re: Steph Curry is officially the league's first unanimous MVP

1. Houston Rockets
Play-by-play: Bill Worrell
Color: Clyde Drexler and Matt Bullard

This crew comes closest to having it all: they enhance the pictures, build the drama, provide perspective backed by credibility and stats, and are entertaining.

Worrell is solid and personable, and the more you listen to him, the more his act grows on you. He definitely knows both teams, and can differentiate between big and routine games. He has that Vin Scully-style “It’s a great day for basketball” optimism, and gives the stakes for both teams.

He compliments what you can see, “That pass might work against another defender, but you can’t throw it over Kawhi Leonard’s head. His arms are too long.”

He also has a great feel for the game. When Houston surged out to a 13-point first-quarter lead over San Antonio, “Great start by the Rockets. But, one thing about the NBA, you can make up a big lead if it happens early.”

That ended-up being prescient when the Spurs rallied. Worrell used stats nicely to point out why, “San Antonio’s bench has 21 points tonight compared to 4 for the Rockets and that’s got the Spurs right back in this game. “

He’s also not afraid to rip the Rockets, “If (Patrick) Beverly doesn’t start making that shot, it’s going to be a long night.”

He balances the broadcast in the right way for a local crew, “Well, we say it’s not a flagrant on James (Harden) but you can be sure down on the Dallas broadcast they’re saying it’s flagrant. So, we’ll see what the officials say.”

Drexler is likable, and has the credibility of a living legend, though he could use a broadcasting course. He’s a homer - mostly when it comes to officials calls; but, because Worrell works so hard to be neutral - it’s not jarring. And, he definitely gives credit to the other team, “The Spurs don’t care who scores. They got five guys who average double figures, and only one guy who averages over thirty minutes a game. Year after year.”

Bullard is solid, and quantifies as well as any color man:

“James has shot 500 free throws this year. But, to put that in perspective, Michael Jordan shot 879 in 1987.”
“The Spurs held Russell Westbrook to 17 points and then they held James to 22. Two guys who average over 30 points a game. Gives you an idea of how good their defense has been in the last month.”
On road games, he’s the only color guy. On home games, he defers to Drexler rather than trying to talk over him, and it makes the chemistry work.

Here’s how it all comes together:
Bullard: “What the Rockets have learned since Tuesday, when the Spurs are overplaying you on the wing - cut back-door. We’ve seen several Rockets go back-door tonight, and it’s lead to about 15 points.”
Drexler: ”Especially with Duncan out there. He’s a world-class shot blocker.”

After another Manu Ginobli dive:
Drexler: “Ginobli is a world-class flopper.”
Worrell: “It puts the officials in a bad spot. They’re trying to watch out of their peripheral vision because there’s so much going on. But, they see a guy fall, and it’s their instinct to call it.”
Bullard: “Absolutely. It’s the league head office that should be fining these guys.”

When a behind-the-back-pass hit Dwight Howard in the numbers, and bounced out of bounds:
Bullard: “That’s two possessions in a row T. Jones to Dwight Howard doesn’t work out. T. gets those turnovers, but Dwight Howard has got to catch those balls.”
Drexler: “That was a beautiful behind-the-back pass from T. Should have been an easy two.”
Worrell: “Although, didn’t John Wooden say, 'the best pass is a completed pass?'”
Bullard: “Yes. But when it hits you in the numbers, you’ve got to catch it.”

When Bullard and Drexler started lamenting the lack of physicality under the hoop, and complaining that the refs “need to let them play,” Worrell rightly pointed-out, “That’s not how they referee the game anymore, fellas. The rules have been changed to allow more offense.”

Compare that ESPN’s Hall of Shame duo of Jackson and Van Gundy who attempt to generate faux controversy too often by talking about anything but the game they are watching.

Here’s the best compliment I can give a crew: I’m not a Rockets’ fan, and have no ties to the Houston area - but, I look forward to the games they call, and I’m pissed if a so-called national crew is doing the game instead.