The Curt Gowdy Award is given to one reporter, from both the electronic and print media, annually and is considered one of the highest honors in Basketball media. Former winners include Bob Ryan, Marv Albert, Dick Enberg, Dick Vitale and Bob Costas, and while the past few winners have featured people you may not heard of, this year's two recipients are definitely a pair of NBA regulars. Doug Collins and Peter Vescey will be the honorees this September....

Doug Collins, the highly respected player and coach who is now the lead commentator for Turner Sports (TNT) and for NBC Sports’ coverage of basketball at the Olympic Games and Peter Vecsey, the longtime pro basketball writer for the New York Post have been selected to receive the 2009 Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame during Enshrinement festivities scheduled for September 10-11, 2009 in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The Gowdy Media Award is named in honor of the legendary sports broadcaster and former Basketball Hall of Fame President, the late Curt Gowdy. This prestigious award is presented annually to members of the print and electronic media whose longtime efforts have made a significant contribution to the game of basketball.

“The Gowdy Media Award is an honor that is very proudly presented by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in memory of the late Curt Gowdy, one of the legendary figures of sports media,” said John L. Doleva, Hall of Fame President & CEO. “Doug Collins and Peter Vecsey have dedicated much of their professional careers to report on the game of basketball while they entertain and educate millions of fans, readers and television viewers around the world. The Basketball Hall of Fame is very proud to recognize their extraordinary efforts.”

While I'm not really a fan of Collins' as an analyst, he has certainly done a lot for the game of Basketball. In fact both have. But over the years, Vecsey and Collins have both settled into a bit of a lazy reporting mode. Collins continually falls back on Michael Jordan stories, and Vecsey got about four or five reports wrong last year. This isn't to say they don't deserve the award, especially Vecsey who defined the role of NBA Insider, but rather that they definitely have been off their game the last few years. Hopefully the award(s) will inspire them to return to form.

Last year, Doug Collins was all set to coach the Chicago Bulls, when he suddenly decided to take his name out of consideration. Apparently this year he'll be doing the same thing to the 76ers. Doug Collins told the Associated Press yesterday that he had talked to the 6ers, and that there was mutual interest, but during the game he decided to complete contradict that statement....

TNT analyst Doug Collins apologized to Philadelphia 76ers president Ed Stefanski for mistakenly saying he spoke to the team about its open coaching job.

Collins had told The Associated Press on Tuesday night before Game 5 of the Rockets-Lakers series he had talked with the Sixers about their vacancy "like two or three times."

"Whatever they want to do, they know where I am if they want to call," he said.

Collins, a former NBA coach, then backtracked on his original comments during the game and denied speaking with Stefanski.

"I have not spoken to them. And I want them to understand that," Collins said on TV. "I feel very badly if there was a miscommunication there at all."

He added: "I apologize to Eddie Stefanski if they felt like I was putting something out there that was not true."

I can understand if used the term "mutual interest", but to say you've talked two or three times is not just a "miscommunication", it's a "misrepresentation". And a pretty egregious one at that.

Collins backs off talk on 76ers vacancy (AP)

This whole Doug Collins to coach the Bulls was weird from the start and now the TNT analyst isn't going to be leaving the booth to coach Chicago. Reports surfaced yesterday that John Paxson was waiting on word from Jerry Reinsdorf to approve a deal, but Reinsdorf was upset with Collins for breaking the news of his trade to the media. Today Collins decided he's waited long enough.....

Doug Collins is a heart-on-his-sleeve type of guy, so when he and his wife, Kathy, sat down for breakfast at their Scottsdale, Ariz., home Friday morning, the obvious didn't need to be said.

Collins wouldn't be returning for a second coaching stint with the Bulls.

A 15-minute phone call with Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf later Friday afternoon confirmed what the longtime friends already knew: Reinsdorf had too many reservations about entering into another business association with somebody he might have to fire.

"I just knew over the last few days that Jerry was really struggling over whether or not to do this, and I didn't want Jerry to have those struggles," Collins said in a telephone interview. "I love him. And I didn't want him feeling that kind of angst.

So I guess that's that. We're stuck with Doug Collins for another season at TNT, but he's surprisingly gotten more tolerable these days.

Change of heart: Doug Collins will not return to Bulls (Chicago Tribune)

ESPN is reporting it as gospel, but according to the man himself he hasn't agreed to anything as of yet. Via TNT's PR Department...

