It's time to dump Warriors TV announcers, swap in dream duo - SFGATE That whole dance was an awkward misfire on the part of the Light Years Brain Trust, and even a few years later, leaves a not entirely un-sour taste in Dub Nations collective mouth. Preference cookies enable a website to remember information that changes the way the website behaves or looks, like your preferred language or the region that you are in. Barnetts replacement, Azubuike, is a likeable guy (and Ive always admired his biceps) and also a competent in-studio analyst, but the synergy isnt there. Barnett will return for his 35th season providing opinion and insights, but his medium will change. How old is Udoka? Hes still very much a presence, involved in the team and the community. Both Azubuike and Barnett will travel with the team for road games. 1 option. [30] According to KU coach Bill Self, Were all very excited about Udoka making the decision not to enter the [NBA] draft. This is a carousel. This site uses different types of cookies. Dr. A's weekly risers and fallers: Jeremy Sochan, Christian Wood make the list, NBA Power Rankings: Kevin Durant's return could rock the West. Since 2015, Kelenna has been a part of the station's sports team. He holds both Nigerian and US citizenship; his application for British citizenship was turned down in December 2007 due to problems with the immigration status of his parents at the time of his birth. I hope I can do this for many years to come.. Sorry fans of FDRs fireside chats, he just is. On July 7, the Warriors re-signed him. I remember him being traded to NY from GS and am pretty sure he was dealing with injuries..was he forced to retire? Roll out an unpredictable delightful chaos, not the bumbling paint-by-numbers sort Fitzgerald and Azubuike are currently ladling out. I enjoy breaking down what I see and just reacting on the spot, he said. He did not initially hire an agent, which would allow him to return before the combine. [29], On April 22, 2019, Azubuike announced he would return to Kansas for his senior season. I feel like if the Warriors can just stay above water while Klay is out hopefully, he gets back by the All-Star break they can get into the playoffs. Warriors majority owner and trophy-cuddler Joe Lacob bet on the wrong horse, or rather, didnt want anything to do with the right horse. And, no, Jim Barnett is not retiring. [35] Azubuike averaged 13.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game as a senior. Azubuike then played for the Fort Worth Flyers of the NBA Development League, leading the league in scoring during the 200607 season and eventually being called up to play for the Golden State Warriors. He shot nearly 50% from three-point range, something that Don Nelson really liked. "[31], Azubuike scored a career-high 29 points in a 9084 overtime win over Dayton on November 27, 2019. The season cant get here soon enough.. (He's) the kind of athlete that we're trying to find for our team.". Theres a way to salvage the broadcast team: Jim Barnett, whom Id wager most Golden State fans roughly my age consider something of a father figure, needs to return to the TV side of things. [2] Azubuike was a four-year starter averaging 16.9 points and 9.7 rebounds per game his senior year. After playing on the Golden State squad that upset Dallas in the first round of the 2007 playoffs, Azubuike averaged 13.9 points through the first nine games of the 2009-10 season under then . The good news is its not as though Barnett has renounced calling Warriors games and embraced the life of a curmudgeonly hermit. In his first year, Kelenna took home $251,000.Then in the following years, he earned $2.9 Million and $3.3 Million.In the 2010/11 season, Kelenna signed with New York Knicks for $3.3 Million. Barnett, 75, has been with the Warriors since 1984. Seemed to work out alright., Azubuike asked, Are you saying there was some nepotism there? to which Fitzgerald said, Im just saying, if youre gonna give the money, might as well give it to your kid., Rivers continued to defend himself in his comment, writing, Do u know how many guys in league made more than me while not doing half as much?! The Warriors named Kelenna Azubuike as their new television color analyst for NBC Sports Bay Area, replacing Jim Barnett, a longtime staple of the game broadcasts. What can the Knicks do for an encore after the thrilling h MLB's rule changes will only bring needless new degree of confusion, Yankees may get solution to to glut of infielders after NL teams' misfortune, The Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast, The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman, Amazin' But True: A NY Mets Baseball Podcast, Gangs All Here: A NY Jets Football Podcast, Kellyanne Conway and George Conway to divorce, Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave. Carol FitzgeraldBob Fitzgerald / Spouse (m. 19902016). Some cookies are placed by third party services that appear on our pages. On January 17, while the Warriors' roster was depleted by an eight-player trade in progress, Azubuike played 48 minutes versus the Los Angeles Clippers, scoring 28 points and collecting 7 rebounds. Pilfer Mark Jones from the Kings. The convention brought together many of the world's political and business leaders to focus attention and resources on Africa's economic and social development.