BEHIND THE MICROPHONE

Toe Meets Leather!!!

                          
           
FSN South to Televise Georgia vs. Central Michigan Football Game LIVE in High-Definition
Pre-game Coverage begins on Saturday, September 6 @ 2:30 p.m. E.T. on FSN South
           
            FSN South will televise live the University of Georgia versus Central Michigan University football game in high-definition on Saturday, September 6 at 3:30 p.m. E.T. Play-by-play announcer Bob Rathbun will be joined by analyst Dave Rowe and sideline reporters Jenn Hildreth and James Verrett in the FSN South booth.  FSN South’s coverage of the game will include a one-hour pre-game show hosted by Tom Werme live from Sanford Stadium on the University of Georgia campus. Pre-game coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. E.T. on FSN South.

 The high-definition telecast of the University of Georgia vs. Central Michigan University football game will be available to all cable and satellite service providers in the FSN South viewing area (AL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, and TN).  The game will also be televised throughout the state of Florida on Sun Sports and in Arkansas and Louisiana on FSN Southwest. Viewers should check their local listings for channel information.
           
“FSN South is excited to present this Georgia football game live and in high-definition to more than 21 million households throughout the Southeast,” said Jeff Genthner, senior vice president and general manager of FSN South and SportSouth.  “Our networks produce hundreds of hours of local SEC programming each season including college football and basketball preview shows, coaches’ shows and other original programs. FSN South’s coverage of this game reinforces our commitment to providing SEC fans with the most comprehensive, in-depth television coverage of their favorite local SEC team and sports.” 

 Last season, the fifth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs celebrated five wins over teams ranked in the Top 25 – No. 9 Florida, No. 10 Hawaii, No. 16 Alabama, No. 18 Auburn, and No. 22 Kentucky.  All seven of Georgia’s home games sold out with an average attendance of 92,746 -the fifth highest average in the country according to the NCAA.  The Bulldogs capped of their season when they ended Hawaii’s 13-game winning streak by defeating the previously unbeaten Warriors 41-10 to win the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

Central Michigan is one of three programs to win back-to-back Mid-American Conference titles in the last 30 years.  The Chippewa’s defeated Ohio University in 2006 and Miami University (Ohio) in 2007.                             
                        
FSN South, the nation’s largest regional sports network, reaches more than 12 million cable and satellite homes in seven states in the Southeast, and SportSouth reaches more than nine million cable and satellite homes across a six-state region. Through its affiliates and other Fox Networks Group-owned networks, FSN reaches more than 70 million homes through 16 owned-and-operated networks. Headquartered in Los Angeles, FSN serves as the television home to more than half of all MLB, NHL and NBA teams based in the United States and produces close to 5,000 live local events each year, including more than 1,600 in high definition. 

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Walter Alston

Today's (6/25/08) Investor's Business Daily has a feature on former Dodgers manager Walter Alston in its Leaders and Success section.

One quotation from Walter caught my eye. "You manage according to the talent you had at your disposal," he said in his book, Alston and the Dodgers.

How true.

It reminded me of so many basketball coaches who preach, 'we're going to get it done with defense and rebounding' and then find out that the team they've been handed features players who can do neither.

I don't believe a coach or a manager can have a one-size-fits-all "system". He or she must work off of unshakable principles, but they style of play, either offense or defense must conform to the talent on hand.

Any coach who ignores Alston's great wisdom is doomed to failure.

 

Here is the FSN South/SportSouth release...

FSN South and SportSouth received a total of six Emmy Awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) Southeast Chapter.  The 2008 NATAS Southeast Regional Emmy Awards, presented on June 21 in Atlanta, recognizes television excellence in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Asheville, North Carolina.

FSN South and SportSouth received 18 nominations total and won in five of eight nominated categories.  This year FSN South and SportSouth swept the nominations in two categories – Outstanding Achievement, Sporting Event/Game (Live Unedited) and Outstanding Achievement, Sports-One Time Special.  Following is a complete list of FSN South and SportSouth Emmy Award winners:

