Mike
02-12-03, 07:17 AM
Jabbar returns to college, as analyst
http://www2.bostonherald.com/sport/sports_columnists/baker02122003.htm
by Jim Baker
Wednesday, February 12, 2003
CBS yesterday fortified its NCAA basketball tourney team by hiring Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as an analyst and teaming him with Dick Enberg, who called his All-American career at UCLA, and Matt Guokas.
The All-American pivot, who as Lew Alcindor led UCLA to three NCAA titles with a combined 88-2 record in the late 1960s and became a six-time NBA MVP with the Bucks and Lakers, was the subject in one of two network announcements. In the other, well-traveled Keith Olbermann was named an MSNBC and CNBC anchor for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.
CBS Sports chief Sean McManus said Jabbar will debut with the Feb. 22 North Carolina State-Duke telecast and work the NCAA early rounds, but not the Final Four of the March 20-April 7 tourney, which will be called by No. 1 duo Jim Nantz and Billy Packer.
``I'll be perceptive and say why things are happening on-court,'' said Jabbar, who worked a season for ESPN's ``Big Monday'' package before it was temporarily stopped. ``Dick will tell what's happening and I'll be able to help say why. I'm thrilled to be given this wonderful opportunity.''
Jabbar also indicated interest in the UCLA coaching job, should it become available after this dismal season. He coached the USBL Oklahoma Storm last year and has been an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers.
McManus said NCAA Thursday-Friday early evening starts will be moved from 7:30 to 7 p.m., erasing later-game finishes past midnight in the East and helping ratings. He has other positions to fill, including replacing ex-South Carolina coach Eddie Fogler.
Olbermann, who was on Ch. 5's staff in 1984, burned bridges at ESPN and Fox, but NBC Olympics chief Dick Ebersol remained supportive and said with 600 of 800-plus hours on cable, he'll be in Athens with anchors Bob Costas, Jim Lampley and Pat O'Brien.
http://www2.bostonherald.com/sport/sports_columnists/baker02122003.htm
by Jim Baker
Wednesday, February 12, 2003
CBS yesterday fortified its NCAA basketball tourney team by hiring Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as an analyst and teaming him with Dick Enberg, who called his All-American career at UCLA, and Matt Guokas.
The All-American pivot, who as Lew Alcindor led UCLA to three NCAA titles with a combined 88-2 record in the late 1960s and became a six-time NBA MVP with the Bucks and Lakers, was the subject in one of two network announcements. In the other, well-traveled Keith Olbermann was named an MSNBC and CNBC anchor for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.
CBS Sports chief Sean McManus said Jabbar will debut with the Feb. 22 North Carolina State-Duke telecast and work the NCAA early rounds, but not the Final Four of the March 20-April 7 tourney, which will be called by No. 1 duo Jim Nantz and Billy Packer.
``I'll be perceptive and say why things are happening on-court,'' said Jabbar, who worked a season for ESPN's ``Big Monday'' package before it was temporarily stopped. ``Dick will tell what's happening and I'll be able to help say why. I'm thrilled to be given this wonderful opportunity.''
Jabbar also indicated interest in the UCLA coaching job, should it become available after this dismal season. He coached the USBL Oklahoma Storm last year and has been an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers.
McManus said NCAA Thursday-Friday early evening starts will be moved from 7:30 to 7 p.m., erasing later-game finishes past midnight in the East and helping ratings. He has other positions to fill, including replacing ex-South Carolina coach Eddie Fogler.
Olbermann, who was on Ch. 5's staff in 1984, burned bridges at ESPN and Fox, but NBC Olympics chief Dick Ebersol remained supportive and said with 600 of 800-plus hours on cable, he'll be in Athens with anchors Bob Costas, Jim Lampley and Pat O'Brien.