Jalen Rose: Great Color Commentator or Greatest Color Commentator?

It pains me to say it, but at times he's downright terrible.

it was a makeup for the way Bias i mean Bilas called the Ohio game and by the way if you missed that Bilas was essentially rooting for Ohio the entire game and he was whiny about the calls.



As for Jalen personally i cringed a lot and i thought he was refreshing at times but overall pretty strange. He needs to stick to the studio.

I thoroughly enjoyed the sugar he was giving Michigan at the end. "They've got Hardaway! And Burke! And Nowak! And they have the number 12 SOS in the toughest conference! With a shot to win their first conference championship in 20 years on top of that! Nobody's even talking about these guys!". That and his singing. 

Jalen Rose to join BTN please.

"Goodnight sweetheart, well it's time to go"

First time I'd heard that song in that context!

I LOVED the job Jalen did.  He definitely said some cringe-worthy things, but he was just so full of life, the entire time, even when he was downright silly (which alone has its pros and cons).  He was obviously pro-Michigan biased and didn't try to hide it, but he didn't shy away from complimenting the Illini either.  I can see why people could hate it, but I really enjoyed it.

Can someone slice together all of his great lines into one video?  He was entertaining, so I liked it.

My favorite was when he was talking about Novak and broke out singing "ya he a hustlin" haha

But I thought he did a solid job tonight. 

Obviously ESPN thought it would be a great idea to put Jalen and Bardo on for this game, given that each had played for the two teams involved.  3 calling a game can be a bit of a crowd at times, but still a good opportunity to get these guys some experience calling a game, as they both sounded pretty new to it.

One of the things that ESPN has done that I've enjoyed has been their use of Bilas as the sideline reporter.  I caught him for the IU vs MSU game and he was on again for the Kentucky game tonight.  While it is a little awkward to see Bilas filling the role usually held by a young bombshell, and it's never a good thing to see Erin Andrews replaced, I felt like Bilas provided a lot more insight than we usually get from that role, and he did a good job interviewing coaches as well.

But like everything in his life, I think he'll be successful at some point.

Direct quote: "Michael Wilbon is rolling in his grave"

I found it down right entertaining. It may not of been the most "professional" broadcast, but how many times have you watched a game and not only got good insight, but also laughed out loud at it? 

I greatly enjoyed it and I hope ESPN does these duel broadcasters (with one being from each school) more often. 

I listened for five minutes then watched the rest of the game on mute. Found both of them annoying.

Jalen was bad at times. But atleast he wasnt like Jim Jackson, he puts me to sleep. 

as a commentator. some of it was funny, some of it was silly, but all of it was refreshing. kind of reminded me of jeff van gundy doing NBA games.

anyways it was a nice changeup. and i bet he would iron some kinks out if he started doing this more regularly.

I think networks need to have color commentators representing both teams more often in games.  It's a lot of fun to hear both points of view.

Personally, I thought Jalen was a breath of fresh air, compared to the typical clowns they have calling the games.

Jalen was funny, and yea pretty bad. He is good in the studio, though - and with some more games I'm sure he'd be just fine as a color analyst if they chose to use him in that way.

I've heard rumors that he could potentially have a local show on the new ESPN Radio affiliate in Detroit, 1090AM.

And if sparty wants to rip on him for calling it Illi-noise - whatever. It technically isn't even Illi-noy. The -ois came from the French, and is pronounced -wah. The -wah was meant to spell the -we in illini-wek which was the tribe in the region. The k at the end makes it plural.

BOOM 

i had the sound low so it seems like i missed a lot, but i liked the "business decision" thing. it seems like the sort of thing players would normally say/admit to each other in the locker room but not in public.

what was the wilbon thing about?