• Outstanding Achievement, Sporting Event/Game (Live Unedited)
o Hawks vs. Timberwolves - Hammond Reynolds, Rohan Backfisch, Jay Hoover, Garry Lehman
• Outstanding Achievement, Sports - One Time Special
o UTL: Appalachian State - Steve Becker, Ray Goodrich, Kyle Payne, Jerry Moore
• Outstanding Achievement, Sports Program
o ACC All Access #8 - Steve Becker, Ray Goodrich, John Wilkerson, Chris Vining
o Braves Live - Steve Becker, Mike Iachino, CJ Bottitta, Jerome Jurenovich
• Outstanding Achievement, Graphic Arts
o SEC-TV Open - Martin Ade, Jon Johnson, Ben Trickey, Adam Shumaker, Michael Brouder
• Outstanding Achievement, On Camera Talent - Sports Anchor
o Jerome Jurenovich
               
            “To be recognized with a nomination for excellence in eight categories in and of itself is a tremendous honor. And then to win in five of eight categories is a confirmation of our commitment across numerous disciplines of our business to providing the very best in local sports production coverage,” said Jeff Genthner, senior vice president and general manager of FSN South and SportSouth. “We are very grateful to the Southeast Chapter of NATAS and congratulate the many other Emmy winners for their excellence in television production.”

FSN South, the nation’s largest regional sports network, reaches more than 12 million cable and satellite homes in seven states in the Southeast, and SportSouth reaches more than nine million cable and satellite homes across a six-state region. Through its affiliates and other Fox Networks Group-owned networks, FSN reaches more than 70 million homes through 16 owned-and-operated networks. Headquartered in Los Angeles, FSN serves as the television home to more than half of all MLB, NHL and NBA teams based in the United States and produces close to 5,000 live local events each year, including more than 1,600 in high-definition.

NATAS Southeast Regional Emmy Awards

Many thanks to the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Southeast Chapter for a wonderful evening last night in Atlanta.

It was my first opportunity to be a presenter and that was a great thrill.

Also, FSN South/SportSouth walked away with six regional Emmy. I'm happy to report that one of them was for Sporting Event/Live/Unedited. Our Atlanta Hawks-Minnesota Timberwolves broadcast from November, 2007, won the Emmy.

Ernie Johnson of Turner Sports did a tremendous job as the host. A great evening in Buckhead! Congratulations to all!

 

 

One Long Day

The Hawks are back home this week after a grueling five-game, Western Conference swing.
How grueling?
Here’s how the Hawks spent last Friday and Saturday:
10:30pm PT: After a thrilling win against the Golden State Warriors, the Hawks begin loading the busses for the short trip to the Oakland airport, and their awaiting flight to Salt Lake City for Saturday’s game with the Utah Jazz. Halfway thru the TSA screening at Oracle Arena, the traveling party learns it is spending the night in San Francisco, as the aircraft the Hawks are using is unable to land in Utah because of weather problems.
12:00am PT: The Hawks make it back to their hotel in San Francisco and check back in.
“8:15 BUS!” we are told.

Saturday, 7:30am. The players and staff, bleary eyed, start lugging a week’s worth of luggage back out of the hotel to the busses.
8:15am. We leave San Francisco for the Oakland Airport.
9:30am PT We depart. “How long is the flight?” “An Hour 20”. That’s good news. Oops. Forgot that we lose an hour going to the Mountain Time Zone.
12:00Noon MT. On the ground, safely, in Salt Lake. As we are ready to pull away from the plane, the first bus dies. That’s the one with the players and coaches.
Here comes Mike Woodson. “DOUBLE UP!” he bellows, so now we must make room for another 25 people and their belongings.
12:30pm MT We finally leave the airport for the hotel, less than seven hours before tipoff.
Mid-afternoon MT: The players and coaches head to a breakfast meeting to talk about tonight’s opponent, the Utah Jazz, winners of 13-straight home games and tied with Dallas for the best home record in the NBA.
5:00pm MT The first bus leaves for the arena. Followed by the second bus. The only problem is, the second bus is empty. It is not supposed to leave until 5:15. This comes as a surprise to those of us who are taking the second bus.
5:25pm MT The second bus returns, but cannot leave because Joe Johnson’s luggage cannot be located.
5:45pm MT Now all of the Hawks are at the arena, just 75 minutes prior to tip.
7:45pm MT Things are not going well for the visitors. Only 28 points on the board with 1:20 left before halftime.
7:50pm MT A dramatic change of fortune! Mike Bibby and Josh Smith combine for four three’s in the final 1:17 of the second quarter and the Hawks are back in the ball game!
9:45pm MT In the end, Utah just overpowers an Atlanta team that understandably ran out of gas. Except for Josh Smith and Mike Bibby. Smith goes for 30 and Bibby, playing on a severely bruised right heel, continues to show that, when healthy, he will be a huge addition to the Hawks.
11:15pm MT Back on the plane, headed to San Antonio. A long flight, and we lose another hour going to Central Time.
3:00am CT At the hotel in San Antonio, and ready to hit the sack. With the team dog tired, Woody has canceled practice for Sunday. Now the Hawks have a day to rest and recharge and prepare for the World Champion San Antonio Spurs.
The Hawks knew this was going to be a rough trip when the schedule came out. It proved to be all of that. Now the fight is on for the Eastern Conference playoffs. Philips Arena never looked so good.

