Matt
10-18-2006, 08:17 AM
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/blaha_65.jpg
Chat with Pistons Broadcaster George Blaha (http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatNBA?event_id=13253)
One of the most recognizable sports personalities in Detroit and the NBA, George Blaha will begin his 31st consecutive season as the television and radio play-by-play voice of the Pistons in 2006-07.
The "Voice of the Pistons" is now the longest tenured play-by-play broadcaster in the state of Michigan.
Blaha's extensive knowledge of basketball and his trademark colloquialisms such as "two and twenty-two to play" and "a high glass gun that goes" have thrilled Pistons fans of all ages for over three decades.
Blaha will chat with fans live on Thursday, October 19 at 12:30 p.m. at Pistons.com.
Chat Recap:
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/blaha_65.jpgGeorge Blaha: Good afternoon Pistons fan! I'm excited about the upcoming season and happy to hear from the greatest fans in the world. I'm anxiously awaiting your questions. So fire away!
DAN DAVISON: GEORGE , LOVE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND ENTHUSIASM!! WITH JASON MAXIELL BEING THE 3RD OR 4TH BACK UP, WHAT DO YOU FEEL THE CHANCES ARE OF ENDING UP WITH ANOTHER OKUR SITUATION? THAT IS LEAVING BECAUSE OF NOT ENOUGH PLAYING TIME.
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/blaha_65.jpgGeorge Blaha: Great question. Certainly Memo was a terrific 2nd round draft choice and if the Pistons hadn't been able to resign Rasheed Wallace, Memo would be in a Pistons uniform right now and making contributions night after night. Sometimes teams have too many good players at one position. Don't look for that to happen with Jason, however. He's still young and coming into his own. By the time he's at the top of his game, I'm sure Joe Dumars will find a way to keep him.
Jason from Muskegon: George, I love all of your personal basketballisms, like "Count that baby and a foul" "The Long Gun" and your one for Tayshaun is great "The long arm of the law." Where do you come up with these great sayings?
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/blaha_65.jpgGeorge Blaha: Thanks a million for your comments. It's nice to know that fans share my enthusiasm for the game and the great plays that these players can make. I have so much respect for the game and players, somehow these phrases just come out and if I like them well enough I try to remember them and use them again. And if I really like them I do my best to keep them around forever. Without the player and fans, however, there wouldn't be a need for me to say a thing. So my hat is off to all the great players and all the great fans.
Travis in Flint, MI: Mr. Blaha, in your 30 plus years of covering the Pistons, what has surprised you the most about the Detroit Pistons?
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/blaha_65.jpgGeorge Blaha: I was surprised in the 2004 NBA Finals that the Pistons were able to handle the Lakers so easily. I always felt they had a chance to win the series, but there is no way that I was counting on what is now called a five-game sweep of a team of that caliber. Our guys were sensational in the series and I know our fans will love them forever for that... and so will I.
oxford: what was you worst day as a boardcaster and your best day since you have been with the pistons. thank you ron from oxford
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/blaha_65.jpgGeorge Blaha: I've never had a bad day as a Pistons broadcaster. Some have been more challenging than others, especially when the team was struggling or when I had a tough flight from a football game trying to make it to the opening tip. But this is, after all, the NBA and if you can be a part of these games you have one of the best jobs in the world.
My best days include my very first game at Cobo in 1976 when Bob Lanier and Wes Unseld walked out for the opening tip and I realized I was truly a part of big-league basketball. And of course the championships. When your team is the best of the best, there is no better feeling.
Tej (Rochester Hills, MI): What do you think is the major difference between this years team and last years team besides the fact that Ben left? Better or worse?
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/blaha_65.jpgGeorge Blaha: You can't compare this year's team with last year's without mentioning Ben Wallace. Ben gave so much to this franchise when he was here. We'll miss his desire, toughness and all-world defense. This year's team, however, with a standout replacement at center in Nazr Mohammed and what appears to be incredible overall depth, could be one of the most exciting Pistons squads in years. They will be nearly impossible to stop on offense and I know they will still pride themselves in playing "Piston D."
Kirk (Livonia): As nice as it is that you'll be doing much more TV broadcasts this year, I'm going to miss you on the radio. Which Do you prefer to do?
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/blaha_65.jpgGeorge Blaha: As long as I'm in the arena broadcasting the game, I'll be happy. For many years, I did about half TV and half radio. This year I have the opportunity to do all the local TV and still bounce back to radio for every game that is not televised locally. It's really a perfect world because I'll never lose touch with the team and never lose touch with all you great fans. I thank Pistons president Tom Wilson, broadcasting VP Pete Skorich and all the executives at FSN Detroit, including John Tuey, for giving me the opportunity to do both. Both radio and TV provide their own separate challenges. When you are on the road by yourself doing radio, it's all on you to deliver the game to the fans and I love that challenge. On the TV side, you are part of a sizeable team and you need to have everyone at the top of their game to make it work. Television requires more patience, but I get a lot of satisfaction from TV as well.
