When I heard the news that Kevin Calabro, long-time Seattle Supersonics play-by play announcer was hired to call Portland Trail Blazers games, I had mixed feelings. I grew up in Seattle watching the Sonics. My greatest memory is when the Sonics played the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals. It’s also the most memorable event of Calabro’s career. On one hand, I was happy for him. He is one of the best sports broadcasters in the business and should be getting more recognition. On the other hand, Calabro is an icon in Seattle and is synonymous with the Sonics. He deserves to be calling NBA games. When the Sonics were sold to new ownership, he did not move to Oklahoma partly because his “heart was in Seattle,” according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. Trust me when I say that Blazers fans will not be disappointed seeing Calabro in action. This move isn’t really a surprise when you consider all the Seattle sports figures that have made their way to the Blazers’ organization. Paul Allen, Nate McMillan, Brandon Roy, and now Calabro among others, all have Seattle-Portland NBA connections.
None of this would be possible if it weren’t for Allen, co-founder of Microsoft and billionaire owner of the Blazers and the Seattle Seahawks. Allen has owned the Blazers for 28 years. During his time as owner, the Blazers have been to the playoffs 21 times with two NBA Finals appearances. He’s a bit of a rock and roll guy who loves to play the guitar. Does anyone remember Allen strumming his guitar for an impromptu concert after the Seattle Seahawks won their first Super bowl? I sure do. He’s posted an overall winning record for both franchises since taking ownership.
Nate McMillan, one of the most respected players and coaches in Sonics history brought hope to the Blazers organization when he accepted the head coaching job in 2005. McMillan, considered an old school coach, fielded a top 10 efficient offense in three of his six seasons with the Blazers. He also helped turn around the Blazers’ “bad boy” image and provided structure. He was credited with developing LaMarcus Aldridge. His time in Portland may not have ended well, but he has bounced back nicely as the new head coach of the Indiana Pacers. It will be interesting to see if he is able to take the team to the next level.
Brandon Roy spent five seasons as shooting guard for the Blazers. Roy grew up in Seattle where he played for Garfield High school. He went on to play for the University of Washington Huskies under head coach Lorenzo Romar. Roy, who had an amazing career for UW, “led the Huskies to three NCAA tournaments, a No. 1 NCAA seed and consecutive Sweet 16 appearances,” according to Gregg Bell of gohuskies.com. In 2006, the Blazers acquired Roy as the sixth overall pick in a draft day trade. Roy won the 2006-07 Rookie of the Year Award. Unfortunately injuries derailed his promising NBA career. It is good to see that he was recently announced as the new boys’ basketball head coach of Nathan Hale High School in Seattle.
Kevin Calabro is the man behind the mic who made Sonics’ games come to life. Calabro spent 21 years covering the Sonics. He is a six-time winner of the Washington Sportscaster of the Year Award and a first-time winner of the Keith Jackson Western Sports Star of the Year Award, which honors members of the media who cover sports stories in Washington State. He is best known for his catch phrases, especially “Good Miss Molly,” which you would usually hear after a monster dunk. He’s not just an announcer. He’s a fan of the game and you can definitely hear it when he calls games. Portland, you are getting a good one!
I’m sure the connection will continue. Who knows, maybe Seattle will finally get an NBA team with players or coaches who have Portland roots? Although Sonics fans may not switch their allegiance and root for the Blazers, most fans certainly respect what the team has built and accomplished.
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