"I have spoken with Bulls management recently about their head coaching vacancy and will resume conversations after the conclusion of my work for TNT in the Western Conference Finals. There is no agreement in place."- Doug Collins

Around the same time last year similar news came through the pipes that Steve Kerr was leaving TNT to head into the Suns' Front Office. That was a sad day as one of the best broadcast teams of Albert and Kerr was going to be broken up. Ultimately Reggie Miller would fill the whole and I would weep some more.

Well today is a glorious day because it appears that next season we won't have to hear about Doug Collins' tales of coaching becuase....he will be coaching. The Bulls....

Doug Collins will become the next Bulls head coach, according to a source. The source said the deal is expected to be announced "sooner rather than later." Expect one of the other candidates general manager John Paxson interviewed to be one of Collins' assistants.

Recently, Collins said he didn't want to leave his broadcasting job with TNT. Since then, the Bulls landed the No. 1 draft pick.

"I know Doug's got the itch [to coach again]," a league source said. "I think the Bulls' youth intrigues Doug more than the Phoenix [Suns] situation. He's a teacher That's what he likes to do.

It's funny how a draft pick changes things isn't it? In all honesty Doug Collins has toned it down a little bit this year and is doing a stellar job in the Western Conference Finals. No stories about Jordan, no word of his play in the Olympics, and no talking over Marv. I'm still hoping he leaves though.

Doug Collins to become Bulls head coach (Chicago Sun-Times)

So we're almost to the point of the year when I don't seem to get any sleep. That's what happens when you have West Coast NBA Playoff games ending at 3 in the g'damn morning, but what are you going to do? TNT is the main cause of my insomnia as the try to completely overload us with Basketball by providing a slate of 40 games in 40 nights.

They also get the Western Conference Finals this year which should be fun as long as the Spurs aren't involved (we all know they will be though). Here are your pairings for the opening rounds....

Marv Albert and Reggie Miller
Kevin Harlan and Doug Collins
Dick Stockton and Mike Fratello
Matt Devlin and ____________

Studio Team: Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Magic Johnson
Sideline Reporters: Craig Sager, David Aldridge, Cheryl Miller, Pam Oliver, Marty Snider, Dei Lynam, Stacy Paetz and Stephanie Ready
Other Contributors: John Thompson

All of that looks very similar to last year, but there's one very interesting twist. Reggie Miller isn't calling the Western Conference Finals and will be relegated to the Studio Team as Doug "I Coached Michael Jordan" Collins gets the nod. I have no idea why he's getting benched, or why you wouldn't just put Collins and Albert together in the first place, but I guess it's a good thing he's not on the call.

Actually I take that back. I'd rather have Reggie than Doug "I played in the Olympics and interrupt my lead more than Jay Bilas" Collins (he's got many nicknames). Oh and look for actor Terrance Howard on the commercials this year as well. Anyone but David Blaine is good at this point.

Man, last year's All Star Game was fun wasn't it? I really don't think TNT can top last year's coverage, but it looks like they're going to give it a shot starting with the Rookie Challenge. Not only will you get the excitement of a 142-140 game and no defense you get a special team announcing the contest between NBA's Freshmen and Sophomores. TNT has chosen to bypass the standard announcing crew and just move their Studio Show to the court....

TNT’s coverage of NBA All-Star Weekend festivities tips off Friday, February 15 at 9 p.m. ET with the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam. Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley will be courtside to call the action with Craig Sager reporting from the sidelines.

Well that sounds fun. At least Chuck and Kenny can make fun of all of the missed alley-oops during the game. I'm putting the o/u at 74 Chuck.....you want some action? Other highlights....

At 7 p.m. ET (Saturday), TNT will present NBA’s Greatest Slam Dunk Contest: Airborne. Through first-person interviews of players and TNT announcers, ‘Airborne’ reflects on memorable NBA dunk contests and the host cities that served as backdrops to the dunks that made history. Beginning at 8 p.m. ET, TNT will televise exclusive live coverage of NBA All-Star Saturday Night presented by State Farm, which includes the Haier Shooting Stars competition, the Playstation Skills Challenge, the Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout, and the Sprite Slam Dunk. The evening will be capped off by the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2008 presented on TNT by Old Spice Pro Strength at 11 p.m. ET/10:30 p.m. PT.

TNT’s All-Star coverage takes center stage on Sunday, February 17 at 8 p.m. ET with the 2008 NBA All-Star Game. Play-by-play announcer Marv Albert and analysts Doug Collins and Reggie Miller will be courtside with Craig Sager reporting from the sidelines.

Greaaaaaat. Doug Collins AND Reggie Miller on the same broadcast! What a gift. Hopefully Collins can tell us how he coached Michael Jordan and Reggie can tell us how he played against him......for the millionth time from each.

