So in addition to Rajon being the new captain, he's also the new play-by-play man. For part of one night anyway...
Rondy Points for everyone!!
There have been instances of actively-employed pro players in several sports joining a broadcast briefly, usually while on a long-term injury rehab. But to have a player fill a specific role in place of a regular broadcaster, rather than being an adjunct presence during game coverage, is a first as far as I can recall.
Hopefully he's somewhat entertaining, slightly forthcoming, and a tad informative. I trust Gorman enough to do what any pro does, especially one who's had to work with so many broadcast partners of disparate experience and skill levels over the decades: Engage the guy to comment and discuss things at exactly the right time while keeping him comfortable in doing so. But I also wonder to what extent Gorman will be able to broach certain topics such as his working relationship with Stevens, how he feels about staying with Boston long-term, etc. I suspect it will be far more vanilla in content and subdued in tone, more like Dwight Evans filling in for Remy a couple years back.
But really, where the hell is this coming from anyway? Whose idea is it? Ainge? Stevens? Grousbeck? Rondo himself? Is it the team's way of placating their diva in the wake of birthday-gate? A strategic means of keeping him present and involved with the team on his "day off" (an understandable rest on the road end of back-to-back games) rather than have him take off again to do his own thing? Or is it for PR purposes, either to distract from the Rondo tensions or to serve as a P.T. Barnum-esque publicity stunt?
Rondy Points for everyone!!
Comcast SportsNet today announced that Celtics’ point guard Rajon Rondo, as well as Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge and former Celtic Chris Herren, will join the network as guest on-air color commentators for upcoming out-of-town Celtics telecasts.
Rondo will join Comcast SportsNet play-by-play commentator Mike Gorman on-air on Monday, March 31st as the Celtics take on the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago. He will fill in as color commentator for the first quarter of the game while Tommy Heinsohn breaks the game down from the CSN studios in Boston during Pre-Game, Halftime, and Post-Game. Cedric Maxwell will join Gorman after Rondo departs.
There have been instances of actively-employed pro players in several sports joining a broadcast briefly, usually while on a long-term injury rehab. But to have a player fill a specific role in place of a regular broadcaster, rather than being an adjunct presence during game coverage, is a first as far as I can recall.
Hopefully he's somewhat entertaining, slightly forthcoming, and a tad informative. I trust Gorman enough to do what any pro does, especially one who's had to work with so many broadcast partners of disparate experience and skill levels over the decades: Engage the guy to comment and discuss things at exactly the right time while keeping him comfortable in doing so. But I also wonder to what extent Gorman will be able to broach certain topics such as his working relationship with Stevens, how he feels about staying with Boston long-term, etc. I suspect it will be far more vanilla in content and subdued in tone, more like Dwight Evans filling in for Remy a couple years back.
But really, where the hell is this coming from anyway? Whose idea is it? Ainge? Stevens? Grousbeck? Rondo himself? Is it the team's way of placating their diva in the wake of birthday-gate? A strategic means of keeping him present and involved with the team on his "day off" (an understandable rest on the road end of back-to-back games) rather than have him take off again to do his own thing? Or is it for PR purposes, either to distract from the Rondo tensions or to serve as a P.T. Barnum-esque publicity stunt?