would have included all the players numbers) and watching the game you would be all pumped,

Yesterday on that same play- Stu said something like this, oh wow, a fast break, and they shoot a three, I wouldnt have done it that way, luckily kobe made it. -- I was more deflated than excited.

It was a sweet no look pass to kobe for a three-- why cant i be excited Thats bad broadcasting, and yeah stu has always been a bit negative, but if stu is going to be negative Macdownald has to kiss a lil a**, or something, two negative fools broadcasting, is a bit much

Another example, Kobe made a three to tie the game in the last few minutes and Stu said something like, I wouldnt have taken that shot (pops my balloon)

But Stu is going no where,so mac has to go

Jason, I'm always surprised that so many felt that way about Spero, but I know they did. I had seen him do a lot of other events on tv (football games, etc.) and he never seemed to add much in the way of either insight or excitement to the game. To each his own. But I have a feeling he kind of knew he was better for radio since he opted for the contract with the Knicks to be the radio voice for them.

Yodas,

I understand what you are saying. I just abhor homers. I always have. Here in the Steel City, the Steeler radio announcers are homers. Many fans here turn down the tv listen to them. I never do, lol. In fact, I would rather watch a game with no sound than listen to them. I just can't stand that kind of "reporting".

Its just the way I am. I just like everything in my life straight, like it is, including my sports reporting.

I remember in Wilt Chamberlains book, he really pitched a b*tch about Chick and some of the things he said about Wilt, lol. Chick was a master wordsmith and could stick a needle in deep. I have no doubt at this point, the Lakers would look like pin cushions in Chicks calls.

In all honestly, this team deserves a real appraisal in its performance, both as a team and individually. Like Dan said above, the announcers could actually be rougher with them.

The other thing you have to remember is this: Stu knows ball. So he is forced to watch this team and these players play like this game after game. He no doubt is sick and tired and frustrated seeing the same mistakes over and over, like we all are. So at some point, he is gonna start to make some remarks, lol. He can't help it and I don't blame him. I would too if I were in the booth.

With the expecations on this team, nothing less than a title, and with what we are getting, I really have to strain my own credulity to find positives for Stu or anyone else to really mention very much.

You are right, Stu isn't going anywhere. And I would not mind Mac leaving at all. Along with Mitch and some of the players, hehe.

Dan,

Yep, I noticed your post too, right after I did mine. We were echoing each other. Like all old school Showtime vets who got to listen to Chick should, lol. He trained us in how a game should be told. The way its played on the court.

I didnt mind Meyers, I alwasy thought it was funny when Stu would contradict him, and he did that constantly, Why I find annoying is how Macdownad and Meyers, always get small statistics or calls wrong, that annoys me. The only thing I like that Macdonald does is say little things Chick would say, like using the word Mustard.

I never understood why, Stu didnt continue some of Chicks terms, in honor of him or other announcers, I miss hearing the mustard is off the hot dog, or the many others. I know it wont be the same, but it adds some pazaaazz to the game.

Thank You Lalayup, I have been simmering over this for a while

Yodas,

Stu can't use Chickisms. It would be an insult to Chick and himself. Stu has to be Stu, not a poor mans Chick Hearn.

Those things were Chick, when he died, it was over, as it should be.

And yes, like you, I miss them too. And Chick.

spqr,

Well I guess in all honesty I am a bit of a Homer, haaa, I really like watching laker games, I watch all of them, from pre-season to now, and read everything during the off season. damn it can be exhausting.

I like to watch every minute of the game. I dont know if you watch every minute, but I do, even when they are losing by 30, A person has to be a bit of a homer to do that, i am guessing, a broadcaster has to give those fans something to keep watching, because those are the only ones watching. It doesnt have to be BS, but I need something

Yodas, One of the things that gave me a ton of respect for Stu Lantz was the final stretch of Chick's career. I absolutely adored Chick as an announcer just like everyone else. But as we all know--at least those of us who listened to him a lot--Chick made a lot of mistakes on the air in the last decade or so of his wondrous career as he was getting older. And every once in awhile he would shoot some undeserved barbs at Stu. But to Stu's great credit he NEVER would do anything to disrespect Chick. Often he would correct the mistake in a subtle way well down the road...or just ignore it all together...even if he knew it might make him (Stu) look bad. In that way they were a fantastic pair in those final years. A lot of color commentators would have done far more to make themselves look good instead of unequivocally respecting the other guy. And of course Chick deserved every bit of that respect.

SPQR,

I disagree that Chickisms must die, the biggest form of flattery is imitation. I dont know if you remember that one year, Stu tried to do is own version of Chicks "refrigerator: the door is closed, the lights are out, the eggs are cooling, the butter's getting hard, and the Jell-O's jigglin'!"

