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Utah Jazz new radio play-by-play announcer is David Locke

Randy Rigby, Utah Jazz team president announced today that David Locke has been selected as the radio play-by-play announcer for Jazz broadcasts on 1320 KFAN beginning with the 2009-10 season. Locke becomes only the second radio voice in franchise history, following “Hot” Rod Hundley who retired after 35 seasons with the Jazz.

“When I was a young kid I would leave Jazz games at the Salt Palace with my dad and when we would listen to Hot Rod on the way home, I would tell him ‘I want to be a broadcaster,’” said Locke. “To be offered that opportunity from the franchise whose posters hung on my wall as a kid is an amazing thrill. I am excited to go on the journey through the season with Jazz fans. Combining both the radio show and the play-by-play should bring fans closer to the team than ever before and give them a new glimpse inside the season.”

Locke brings more than 15 years of broadcast experience to the Jazz. His NBA play-by-play résumé includes one season as the radio voice of the Seattle SuperSonics (2006-2007). In addition Locke spent seven seasons as the play-by-play announcer for the WNBA’s Seattle Storm (2000-2006), one season as the television play-by-play voice for University of Washington football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball (2002-2003) and one season as the TV/radio announcer of the WNBA’s Utah Starzz. Locke also filled in for “Hot” Rod Hundley, calling the Jazz game at Toronto on March 8, 2009.

“We are very excited to have David on board as the radio voice of the Utah Jazz,” said Rigby. “Following a legend like ‘Hot’ Rod Hundley is not an easy task but we are confident we found the best equipped person for the job. David is a dedicated professional who is very passionate about Jazz basketball and we believe Jazz fans will embrace his broadcast style.”

The Palo Alto, Calif. native currently hosts the top-rated sports radio show “Locked On Sports,” which will continue as scheduled from 3-6 p.m. (MT) each weekday. For the past two seasons Locke has also served as host of the Jazz’s pregame, halftime and postgame radio shows on 1320 KFAN.

“David brings a unique perspective to our fans,” said Jazz Senior Vice President of Broadcasting Chris Baum. “Much like he has with his radio show, Locke will continue to implement social media into his broadcasts, making information on the Jazz available 365 days a year.”

Locke originally began his radio career in Los Angeles in 1992 at KIEV before moving to Salt Lake where he hosted the morning show at The Score. Locke then left for KISN as the station’s mid-day radio host where he also was a pre and postgame reporter for Jazz games. In 1995 he was hired to develop 1320 KFAN, serving as program director and afternoon drive host while also hosting the Jazz’s pregame, halftime and postgame shows. With Locke at the helm, 1320 KFAN was the highest rated sports station in the Salt Lake City demographic of men 25-54. Locke’s show reached its peak in the spring of 1998, ranking first in both FM and AM radio with adults 25-54 in the country. In 1998 Locke moved to the Northwest, spending eight years as the host of “Sonics Talk,” the Sonics’ radio pregame, halftime and postgame shows on Sports Radio 950 KJR AM. Locke also wrote a weekly column for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper.

Thunder are talking playoffs

The Oklahoma City Thunder are a team built around kids. Talented kids like Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Russell Westbrook and, if he rises to the challenge, James Harden. But they’re still kids and need a parent to accompany them to PG-13 movies.

But, they think making the playoffs is more than possible.

The Oklahoman (Darnell Mayberry) reports: Talking about playoffs following a 23-win season might be premature for the Thunder. But that’s exactly what star forward Kevin Durant has been doing this summer, saying the postseason needs to be Oklahoma City’s goal in 2009-10. “Anything less than the playoffs is a failure for us,” Durant said on June 30 while in town for his youth basketball camp… Oklahoma City added more talent this summer in No. 3 overall pick James Harden. Draft picks Serge Ibaka and Byron Mullens also could prove to be everything Mo Sene and Robert Swift weren’t… Nineteen of the Thunder’s losses came by four points or less, the third-most defeats in the league by that margin, trailing only Indiana and San Antonio.

