Slick as they come (must read)

The oft-acerbic Mark Boyle shows his gentle side

And I can’t tell you that it hasn’t been difficult. A lot of the time Slick doesn’t listen to me during the broadcast, which results in dialogue that can only be described as bizarre. He has a tendency to blurt out things that boggle the mind and have no relevance to anything, he often mangles opponents names beyond recognition, and I sometimes wonder if people listening think that Slick has come to the conclusion that NBA officials are responsible for everything from global warming to the crime rate.

So, yes, it can be difficult, and even frustrating. But it’s also been a unique experience, one I wouldn’t have missed for anything, and it’s been the highlight of my career. I’ve learned a lot from him, and much of it has nothing to do with basketball. I’m not a particularly warm or friendly person – surprise! – but I think I’ve gotten a little better at connecting with people because of him. The man relates to folks in a way that continually amazes me. He has a knack for making total strangers feel like brothers, and anybody that comes into contact with him inevitably leaves feeling like they’ve made a new friend. He’s always upbeat, although he’s never hesitated to criticize players (even, on occasion, his favorites) when warranted, and I’ve always thought that was one of the reasons that our broadcast resonates with fans.