Tom: Oakland Township: What did you think of Joe Dumars being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame?
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/blaha_65.jpgGeorge Blaha: It was one of the great days of my life when I got a chance to go to Springfield for Joe D's induction. He truly deserves his spot in the Hall, as one of the games greatest all-around players. Seeing Isiah Thomas and Joe on that stage as Isiah inducted Joe into the Hall of Fame, had to make every Piston fan burst with pride. I can only imagine how proud Bill Davidson was that night. I was fortunate enough to sit near him during the ceremonies and I couldn't have been happier for him, for Isiah, and of course for Joe... As classy a person as I've ever been around.
Paul Reames (Bisbee, AZ, by way of Grand Rapids): Hey, George. I've been enjoying your broadcasts for years. What was the strangest play you have seen, committed by any team, that resulted in a basket?
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/blaha_65.jpgGeorge Blaha: It's a nightmare I'll never forget. When Larry Bird stole an inbounds pass, Dennis Johnson had presence of mind to cut to the basket. Bird found him and the Celtics snatched victory from defeat in the Conference Finals. Enough said.
Ernie-Flushing: Blalok was impresssive in the game Wed night, will he get much playing time in the regular season?
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/blaha_65.jpgGeorge Blaha: There won't be much playing time available in the Piston backcourt this year. But, the best thing about Will Blalock's play this preseason is that he has proven to Flip Saunders that he can direct this team from the point guard position. Incidentally, seeing all the young players finally get an opportunity to play at this level is a truly exciting part of the preseason for me. I've never looked at the preseason as anything but truly significant because of that.
Candace Fletcher (Flint, MI): Do you think the new Pistons team will be able to quickly mesh together and form as strong/stronger force as the starting lineup of last year?
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/blaha_65.jpgGeorge Blaha: I'd hate to try to duplicate last year's 64-win season with any squad. Last year's regular season was truly special. Our guys may have run out of gas in the playoffs, but there was nobody better in the regular season. This year's squad could be even better built for the long haul, however. There will be more quality minutes available for more players, which should make the Pistons more difficult to prepare for and to play against. I also think they will have fresher legs come playoff time. Don't count the Pistons out of anything this season.
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/blaha_65.jpgGeorge Blaha: Thanks everybody for your support. I appreciate all the interest and all the questions, and I know our players and coaches do as well.
Chat with Pistons Broadcaster George Blaha (http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatNBA?event_id=13253)
One of the most recognizable sports personalities in Detroit and the NBA, George Blaha will begin his 31st consecutive season as the television and radio play-by-play voice of the Pistons in 2006-07.
The "Voice of the Pistons" is now the longest tenured play-by-play broadcaster in the state of Michigan.
Blaha's extensive knowledge of basketball and his trademark colloquialisms such as "two and twenty-two to play" and "a high glass gun that goes" have thrilled Pistons fans of all ages for over three decades.
Blaha will chat with fans live on Thursday, October 19 at 12:30 p.m. at Pistons.com.
Chat Recap:
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/blaha_65.jpgGeorge Blaha: Good afternoon Pistons fan! I'm excited about the upcoming season and happy to hear from the greatest fans in the world. I'm anxiously awaiting your questions. So fire away!
DAN DAVISON: GEORGE , LOVE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND ENTHUSIASM!! WITH JASON MAXIELL BEING THE 3RD OR 4TH BACK UP, WHAT DO YOU FEEL THE CHANCES ARE OF ENDING UP WITH ANOTHER OKUR SITUATION? THAT IS LEAVING BECAUSE OF NOT ENOUGH PLAYING TIME.
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/blaha_65.jpgGeorge Blaha: Great question. Certainly Memo was a terrific 2nd round draft choice and if the Pistons hadn't been able to resign Rasheed Wallace, Memo would be in a Pistons uniform right now and making contributions night after night. Sometimes teams have too many good players at one position. Don't look for that to happen with Jason, however. He's still young and coming into his own. By the time he's at the top of his game, I'm sure Joe Dumars will find a way to keep him.
Jason from Muskegon: George, I love all of your personal basketballisms, like "Count that baby and a foul" "The Long Gun" and your one for Tayshaun is great "The long arm of the law." Where do you come up with these great sayings?
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/blaha_65.jpgGeorge Blaha: Thanks a million for your comments. It's nice to know that fans share my enthusiasm for the game and the great plays that these players can make. I have so much respect for the game and players, somehow these phrases just come out and if I like them well enough I try to remember them and use them again. And if I really like them I do my best to keep them around forever. Without the player and fans, however, there wouldn't be a need for me to say a thing. So my hat is off to all the great players and all the great fans.
