Voices from across the NBA -- and outside the league -- paid tribute to longtime TNT sideline reporter CRAIG SAGER, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 65. Warriors coach STEVE KERR, who previously worked as a TNT analyst, prior to Thursday night's game against the Knicks addressed the crowd at Oracle Arena with both teams at mid-court, saying, "Today is a very sad day in the NBA. We lost a dear friend and a big part of the league's soul in the passing of Craig Sager and I know I speak for a lot of people who worked with Craig and who knew him when I say that nobody had more zest for life and passion and joy the way he lived.” Kerr said, "We mourn his loss, but while we considered a moment of silence, we thought it would be more appropriate given the way Craig lived his life and the joy that he brought to so many people to have a moment of joy instead, so I would ask you to join me in an applause for a great man and a life well lived" ("Knicks-Warriors," TNT, 12/15). In N.Y., John Healy wrote Kerr "delivered a touching speech" while "wearing a multicolored tie designed in similar fashion as the suit Sager wore to the ESPYs this summer." Kerr "spoke about the kind of man Sager was, lauding his character, professionalism and cheerful approach to life" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 12/16). Kerr said, "You only saw him for about 15 minutes on the road because he had to move onto the next bar or restaurant to see the next group of people. He literally couldn’t sit still, and he knew so many people that he was constantly on the run. ... He had a spirit and an energy that very few people I’ve been around have ever possessed" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 12/16).
TRIBUTES FROM COLLEAGUES: Sager also was remembered prior to TNT's doubleheader last night, with the net's Casey Stern saying, “Our hearts are still absolutely breaking as we lost our buddy today. ... His fight was inspiring beyond words.” Stern: “Memories of Craig Sager, his work, his friendship and yes, those one of a kind suits, will fill our minds and bring a smile to our faces.” Following Stern’s opening remarks, a video tribute narrated by Ernie Johnson was aired. Johnson: “For many, he was the guy with the crazy outfits. But it wasn't so much for shock as perhaps a look into his soul. Bold and colorful, yet smooth and coordinated." After the video aired, Charles Barkley on the set of "Inside the NBA" said, “I felt like I lost a brother today.” Shaquille O’Neal added, “We lost a brother and a friend.” Stern said, “Being in this seat tonight, much as I'm honored to be here, doesn't feel even right for me. It's tough because I was writing down some of the words: Father, husband, mentor, example, benchmark, teacher, inspiration, hero. Craig Sager.” The broadcast then switched to the Bulls-Bucks call, with play-by-play host Brian Anderson saying, “We've had a lot of discussion about how to handle this game here tonight and I think one thing that we should do is celebrate the life and tell some stories and watch a little basketball (“Bulls-Bucks,” TNT, 12/15).
COACHES CALL: Spurs coach GREGG POPOVICH during a pregame presser last night said that Sager was a "'very unique and very special' person whose courage in fighting cancer set an example." Popovich: "What he has endured, the fight he put up, the courage he displayed during the situation is beyond my comprehension. If any of us can display half the courage he has to stay on this planet, to live every (day) as if it was his last, we would be well off. We will all miss him very much.” In San Antonio, Tom Orsborn notes Popovich "made it clear he would coach the game with a heavy heart" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 12/16). Trail Blazers coach TERRY STOTTS said Sager's legacy will "go well beyond just his suits and his colorful personality." Nuggets coach MIKE MALONE said, "The overwhelming support throughout his battle is a testament to his stature in the NBA community. Everybody felt for him" (Portland OREGONIAN, 12/16). Bucks coach JASON KIDD said Sager was a "part of the fabric of the game," as he "helped the coaches and he helped the players." Kidd: "He brought the players and coaches closer to the people watching the game" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 12/16).
RESPECT FROM ALL CORNERS: In N.Y., Richard Sandomir writes Sager's journalism "competed for attention with his psychedelic wardrobe." He "strode the sideline of NBA arenas in lilac, orange, banana yellow, black and lime green outfits -- some in medleys of colors arrayed in stripes, plaids, swirls and other patterns that resembled Rorschach tests." His ensembles "set him apart from other sideline reporters, who are usually bit players on sports broadcasts." But Sager, "with questions as well planned as his ensembles, became a favorite of players and coaches, not to mention the fans in the seats" (N.Y. TIMES, 12/16). SI.com's Richard Deitsch wrote under the header, "The NBA Will Never Forget Craig Sager." Over the last few years of a long life in sports television, Sager has "become the most beloved figure in the NBA" (SI.com, 12/15). On Long Island, Neil Best writes the fact that Sager shared much of his battle publicly was in "keeping with a personality as colorful and cheerful as his famously garish fashion choices, and turned him into a basketball folk hero of sorts in his last years" (NEWSDAY, 12/16).
FRIENDS WITH ALL: In Boston, Chad Finn writes, "No NBA figure in recent years was more beloved." The "most prominent personalities in the league" -- LEBRON JAMES, STEPHEN CURRY and Popovich among them -- "made sure he knew this as he bravely worked through the ravaging treatments for an aggressive form of leukemia" (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/16). THE RINGER's Chris Ryan wrote under the header, "Craig Sager Was NBA Family." Sager was the "game-show host inside the game," but his "touch was subtle." He was a "consummate everyday entertainer -- the BOB BARKER of the league -- and he brought an essential bit of extra showmanship to the most mundane part of an NBA broadcast: the sideline interview" (THERINGER.com, 12/15). ESPN.com's J.A. Adande wrote Sager was a "king who dressed like a court jester and mixed with royalty and commoners alike." He "could gather information and tell stories with the best of them" (ESPN.com, 12/15). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Ben Cohen writes Sager made himself an "essential part of the league itself." He "interviewed every important character in the day-to-day saga of the modern NBA and, in the process, became every bit as important as the people on the court" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 12/16).