Getting to the Point

You’re going to have to stay up late this week, but it will be worth it.

The Hawks embark on a five-game Western swing starting Tuesday night in LA against the Lakers.

That game will be your first opportunity to see Mike Bibby running the show for the Hawks.

Atlanta was able to secure the services of Bibby, not Cleveland, and the Hawks fortunes have taken a dramatic turn for the better.

The five-for-one swap, announced last weekend, shook up the Eastern playoff race. The Hawks hit the break having lost four in a row, including just an awful overtime loss in Charlotte.

Atlanta has dropped to seven games under .500, and had lost their enthusiasm for the game. There were a lot of long faces and dejected looks when the club disbanded for the all-star break.

But as the team reconvenes in Los Angeles Monday, there is a new spirit. One of hope that only a quality point guard could bring to this team at this time.

But let’s be clear about this---Bibby has to be given time to achieve quality results. This five-game Western trip would be daunting to the best teams in the league. And for Bibby, he’ll have only one practice with his new mates under his belt before the trip begins.

We also are not sure of the extent of the knee injury suffered by Josh Childress in the Detroit game last week. Chills was to be checked again early Monday morning before the team departed for the West Coast.

With a new roster, a new rotation must be worked out. Guys like Salim Stoudamire and Solomon Jones would probably find themselves playing new-found minutes. The team certainly cannot afford any injuries to the top seven.

But this much is clear: the Hawks are relevant again this season. They have a chance to recapture the positive buzz that surrounded the club after its big home wins in November and its great run of success in December.

As for Bibby, the Hawks are getting the proven point guard that the fans have been clamoring for, really, since Mookie Blalock left.

Just two seasons back, Mike averaged a career-high 21.1 PPG. He holds the Kings franchise record for consecutive free throws made (51) in the 02-03 season.

He is one of 61 players in NBA history to amass 10,000 points and 4,000 assists in a career.

Bibby was selected by Vancouver with the second overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft. He went to the Kings in June of 2001 (with Brent Price for Jason Williams and Nick Anderson.)

Bibby is in a Hawks uniform. And the stakes have been raised accordingly. We have what we wanted Hawks fans: a legit point-guard, a real shot at the playoffs, and for the first time since Philips Arena opened the anticipation of meaningful games in March and April.

Hey, the Hawks are now must see TV!

Never, Ever

It was incredibly exciting. A double-overtime thriller at the Smith Center. Yet, when the finally horn sounded, we all said the same thing.

They will never win in Chapel Hill.

The Clemson Tigers blew a game Sunday night that confirms the above statement. Clemson held a 11-point lead with less than four minutes remaining and still managed to lose in Chapel Hill for the 53^{rd consecutive time without victory.}

All you needed to see was the body language. North Carolina knew it would win. Clemson knew it would not. It was only a matter of time. And when Clemson could not get off a game-winning shot in the final seconds of regulation, the feeling going into each overtime was not that Carolina would win, but by how many.

Add the fact that Clemson is also the worst free throw shooting team in the country (1-7???) it’s a wonder they were able to build such a tremendous advantage on the road.

I, for one, was hoping the streak would end.

I don’t like long streaks like this, losing streaks and games played streaks. They seem to take on a life of their own, and what does it really mean, anyway? These kids that played their hearts out for Clemson Sunday night had nothing to do with all those losses. Yet, they carried the weight of history with them.

Many a night, I broadcast the Clemson at UNC game, and it seemed that every game ended the same, with Carolina winning by an average score of 83-58! If memory serves, I called five Clemson at UNC games in the streak.

I hereby put in to call next year’s game!