Travis in Flint, MI: Mr. Blaha, in your 30 plus years of covering the Pistons, what has surprised you the most about the Detroit Pistons?
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/blaha_65.jpgGeorge Blaha: I was surprised in the 2004 NBA Finals that the Pistons were able to handle the Lakers so easily. I always felt they had a chance to win the series, but there is no way that I was counting on what is now called a five-game sweep of a team of that caliber. Our guys were sensational in the series and I know our fans will love them forever for that... and so will I.
oxford: what was you worst day as a boardcaster and your best day since you have been with the pistons. thank you ron from oxford
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/blaha_65.jpgGeorge Blaha: I've never had a bad day as a Pistons broadcaster. Some have been more challenging than others, especially when the team was struggling or when I had a tough flight from a football game trying to make it to the opening tip. But this is, after all, the NBA and if you can be a part of these games you have one of the best jobs in the world.
My best days include my very first game at Cobo in 1976 when Bob Lanier and Wes Unseld walked out for the opening tip and I realized I was truly a part of big-league basketball. And of course the championships. When your team is the best of the best, there is no better feeling.
Tej (Rochester Hills, MI): What do you think is the major difference between this years team and last years team besides the fact that Ben left? Better or worse?
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/blaha_65.jpgGeorge Blaha: You can't compare this year's team with last year's without mentioning Ben Wallace. Ben gave so much to this franchise when he was here. We'll miss his desire, toughness and all-world defense. This year's team, however, with a standout replacement at center in Nazr Mohammed and what appears to be incredible overall depth, could be one of the most exciting Pistons squads in years. They will be nearly impossible to stop on offense and I know they will still pride themselves in playing "Piston D."
Kirk (Livonia): As nice as it is that you'll be doing much more TV broadcasts this year, I'm going to miss you on the radio. Which Do you prefer to do?
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/blaha_65.jpgGeorge Blaha: As long as I'm in the arena broadcasting the game, I'll be happy. For many years, I did about half TV and half radio. This year I have the opportunity to do all the local TV and still bounce back to radio for every game that is not televised locally. It's really a perfect world because I'll never lose touch with the team and never lose touch with all you great fans. I thank Pistons president Tom Wilson, broadcasting VP Pete Skorich and all the executives at FSN Detroit, including John Tuey, for giving me the opportunity to do both. Both radio and TV provide their own separate challenges. When you are on the road by yourself doing radio, it's all on you to deliver the game to the fans and I love that challenge. On the TV side, you are part of a sizeable team and you need to have everyone at the top of their game to make it work. Television requires more patience, but I get a lot of satisfaction from TV as well.
Tom: Oakland Township: What did you think of Joe Dumars being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame?
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/blaha_65.jpgGeorge Blaha: It was one of the great days of my life when I got a chance to go to Springfield for Joe D's induction. He truly deserves his spot in the Hall, as one of the games greatest all-around players. Seeing Isiah Thomas and Joe on that stage as Isiah inducted Joe into the Hall of Fame, had to make every Piston fan burst with pride. I can only imagine how proud Bill Davidson was that night. I was fortunate enough to sit near him during the ceremonies and I couldn't have been happier for him, for Isiah, and of course for Joe... As classy a person as I've ever been around.
Paul Reames (Bisbee, AZ, by way of Grand Rapids): Hey, George. I've been enjoying your broadcasts for years. What was the strangest play you have seen, committed by any team, that resulted in a basket?
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/blaha_65.jpgGeorge Blaha: It's a nightmare I'll never forget. When Larry Bird stole an inbounds pass, Dennis Johnson had presence of mind to cut to the basket. Bird found him and the Celtics snatched victory from defeat in the Conference Finals. Enough said.
Ernie-Flushing: Blalok was impresssive in the game Wed night, will he get much playing time in the regular season?
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/blaha_65.jpgGeorge Blaha: There won't be much playing time available in the Piston backcourt this year. But, the best thing about Will Blalock's play this preseason is that he has proven to Flip Saunders that he can direct this team from the point guard position. Incidentally, seeing all the young players finally get an opportunity to play at this level is a truly exciting part of the preseason for me. I've never looked at the preseason as anything but truly significant because of that.
Candace Fletcher (Flint, MI): Do you think the new Pistons team will be able to quickly mesh together and form as strong/stronger force as the starting lineup of last year?
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/blaha_65.jpgGeorge Blaha: I'd hate to try to duplicate last year's 64-win season with any squad. Last year's regular season was truly special. Our guys may have run out of gas in the playoffs, but there was nobody better in the regular season. This year's squad could be even better built for the long haul, however. There will be more quality minutes available for more players, which should make the Pistons more difficult to prepare for and to play against. I also think they will have fresher legs come playoff time. Don't count the Pistons out of anything this season.
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/blaha_65.jpgGeorge Blaha: Thanks everybody for your support. I appreciate all the interest and all the questions, and I know our players and coaches do as well.