I don't know why many disliked Jalen.  He just popped his cherry...I say let him get his feet wet and lets see what becomes of this.  I like the energy...I found it highly entertaining and refreshing.  He provides great insight and actually got me even more amped up.  I loved how he was hyping Burke and Hardaway and Michigan bball.  His love for the game and Michigan is unquestionable.  C'mon man.....Jalen is a bad mf'er.  (Maybe THJ will have another double-double next time he provides the "color commentary.")

I loved Jalen.  For all those complaining about him, have you been listening to the other clowns that ESPN and BTN have been torturing us with all season?  While he was an unabashed UM fan, Jalen was paired with an Illinois guy, so I think the plan was that that aspect of favoritism was permitted as long as it was balanced.  I have to say that Jalen went out of his way to compliment or criticize both teams throughout the game.

Jalen brought life to the broadcast.  That is what color commentators are supposed to do.  While very different from Jalen, Al McGuire also used to bring in all of his exuberance to the games and he was a joy to listen to.  Yet, there were many people who complained that he wasn't "professional" enough.  I am all for ignoring those people.

I enjoyed him.  There were a couple of cringe-worthy bits, but it's not an easy job.  The play-by-play guy just says what's going on, but the color guy has fill in the dead time.  And the second color guy (which I think Jalen was) often has to play the "storyteller" role.

Jalen was a little rough around the edges, but wow was it a lot of fun.  I haven't heard of anybody getting "the gasface" since 1990!  A 3rd bass reference completely out of nowhere.  Would enjoy seeing Jalen get another go.

I hope he gets a show on 1090 AM and gets more games, he just sounds real.

Sparty is envious of all the Michigan folk at ESPN: Desmond Howard, Jalen Rose, Adam Schefter, Dana Jacobson, and Dhani Jones.

I thought Jalen did great. I can understand if people thought he was terrible but as a Michigan fan it is usually hard for me to take off my maize and blue glasses. I thought he was entertaining, brought lots of great insight and for being a huge homer was fair in his assessment of both teams. He kept yelling for them to give Leonard the ball which it got quite hilarious at one point. I probably would cringe if he did alot of games, but once in a while for a game like this it was fun to watch.

I loved the friendly back-and-forth between Jalen and Bardo. I wonder if Jalen ever hopes to coach. I get that he has hit some speedbumps, but I think he has a lot to contribute.

When an announcer speaks ebonically and uses mainstream ebonic cultural references, he is perceived to "lack polish."  When a white announcer speaks casually and uses mainstream white cultural references, he is seen as "unpretentious" and "refreshing."

It's an extension of the "black thug" vs "gritty white player" stereotypes.  Sadly, I don't see an end coming anytime soon.

I thought Jalen was fun to listen to, and he wasn't just rooting for UM.  The part about getting the crowd into the game was really interesting. I've never heard a commentator suggest a player slap the court or wave his hands in the air. Jalen was right, they needed to wake up that crowd that was "sinking into their seats." The only time I thought Jalen mis-stepped was when he took over play by play for a second.

I really think that for his first game, this was amazing. He is instantly better than 90% of the schmucks out there. Anybody rather hear Dicky V? Come on, there really isn't anyone with personality during these games. I hope he gets some games for March Madness this year.

I thought he did a faily good job. I assumed the Michigan and Illinois announcers were meant to provide different points of view. My favorite quote:

"Leaving the Illini looking like fools with their pants on the ground" - Jalen Rose

Jalen did make a good statement about Beilein. said something in the way of "he makes good leaders, good men, good fathers and great ball players"

Business Decision. That was a nice line and even Bardo wants to repurpose that for future use.

Jalen is what he is - rough around the edges, but it's what angers some people and endears him to others. I'm on the latter. I thought he did a fine job and that he and Bardo played off each other fairly well. I love the banter around the old UM and Illini teams. Those were two of the most talented teams ever for these two schools. 

To be even more succinct, I'll take them every day of the week and six times on Sunday over Jay Bilas. 