You have to be impressed with the way Duke has been playing. A great win over Carolina on the road, followed by a string second half in taking care of Boston College, the Devils now have the inside track to home court advantage in the NCAA Tournament. No the games won’t be played at Cameron Indoor, but for Duke to get games in Raleigh and Charlotte would be plenty of advantage for Duke….Maryland is coming on strong. When James Gist plays like a superstar, the Terps emerge as a elite-team….why would I not be surprised to see Bobby Knight take over at LSU soon?....I’ll tell you another team that is coming on strong: Kentucky. They could be the sleeper come SEC Tournament time.

The Hawks hit the all-star break this week, staring at a Western Conference trip that will be as tough as any in recent years. At Lakers, Sacramento, Golden State, Utah and San Antonio is a rugged five-games-in-seven-days stretch. But even if the Hawks lose all five, they’ll still be in a position to clinch a playoff berth in the East with a month and a half to play. The way its going, 10-games under .500 will be good enough to make the playoffs in the East. And look at what is happening in the West. Potentially, a 50-win team could miss the playoffs.

Kobe or LeBron?

This week, the NBA’s top two marquee attractions will play Philips

Arena.

You can decide for yourself who is better. Kobe or LeBron?

Wednesday night, the Lakers make their annual visit. Bryant has been sensational this season, leading a rejuvenated Laker attack.

Bryant is averaging 28.4 per game this season. Since Philips Arena opened, Kobe has led the Lakers to five wins here in six decisions.

He’s averaging 30.2 PPG here in his career, with a high game of 37 here in ’05.

Over the years, the Hawks have managed to keep it close with LA, only to see Kobe take over at the end of games to seal the deal for the Lakers.

Friday night, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers will be here.

Of course, we see LBJ a little more often, but his impact is just as big as Kobe’s.

LeBron scored 31 here, with 10 boards and six assists but the Hawks prevailed, 90-81, in January. Joe Johnson had 29 in that one.

In his career, James has averaged 30.1 in eight career games in Atlanta, with the Cavaliers winning six of them. In fact, that January win by Atlanta ended a six-game Cleveland winning streak here.

So far this season, LeBron is averaging 30.1 PPG. His high-game this season is 51, and has turned in four triple-doubles.

So, do you have your tickets? Wednesday and Friday look to be pretty special nights for basketball in the ATL!

Unbelievable Super Bowl! For the first time in recent memory, the game was better—much better—than the commercials! Hey, the Giants deserved it. They outplayed the Patriots. It’s a Super Bowl that will go down as one of the greatest sporting events of the last 25 years.

Duke and North Carolina Wednesday night in Chapel Hill…Duke is good, not great. Look for the Tar Heels to win this one, setting up the rematch in Durham that will tilt toward the home team. Clearly, the best two teams in the ACC. Hot right now—the Maryland Terrapins. A gritty victory Saturday at Georgia Tech keeps a positive roll going for the men of Gary Williams…

Tennessee held off Mississippi State last Saturday night and now owns the outright lead in the SEC East. The Vols quality depth makes them the SEC’s best. That game with #1 Memphis later in the month should be tremendous.

The Road Warrior

NOTES FROM THE ROAD

Greetings, Dear Readers! This is your old buddy, Bob, coming to you from the Hawks charter.
We’re winging it from Portland to Phoenix as I pen this.
The best way to describe the mood of the team is stunned. Just hours ago, the Hawks blew a 19-point lead and a game they controlled, to the Portland Trail Blazers, 94-93.
Atlanta led by six with a little over two minutes left.
But then Brandon Roy took over.
Roy penetrated the Hawks ‘D’ for three straight lay-ups, and then nailed a free throw with 2.3 seconds left for the winning margin.
This was a game the Hawks controlled until they very end. They had a double-digit lead most of the night, only to hand it to the Blazers down the stretch.
Portland’s Travis Outlaw broke the Hawks hearts on MLK Day at Philips with his game-winning jumper at :00.9. Sunday, it was Brandon Roy.
It was clearly the most bitter defeat of the season.