Stu instead was Spelling the workd O-V-E-R, I still laught at that, it was horrible, now thats the poor mans Chick Hearns- Spelling over, come on now, it would have been ten times better to imitate Chick, because like you said, I is all dying, and soon no one will remember, and thats sad

Lalayup,

To be honest, I didnt watch basketball, during the last few years of chicks career. I was a hardcore fan but went to college and stopped watching all sports, so much so, that the next time I saw a basketball game with some friends, and I asked, why Chick was not announcing, and they looked at me weird, almost disgusted, and said he was dead. I was in shock, I could not believe it, I almost wanted to cry, I couldnt believe it, I didnt care that i missed the lakers winning their three championships, I felt I missed him announcing all those games., it sucked, I started up being a fan again at that point.

I went off topic, but maybe if I watched those years, i would have a different perspective, but i know they will never let him go, but hopefully he will retire some day, haaa

One of the things I truly hated to see end for the Lakers was the Radio/TV simulcast that Chick and Stu did for so many years.

Radio work and tv work are so different from each other, but somehow Chick and Stu managed to pull that off seamlessly. In radio work you normally have to fill in so many more details of the play-by-play, and it would sound awkward having anyone else other than Chick try to do it.

I'd have to guess that the Lakers ownership and front office knew that no one else was going to be able to pull that balancing act off like Chick could. I don't know for sure, but I'd bet that's one of the reasons they ditched the whole simulcast idea, knowing that Chick's career was coming to an end.

If you want to hear bad/hommer announcers, just turn on a clipper game.

Yodas, Thanks for all your thoughts on the topic. I'm sure you're not at all alone in your perspective.

By the way, I'm one of those fans who watches every second of the games win or lose as well. Normally you can catch encouraging hints of growth and progress during the course of the year. For most of this season, that simply has not been the case. I think that's why even a hint of too much homerism would just be disgusting to me. But I do understand where you're coming from. After all, it's supposed to be entertainment!

Lalayup

Chick did play-by-play better than anyone else and longer than anyone else, by the end of his career the format had changed so much, it was virutally all commentary, There are certain people that do the commentary quite well, but I find it boring at times or annoying, especially on espn, Sometimes they are not talking about anything in the game, sometimes not even about basketball.

I wonder how that old style would do now. I remember watching a few of the games on the radio, haaaa, I said watching, because they way chick announed it, you could almost see every play. it was great.

It would be great if someone did a pod-cast with play-by-play on laker games, old school style

EXACTLY!! I hate broadcasters that feel that their team can do no wrong. I respect Stu and Bill's honesty. I don't need anything sugar coated, especially if I'm seeing it with my own eyes.

/thread

If you dislike Honesty from the Broadcasters then you would have hated Chick. Chick told it like it was he did not mince words and that's what made the Laker broadcast great. You got the truth from Chick.

Stu is more annoying in my oppinion

When announcers piss me off, mainly Heinsohn and NBATv crew, i simply watch on mute. I would do the same if Stu and Bill got on my nerves. Personally, I dont need the volume to watch any of the games. Back when we were winning championships, I watched the Lakers on mute, and played music in the backdrop. Now many of the songs on my IPOD have a direct tie-in to different players for the Lakers in time. I do the same when watching football just so I dont have to put up with the crap.

I don't have a problem with either. I would much rather hear two people who aren't afraid to be critical of the team than the homers that I have to listen to when we play Portland, Utah, and Sacramento, specifically. If I was listening to someone who was that biased, I would turn them off. I like Greg Papa, who does the Raider games, for the same reason. He tells it like it is, but he also wants the team to do well. It's not like Stu and Bill want the Lakers to suck.

I think they should hire me!!!.....so that I can go to the games haha

Love Stu. Keep him. Billy Mac, isn't all that good. Bring back Paul Sunderland.

I think the Stu does a good job. He actually gives good basketball tips while commentating. One of the main things that I like about Billy and Stu is that even tho they are Laker commentators they are not biased. Now if you listen to those Clipper or Celtic commentators they are incredibly annoying because they are too biased. So in my opinion Stu Lantz and Billy Mac are just fine.

I grew up on Stu Lantz,so he is a keeper for me.Lakers basketball would never be the same without Stu Lantz.I grew up watching Lakers basketball in 1995 and Chick Hearn and Stu Lantz were the announcers.Chick Hearn is the furthest thing from a homer,he called it like he saw it.Billy Mac is no Joel Myers.I always liked Joel Myers.

Spero was the man for the job to join Stu but he freakin left us for NY...

