The next step for some of the bigger and brighter NBA stars post retirement, is to hop into the studio or sidelines and let their words finally do their talking for them. Some stink and some disappear into mediocrity, but there are a select few that entertain fans more than even some current players do. There are the old school guys like Walt Frazier and Tommy Heinsohn, the new school guys like Jalen Rose and Chris Webber, and of course the Inside the NBA crew. We've put together the guys we enjoy the most and some clips that show off some of their best moments. Enjoy, the Most Entertaining Former NBA Players Turned Commentators.
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15. Magic Johnson
Years in the Booth: 2001-Present
Networks: ESPN, TNT
We know what you're probably thinking, Magic is nowhere near most of the other vets on this list, but there's one reason he makes it. Magic Johnson states the most obvious basketball facts ever known to man every time he speaks. And if you think about that before you listen to him, it makes it ten times as entertaining. Plus, he just has that Magic voice. The inflections make it seem like he's telling the most interesting story ever and his child like excitement makes you want him to be right.
15. Reggie Miller
Years in the Booth: 2005-Present
Network: TNT
Reggie normally serves as the knowledgeable former player on TNT broadcasts. On occasion though, Reggie has shown that he's willing to speak his mind a little to give fans some real talk about some of their favorite players or even take a few jabs in the interest of comedy. Chuck and the crew have definitely been rubbing off on him.
14. Austin Carr
Years in the Booth: 1998-Present
Network: Fox Sports Ohio
Cavs great and former All-Star, Austin Carr has been around the game for a long time and there's no debate that he calls it like he sees it. No one is safe when he's in the booth and Dwight Howard seemed to catch the L this time around. #ether
13. Tom Tolbert
Years In The Booth: 2000-2003
Networks: NBC, ABC
Some of you may not remember Tolbert, but during the early 2000s he was one of the NBA's best commentators. He was knowledgeable, he was funny, and he knew how to hold his own with other guys like Bill Walton and still keep you interested. Like Stacy King, he commentated better than he played.
12. Doug Collins
Years in the Booth: 1997-2001, 2003-2010
Networks: NBC, TNT
Watch the clip above. The Sixers coach gets instant street cred for those jewels he dropped. Not only does Doug Collins know the game of basketball, he also know hip-hop.
11. Shaquille O'Neal
Years in the Booth: 2011-Present
Network: TNT
The newest addition to the TNT fam and arguably the biggest name on this list, Big Shaq Daddy is already proving to be one of the more entertaining analysts out there (when he's not annoying the hell out of us). With his run-ins with Charles and Kenny along with segments like his epic "Shaqtin A Fool," we don't see him leaving TV for a long time. It's still kind of messed up that they didn't give the fourth spot on Inside the NBA to C-Webb. Chris had better chemistry with EJ, Chuck, and Kenny.
10. Jalen Rose
Years in the Booth: 2007-Present
Networks: ESPN, TNT, Fox Sports
Jalen Rose makes this list with ease and is slowly rising up to the level of some of the greats. Rose gives the people what they want, sings songs about almost anything, and he also put Skip Bayless in his place. Jalen knows the game and he proves it on a daily basis.
9. Mark Jackson
Years In The Booth: 2007-2011
Network: ABC
Before the current Warriors head coach got his gig, Mark Jackson was killing it on the sidelines with his partner in crime Jeff Van Gundy for ABC. He gave us too many catch phrases to count and showed off a lot of what has made him a successful coach this year with his insight and opinions on the game. We will never be able to repay him for giving the world, "Mama there goes that man" and "Hand down, man down!"
8. Gary Payton
Years in the Booth: 2008-2009
Networks: NBATV, TNT
Anyone who knows The Glove knows he can talk trash with the best of 'em, so it's no surprise he's had his fair share of wild moments as an analyst. He's had a couple moments with the TNT gang, but he did most of his damage on NBATV. Calling guys scrubs probably didn't sit well with the higher ups. So now we have to endure the corniness of Trey Wingo and Dennis Scott. Oh and Kenny probably still doesn't like him after the video above, just mean.
7. Chris Webber
Years in the Booth: 2008-Present
Networks: NBA TV, TNT
C-Webb is earning his chops in the booth after a stellar NBA career as he moonlights with the TNT squad and works more consistently as a color commentator. He checked David Kahn when he tried to compare Darko Milicic to him, he helped Chuck ether Ron Artest, and he pulled off this mean tag team action with Gary Payton above. We wish they would add GP and Webber to the Inside the NBA and get Shaq out of there.
6. Stacey King
Years in the Booth: 2006-Present
Networks: CSN Chicago, WGN-TV
Stacey King has served as the voice for the Bulls during the Derrick Rose era and he has not disappointed in the slightest. King is one of the more creative guys to call games. He gets excited like a real fan and his poster highlights are the best. He's made Sportscenter more for his calls than for his game. If you like it when your commentators sound like they're having something in between a seizure and and orgasm, then King is your dude. Ayo!
5. Walt Frazier
Years In The Booth: 1997-Present
Network: MSG Network
One of the greats of the game also serves as one of the greats of the booth with his patented rhyming schemes of excellence and fashion sense. Frazier gave the sidelines a flow fans found infectious. Clyde also likes to dig into the dictionary and use words no one can spell. It's gotta be a crime to be that smooth Clyde, a damn crime.
4. Kenny Smith
Years In The Booth: 1998-Present
Network: TNT
Lesser known for his playing days, TNT's Kenny Smith has built himself a nice career on the network with Inside the NBA. Often the straight man to Charles' goofy routine, Kenny and Ernie help hold it all together. He's not the star of the show (more on that later), but he definitely holds his own. Mostly by mentioning his rings every chance he gets.
3. Tommy Heinsohn
Years in the Booth: 1966-Present
Networks: WKGB, CBS, CSN New England
Tommy Heinsohn calls Celtics games with an amazing concoction of incredible bias, and "I don't give a fuck because I'm old" attitude. He also sounds like he's drunk half the time. He's crazy in all the right ways and has been manning the airwaves since 1966 with his ridiculousness. "NBA: It's stupid."
2. Bill Walton
Years in the Booth: 1990-Present
Networks: NBC, ESPN, Comcast SportsNet California
Few people on Earth can articulate points quite like Bill Walton. Whether it be a reference to the Grateful Dead or his patented "Throw it down, big man. Throw it down!" for guys like Shaq and Tim Duncan. Walton delighted us for years as the color man on NBC and ESPN. For the last couple of years, Bill's been commentating on Sacramento Kings games and has joined ESPN once again to call Pac-12 games during the 2012-2013 season. And to think, he actually had a sever speech impediment growing up. Props for comparing Boris Diaw to Beethoven and the Age of the Romantics.
1. Charles Barkley
Years in the Booth: 2000-Present
Network: TNT
Nobody entertains fans more than Charles Barkley. Since his start at TNT back in 2000, he's been blessing us with gems in the form of brutally honest quotes about the game, and hilarious high jinx with the gang that puts the cherry on top. He's been a part of more dumb contests than we can name, but we've loved every second of it. Thank you, Sir Charles.