The Hawks will be home Saturday to face Jason Kidd and the Nets. That kicks off a four-game home stand that will see Kobe and LeBron come to town next Wednesday and Friday…..obviously, we all missed out on the NHL All-Star festivities. But what we saw looked great. The hockey world got to see what we know—that Philips Arena is a world class sports and entertainment facility. From the looks of it, the game had to have been fun—8-7 East….now lets get the Thrashers back going again, and win the Southeast Division…Washington is hot, though, and Carolina wants back in. The second half promises to be exciting….it’s amazing how little the folks out West care about the SEC and the ACC. What is wrong with them???....Saturday night, I get to call a big SEC showdown in Starkville, as Tennessee rolls into town to face West-leading Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are 5-0 in the league. Rick Stansbury has got ‘em rollin’ again…Jamont Gordon and Chris Lofton should be a great matchup. Check it out on FSN South….A solid road win for Georgia Tech at Virginia in OT Sunday. Jackets are starting to turn things around….Congrats to 3D, Dennis Scott and Rachel on the birth of their daughter last week. Dizzle said  she came out shootin’ threes…you’ll know Thursday, but I think Joe Johnson has an outside shot at the Eastern Conference all-star team. Looks like it may come down to Joe and Antawn Jamison for the final spot in the East. It is time to expand the rosters. They’ve been at 12 dating back to when there were 14 teams. We now have 30. It will be strange not having Shaq at the all-star game. First one the big fella has missed…Patriots again? Hard to pick against ‘em. Think of the times in which we live: we are witnessing the greatest golfer ever (Tiger), the greatest tennis player ever (Federer) and maybe the best quarterback ever (Brady). One more Super Bowl might just cement his legacy. Pats 24 Giants 21. I don’t have a rooting interest, but I hope Eli Manning plays well. Just to shut up the critics. He’s done an amazing job. No picks in the playoffs? Outstanding. Hope it’s a good game and we have some good commercials to watch!

The Best of the Best

The Major League Baseball all-star game has been here. Couple of times in fact. The NBA all-stars were here a few years ago.
And this weekend, we roll out the red carpet and the Southern hospitality for hockey world.
Welcome. We’re glad you’re here.
We missed you in ’05. That horrible year-lost postponed the party, but we’re ready and look forward to watching the best of the best.
The 2007 NHL All-Star weekend is sure to be great one. Activities are planned to touch as many fans as possible, old and new, youngsters and veterans.
Hockey is still sort of a new toy with us. We got a taste of the playoffs and what it meant last spring. We’ll be ready, next time.
And to have Philips Arena host this weekend as the hockey world descends upon Atlanta is a proud moment, indeed.
And we couldn’t be happier for our guys, Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa. It’s the second All-Star nod for Kovalchuk, who led all players in voting the for 2004 game.
This will be Hossa’s fifth All-Star appearance, following selections in 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2007. He missed the 2004 game due to injury.
Hossa is a pro’s pro, coming from one of the world’s top hockey families. But if you’ll allow us a bit of bragging, we think Ilya is really something special. We know he leads the league in goals, but folks, he’s Baryshnikov on skates.
Often, Kovy is seen at Hawks games. Did you know there is a little basketball in his blood?
Ilya’s dad, Valeri, played for the Soviet national basketball team.
By the time he was 3, Ilya was on his dad’s shoulder as he went to the gym. The two would do simple stretching exercises and coordination drills. But Valeri also taught his son the value of a positive mental approach in sports.
"My father never pushed me into one sport. He let me play basketball, soccer and street hockey," Kovalchuk said with a smile while recalling his younger days. "But I’ll never forget one day, when I was 5, he got this big smile on his face when I was playing street hockey with my friends. I think he saw that I was pretty good. The next day ... he bought me a pair of skates."
Valeri Kovalchuk also showed his son the right way to train and develop as a hockey player.
"The first thing he taught me was how important it was to shoot the puck accurately," Kovalchuk recalled, adding that his dad put up four targets on the side of their house – one at each corner of what would be a makeshift net. "I would practice for hours and hours. It was always wrist shots and snap shots. No slap shots, because sticks were too expensive … and I was afraid if I broke one we wouldn’t be able to buy new ones.
"I remember my dad coaching me back then. He told me, ‘It’s better to miss the net than hit the goalie.’ He was right. Maybe that’s why I can pick the corners so well now."
I try to make every Thrashers home game that I can. I wait for #17 to hit the ice and watch him weave his magic. How special it would be to see him light the lamp in the All-Star game in his adopted hometown of Atlanta. I’ll be watching Sunday, as soon as the Hawks are done in Portland.
And to the hockey world, welcome to Atlanta.
NHL.com contributed to this report.