If you hate Billy Mac as much as I do, then you will chuckle at this story...

"Jaaaaack in the Box"

My brother used to work for angel stadium some years back at a concession stand. Before one of the games, he was on his break with some friends of his that also worked with him. They were hanging out in one of the higher sections along the first base side. Billy Mac just so happened to be doing the fox sports west pre game show, or something to that nature, and was set up on the field on those tall barstool looking chairs.

Well apparently my brother and his friend were bored so they began to toss pennys onto the field. They were trying to hit one of them from a good distance and what do you know. My brother throws a penny and smacks Bill McDonald right on the forehead. I can imagine the pain and confusion as to what the hell just happened to him. lol.

Long story short, Bill Mcdonald got my brother and his friend fired (lucky he didnt press any charges) and to this day I still laugh and think how great that would have been to see.

I cannot stand the man. I hate the way he tries to pronounce the spanish word Deportes, and the way he does the jack in the box advertisement slogan or whatever you want to call it. Ironic, this guy doesnt know jack ****. As someone else already mentioned, i've heard Stu correct him and basically put him in his place on live TV. Hilarious. I'm not sure if Stu is doing that in a negative way, but it sure is funny as hell to hear him get corrected.

As for Stu, well I still have nothing but respect for the man. Miss listening to him and Chick. Stu does seem like age is getting the better of him at times. Still I cannot hate the man.

FIRE BILLY MAC!

Back to work for me.

Great Story KBmamba24

I am sorry, but if you are watching a local broadcast of an NBA Team, you will get bias reporting, The national telecast rarely give credit to anyone outside the top three players of each team, and the local telecast will spread the credit around to more players. That should be the case.

As a fan I am reading laker blogs, and laker websites. because they are usually more positive towards the lakers, If i wanted to read smack talk about the lakers I could read any other NBA team blog or website, (it doesnt mean either is not being truthful) but their focus is different.

Yodas,

Im the same way as far as watching all the games. I live in PA and have Direct TV only to get Lakers games. Have for over a decade. If it wasn't for the Lakers, I would have no Direct TV. I watch em all, whether they are the NBA champs or if we didn't win a game all year.

You gotta go through bitter waters sometimes, to get to the sweet. And well, sometimes your team just sucks, lol. But its still your team.

I wish we had 4 broadcasters by the names of Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Chris Webber. WOW it would be comedy throughout. Even if the game is a blowout not in our favor, I would stick around just to hear Barkley make a fool of himself lol.

Had to laugh when McDonald was ragging on Kyrie Irving the other night about a game where he put up a career-high 26 FGA's like it was some heinous crime...

Does he even WATCH kobe?

What the **** is it with all of you wanting everyone fired or traded. Who do you think you guys or girls are, as if you can do a better job. Stop your bitching and put it on mute. Bunch of complainers.

good one seanconnery,

maybe I should watch the games in black and white because I find other colors offensive

While we're at it, What about John Ireland? Really irritating, if you ask me!

I used to like Ireland. But this season, he's sickening. What a kiss-a$$.

Love Jeff Van Gundy's analysis and comments during the game. Very intelligent comments with a basis in fact at all times. Even if the Lakers are getting killed, he tries to make the game interesting with things he knows about the game. He is also very articulate.

I'd like Kenny Smith and Van Gundy to call the games in a perfect world. Agreed - McDonald needs to be selling burgers rather than broadcasting Lakers games. I think the catsup just flew off the hamburger!

Thank You for starting this thread, Yodas, this has been bugging me for a few weeks now! I appreciate and agree with your points in the 1st post. Bill is a freaking drama queen, and the last thing we need from the play by play guy(which he is not very good at) is a bunch of loud whining and "I can't believe this is happening" negativity. It would be a lot easier to watch if he would shut the f**k up once in a while. Stu is the color guy, and it's because he knows....

Van Gundy should be coaching the Lakers!

Stu and Bill are alright with me.....Commentating is Commentating.

I liked the guy that was with Stu before this guy...this guy is meh...Stu is a Laker for life and I like him.

Would lose a ton of respect for both of them if they didn't pound this team...they deserve it...Stu knows hoops and he really knows Laker hoops...this has to be disgusting for him.

I hope you mean a must listen to laugh at...as far as being negative toward the Lakers Van Gundy is the worst.

I hope you mean a must listen to laugh at...as far as being negative toward the Lakers Van Gundy is the worst.

I think I'd be more annoyed if right now they were saying things like "well they're doing a lot of things well!" or "this team is coming together, I see aspects of showtime"

Fire the ball boy.

Seriously, I can't watch much longer if he's still there.