I can't believe what I am reading.   Jalen was insightful and funny as hell.    This post feels like it has a lot of get off my lawn types so far.   He is not a polished color guy, but he was truthful and funny.  What do you want from your color guy more than that?   Some of you guys need to relax a touch.

"I'd have a talk with the coach"- After Hardaway got subbed for after 7 straight points.  Playing up th arrogance for effect.  It was classic.

They pounded Ill and Leonard for not being more aggressive and not going inside.  They were dead on and funny about it.

The Wilbon rolling around in his grave was being silly.  It was either a classic misuse of a phrase or intentionally wrong to pile on Wilbon who he knows well from the NBA coverage....either way it was funny.

He was right on when he said Ill played with no passion.   They were like 5 aimless zombies wandering around the court.  They are not a team and that is why they have tanked.  

He's better than Dick Vitale. I would like to see him do more college games, and I thought having him and Bardo do the game last night was a great idea by ESPN.

LOOKING LIKE A FOOL WITH HIS PANTS ON THE GROUND

I think they only do it for games already played, but they get a fan of each team to do a running commentary on the game.  I think its a brilliant concept if you get the right people, though between the idioms and insider knowledge, pretty much everything went over my head the one time I tried to watch it.  Still, I would love to see ESPN try this more with former players of each team, and tell them to go ahead and be as biased, funny, and irreverant as they want.

Even when he particularly isn't. Eff Sparty.

Jalen is the man!  I found the entire broadcast to be entertaining.  It kind of reminded me of a few broadcasts that they used to do in the premier league.  They would let a fan of each team call the game and hilarity always ensued.  I don't think they ever did live broadcasts of this, but would replay it later on.  I'm not sure what they called it but it was always great to see 2 fans just ragging on each other for 90 minutes.  

I thought the cringe worthy moments were the best! Was a great from an insight point of view, no, was he crazy funny, yes

Great, not greatest ever. 

Greater color commentator.

talking about how Michigan is under the radar I was like, FINALLY someone said it.  

Michigan is way under the radar and teams wont want to play us in the tourney...we will get ya.

I got nothing but love for J. Rose. There were some moments that had you like "What did he just say?", but it was refreshing and new. I'm all for that and hope Jalen keeps getting opportunites to continue. Man, I'd love him on BTN. Now those commentators are just brutal.

Overall, I think Jalen has some work to do on the mic.  However, I did like that he is one of the few announcers who routinely refers to us as Wolverines.  Too many times we only get "Blue" or "Michigan" or the bang-your-head-against-a-wall "Big Blue."  So, for that, I think Jalen's starting off on the right foot.  He's no Pam Ward.

The "Missagan" guy hates UM..i think Jalen was rubbing it in his face at the end..Jalen started singing about victory at the end almost made me spit my pop out was laughing so hard.

I thought he was awesome. The singing and the great lines about Wilbon and pants on the ground had me rolling the entire time. He was also pretty insightful, too. Interesting points about the charges, talking about where Leonard was playing, etc. I would love to see him as a color commentator (why does it have to be COLOR commentary? ;) ) more often.

People miss the point . . . Jalen is funny as hell.  

His comments are not pre-canned and polished.  They're insightful off the cuff observations with an edge.  Douglas not standing in and getting dunked on was a "Business Decision".  That was classic Jalen.

I like Jalen but do not like him when he fills in on ESPN Radio or calling games. He somehow makes it sounds like he's reading when he's speaking. Likable guy otherwise.

Overall, I thought J-Rose did a fine job with the role last night. I enjoyed his insight, and I thought he and Bardo were good with each other. Bardo seems "older" and more polished, but I thought their name dropping players for each other's schools was nice. Overall I thought they did well together. 

Can you imagine Mike Hart and Maurice Clarrett doing a UM / OSU football game togehter? No, I don't think that would work.

Go Blue!

Jalen was great. Sure, he was a homer, but look at all the great lines already mentioned in this thread. How many other commentators provide that kind of entertainment? Not many. I'm sure he'll being working more games in the future.