Phx Sports Radio Personalities...

[da_suns_fan]

Who are your favorites and who can you not stand? I tend to listen to guys strictly based off their NBA knowledge and opinions. Based on that, I give out the following grades:

Dan Bickley (Bickley and MJ) : B+
A lot of people here can't stand him for his anti-Saver stance, but he truly loves the Suns while not being a homer (he chided our fan base for claiming the refs were against us in 2006). Big fan of D'Antoni but also is willing to criticize him for not deloping a bench.

He was a big supporter of the Shaq trade, but I think this had more to do with the fact that as a sports journalist for the AZ Republic, he would get the opportunity to cover Shaq.

Regardelss, anytime there's a big game I always want to listen to his opinion on the team.

Has great inside contacts and provides view as to what's really going on in the organization.

Mike Jurecki (Bickley and MJ): C

Would rather be talking football which is his expertise. He has a pretty decent view of the different NBA teams, but if Bickley isn't on with him, I aint listening.

John Gambodoro (Gambo and Ash): B-

Tends to have really good inside sources, but his knowledge of what can and can't happen under the CBA drives me nuts. He likes to throw out who he thinks they should trade for which is gernerally not even possible. Often gets his facts wrong.

But hey, he's really entertaining.

Mark Asher (Gambo and Ash): A

Here's a guy who's opinion I really respect. Tends to keep Gambo in check and often reminds Gambo how wrong he's been in the past. Generally entertaining to listen to and the only reason I listen to that show.

Vince Morotta (various different shows with Xtra): A

I think this guy's great. He's lived in the valley his whole life and loves basketball. He loves to talk about how much he hates the Lakers (and why). EXTREMELY knowledgeable. This guy knows more sports trivia than anyone I've ever listened to.

Jeff Dean (Game on): F
Before Vince left his show, they were talking about hoops and this guy claimed that Lebron James wasn't a top 20 player in the league. Vince was completely startled, as if he knew the audience was quickly losing respect for the show.

Xtra's Barry Markson (of the fantasy forum show) had to come into the studio to quickly shut him up.

This guy is completely cluess about basketball.

Doug Franz & Ron Wolfley: F------------
Somehow these two guys on the radio. Wolfely is no doubt there because of his football career and awesome voice (which he is in love with the sound of). But I can't listen to these guys. Ive tried so many times. They are so clueless about the NBA and love to "debate" about the most absurd topics. This show always feels like they're just killing time with mindless talk.

I so wish they would drop these two and put somebody else on as these two aren't the least bit entertaining.

 

[mojorizen7]

I'm a Bickley listener.
Also like Mark Asher w/Gambo.
Agree somewhat on Moratta.
The only time i pay attention to Jurecki is when it comes to the AZ Cards.

 

[BigRedRage]

I want to like doug and wolfbut...all they do is advertise. everytime something gets interesting doug inturrupts with an ad. They argue about asenine stuff a lot and oare obsessed with their "Beautiful parts of the program" instead of just speaking on the subject.

Gambo and ash are probly the best to listen to, that and the cards pre/postgame shows.

 

[da_suns_fan]

I want to like doug and wolfbut...all they do is advertise. everytime something gets interesting doug inturrupts with an ad. They argue about asenine stuff a lot and oare obsessed with their "Beautiful parts of the program" instead of just speaking on the subject.

Gambo and ash are probly the best to listen to, that and the cards pre/postgame shows.

Thats what gets me. Then they turn to the callers for THEIR opinions on their stupid "great debate questions".

Did I mention that I HATE this show?

 

[Maligzar]

I seriously hate Gambo and Ashe. I can't stand the forced New York accent. Gambo has been out here over 10 years and he still sounds like he's off the streets of Brooklyn. Being a former New Yorker, with New Yorker parents, I can tell you that his accent is totally forced and fake at this point. It bothers me to no end.

What's worse, is that Gambo has these sources with often inaccurate insider information.

Both Gambo and Ashe have a habit of discounting fans and acting as if they are the two most knowledgable sports guys on the planet. Annoying.

I really enjoy Mark Burns.

