On an occasion twelve years in the making, Brian Sieman finally made his debut as the LA Clippers’ official television play-by-play commentator.
After having called games since the 2007-08 season on the LA Clippers’ radio broadcast, Brian Sieman made his debut as the Clippers’ official television play-by-play commentator alongside fellow debutante (with a list of accolades too long to include here) Chauncey Billups. Replacing Hall of Fame commentator Ralph Lawler and a litany of color commentators that joined him in his 40 years on the job.
Sieman was rightfully humble in his acceptance of the role during his introduction in the pregame show noting that it will be a tall task to fill the shoes of Lawler, but that he does believe they’re cut from the same cloth. He’s enjoying a very positive outlook on this new opportunity, particularly with where the Clippers are as a franchise.
With that said, the changes to the Clippers broadcast team were obvious, as Billups opened up the pregame broadcast with Mike Hill. A role previously occupied by the likes of Corey Maggette, Doc MacLean, Bruce Bowen, or Mike Smith. However, you would absolutely be forgiven if you’d had no idea that it was Chauncey’s debut. Immediately displaying great chemistry with his colleagues, Billups’ comments were intelligent, pertinent, and measured, as though he were seasoned veteran the profession.
To be fair, Chauncey does have experience with ESPN working on some of their between-the-games programs and even on a few of their national broadcasts. The ability to slide into this undeniably more involved role with the Clippers so seamlessly is commendable never the less.
As for Brian and Chauncey as a duo, the two immediately displayed the type of rapport that you would expect from commentators that have worked together for years. Joking with one another and keeping it entertaining during some of the game’s slower points, while offering insightful commentary and critique when play became more lively. The effort that they put into studying the backstories and footnotes of each playing becoming apparent throughout. Suffice to say, it paid off.
Particularly noticeable throughout the broadcast was Brian Sieman’s expansive vocabulary. The way in which he would guide the viewer through every play with such nuance, being followed up by the thoughtful analysis of Billups, made for a broadcast that was so aurally satisfying, one might have forgotten they weren’t listening to the great Ralph Lawler.
Save for the fact that there was a noticeable lack of bingos and other Lawlerisms. In fact, the consensus around Clipper Nation being that they prefer Sieman to adopt the phrases made famous by Ralph. Is it really Clippers broadcast without a few bingos and a Lawler’s Law anyway? Time will tell whether this is something the nation can get past, but we certainly wouldn’t be mad if we heard them now and again.
As a whole, both Brian and Chauncey came across as consummate professionals that not only knew exactly what they were doing but excelled at it. Having such a combo to look forward to for at least this season, I think it’s fair to say that we as Clippers fans are spoiled. Moving from the greatness of Ralph Lawler to Brian Sieman and co., the fact that we’ll be experiencing a little-to-no dropoff in broadcast quality is absurd.
You won’t find any of us complaining, though. Rather, we’ll be looking forward to hearing some of the greatest moments in Clippers franchise accompanied by an equally great commentary.