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The Golden State Warriors’ summer of change rolls on with the announcement that beloved color commentator Jim Barnett will be moving to the radio broadcast for the Dubs, while former player Kelenna Azubuike will replace him on television broadcasts.
@warriors thank you so much!!! Im humbled, I’m pumped and I can’t wait for the season to get here. @NBCSAuthentic thanks for everything! My time in studio with Greg Papa and Gary St. Jean has been so enjoyable!! #DubNation I’m super excited!!!! https://t.co/nHvOlZyoYP
— Kelenna Azubuike (@KelennA7) July 26, 2019
The Warriors announce Kelenna Azubuike will join TV broadcasts as a color analyst. Jim Barnett will move to the radio booth (via @MontePooleNBCS)https://t.co/EYt9SN6PnS pic.twitter.com/SWWMGH1ioM
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) July 26, 2019
“We think Kelenna is one of the bright, young stars in the broadcasting business,” Warriors President Rick Welts stated in the press release. “He’s done an outstanding job the last few seasons as a member of our pre, halftime and post-game shows on NBC Sports Bay Area, 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. His presence will add a new dimension to our TV broadcasts and we are thrilled with the addition.”
Welts also lauded Barnett for his work with the team. “Jim has been a fixture on our broadcast team for over three decades and has served as a comforting and trusted voice for our fans during several different eras of Warriors basketball,” said Welts. “From Sleepy Floyd’s incredible playoff performance in 1987 to our most recent stretch that has included three championships and five consecutive trips to the NBA Finals, his outstanding work has been an everyday staple on the airwaves.”
Wow, “JB” has been a fixture on television broadcasts since 1984 for the Dubs. It will be strange not hearing him through the TV, but at least we can still hear his great work on the radio alongside the brilliant Tim Roye.
As for Azubuike, this is a pretty awesome opportunity for the former “We Believe” player. He provides a fresh voice to pair with play-by-play man Bob Fitzgerald, and it will be interesting to watch how they develop their chemistry.
Things are changing out by the Bay...