After almost 60 years of play-by-ball of mostly basketball, Marv Albert will be hanging it up this week after the conclusion of Game 2 of the Bucks-Hawks series. In an attempt to summarize some of the highlights of his enduring career, Albert sat down with Shaun Powell of NBA.com.
While Albert will be remembered by most for his calls of NBA games, he was asked many times to swim in other waters. He called Monday Night Football games, New York Rangers contests, MLB, boxing, horse racing, seemingly everything under the sun. When asked what was the most impactful event he covered, he claimed it was the 1992 Olympic basketball team.
“The greatest kick I got was doing the Dream Team, not for the games because they were all blowouts. But just to be around it. They were like the Beatles, had tight security, couldn’t really go anywhere. This is when basketball internationally had landed and started the whole movement. The first time they walked out on the floor I got the chills. Greatest group of athletes in a team sport that I’d ever seen.”
Marv Albert was on the call for various Super Bowls and NBA Finals, with his patented leathery voice accompanying the visual memories streaming in sports fans’ minds. Powell asked Albert what game stands out for him among the countless he has called.
“Probably the Jordan flu game. We knew Jordan was ill but the fans didn’t know, even when he was being carried back to the bench by his teammates every timeout. What he did was amazing, and the game was tight and he put up big numbers. He looked like he was going to double over. Because of what he did in that game, that was the most memorable.”
Nothing gets sports talk shows through the summer quite like discussions about legacies, Mount Rushmores, and of course, who is “the GOAT?” The latter often circles around Space Jam legend Michael Jordan and Space Jam 2 star Lebron James. So much so, that when the question is posed, it goes without saying who options A and B are, accompanied by an unspoken “you better not have an Option C.” Albert provided some context into the debate.
“That’s so hard but I go old school and give a slight edge to Jordan. When he first started as a rookie he was a bit skinny but I think if he played today he’d have LeBron’s body. He’d have the same motivation in terms of offseason training. There are guys in the 60s and 70s who would be able to play today, too. Bob Cousy would be a star because you see smaller guards now doing things that Cousy did then. His body would’ve changed. He’d still be 6-1 but he’d have a better shot, a jump shot instead of a push shot. Rick Barry would be sensational. If Michael played today he would be off the charts.”
Marv Albert’s final call will be Friday at 8:30 on TNT.
