http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/46986.html
Media Insider: Don't expect many turnovers from TNT
By Joe Davidson - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Story appeared in PROJECTS section, Page KINGS TIPOFF6
Marv Albert recently spoke for every basketball broadcaster in America in sizing up the NBA's controversial equipment change.
"The new microphone we use will be very slippery," TNT's lead voice said. "But (the NBA) has signed off on it. It'll be hard to get used to, especially the stand-up opening, and we're holding on to that microphone with a firm grip. We'll deal with it."
Albert's quip shot down notions that turnovers will be up and shooting percentages will plummet because of a new microfiber ball that will be used this season. In other words, old subject. Move on. Good call, Marv.
In sizing up the NBA talent -- media style -- TNT again heads the pack by a country mile. TNT primarily will carry games Thursdays. Albert and Kevin Harlan are superb play-by-play voices. Doug Collins is the game's best color analyst (just edging ABC's Hubie Brown), and Steve Kerr has fast become a fine analyst. Craig Sager, for all of his outlandish outfits, drums up good material as a sideline reporter. Cheryl Miller, having learned not to suck up to every athlete, asks fair questions.
And TNT Insider David Aldridge is one of the NBA's best reporters, a major loss for ESPN and a boost for TNT. The capper is the studio show with Ernie Johnson (recovering nicely from cancer, by the way), Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Magic Johnson.
Meanwhile, ABC and ESPN leave one to wonder. How in the worldwide leader of sports does one explain Mark Jackson replacing Brown as ABC's lead analyst?
Talking Kings
No changes of note for the core Kings broadcast crew, with Gary Gerould, Jim Kozimor and Grant Napear set to call the action on KHTK (1140 AM) and/or Comcast SportsNet.
Kozimor again will host "House Party Live" (the pregame, halftime and postgame program) on Comcast. Kara Lawson will provide commentary, though Krista Blunk was good as a fill-in during the exhibition season. LaSalle Thompson elected not to return to pursue other interests. Who replaces him will be telling. If it's Henry Turner, who did the exhibition games, one suggestion, please: Keep coaching him. He has high energy, but he answers nearly every question from Kozimor with, "You know what, Jim ... "
And he should not be allowed to drop in "we" when talking Kings. It's "they," period.
About the writer: The Bee's Joe Davidson can be reached at jdavidson@sacbee.com.
Media Insider: Don't expect many turnovers from TNT
By Joe Davidson - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Story appeared in PROJECTS section, Page KINGS TIPOFF6
Marv Albert recently spoke for every basketball broadcaster in America in sizing up the NBA's controversial equipment change.
"The new microphone we use will be very slippery," TNT's lead voice said. "But (the NBA) has signed off on it. It'll be hard to get used to, especially the stand-up opening, and we're holding on to that microphone with a firm grip. We'll deal with it."
Albert's quip shot down notions that turnovers will be up and shooting percentages will plummet because of a new microfiber ball that will be used this season. In other words, old subject. Move on. Good call, Marv.
In sizing up the NBA talent -- media style -- TNT again heads the pack by a country mile. TNT primarily will carry games Thursdays. Albert and Kevin Harlan are superb play-by-play voices. Doug Collins is the game's best color analyst (just edging ABC's Hubie Brown), and Steve Kerr has fast become a fine analyst. Craig Sager, for all of his outlandish outfits, drums up good material as a sideline reporter. Cheryl Miller, having learned not to suck up to every athlete, asks fair questions.
And TNT Insider David Aldridge is one of the NBA's best reporters, a major loss for ESPN and a boost for TNT. The capper is the studio show with Ernie Johnson (recovering nicely from cancer, by the way), Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Magic Johnson.
Meanwhile, ABC and ESPN leave one to wonder. How in the worldwide leader of sports does one explain Mark Jackson replacing Brown as ABC's lead analyst?
Talking Kings
No changes of note for the core Kings broadcast crew, with Gary Gerould, Jim Kozimor and Grant Napear set to call the action on KHTK (1140 AM) and/or Comcast SportsNet.
Kozimor again will host "House Party Live" (the pregame, halftime and postgame program) on Comcast. Kara Lawson will provide commentary, though Krista Blunk was good as a fill-in during the exhibition season. LaSalle Thompson elected not to return to pursue other interests. Who replaces him will be telling. If it's Henry Turner, who did the exhibition games, one suggestion, please: Keep coaching him. He has high energy, but he answers nearly every question from Kozimor with, "You know what, Jim ... "
And he should not be allowed to drop in "we" when talking Kings. It's "they," period.
About the writer: The Bee's Joe Davidson can be reached at jdavidson@sacbee.com.
