For the past 22 years, the familiar beach vibe-drawl of Chris Marlowe has been the voice of the Denver Nuggets. And for 21 of them, the snickering, under-the-breath, tell-it-like-it-is former Nugget, Scott Hastings, has been the color announcer. They'll both be out next year, and Nuggets home broadcasts will instantly sound different.
The duo did not have their contract renewed by Kroenke Sports Entertainment, which owns the Nuggets broadcast network.
Some fans welcome the change, but for others, the duo was an institution of Nuggets home broadcasts, and listening to Nuggets games next year just won't be the same. This move stings, and it better not be the precursor to a huge summer of changes.
Scott Hastings called it like it is, from the Nuggets' perspective
You can file me in the latter category. Nuggets fans have been listening to these two call games together since early on in the Carmelo Anthony era. Hastings' unique Nuggets insights from his playing days, and the stories he'd tell, were always a delight.
Hastings was a huge homer, and he always carded things for the Nuggets wherever he could. For some fans, that was a big turnoff, and they'll be happy with the move. The rest of us enjoyed it because we have the same attitude Hastings did a lot of the time.
That was part of the allure about Hastings as announcer for those fans. It felt like Hastings was a fan, just announcing the Nuggets game as his day job. He was as passionate a Nuggets fan/announcer as you could want, and his insights and quips will be missed.
Chris Marlowe gave us some great phrases
If it weren't for Marlowe, we wouldn't have the "Sombor Shuffle" for Nikola Jokic or the "Murray Flurry" when Jamal Murray hits a couple of threes in a row. Always delivered in his cool Southern California vibe.
Yes, there are some that will welcome the change from Marlowe as well, but he was still great at what he did, even though they didn't like the little things he added as a show of "fun." The rest of us did.
Now, to hear Marlowe, fans will have to resort to their once-every-four-year habit of watching the Olympic volleyball coverage because Marlowe is calling the game.
Could this change be a precursor to more change?
Is it possible this is the first of major changes this offseason? Team president Josh Kroenke did say some change could be coming, but I don't think anyone expected this news.
No matter which side of the fence you stand on, whether this move stings or not, Nuggets games will have a whole new sound next year.
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