Oklahoma City Thunder waive Earl Watson

The Oklahoma City Thunder waived guard Earl Watson it was announced today by Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

The 8-year NBA veteran appeared in 68 games (18 starts) with Oklahoma City this past season and averaged 6.6 points, 5.8 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 26.1 minutes per contest.

Watson, a 6-1 guard out of UCLA, holds career averages of 7.3 points, 4.6 assists, 2.2 rebounds in 597 career games (156 starts) with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Denver Nuggets, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Seattle Supersonics.

NBA team, D-League team affiliations announced

The National Basketball Association and the NBA Development League, the official minor league of the NBA, today announced the affiliation system for the 2009-10 season, including the announcement of a direct single-affiliation partnership between the Houston Rockets and Rio Grande Valley Vipers. For the fifth consecutive year, each NBA team has one NBA D-League affiliate to which it may assign players in their first or second NBA season.

The Rockets became the first NBA team to enter into a direct single-affiliation partnership with an NBA D-League team, granting the Rockets full control over the basketball operations of the Vipers. With the move, the Rockets will be the only parent-club of the team.

In a structure similar to other minor leagues, this new partnership model, previously referred to as the “hybrid affiliation,” allows for NBA teams to secure control over and cover the expenses related to the basketball operations of an NBA D-League team, while partnering with existing local ownership, who maintain responsibility for the off-the-court business operations of the team.

The list of affiliations is on our NBA D-League page.

Thunder trade Rodrigue Beaubois, future 2nd rounder to Mavericks for BJ Mullens

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have acquired guard Rodrigue Beaubois and a future second round pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for the Mavericks’ 24th overall selection B.J. Mullens. Beaubois (6-2, 182) was selected with the 25th overall pick.

The Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe native appeared in 29 French Pro A games in 2008-09 and averaged 10.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals in 22.3 minutes per game. Beaubois showed marked improvement from his 2007-08 campaign when he averaged 5.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 15.1 minutes per contest.

The 21-year-old (2/24/88) point guard has participated as a member of France’s junior national team and was discovered at a basketball camp by current Orlando Magic guard Mickael Pietrus.

“We could not be happier with the addition of Rodrigue,” President of Basketball Operations Donnie Nelson said. “His dynamic athleticism will add versatility and energy to our backcourt. He was one of the highest-rated athletes this draft.”

2011 NBA All-Star weekend in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, a city with a reputation for producing highly successful sequels, and STAPLES Center, considered one of the world’s best arenas for sports and entertainment, have been selected to host NBA All-Star 2011, marking the fifth time The City of Angels and the second time STAPLES Center will be the site of the annual celebration, NBA Commissioner David Stern announced at a press conference today in Los Angeles. AEG President and CEO Timothy J. Leiweke and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa joined Stern at the announcement.

The 60th NBA All-Star Game will be played on Sunday, February 20 at STAPLES Center which will also host the Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam and NBA All-Star Saturday Night. NBA All-Star Jam Session, the hugely successful interactive basketball celebration, will return to the Los Angeles Convention Center. Additionally, the NBA has the ability to activate the great hospitality and event spaces across the street from STAPLES Center within L.A. LIVE including the new Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott hotels. Los Angeles becomes the first city to host five NBA All-Star Games.

“Its state-of-the-art facilities, passionate fans, and first-class hospitality and entertainment options make Los Angeles an ideal host for NBA All-Star,” said Commissioner Stern. “We thank the city and STAPLES Center for welcoming us once again.”

The 2010-11 season will mark the 27th year that Turner Sports will provide NBA All-Star coverage, and the ninth consecutive year the All-Star Game will be televised in primetime on TNT. The All-Star Game will be seen by a worldwide television audience in more than 200 countries and will be broadcast in more than 40 languages.

“L.A. LIVE was truly designed to be a home for great events like the NBA All-Star game,” said Leiweke, President & CEO AEG, owners of STAPLES Center and L.A. LIVE. “We are fortunate that this will be the second All-Star weekend STAPLES Center will host in the last ten years and our ability to incorporate one of the best weekends in all of sports into our 100-acre campus is exactly what L.A. LIVE was created for. We are privileged to be partners with the NBA and welcome them back to Los Angeles and L.A. LIVE.”