THE JOB HE LOVED: CBS Sports Net's Adam Schein said Sager "became as indelible a fixture as the household names of the game, who in turn developed special relationships of their own and were never afraid to turn the tables." Schein: "Sager was an all-time great sports reporter and even better person" ("Time to Schein," CBSSN, 12/15). ESPN’s LZ Granderson: “Regardless of the profession you're in, how could you not love the joy he had for his job?” ESPN’s Michelle Beadle: “I love people who you just look at them and they're happy and that makes you happy. Not everybody that does this for a living has that, but he had it in spades" ("SportsNation," ESPN, 12/15). ESPN's Windhorst said of Sager as a sideline reporter, "He was fearless in doing that job. ... There was never a situation that he couldn't handle" ("The Jump," ESPN, 12/15). ESPN's Michael Wilbon said of Sager was "part of the show" ("PTI," ESPN, 12/15).
GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: In Dallas, Eddie Sefko writes Sager was the "best host you could ask for," as he had a "remarkable gift for making anybody feel comfortable" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 12/16). In DC, Tim Bontemps writes "within minutes of being around him, it quickly became clear Sager was as nice as his clothes were colorful." But the "truly impressive thing about watching Sager work was his ability -- and willingness -- to ask the tough question and the right question, and to put in the work to be as good at his craft as he was." The basketball world will "forever be a little less colorful because of the loss of Craig Sager" (WASHINGTON POST, 12/16). In N.Y., Frank Isola writes Sager was "always in on the joke," and "that's what you liked about him." He was the guy that "found the proper balance between taking his job seriously but never himself" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 12/16). Also in N.Y., Justin Terranova writes Sager "carried a reputation as a tireless worker and thoughtful craftsman" (N.Y. POST, 12/16).
MADE THE WORLD MORE COLORFUL: CSNBAYAREA.com's Ray Ratto wrote the fact that Sager "doesn’t need a descriptor tells you a lot of what you need to know about him and his impact." He "showed people that one can love a sport and those within it worth loving without losing one’s ability to see it clearly for what it was, and what it was not." Ratto: "This is his gift to basketball, and it is one the business would do well not to forget, ignore or trivialize now that he is no longer there to remind its devotees" (CSNBAYAREA.com, 12/16). ESPN's Rachel Nichols said, "He had the spirit of what we all love so much about sports. ... He absorbed everything he saw in this game for all of those years and he brought that to the conversations he would have with the new stars" ("The Jump," ESPN, 12/15). In S.F., Bruce Jenkins writes sideline announcers "tend to be dime-a-dozen types," but Sager "elevated the art in the NBA with his incisive interviews, backed by extensive knowledge of the league, and low-key sense of humor" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 12/16). The N.Y. Daily News’ Bob Raissman said Sager was a "guy who liked making people happy" ("Daily News Live," SNY, 12/15). ESPN's Tony Reali: "Craig, the world was literally and figuratively more joyful and colorful with you in it" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 12/15).
PLAYERS REACT: Kobe Bryant tweeted, "So grateful for the time you shared with all of us. RIP my friend." Basketball HOFer Dennis Rodman: "Craig Sager thanks for saving my life when I was in dire need of help in Detroit back in 1993." Rockets G James Harden: "Much love and respect to Craig Sager a true fighter and original...... SwaggChamp." Bucks G Jason Terry: "Craig Sager was a kind soul. Every time I played on @NBAonTNT he'd say "play well" so he could interview me after. first 3s 4 u tonite." Heat F Chris Bosh: "A true definition of a brave, charismatic, stylish, strong man. A true legend to the game of basketball."
MEDIA REFLECT: The MMQB's Peter King tweeted, "Craig Sager, we are all in your debt. You made sports more fun, and you were a brave face for a dread disease." Campus Insiders' Bonnie Bernstein: "You made sideline reporting an art. Colorful art with your ensembles. But more impactful art with your words and style." Longtime NBA writer Peter Vecsey: "A Legend in his own Overtime. Very grateful I got to tell him I pray I'm vaguely as brave when it's my turn not to see tomorrow." ESPN's Dick Vitale: "The definition of #COURAGEOUS should be CRAIG SAGER! His fight was so INSPIRATIONAL too many!"
BEYOND BASKETBALL: Several nightly news shows touched on Sager's passing. NBC’s Lester Holt said it was a "sad day in the world of sports as it says goodbye to a broadcasting legend" ("Nightly News," NBC, 12/15). ABC's David Muir said Sager was "beloved by so many" ("World News," ABC, 12/15). CBS' Scott Pelley said Sager was "known for pointed questions and loud suits" ("Evening News," CBS, 12/15). Several people from outside sports also tweeted thoughts on Sager. Actor Samuel L. Jackson tweeted, "You always brought joy, on the sideline & in life!!" Former NFLer Greg Jennings: "His grace, spirit, & passion for his craft, were always evident!" Colts P Pat McAfee: "Seeing Craig Sager on TV just made life better ... made me feel good.. Never met him.. but I was a gigantic fan." Baseball HOFer and TNT MLB analyst Frank Thomas: "Just a wonderful guy with a huge personality! I got to speak with him many times always made me laugh!"