(Source TNT PR)

UPDATE: Thanks to Anon for the following schedule.....
Shooting Stars Competition: Harlan, R. Miller, Fratello, and C. Miller
Skills Challenge: Harlan, Miller, Fratello, Miller
3 Pt Shootout: Harlan, Miller, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley with C. Miller reporting
Slam Dunk: Harlan, Smith, Barkley, Magic Johnson with C. Miller reporting

This is probably going to start another debate today, but I still think this is a better play than the Marshall 3. That's just me though. I guess there's a small difference in the fact that there was a one point lead tonight instead of two. Either way....I'm still taking the percentages in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Couple of other notes/questions:

1. If anyone heard why Ernie wasn't on the telecast please leave the reason in the comments.
2. How does Larry Hughes miss that shot?
3. Mike Brown is a terrible Coach. You CANNOT get a technical in that situation. I understand you're pissed, but save it until after the game.
4. Cavs fans....that was not a foul on Lebron. You just can't call that.
5. Cavs fans....the WAS an offensive foul by Rasheed on Varejao (and a shoving foul after Lebron missed the shot.)
6. That 'Sheed shot was ridiculous.
7. Do you think if Chauncey Billups was on the Cavs, and Lebron was on the Pistons...Cleveland would be up 2-0?
8. Doug Collins is quieter in a three-man booth. There might be something to this.

Video Evidence: Lebron is Scared (Awful Announcing)

I've been saving this post for a little while now, but things finally came to a head last night. With the playoffs being as great as they have been so far....TNT's announcing teams just haven't matched that same excellence. That's what announcers are for folks....they're supposed to call the action with the same intensity and fervor that the game is played at. Something just isn't there for TNT this year, and unless Marv Albert and Steve Kerr are on the call....it has been dreadful.

Whew....it feels good to get that off my chest. It's a harsh statement I know, but it's true. The only smart thing that TNT has done this whole Postseason was to switch Marv and Steve over to the Dallas/Warriors Series. The rest of the pairings have been terrible. (Side Note: We as fans should be able to vote on the teams we want to see. For example, throw Dick and Reggie on the Nets/Cavs game....no one will care.)

It almost pains me to say this because I've been in love with TNT Basketball for quite some time. It's true that TNT will end up lucking out in the long run because they have the East Coast Finals this year (when the East will finally get interesting), but the first round announcing was just plain Awful. Actually, I take that back....Kevin Harlan has been okay, but he never gets a chance to talk (more on that in a second). In fact he made me laugh out loud (the night before last) with this exchange....

"And with that basket we've got two minutes to go"- Harlan
"Twooooo Minutes Leffft to go"- Arena Announcer
"Shut up....I just said that."- Harlan

Read the rest after the jump.....

I get a kick out of those sorts of things, but of course Doug Collins has to ruin the moment by talking about the art of offensive rebounding for the rest of that two minute span. Douglas, you were a good player in your day (actually probably a little better than good), but the game isn't about you anymore. Honest to god I looked around my house for a stopwatch so I could keep track of Doug Collins' "Time of Possession" during the call of the action (don't worry...I bought a stopwatch, and this will be it's own post). People have just got to be pissed when the see they're teamed with him.

The thing about Doug is that he acts like he wants to be a PbP guy, but only has the chops to be an analyst. That team is a solid C- for this playoffs, and you can completely blame that on Collins.

As far as the D-League of Announcing Teams...Dick Stockton and Reggie Miller....what can I say? I don't think there's been a worse team ever assembled. It's not Dick's fault he's old, but when he says things like....

"And a 61 Point 1st Quarter for the Jazz!!!!!!!"

....you just have to shake your head. I know Stockton is a legend, and was excellent in the past, but at some point you just have to try out some new blood.

As far as Reggie goes, in the scale of analysts I don't think I could think of anyone that's worse, and you know what? Someone else very rad agrees with me....find out who it was and enjoy our dialogue in Part 2 coming later today.

I'm just very underwhelmed by TNT's coverage. Even the studio team hasn't been that great. Sure the Charles Barkley thing with Oakland was fun, but they haven't talked about the games themselves for most of the Postseason.

I guess that the point I'm trying to make it that I don't want TNT to turn into ESPN, but it looks like we might be heading in that direction.

(I know the suspense is killing you, so feel free to put your guesses on the guest in the comments....Hint- It's a blogger...not Bill Simmons or anyone like that.)

Editor's Note: I didn't get to watch a Matt Devlin/John Thompson game this playoffs because of the local Wizards feed, so I'm not going to comment on that team. I can only guess how bad they were.