Grant Napear

sacjwise

In this audio documentary, we take a look at the love for sports radio play-by-play and Gary Gerould's journey to becoming a legendary voice in basketball. Featuring interviews with G-Man, Chris Webber, Doug Christie, Marv Albert, Grant Napear and more.

Click here to subscribe to All Things Kings!

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Podcast: The Story of G-Man

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2017-18 Season Promo by Grant Napear

Kyle Ramos

NBC Sports California has announced that it will broadcast 82 total Kings games throughout the 2017-18 season.

These broadcasts will include 81 regular season games as well as one preseason game.
NBC Sports California coverage will include pre and post game broadcasts and the familiar crew of Grant Napear, Jerry Reynolds, Kayte Christensen, and Doug Christie will provide in-game coverage.

The first game to be aired on NBC Sports California for this season will be Sacramento’s preseason contest against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, October 9 followed by the regular season opener against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, October 18.

For more information on the full schedule for broadcasts and how you can watch, click here.

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NBC Sports California to Broadcast 82 Kings Games

sacasingh

With the opening of Golden 1 Center, this past year has been unforgettable season in Kings franchise history. But, where did it all begin?

On May 16th, the Sacramento Kings and Sacramento County Historical Society are hosting “The History of the Sacramento Kings” dinner and panel.

Come learn about the team’s move from Kansas City to Sacramento, the glory days of the early 2000s, and the unforgettable efforts to keep the Kings in the capital city. The panel discussing all these moments and more includes Gary Gerould, Jerry Reynolds, Doug Christie, Grant Napear, and former owner Gregg Lukenbill - all major figures from the past and present of Kings franchise history.

“I’m very proud of the fact that I’ve been able to be involved through all these years and have seen so many characters come and go,” said Gerould, reflecting on his time with the Kings. “I’m obviously very excited about what the future appears to hold for this organization.”

Regular: For $125, guests will witness the panel presentation featuring Kings Legends, and will be invited to take part in a gourmet dinner and tour of Golden 1 Center.

VIP: For $250, VIP attendees will take part in a gourmet dinner and tour of Golden 1 Center, view the panel presentation on the in-depth history, and will also partake in a VIP Reception.

VIP Table (10): For $3,000, VIP parties of 10 will received premium seating at the gourmet dinner, and will be treated to the full VIP experience throughout the evening.

To purchase tickets, visit kingshistory.brownpapertickets.com.

For information on Sponsorship Levels, please contact Greg Voelm or (916) 206-2062.

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Celebrate the History of the Kings

2016 Fairway to the Future Golf Tournament

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In honor of the team's final games at Sleep Train Arena, Kings.com catches up with team legends who will be in attendance for the last regular season game.

Grant Napear has been the man behind the microphone for as long as the Kings have been in Sacramento, providing exciting and iconic calls for the biggest moments in the team’s history.

As the Play-by-Play Announcer for Kings TV, Napear’s voice has become a mainstay for basketball in Sacramento. Kings fans everywhere have grown accustomed to hearing his signature calls like “oh boy!” and “If you don’t like that, you don’t like Kings basketball.”

We recently caught up with Grant to get his thoughts and memories regarding the past 28 seasons he’s spent at Sleep Train Arena.

On what was special about playing in the arena:

“The intimacy and the fact that the fans support this team whether they’re winning or losing [are special]. In Sacramento, we know what it’s like to be a Kings fan, but if you don’t live in Sacramento you probably don’t know how special it is to be a Kings fan. That’s the best way I can put it about these fans and this building. I’ve been blessed to live in other areas of the country and I’ve found that there’s nothing like Sacramento and nothing like Sacramento Kings fans.”

On an instance where the crowd changed the game:

“Over the years, there have been many many times where the fans have had a direct impact in winning the game. We’ve had some phenomenal comebacks here, but even the close games with five minutes left against really good teams, I’ve always felt that the fans have had a tremendous impact on how this team does.”

“When this team was winning 50-plus games every year, you could talk to every player and they would tell you how important the fans were during that run. I am convinced that the fans were responsible for a number of wins in those years.”

On his favorite memories in the building:

“Opening night in 1988 is definitely one of my favorite memories. It was my first ever telecast in this building and the second ever in my career.

I think though my favorite memory is the first playoff game ever in this building in 1996. It was Game 3 against [the] Seattle [SuperSonics] after the Kings had won Game 2 up there. I’ve never heard the building as loud as it was that night.”

Personally, one of the other great memories was when I played tennis in here with John McEnroe and Andre Agassi in a celebrity match in front of thousands of people. Outside of basketball, that would be my fondest memory.”

“I can’t wait for a variety of reasons. Number one is that we’ve been in this building for a glorious 28 years and I say glorious because even through the bad times, we’re still standing. It’s bittersweet because I’ve had my boys grow up in this building. I’ve laughed with these fans and I’ve cried with these fans, but there’s nothing like moving to a new building. I’ve been to every [NBA] arena in this country and I’ve seen what it can do and I know what [Golden 1 Center] is going to do for our community. So for that reason, I can’t wait.

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Kings Q&A: Grant Napear

Benedict Tagle

In the 16th episode of the Kings Talk Podcast, Kings TV Play-By-Play Announcer and Sports 1140 KHTK host Grant Napear joins fellow KHTK host Jason Ross to discuss his favorite memories from the past 28 seasons of Kings basketball.

Listen to the complete 16th episode below:

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Kings Talk Podcast Episode 16 - Grant Napear

Katie Cracchiolo

Each year AwfulAnnouncing.com ranks the NBA’s play-by-play and analyst teams. Though larger market teams like the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks top the list, Sacramento's very own announcer duo came in third.

Grant Napear and Jerry Reynolds are household names in the Sacramento community. Having spent most of their careers not only covering the Kings, but doing so together, thus making them a small-town dream team. “I think it’s pretty neat considering there was a poll done around the country,” Napear said of the results, “I think it’s awesome!.”

The majority of voters gave the pair an A grade, highlighting Napear as “one of the best play-by-play men in the game.” Though Joe Lucia of AwfulAnnouncing.com notes that his candid reactions to the game make for some great, though often unintentional, comedic relief.

While these moments bring us all back to reality when getting lost in the moment of the game, his talents simply would not be complete without the color commentary and one-liners by his running-mate Jerry Reynolds.

“I think we’re kind of like an old couple,” Reynolds said of Napear. “We’ve grown together over the years and I think we try to fill in [each other’s] gaps.”

“I think we’re kind of like an old couple,” Reynolds said of Napear. “We’ve grown together over the years and I think we try to fill in [each other’s] gaps.” He goes on to describe his partner as a New York guy who’s always on the go, versus his own personality he’s pegged as an country boy from Indiana. ���We take our time to get there.”

As a result of their personality contrasts, the pair make for some fantastic sports television. “It’s so easy working with him,” Napear said of his game night co-star. “He’s perfect for me because my job is so much easier when I work with somebody that is as good as he is at what he does.”

Lucia writes, “He and Reynolds create a distinct broadcast experience.” He’s right. The two have an undeniable chemistry when it comes to the fluidity in which they are able to execute their jobs, and that likely wouldn’t happen if at the end of the day, as is with most sports announcers, they didn’t love what they do.

“I love basketball,” said Reynolds. “When the ball goes up, I’m still a kid – and when you’re as old as I am, being a kid is a good thing.”