“There is no better place to host the action and drama of the NBA All-Star Game than the stage of so many award winning performances,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “On behalf of the City of Los Angeles, we look forward to welcoming NBA fans and players from across the country and around the globe to the entertainment capital of the world.”

STAPLES Center last played host to NBA All-Star in 2004, when the Los Angeles Lakers’ Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant combined for 44 points as the West edged the East 136-132. O’Neal earned MVP honors with 24 points and 11 rebounds. L.A. also hosted the All-Star Game in 1963, 1972 and 1983. The Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena hosted All-Star in 1963, while the Forum hosted the other ’72 and ’83 games. The 1972 classic saw the Lakers’ Jerry West thrill the hometown fans with a last-second jumper that gave the West a 112-110 victory and netted him MVP honors.

NBA All-Star competitions will get underway on Friday, Feb. 18, as the league’s top rookies and second-year players square off in the Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam. The following day’s festivities will feature an

all-inclusive skills showcase known as NBA All-Star Saturday Night, which is comprised of Haier Shooting Stars, a competition featuring NBA and WNBA players and NBA Legends; PlayStation® Skills Challenge, a contest of

top guards working against the clock to complete a series of passes, free throws, lay-ups and agility drills; the Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout, a long-standing staple of the evening; and the ever-entertaining Sprite Slam Dunk Contest.

During NBA All-Star 2011, the NBA will continue to celebrate its tradition and commitment to social responsibility with a schedule of NBA Cares events. NBA Cares will partner with schools, government, and local non-profit organizations in Los Angeles and surrounding areas to highlight the league’s grassroots and community initiatives that reach millions of young people and their parents while providing critical resources to community-based programs.

One of the event’s most popular attractions is NBA All-Star Jam Session, which will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center. At Jam Session, fans can have the once-in-a-lifetime experience of participating in the NBA All-Star excitement, with the chance to meet and collect free autographs from NBA Players and Legends. Jam Session is nonstop basketball action, as fans can shoot, slam, dribble, and drive all day; compete against their friends in skills challenges; or get basketball tips from NBA Players and Legends. Young fans can hang out at Kids Zone – with hoops and interactive activities that are the perfect size for kids’ slam dunks, three-pointers, and jump shots. For fans who want NBA entertainment, Jam Session features the NBA’s favorite players, celebrities, mascots, and dance teams as they hit Center Court in a variety of basketball competitions, including the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and the NBA All-Star Practice.

NBA luxury tax to continue

The Deseret News (Tim Buckley) reports: If the Jazz choose to wade into NBA luxury-tax territory — something they’ve said they’re willing to do if need be next season — they won’t be getting a bailout. League Commissioner David Stern told reporters covering the NBA Finals in Los Angeles this week that there are no plans to temporarily shelve the tax, even in light of the country’s current economic plight. “No,” Stern said when asked at his annual Finals news conference, “there’s no contemplation of eliminating or reducing luxury tax.” The tax — part of the current collective-bargaining agreement between the NBA and its players union — is levied upon teams that exceed the league’s maximum team-payroll threshold, which has not yet been determined for next season. It amounts to a fine of $1 for every dollar over the threshold, plus a ban from sharing with under-the-threshold teams in distribution of the taxes that are collected.

Comcast, NBA Digital enter NBA TV-related deal

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK), the nation’s leading provider of entertainment, information, and communications products and services, has entered into a long-term agreement with NBA Digital to expand its distribution of NBA TV, providing live games, original programming, and exciting video on demand (VOD) and broadband content to millions of customers.

Comcast will make NBA TV, the league’s 24-hour digital television network that offers more than 100 live NBA games, available to millions of Comcast’s Digital Classic customers before the 2009-10 NBA regular season. Additionally, these customers will have access to a wide array of NBA content On Demand, including Top 10 Plays of the Night, nightly game recaps, basketball news of the day, and NBA Entertainment-produced specials. Comcast will also offer NBA content on its online properties, including Comcast.net.