[25]. His former partner, Fitzgerald, long a burr in the collective saddles of a vocal segment of Warriors fandom, is by contrast mostly a goofy propagandist. Hes done an outstanding job the last few seasons as a member of our pre, halftime and post-game shows, and his familiarity with our team, our players and our fans dating back to the We Believe days will serve him well in this new role. Azubuike Emanuel Egwuekwe (born 16 July 1989) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays for Rivers United as a centre back. During Mondays game against the Washington Wizards, Azubuike even went so far as to describe Steph Curry as a big-time player. I dont know, man. The surgery was performed in Indianapolis by foot and ankle specialist Dr. David Porter in consultation with Jazz team physician Dr. Travis Maak. His father, Fabian, was a police officer, and his mother, Florence, was a middle school teacher. I think its fantastic that I can continue working for the Warriors, Barnett said Friday. Azubuike (ankle) has been ruled out for Fridays game against the Clippers, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports. Barnett, 75, has on numerous occasions worked with Roye on radio, usually in postseason games on national TV. newsletter, future vice president of basketball operations. Azubuikes effectiveness as a pick-and-roll finisher may be as strong as any other Jazzmans. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Kroichick writes features on the Warriors during the NBA season, and various other topics - ranging from the 49ers/NFL and major-league baseball to college football and basketball - the rest of the year. Weird vibes. Golden State Warriors broadcasters Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike have been criticized for making fun of Denver Nuggets guard Facundo Campazzo The pair were calling the game on NBC. Once they do that, then anything can happen.. [1] Azubuike averaged 10.0 points and 3.7 rebounds in 97 career games at the University of Kentucky, shooting a 48.5% field goal average for his college career. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. While he was somehow able to keep pace with the other guards, he knew it was time to retire if he wanted the retain the ability to walk in future years. Why did Kelenna Azubuike retire? Dok All-Time NCAA Leader in Field-Goal Percentage; KU Athletics; 3 February 2020. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. [3] On January 28, 2016, he announced his choice to play college basketball at the University of Kansas.[11]. The Dallas Mavericks signed swingman Kelenna Azubuike to fill the roster spot vacated by Thursday's release of Sean Williams. Jan 22, 2021. Austin Rivers is not happy with comments that the Golden State Warriors' broadcasting team made on Tuesday night. Born in London to Nigerian parents, Azubuike moved to the United States as a child. Approx. Azubuike appeared to suffer a dislocated ankle in a G League contest on March 10, his third right ankle injury in the past 13 months. Cookie Notice [17] This high percentage was in part due to the majority of his field goals being slam dunks, which typically have a higher completion percentage than jump shots or layups. Its really an honor, and Im super humbled the Warriors believe in me, Azubuike said in a phone interview. Azubuike lost his father to an undiagnosed disease at the age of 10. [4]Azubuike was selected to play in the 2016 McDonald's All-American Boys Game,[5] Jordan Brand Classic,[6] and Nike Hoop Summit. Kelenna completely tore is patellar tendon. While his NBA career was cut short . Barnett will return for his 35th season providing opinion and insights, but his medium will change. Endure it, and think what could have been, had the Warriors not put the universally beloved Jim Barnett out to pasture. He finished the season averaging 13.4 points and 6.8 rebounds. [13] Azubuike never played in a game for the Knicks. Heres who has offered big bucks so far. Im grateful that the Warriors are giving me a contract to do this. Azubuike underwent successful surgery today to repair multiple ankle and foot ligaments in his right foot to stabilize the Subtalar joint. [4][7], After going undrafted, Azubuike was signed by the Golden State Warriors on 2 January 2007. He looked like a soccer player there." Warriors announcers Bob Fitzgerald (left) and Kelenna Azubuike Twitter Hes too noble for this kind of skullduggery. [10] In the final hour, Golden State matched the offer made by the Clippers on 24 July 2008, allowing Azubuike to remain a Warrior. Im looking forward to it.. Basketball Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. Azubuike relocated with his family to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1989 when his father was offered a fellowship at Saint Francis Hospital; his family became American citizens.
Kelenna Azubuike talks life after basketball - On3.com Stephen Curry has not only led a Warriors resurgence since entering the league, he has changed the game with his long-distance shooting.
Kelenna Azubuike looks like a completely different player than he did last summer. Unlike past years, Lucia did not include any analysis and/or fan commentary with the rankings, so we don't know exactly what kind of gripes fans had against the work of Fitzgerald and Azubuike.