Hornets.com’s 1-on-1: Hornets TV play-by-play broadcaster Bob Licht
Licht
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March 14, 2007
Hornets.com interviewed Hornets television play-by-play broadcaster Bob Licht to find out Licht’s observations on the current state of the team.
The graduate of Syracuse University’s prestigious communications school is in his 11th season with the Hornets and second season working TV play-by-play for the club. He previously was the team’s radio voice for nine seasons.
In the interview, the Detroit native discussed the Hornets’ playoff hopes, lists the other NBA play-by-play announcers he admires most and describes what it is like to work as an pro basketball broadcaster on a daily basis.
Q: The Hornets have been fortunate to remain within striking distance of eighth place in the West, despite their recent losing streak. Of the handful of teams competing for the last two playoff spots, which clubs should the Hornets be most concerned about in terms of them potentially finishing the regular season in strong fashion?
A: I’m concerned about the teams the Hornets do not have the tiebreaker against, like Golden State and the LA Clippers, because the Bees must PASS them to make the playoffs. They don’t play the Warriors anymore, and finish the season by playing the Clippers twice out of their final five games.
Don Nelson’s crew was hot before stopping Dallas’ 17-game winning streak, and now they have added confidence. The additions of Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington, plus the return of Baron Davis could push them into the eighth spot. The Clippers lost Shaun Livingston to that devastating knee injury, but still have Sam Cassell down the stretch to run the point and late-game go-to guy Elton Brand.
Q: Last season’s Hornets were in excellent position to make the playoffs before a fade in March. What is your prediction on what will happen over the rest of this month and April? Is this team less susceptible to a similar fade, based on its experience and talent edges over the 2005-06 squad?
A: This is a tough ride to navigate. They’ve sort of lost their mojo from February when they won nine of 13 games. The Hornets’ schedule is also daunting, with 12 games remaining against playoff teams. It will be harder to make up ground since they only have five games remaining against teams they’re fighting against for the final playoff spot. Plus, all of those games come in the final two weeks of April. The other problem for the Hornets is that because of their recent slump they now trail four teams in the race for eighth. They no longer control their own destiny. As for the final question, if Peja Stojakovic returns I definitely believe this team is less susceptible to a fade because he’s the lights-out shooter the team lacked a season ago.
Q: The Hornets outrebounded all 13 of their opponents in February and played very good defense overall throughout that month. Other than better competition, what do you think has caused the decline by the team in those two areas recently?
A: Byron Scott has gone on record as saying that the difference is consistent effort. The players have said it’s a combination of effort and communication. The rebounding and defensive ills are compounded by poor shooting and poor offensive execution. Here’s why: if you miss shots, or turn the ball over, then you are racing back on defense trying to stop a fast break.
Teams are defending the Hornets better and the numbers indicate this as the 100 points-per-game average from last month is no longer the norm. As for the Hornets’ halfcourt defense, they have had a tendency to record a yield… but not a stop. I call it a yield when the opposition fails to score on its first shot, but gets second or third chances and ultimately scores. But, even in the halfcourt, the Hornets have been struggling defending the perimeter. Some of it is fatigue (Desmond Mason, for instance, is banged up and has regularly rested during practices and shootarounds in order to be strong for the games). It’s problematic – which is why the team is struggling to solve it and why you asked about it!
Q: Switching over to your role with the Hornets, who are some of the other NBA play-by-play broadcasters you admire and why?
A: Marv Albert, New Jersey Nets television/TNT: He’s the best I’ve ever heard. I love his distinctive voice, his consistent call, and his great humor. And of course, he went to Syracuse University.
Kevin Harlan, TNT: I first met Kevin when he was the TV play-by-play man for the Timberwolves. He always made me feel welcome in the league during my first couple seasons. I love his energy. I can’t recall ever hearing him have an “off” game.
Kevin Calabro, Seattle SuperSonics television: The best voice in the business! When you listen to Kevin do a game, you can sit back and enjoy the game… blowout or buzzer-beater!
Mike Inglis, Miami Heat radio: Great voice, paints the picture, and has a knack for making the big calls at the finish of game.
Q: One of your signature calls occurs when a Hornets player makes a shot and you say “Bottom!” How did that call originate?
A: I actually use that call to honor one of my mentors in the business, the late Gene Overby, who was the radio play-by-play voice of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons for years. I worked with Gene as engineer and color analyst for two seasons before he was felled by cancer. I loved his call – and felt a need to perpetuate it.
Q: For Hornets fans who are curious about what it’s like to be around the team on a daily basis, can you describe how you spend your average week during the season? Give us some insight into what it’s like to be courtside for every game and attend Hornets practices.
A: There is no AVERAGE WEEK during an NBA season! Some weeks seem like they never end… and some weeks you never want to end. During the season each week is totally different and totally dependent upon the team’s practice and game schedule. I’ll give you a typical home gameday as an example.
My alarm rings around 6 a.m. to help my wife get the kids ready for school. Once their needs are taken care of, I like to get in a workout, which is usually about three miles on a treadmill and some light weights. About an hour later I attend the team shootaround, which is an abridged practice, focusing primarily on that night’s opponent. This typically lasts about an hour.
I like to utilize this time to refine my spotter sheets and my own game notes as well as finish compiling my LichtList (a compilation of notes and statistics about that game) to give to my producer and graphics coordinator for use on the air during the broadcast. I usually take about an hour for lunch after which I dress for the game and head back to the arena for our pregame production meeting (usually two hours prior to airtime). Some games I interview a player on tape for our Inside The Locker Room segment, about one hour prior to the broadcast. The broadcast usually takes about two and a half hours. On our postgame show I interview head coach Byron Scott and/or players.
It’s a busy day with plenty of obstacles tossed in from day to day. If the Hornets play on a Thursday it’s especially hectic because that is the day I write my weekly column, ‘In The Lane.’ If we’re on the road it’s likely I’m sleeping in later, minus the early school wake-up alarm.
As for broadcasting courtside, it’s the best seat in the house! The emotion of the players and coaches is much more evident. It’s easier to judge the physical nature of the game from the CST courtside seat.
Q: You’re a Syracuse University graduate, like scores of other sports broadcasters. On a scale of 1 to 10, how big of an injustice was the Orange’s being denied a spot in the NCAA basketball tournament?
A: 8! Syracuse won 22 games this season, handed Georgetown one of its six defeats on the season, won at Marquette for one of its nine losses, went 10-6 in the tough Big East Conference (which was better than No. 9 tourney seed Villanova), and had an RPI of 50. I understand the Orange only played a pair of non-conference road games… and only went 2-4 against ranked teams, but I believe their strong finish (including winning their first-round conference tournament game) was enough to push them in as a low seed.
Q: Some Syracuse fans and media have suggested that the Orange should skip the NIT tournament to protest their snub. Would you advocate doing that?
A: Probably not. Why feed the sharks? The selection committee obviously has its agenda (see Duke seeded No. 6 after a lackluster season). Perhaps this is the March for mid-majors to shine… or to prove that the committee can’t concoct its own field with a mathematical system too complicated to make any sense.
Q: Who are you picking to win the NCAA Tournament? How about some sleepers out there that people should consider when they fill out their bracket sheets?
A: Since I don’t have to worry about the Orange bowing out in the first round this season, it’s a much easier field to survey! I picked Florida to repeat. With the starting five returning and a late-season run, I think Noah and Horford will defeat Oden and Conley. Experience will be the key in the finale (88-80).
