Goodbye Tim Russert

My Sunday mornings will never be the same. Every Sunday I do the exact same thing. I get up around 7:30, make some coffee, settle into the recliner, and flip on "Meet the Press." I am a newsie. I love all things news, but in my mind there was a clear number one in terms of getting the "straight scoop," and that was Tim Russert and MTP.

I always felt that in this day of opinionated news across the cable networks and the internet, the only place you could find an unbiased view was on Russert's program. He had the amazing ability to stay neutral on very challenging and difficult issues. He drug the true positions out of everyone he interviewed and made them "grow a spine," to quote my HS history teacher. He never succumbed to the handsome airhead mentality that captures a lot of news anchors and reporters. He was all about substance and professionalism.

I don't get too emotional about celebrity/newsmaker deaths, but this one really got to me. He was a part of my family, kind of like an uncle that I saw once a week. All of the tributes in the past few days have been awesome. I knew he was a family man, but I didn't realize how well he treated his employees and their families.

There will always be a void in my weekends now. The world has lost a truly special person. I think of all the tributes this week, this was the most touching, it is a montage of clips of newsmakers and fellow anchors along with some music by Bruce Springsteen.

The magic that is Gus Johnson

People always ask me how I prepare for games that I am going to broadcast. Well, there is a lot to it. I memorize and categorize stats, I go over player stories in my head, I get familiar with the opposing team, I memorize the rosters, I study the history regarding the teams and the matchup and I put together all of the facts regarding the context of the game.

But right before the game? I don't nap, I don't practice, and I don't gargle lemon juice ala Luciano Pavarotti. No, my pal and road trip roommate Justin Scanson got me hooked on something better: I listen to the magic that is Gus Johnson. I think every sportscaster can learn a thing or two from his enthusiasm for the game he is covering. His dramatic calls get me juiced for the game at hand. Here is my favorite GJ moment: UCLA-Gonzaga from the 2006 NCAA Tournament. THE CAAAATCH!



Jitters!

Welcome to TW Courtside!

Isn't technology wonderful?! It seems everyone has opinions; some people express them better than others, but we all have them nonetheless. As any of my friends or family will tell you, I definitely have opinions, especially regarding sports and politics. Fortunately for them, the Internet allows me to express them to the world, and I have heard from more than one friend that they hope a blog will alleviate the necessity of me sharing my opinions all of the time.

Kidding aside, I plan to use this blog as my format for taking a deeper look at less examined areas in sports. For example, ever since I began providing radio play-by-play for women's college basketball, I have recognized that the drama, achievements, excitement, and stories of this sport go largely unnoticed by the sports world. Let me tell you, these athletes are far more deserving of the spotlight than the prima donnas of the NBA and NFL. See, already on my soap box.

One thing you can count on: lists. I am a lister and I believe that listing is the most concise and effective way to convey information. Also, expect variety. My life is all over the board, and this blog will be the same.

My first list:

The Top 5 NBA Postseason Announce Teams, in order:
1. Dan Schulman and Doris Burke, ESPN
2. Kevin Harlan and Doug Collins, TNT
3. Mike Tirico and Hubie Brown, TNT
4. Marv Albert and Reggie Miller, TNT
5. Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, ESPN