I like Wolf and can't stand Doug. Wolf is a great color guy, and I think he would do well matched with a better straight man. Doug just argues for the sake of it and then tries to claim he didn't really beleive what he was argueing he was just trying to debate. I think their show in general is to hokey and they spend more time talking about how great the "great debate is" or how griddy the "grid iron griddle" is instead of just taking that time and giving real substance.

Colin Cowherd is the guy I listen to in the morning, Dave Burns in the afternoon. Sometimes I listen to Bickley and MJ but their obssession with the "whine line" or making fun of Jack Bauer has me turning the dial half the time.

 

[da_suns_fan]

I really enjoy Mark Burns.

I like Wolf and can't stand Doug. Wolf is a great color guy, and I think he would do well matched with a better straight man. Doug just argues for the sake of it and then tries to claim he didn't really beleive what he was argueing he was just trying to debate. I think their show in general is to hokey and they spend more time talking about how great the "great debate is" or how griddy the "grid iron griddle" is instead of just taking that time and giving real substance.

Colin Cowherd is the guy I listen to in the morning, Dave Burns in the afternoon. Sometimes I listen to Bickley and MJ but their obssession with the "whine line" or making fun of Jack Bauer has me turning the dial half the time.

Yeah, but Cowherd's national.

When is Mark Burns on?

 

[Maligzar]

Burns is hard to catch, He runs the "620 sports line" which often times gets bumped because of DBack or Suns games.

I'm sorry it's Dave Burns, not Mark Burns, he is normally jsut referred to as "Burnsie"

http://ktar.net/blogs/sportsline/

 

[sundevilscott]

Doug Franz is as bad as they get on the radio. Him and the afternoon yahoos on 1060 are just plain bad. They are not even listenable.

 

[Cheesewater]

I'm a Bickley listener.
Also like Mark Asher w/Gambo.
Agree somewhat on Moratta.
The only time i pay attention to Jurecki is when it comes to the AZ Cards.

What is that, an arena team? Seriously though, living in Los Angeles I'd take just about anybody talking about the Suns.

Go Rams.

 

[Rab]

Bickley - I actually don't mind him. His voice kind of gets annoying and he kisses guests aces REALLY bad when they're on the show. However, I do like his take on the Suns usually, and generally knows what he's talking about when it comes to the NBA.

MJ - Mostly can't stand him because all he does is talk football. Bickley misses a lot of time coverting sporting events, leaving MJ alone. He never gets off talking football. Drives me nuts.

Gambo - He's okay. The accent drives me nuts, and all he does is repeat himself over and over. As was said above, his understanding of the current CBA is pathetic.

Ash - I like him because he keeps Gambo in check. He's usually the more rational one who will at least listen and consider differing opinions, but at the same time, he can be really condecending. Better understanding of the NBA than Gambo.

Vince - Shame he doesn't do radio anymore on Xtra Sports. He was my favorite guy to listen to. He has pretty good knowledge of all sports. His take on the Suns was usually dead on.

Jeff Dean - Horrible, horrible, horrible. Complete U of A homer, bad insight into the NBA, and college basketball. I've never heard so many bad evaluations on NBA players. Cannot stomach him.

Doug - He's a little nerdy debater who thinks he's smarter than everyone. He jumps the gun on the Suns more than any local media member. He never really can stay on topic, or he doesnt talk about something long enough. Thinks he is always right.

Wolf - I think Wolf out thinks himself. He gets too deep into his arguments and then uses quotes and analogies to try and dig his way out. Sometimes he makes me laugh though.

 

[da_suns_fan]

Here's my Doug and Wolf impression:

Doug: I wanna know, HOOOOWWWWW....ANYone, can listen to my show!

Wolf: Oh Doug-lease, egg-salad sandwich with Hoopie mahahahahah!

Anyone remember Chuck Powell (Chuck and Vince)? I think he does FM now for 101.5.
That show was the best. Powell's paper route was the highlight of my morning commute to ASU.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Ive been listening a lot in the late night due to my work hours, and Jason Smith on 620 (syndicated) is a great entertainer with just the right amount of sports knowledge.

