Time Warner Cable SportsNet has "expanded its on-air Lakers broadcast team" by adding former NBAers Byron Scott and Luke Walton, according to Eric Pincus of the L.A. TIMES. Scott and Walton "will join James Worthy and Robert Horry, giving the team a combined 15 NBA championships on set." Scott and Walton "will appear on '#LakeShow,' 'Access SportsNet' and the network's regular pre- and postgame shows." Scott will "make his debut Sunday, covering the Lakers' second preseason game," while Walton will "first appear Tuesday before the team's third." Both games are against the Nuggets (L.A. TIMES, 10/4). Meanwhile, the Lakers and ESPN Radio 710 L.A. have agreed to a seven-year extension of their radio deal through the '19-20 season. ESPN Radio 710 will carry all 82 regular-season Lakers games as well as all preseason and playoff games. The network has been the official radio home of the Lakers for the last four seasons. John Ireland will continue as play-by-play commentator with Mychal Thompson as color analyst (Lakers).
CELTICS TAKE A SHOT: In Boston, Chad Finn notes there is "no recent precedent for a prominent executive calling his team’s games" after news broke Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge will serve as color commentator for some Celtics road games on CSN New England this season. However, it is "not unprecedented in Celtics lore," as late Basketball HOFer Red Auerbach "provided color on WKBG’s broadcasts" from '67-71. Ainge was a "terrific analyst for TNT" from '01-03. Meanwhile, there is "frustration among the rank-and-file at CSNNE" that Celtics sideline reporter Greg Dickerson, who had been on team broadcasts since '02, will not return. Dickerson was "easygoing, respected, and had genuine institutional knowledge of the team." Dickerson, who has battled neurological health issues in recent years, "deserved better" (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/4).