“We appreciate the commitment of our longtime and valued partner Comcast to expand NBA TV’s distribution and provide more of its customers with the network’s wall-to-wall NBA coverage and innovative programming,” said NBA Deputy Commissioner and COO Adam Silver. “Through this agreement, millions of additional fans will be able to experience NBA TV’s more than 100 live NBA games, its signature studio shows and Emmy award-winning on-air talent.”

“We are excited to bring more NBA action live, on demand, and online to our Digital Classic customers,” said Matt Bond, Executive Vice President of Content Acquisition at Comcast Cable. “Whether a fan of the hometown team or one of the NBA’s incredible players, our customers will have access to all of the great NBA moments in time for next season.”

Comcast will continue to offer NBA LEAGUE PASS, the league’s subscription package that provides subscribers with up to 40 out-of-market, live NBA games each week. As part of the package, subscribers will have access to NBA games online at no additional cost through NBA LEAGUE PASS BROADBAND.

“This is a perfect marriage of two multiplatform strategies,” said NBA Digital Senior Vice President and General Manager Bryan Perez. “Through this expanded agreement, NBA Digital and Comcast will deliver millions of fans the finest in NBA content via broadcast, VOD, and broadband distribution.”

Blake Griffin to work out for Clippers Saturday

College star forward Blake Griffin will work out for the Los Angeles Clippers Saturday afternoon.

Griffin is widely considered the best player in the upcoming 2009 NBA draft, and the Clippers have the #1 selection in the first round.

They are expected to select Griffin, but it’s still standard for the player to work out for the team, meet his future employers, let the two sides get to know each other a little better, talk about their favorite colors, etc.

And, seeing Griffin on the basketball court having him do whatever they tell him to will help the Clippers get an even better read about what he’s good at, which helps make roster decisions. Par for the course.

There are some rumblings that the Clippers are open to trading the first pick, but nothing serious. And frankly, every team in the draft is always “open” to trading any player or pick, if the price is right.

OKC Thunder getting new scoreboard

Thunder Basketball fans in every seat will enjoy a significant upgrade to their game viewing experience with the addition of a brand new, high quality digital video scoreboard. Designs of the new Ford Center scoreboard were released today. It is scheduled to be in place before the start of the 2009-10 Thunder season. The new scoreboard is among the many improvements planned for the Ford Center over the next two years.

The scoreboard, manufactured by Daktronics, features a total of ten full-motion video panels as compared to the current four panel scoreboard configuration. This will provide fans with a significantly enhanced video and graphics presentation. The new 10mm video panels are almost three times the size of the main screens on the current 12mm scoreboard. The board also includes an LED ring to display video and text.

“Our goal is to take as many steps as possible to improve the game experience for our fans. The addition of this high quality scoreboard is just one of the many amenities we are improving to accomplish that goal,” said Brian Byrnes, the Thunder’s senior vice president for ticket sales and services. “The high quality video panels will provide higher resolution which means sharper, clearer images and enhanced viewing for every seat in the house.”

The bottom of the scoreboard will also feature two unique tilted 6mm video panels to provide a high quality, easy-to-view presentation for fans sitting courtside and in other lower seating areas. “This is a feature we requested and it was designed specifically for the Thunder. We feel it will greatly improve the viewing experience for our fans sitting close to the floor,” Byrnes said. Besides live and replayed game action, all ten video panels will be able to display video features, in-game activities, sponsor elements and, of course, the game score.

The 46,000 pound scoreboard will be 35 feet wide and 31 feet tall and will cost $3.9 million. The Thunder worked closely with the City of Oklahoma City to develop the design features.

Funding for the scoreboard and other renovations to the Ford Center comes from a one-cent sales tax approved by voters on March 4, 2008. The 15-month tax took effect on January 1, 2009 and will expire March 31, 2010.