Gambo and Ash are some of the most ignorant broadcasters ever. They never attempt to increase their knowledge, arent afraid to admit they dont care for a certain sport and will move on because they dont care, and after a decade or more of being in phoenix still sound like theyve just read the Reader's digest breakdown of phoenix sports. Doug and wolf may be more ignorant, but they dont try to hide it and make up for it with being plain old homers.

bickley and MJ i dont listen to much but they seem to mirror my opinions often when I do tune in.

 

[KidPhoenix]

Anyone remember Chuck Powell (Chuck and Vince)? I think he does FM now for 101.5.
That show was the best. Powell's paper route was the highlight of my morning commute to ASU.[/quote]



He does the morning show on 103.9 The Edge, and like Game On his show hasnt been the same either since Vinnie left.

 

[Bufalay]

Bickley is the best to listen to. Apparently Cardinals fans hate him, but who cares.

I remember there was some guy who had a show on KTAR. I only heard it twice during the 2006 playoff series against the Lakers. The guy was straight hating on the Suns for an hour after BS game 4. I can't remember the guy's name, but I do remember how great it was to listen to caller after caller murder him after game 6.

 

[Bayless2Budinger]

If you listen to sports radio too much, you will go crazy. Its inevitable.

 

[Bada0Bing]

Anyone remember Chuck Powell (Chuck and Vince)? I think he does FM now for 101.5.
That show was the best. Powell's paper route was the highlight of my morning commute to ASU.

That old Chuck & Vince show was my favorite of all time. Chuck would make Vince laugh to no-end. Chuck's impressions were hilarious and Vince new every trivia question imaginable.

 

[Treesquid PhD]

Jeff Dean might be one of the least talented sports talk hosts I have ever listened too. The guy must be working on the cheap.

There are a few fill in guys on Xtra that might be a bit more clueless than Dean only because Dean has a small clue on College football, of course he is always wrong there too with his Wildcat hype.

Overall, I don't really listen to STR anymore, I do think Bob Kemp is pretty decent and I do rather enjoy how irate he gets with callers.

 

[Treesquid PhD]

That old Chuck & Vince show was my favorite of all time. Chuck would make Vince laugh to no-end. Chuck's impressions were hilarious and Vince new every trivia question imaginable.

They were ok, more suited for the adolescent morning show they do now. I don't care for the Kevin Hunt style/ funny sports guys, squirrel on water skies type of show isn't really what I would listen to sports talk radio for.

 

[shazaam6]

I sometimes listen to Wolf and Doug in the morning. Doug takes positions that annoy me. He must have never played a contact sport ever. Amare gets elbowed in the chest and he says the next day that Amare just gave the Spurs the key to beating the Suns. Hey moron you ever stood up for yourself?

Wolfley gives his opinion and I can understand his logic, and he is funny. Like after the trade for Shaq he said that he didn't know if it would work but he liked it. His reason was that the "Suns balls are showing and that is a good thing." Ha Ha cracked me up.

I also think that Doug is obsessed with advertising during the interview. It sounds so stupid and awkward.

 

[Treesquid PhD]

the best ever was Famino hands down.

 

[Cheesewater]

Hey I still have Bill Heywood's autograph that I got when I was in 6th grade...

/left Phoenix in 1990

 

[da_suns_fan]

Bruce Jacobs was also terrible. He couldn't talk about any sports subject without turning it into how much he hates liberals.

 

[Rab]

Bruce Jacobs was also terrible. He couldn't talk about any sports subject without turning it into how much he hates liberals.

I liked and hated him. He usually had a tough time staying on point, but he always made me laugh when he'd talk about steroids in baseball.

 

[BigRedRage]

Here's my Doug and Wolf impression:

Doug: I wanna know, HOOOOWWWWW....ANYone, can listen to my show!

Wolf: Oh Doug-lease, egg-salad sandwich with Hoopie mahahahahah!

Anyone remember Chuck Powell (Chuck and Vince)? I think he does FM now for 101.5.
That show was the best. Powell's paper route was the highlight of my morning commute to ASU.

where did you get transcripts to the show?

 

[Billy Bob]

the best ever was Famino hands down.

Agreed: