Does the sun seem to be shining a little brighter today? Do the flowers smell a little sweeter? Is the summer breeze just a little more refreshing?
If so, you have CBS to thank. They finally replaced Billy Packer.
Packer, a color commentator, will be replaced in CBS’ coverage by analyst Clark Kellogg.
Speculation of Packer’s exit was fueled amid widespread criticism during this year’s tournament.
Early in the 2008 semifinal between Kansas and North Carolina, with the Jayhawks up 38-12, Packer declared, “The game is over.”
North Carolina cut the lead to 54-50 with 11 minutes left before Kansas pulled away, winning 84-66.
Packer, who began his Final Four run at NBC, later defended the comment to USA Today.
“My job is to say what I see, not have some kind of subconscious feelings about offending anybody. … It probably annoyed some people, but I don’t concern myself with having some agenda that’s contrary to what I’m seeing,” he said.
Well, Billy, it’s not your job anymore. You won’t have to defend yourself when you prematurely (and incorrectly) declare a game to be over.
Regular readers know that I have been calling for Packer’s removal for about two years now. Here’s an excerpt from a 2007 column.
Does anyone really like listening to Billy Packer? In his recent column in ESPN The Magazine, Bill Simmons writes about the fact that Packer has called every Final Four game and every title game since 1975. Simmons goes on to call him “humorless,” “inflexible” and “condescending.” But my favorite quote is, “In Packer’s world, he’s always right, and everyone else is always wrong. Unless they agree with him.” When I bring Packer’s name up to my friends, a few will defend him, but none will admit that they actually look forward to him calling a big game.
During the Wisconsin/UNLV game, Curtis Terry hits a three-pointer with 1:26 to play to give the Runnin’ Rebels a 69-61 lead. Immediately after the shot, Packer quipped, “Ballgame!” declaring the contest over. Eleven seconds later, Kammron Taylor hit a three to cut the lead to five with 1:15 to play. Packer’s partner/whipping boy, Jim Nantz, exclaims, “It’s not over yet, Billy.” Packer’s response? Dead silence.
What’s my point? Terry’s shot certainly helped the Rebels’ chances, but despite Packer’s declaration, the game wasn’t even close to being over. His premature statement and his refusal to acknowledge his error is a perfect example of the man’s ego.
Packer certainly knows the game of basketball and there are few color commentators better equipped to breakdown the X’s and O’s of a game. But as a former player who was forced to watch hours and hours of tape, that doesn’t really appeal to me anymore. Besides, guys like Bill Raftery, Len Elmore and Jay Bilas are able to sprinkle in enough strategy while using their self-deprecating sense of humor to make the game entertaining. This is the side of college hoops that is completely lost on Packer. Those guys also treat their play-by-play colleagues as equals, which is a far cry from Packer and Nantz’s master/servant relationship.
The guy has been calling every Final Four game since I was two years old. It’s time for a change.
Honestly, I get a little misty eyed when I read that.
Oh, by the way, Clark Kellogg will replace Packer. Jim Nantz will keep his play-by-play duties.
