In Massachusetts, Jay King noted former NBAer Brian Scalabrine yesterday announced his return to Comcast SportsNet New England's Celtics broadcast team in a "wonderfully hilarious parody of LeBron James' 'Coming Home' letter." During his last stint as a commentator, Scalabrine "offered Xs and Os wisdom that was atypical of TV hoops discussion" (MASSLIVE.com, 8/4). In Boston, Chad Finn noted specifics about Scalabrine's full role with CSNNE "are vague, but he will serve as the color analyst on the majority of road broadcasts." Longtime color analyst Tommy Heinsohn "calls the home games." Scalabrine also will "contribute to various CSNNE programs, including Celtics studio shows" (BOSTONGLOBE.com, 8/4).
THE RINGER: In Edmonton, Warren Tasker noted boxing is HBO announcer Jim Lampley's "baby, where he shines the most, displaying an unbridled passion for the sports, an unbreakable objectivity and an unmatched intellect." Lampley "speaks to fans as if they were his equal, partners in the wild and unpredictable journey that is boxing." His "large, healthy ego never gets in the way; he remains objective, the focus of his words always on the sport, not him, and that is the key, the divider." Lampley is a "masterful enunciator, arguably the best in the business." Words "flow from him like a waterfall; his grasp of vocabulary is deep and challenging." Viewers who "appreciate his skills listen to his opinions and learn" (EDMONTONJOURNAL.com, 8/4).
SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST: Peter Burns will join SEC Network's on-air talent as a regular host of the "SEC Now" studio show. Burns previously hosted "The Press Box" on Denver-based KCKK-AM (ESPN). Burns said, "I'll miss the Denver scene, but ESPN has provided me with an opportunity -- national exposure -- which I couldn't turn down" (DENVER POST, 8/5).
NOTES: ESPN's Nicole Briscoe has signed a new contract with the net and will become an anchor on "SportsCenter" at the conclusion of the NASCAR season. Briscoe has hosted "NASCAR Countdown" since '11. She has been with ESPN since '08 (THE DAILY)....Carter Blackburn yesterday announced his return to CBS Sports, where he will call college football and basketball games on CBS Sports Network. Blackburn last worked at ESPN (THE DAILY).
