https://nypost.com/2021/05/15/marv-albert-retiring-after-2021-nba-playoffs/

TNT, where the legendary sports broadcaster has called games for the past two decades, plans to pay tribute during the playoffs. Albert turns 80 next month. As New York Post notes, Albert has been calling professional games for nearly 60 years (https://awfulannouncing.com/turner/marv-albert-will-reportedly-retire-after-nba-playoffs-ending-nearly-60-year-career.html) and is considered by most the greatest NBA play-by-player of all-time.

I heard about this recently. I remember he used to go on David Letterman's show regularly, many years ago.

Yes! A facial!

Marv Albert's definitely a good announcer, but the best? I'm not sure who I would consider the best ever, but I think Marv got a little lucky in that his time as the lead NBA announcer on NBC coincided with Michael Jordan and the Bulls winning six championships.

Marv Albert is retiring having established the sound of modern basketball (https://slate.com/culture/2021/06/marv-albert-retirement-legacy-yes-and-it-counts.html)

"Longevity isn’t everything, of course," says Ben Yagoda of Albert wrapping up his 58-year career. "But it’s notably a trait shared by Albert and the other play-by-play GOAT, Vin Scully, who called Brooklyn and then Los Angeles Dodgers baseball games for two-thirds of a century. Marv belongs in this exalted pairing because, for one thing, he is the sound of modern basketball, imitated by most announcers who came after him (notably Kevin Harlan of CBS and TNT) and by the guy who did the commentary for the video game NBA Jam. Albert’s technical chops (always on point, economical and precise, rarely makes a mistake, no nonsense but appreciative of drama and the moment) are complemented by his trademark calls ('Yesss—and it counts!'), his equally trademark New York semi-rasp, and his sense of humor, which is subtle and droll in a world where those qualities are rare. Albert projects an air of being amused, which is amusing, and his banter with such partners as Steve Kerr, and Mike 'The Czar of the Telestrator' Fratello, and Reggie Miller—with whom he’s been reunited for the East finals—has been toothsome."