Who is Adrian Branch?

Welcome to the organization hoping to get the worst NBA color commentator thrown off the air. That’s right, the Bobcats’ own Adrian Branch.

Night in and night out, Mr. Branch provides horrible insight and weak analysis of the Charlotte Bobcats basketball team. Sure, the Bobcats are terrible, but does any team deserve to have someone who seems to know so little about basketball telling them what they are doing wrong? We think not. Mr. Branch might as well coach the Bobcats who are lead by the equally dreadful Bernie Bickerstaff.

If you’re like us, you’re tired of turning down the volume while watching the Bobcats get every game handed to them.

What is a color commentator (Wikipedia):
A color commentator, sometimes known as a color analyst, is a member of the broadcasting team for a sporting event who assists the play-by-play announcer by filling in any time when play is not in progress. The color commentator provides expert analysis and background information, such as statistics, strategy and injury reports, on the teams and athletes, and occasionally light humor. Color commentators are usually people who used to play and/or coach the sport that they broadcast.

Mr. Branch is one of those: He is a former player.

Who is Mr. Branch? (NBA.com/Bobcats):
Branch joined the ranks of broadcasting after an NBA playing career from 1986-90 with the L.A. Lakers, New Jersey, Portland and Minnesota.
Originally drafted by Chicago in the second round of the 1985 NBA Draft, Branch was a member of the Lakers in 1986-87 when the team went 67-15 and won the NBA Championship. He appeared in 130 career games and averaged 6.4 points and 1.9 rebounds in 10.9 minutes.
Branch was a key component for the University of Maryland men’s basketball team from 1982-85. A two-time All-American, Branch averaged 16.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 123 games and led the Terrapins to the 1984 ACC Championship. As a junior and senior, he helped Maryland to consecutive Sweet 16 appearances and, most recently, Branch was honored as an ACC Legend at the 2004 ACC Tournament.
A native of Washington, DC, Branch and his wife Kim are the parents of Adrian, Kylie and Kori.

Press on Mr. Branch:
From NBA.com/Bobcats: July 20, 2004 – The Charlotte Bobcats have named Adrian Branch as the team’s television color analyst, it was announced by Bobcats President and Chief Operating Officer Ed Tapscott.
Branch will provide analysis alongside play-by-play announcer Matt Devlin for team’s 60 broadcasts on C-SET (Carolinas Sports Entertainment Television) and 15 broadcasts on WJZY UPN46.
“I have known Adrian Branch for a long time and I am certain he will be a fine representative of the Bobcats organization both on and off the air,” Tapscott said. “He has been involved with basketball for many years and possesses great knowledge of the game. Adrian and Matt Devlin will make a great broadcast team and our fans will be entertained watching Bobcats games on television.”
For the past three years Branch has served primarily as a studio analyst for Comcast SportsNet in Washington, DC. Branch provided halftime and postgame analysis for college basketball games and he also offered commentary on Wizards Post Game Live, a 30-minute show that provided viewers with postgame interviews, analysis and news on the NBA’s Washington Wizards. Branch has also assisted WUSA-TV in Washington with its coverage of the University of Maryland throughout the NCAA Tournament the last few seasons, including extensive work during the Terrapins run to the 2002 NCAA title.
“I am humbled and excited to join the Bobcats family. I have always been a fan of professional sports and believe the people of Charlotte and the Carolinas are great enthusiasts for the NBA,” Branch said. “The Bobcats organization is filled with wonderful people and I know Bob Johnson, Ed Tapscott and Bernie Bickerstaff operate with integrity, professionalism and hard work and I share that philosophy. I look forward to teaming with Matt Devlin to give Bobcats fans an enjoyable television experience.”

Apparently Mr. Branch is a public speaker and keys on the topic of “dealing with people who drive you crazy. We’re sure that he is a wonderful speaker and we would love to ask him how to deal with his commentary. For information see:
http://www.freemaninstitute.com/branch.htm

What is the public saying about Mr. Branch?
One poster said on a RealGM.com message board:

I caught the last overtime tonight against the Knicks.

That was all the footage I needed to see to know that Stephanie Ready does a way better job than Adrian Branch doing color commentary. Sign her up NOW, and let Adrian be the sideline reporter. Stephanie sounds more knowledgeable about basketball, or at least does a better job of discussing things. She's got coaching experience, and it shows. Plus she's attractive, which doesn't hurt at all. Adrian annoys me by constantly repeating the same phrases over and over about competing. Every game he's got to drone on and on about how he likes to see two teams compete. She's also miles better than our radio guy Henry Williams, who is downright silly all the time and doesn't stay on topic. He'd rather joke around with Steve Martin about irrelevant personal crap. In fact, he drags Steve down into his silliness. And I've always liked Steve. If we don't give her the spotlight, I think that some other bigger broadcast situation is going to open up for her and she'll be gone.

And another:
I didnt mind branch so much in the first year, but by year 3 i've heard just about everything he knows about basketball and each player about 500 times. he just keeps repeating the same observations over and over and over.
steph is a coach and it was refreshing to actually here somebody break down the x's and o's during the game and provide original, relevant insight.

What can you do?
First, contact the Bobcats and let them know that you’re tired of the tired commentary.

Executive Offices:
333 East Trade Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 688-8600
info@bobcatsbasketball.com
Basketball Operations:
333 East Trade Street, Charlotte, NC 28202,
(704) 688-8600

Or contact New 14 Carolina (owned by Time Warner):
News 14 Carolina
316 E. Morehead Street Suite 100
Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 973-5800

Send television viewer comments to: feedback14@news14.com

Or leave us a comment and fight the bad commentary. You should not have to settle for Mr. Branch.