In Boston to see the Celtics and Pistons

After witnessing the Detroit mastery of Orlando Friday night for ESPNTV, I decided Detroit is not dead. Without A.I. and with Rip Hamilton back in the starting lineup the Pistons out muscled Dwight Howard and his front line mates. After Hamilton spoke up publicly about his coming off the bench, Detroit was 4 and 12 in those games, things changed. A.I. for one thing went back to Detroit to have his back examined. Hamilton responded in the start with 29. And the Piston big men Rasheed Wallace in particular put some wood to Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu. The match up today in Boston will be interesting. Because even without Kevin Garnett the Celtics are tough with inside laborers Kendrick Perkins and Leon Powe. The Celtics of course have Stephon Marbury. Now free of the Knicks he will provide a combination of scoring and play making and so so defense.

I always enjoy seeing the ex Sonics. Rashard came by to say hello in Orlando. He wondered if I was in Seattle or Oklahoma City. When I told him Seattle he nodded and asked if we’d would ever get pro ball back. Ray Allen asked the same thing the last time I saw him. Only Ray answered the question himself. “Not until they get a building” he said. Everywhere I go in NBA circles the same question is asked of me. And without getting into great detail I believe it will be at least 5 years before the league is back.

I’ve had a question or two about the Sounders coverage and my involvement. I’ll be doing the broadcasts on both radio and tv beginning on March 19th with the opener. I will have an expert analyst along side so you die hard fans don’t worry you will be taken care of. The best thing a television play by play guy can do is get out of the way of the analyst let him go to work and let the pictures tell the story. At this time the club has not yet revealed the name of my partner. I know you fans will be happy with our selection. The club returns from Argentina next weekend to train in Seattle again. The opener is at Qwest on the 19th against the NY Red Bull. You will be amazed at how good the field looks set up as a soccer pitch. And with 20 thousand plus season tickets sold can you imagine the atmosphere. Can’t wait!