Thoughts on Broadcast Camp/Pirates Stay Hot

This past week I attended a sports broadcasting camp at Waynesburg University run by former Pirates broadcaster Lanny Frattare. It was a fantastic experience and I learned a lot about just how hard being a good announcer is. There has to be a lot of time spent preparing, and so much research has to be done in order to give your audience the best information possible. For example, on Thursday, the last night of camp, all of us attending the camp were able to do play-by-play as well as color for the Washington Wild Things game. We were each split into groups of two and each got to announce 2 innings of the game. Announcing the game itself was easy, but the hardest part of the whole thing was doing the research. We had to find interesting information on every player from both teams, and that took some time. Broadcasting is so much harder than people think, and the guys that decide to do it for a living deserve a lot of credit. I cannot write about everything I learned (interview techniques, announcing timing and etiquette, journalism, promotional announcements)  because this post would take forever to read. I will say that anybody interested in a career in sports broadcasting, I highly recommend attending the Waynsesburg University Sports Broadcasting Camp.

It has been a while since I have written about the Pittsburgh Pirates, and they are playing as well right now as I have ever seen them play under Clint Hurdle. Gerrit Cole is the best pitcher in baseball right now, and Charlie Morton, AJ Burnett, Franscio Liriano and even Jeff Locke, who struggled through the first 2 months of the season, are  pitching at a very high level as well. Everything is clicking. The offense is hitting in key situations, with Jordy Mercer being the only real disappointment in the lineup. The Bucs bullpen is also on fire, with Tony Watson and Mark Melancon being arguably the best 8th and 9th inning combination in the game. The Pirates swept the Phillies in 3 games and the White Sox in 4, with every game featuring a stellar pitching performance. Although the Bucs had their 8 game winnig streak snapped in Washington last night, things are getting real interesting in the NL Central. The Pirates are behind St. Louis by 5 games, but the way the Bucs are playing, it might nit be too long before we have a really competitive division race on our hands. Pittsburgh is in line for a home Wildcard game at the moment, but a division title would be ideal. Buckle up fans, because this summer is going to be fun.

Warriors even up Series: Momentum has shifted

It's amazing how one game can completely shift the momentum of a series. Before game four had started, Cleveland was flying high. They were up two games to one, and a win in game four would almost surly wrap up the series. But Golden State had other ideas. Head Coach Steve Kerr made some very smart changes to the lineup. Andre Iguodala got the start for the first time in the playoffs, and 6-7 Draymond Green got the start at Center. The move proved to be genius, as Iguodala scored 22 points and did a great job defending a visibly tired Lebron James in Golden States 103-82 win. The Cavs looked very tired in game four, and to be honest, I think they are done. They have to play two of the next three games at Oracle Arena, where Golden State has lost a total of four games throughout the season. Steph Curry, when he was being depended on in the 4th Quarter, stepped up his game, and I think he will be ready. I expect Cleveland to make these games close, and I expect Lebron James to play better than he did in game four. However, he will not play the way he did in games 1-3, and he simply does not have enough support from his teammates to win two more games, as the Cavs are down to a total of 7 players, while Golden State has the deepest bench in the NBA.



My prediction: Warriors in 6.

NBA Finals: Thoughts as Cavs go up 2-1

Whoever wins Game 4 of the NBA Finals tonight will win the series. Period. After holding on for a 96-91 victory in game 3, the Cavs are suddenly in the drivers seat to bring home the championship. Lebron James scored 40 points, continuing his historic series so far, and just like in game 2, Matthew Dellavedova played fantastic defense that was a prime example of how the game should be played. Tristen Thompson also had 13 rebounds, continuing his fine defensive play that has been evident throughout the playoffs.

For the first time since the series started, I believe that Cleveland's chances of winning the title are very real. Tonight is do-or-die time for Steph Curry and the Warriors. Although Curry played a big role in leading Golden State back from a 20-Point deficit, he also had 6 turnovers, and that is what many people in the press have been talking about instead.  If the Warriors want to get back in the series, they will need better play from Curry's supporting cast, as Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes were a combined 2-16 from the field on Tuesday.

In my mind, tonight's game will decided everything. If Golden State wins, the series will be tied at 2, and the series would move back to Oakland, where the Warriors have only lost 4 times all year, and game 7 will also be played there if necessary. If Cleveland wins, they will be up 3-1, and all they would have to do is win 1 of the remaining 3 games in the series.

Buckle up, everybody. This series is going to be fun.

NBA Finals: Thoughts as the series moves to Cleveland

The first two games of the NBA Finals are in the books, and they have both been awesome. After a game 2 win in overtime, the Cavs have stolen Golden States' momentum, and its up to Steph Curry and the bunch to get that momentum back tonight

Game one was a classic, as the Warriors held off a 44 point effort from LeBron James to win by a score of 108-100 in overtime. Steph Curry led the charge with 26 points and 8 assists. The worst news for Cleveland came after the game was over, however, as they found out that star point guard Kyrie Irving would be out for the rest of the finals with a fractured kneecap.

The Cavs showed a lot of grit in game 2, however, when they again rode on the back of Lebron James(36 points, 16 rebounds, 11 assists) and pulled out a 95-93 victory in overtime. Matthew Dellavedova did a great job guarding Stephen Curry, as the league MVP had one of his worst shooting nights ever, going 5-23 from the field and 2-15 from 3-pt range.

So, has my opinion on the series changed since I wrote my preview last Thursday? No, it has not. I give Cleveland credit for showing a lot of guts and not giving up in game 2, but I do not think Steph Curry will be that bad for the whole series. I also do not think Lebron James will be that good for the whole series. In my opinion, Cleveland does not have enough firepower without Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love to beat Golden State three more times. It should be great to watch how this series unfolds.