Bye-bye Cooz...Heinsohn next?? (broadcast)

[BrickJames]

Why not try and get Maxwell to leave his radio gig to do some color along Mike? Maxwell seems like the best option id Tommy ever decides he does not want to do it anymore.

I like that idea.  Him or Grande

God please no

[Thruthelookingglass]

I think Scal would be a great analyst. He is knowledgeable, funny, instead of playing him in games he should be commentating them...

Truly a win-win. 

[Reggie's Ghost]

Cousy had planned to return this season as the Celtics defend their 17th NBA championship, but he was not retained for the first full Celtics season under new CSN executive vice president and general manager Bill Bridgen.


Steve Reagan, CSN vice president of programming and operations, informed Cousy on Sept. 18 of the network’s decision to drop him.

One thing that upsets me is that Cooz isn't done with broadcasting, CSN is done with Cooz!  I am outraged, and this decision gives me pause about the direction of CSN.  Perhaps not everyone here agrees with this, but I love when Cooz was commentating, I thought that he was insightful and brilliant, and you can't just replace the guy who invented the behind-the-back pass with Donnie Marshall!

The voices of a critically important time in the evolution of this sport are fading away fellas, and being replaced on the local circut with Ken dolls who are vying for ESPN gigs.  This is a very very sad day for me...

[Schupac]

same WL, i like him fine outside of the games. but at the games he's just soooo bland. its like every national announcer. generic comment about how great every player is after every play.

LOL TP for you Crownsy.


It's sad to see a guy like Cousy go, and to know Tommy will phase himself out over the next few years most likely, but it is inevitable.  I wouldn't ask guys in their 80s and later to stress themselves out this much.  It sounds like Cousy felt disrespected by the method of the decision, but has no problem with the decision.

It's a misinformed and poor decision on CSN's part, of course.  It sounds like their new president doesn't understand Boston sports, and how much the fans revere legendary players.  We aren't the Miami Heat here, looking for the newest hottest thing.  There is dignity to the city's sports, particularly the Celtics.  I hope this doesn't begin a new downturn in CSN's coverage.


Oh, and Donny Marshall is boring.  Please, please no Donny Marshall.

[Redz]

Cousy had planned to return this season as the Celtics defend their 17th NBA championship, but he was not retained for the first full Celtics season under new CSN executive vice president and general manager Bill Bridgen.


Steve Reagan, CSN vice president of programming and operations, informed Cousy on Sept. 18 of the network’s decision to drop him.

One thing that upsets me is that Cooz isn't done with broadcasting, CSN is done with Cooz!  I am outraged, and this decision gives me pause about the direction of CSN.  Perhaps not everyone here agrees with this, but I love when Cooz was commentating, I thought that he was insightful and brilliant, and just you can't replace the guy who invented the behind-the-back pass with Donnie Marshall!

The voices of a critically important time in the evolution of this sport are fading away fellas, and being replaced on the local circut with Ken dolls who are vying for ESPN gigs.  This is a very very sad day for me...

Just have a look at this years show Opener on CSN and you'll see all you need to know about the direction they're going.  The graphics are way over the top, complete with exploding graphics and theme music cut straight out of the national broadcast mold.  The broadcast has lost a lot of its charm is now just another extension of the titillating NBA "experience".     

[Prof. Clutch]

This is all sad news.  Less Tommy...and from my take on the article, Cousy was planning on returning and was not tendered an offer from CSN to do that.  Am I crazy or did anyone else read it that way as well?  That seems like a risky decision especially considering he's a fan favorite (if not for what his announcing still brings to the table, than for his legendary status within the organization.)

All of this makes me think about how much I really like Grande and Max.  We're so lucky to have great tandems on the radio and television.  I wish I could tune into Grande and Max more often but their radiocast is not coordinated to the television set, and unlike baseball, I really can't be stimulated the same way without seeing the game.  It's just too wierd to be watching action in the game happen and then hearing about it two seconds later.  Perhaps Tommy and Couz no longer being around (at least for away games) provides me with the perfect transition into a "home games with Mike and Tommy," and "away games with Grande and Max" type of schedule.

It's always hard to cut ties (especially when its not your choice) with a comfortable routine.  It will certainly be a different experience next year without Tommy there every game and occasional visits from Couz.  Donny is fine...but thats precisely the problem, he is only that.  He doesn't really add or take away from the game for me.  They need someone with a character and personality as huge as Tommy's to fill that seat next to Gorman...but I have no idea who exactly that is.

[Chris]

I have to say, when I saw the title of this thread, my first reaction was "Cousy died???", so I was actually relieved by the news that he just wouldn't be calling the games. 

To be honest, I don't think it is a terrible thing that they are fazing out Heinsohn and Cousy.  As much as I will miss them, they are going to have to move on at some point, and I prefer that they at least ease Marshall in, so he can continue to build chemistry with Gorman. 

[davemonsterband]

I have to say, when I saw the title of this thread, my first reaction was "Cousy died???", so I was actually relieved by the news that he just wouldn't be calling the games. 

Me too, Cooz needs some love, I'm going to start looking for info right now

[crownsy]

Cousy had planned to return this season as the Celtics defend their 17th NBA championship, but he was not retained for the first full Celtics season under new CSN executive vice president and general manager Bill Bridgen.


Steve Reagan, CSN vice president of programming and operations, informed Cousy on Sept. 18 of the network’s decision to drop him.

One thing that upsets me is that Cooz isn't done with broadcasting, CSN is done with Cooz!  I am outraged, and this decision gives me pause about the direction of CSN.  Perhaps not everyone here agrees with this, but I love when Cooz was commentating, I thought that he was insightful and brilliant, and just you can't replace the guy who invented the behind-the-back pass with Donnie Marshall!

The voices of a critically important time in the evolution of this sport are fading away fellas, and being replaced on the local circut with Ken dolls who are vying for ESPN gigs.  This is a very very sad day for me...

Just have a look at this years show Opener on CSN and you'll see all you need to know about the direction they're going.  The graphics are way over the top, complete with exploding graphics and theme music cut straight out of the national broadcast mold.  The broadcast has lost a lot of its charm is now just another extension of the titillating NBA "experience".     

TP redz, so far the new direction is baadddd.

When games are on national broadcasts and local at the same time, i go with local precisely to avoid bland "you know, x is great at what he just did. i know he's the 14th player on the bench, but hes just sooooo dreamy" that marshall provides, and to duck out on the "OH SNAP! THINGS BLOWING UP AND LOOK! ROBOTS PLAYING FOOTBALL!!!!! EXXXTRRREEEEEMMMM" presentation thats become the norm.

not happy with the new CSN product so far, seems to show a disconnect with thier fan base.

[Redz]

I added (broadcast) to the title so there would be no more hearts sinking over any potentially misconstrued "Cooze is dead and Tommy is on life support" news.

[Kuberski33]

If Red were still alive, this would never have happened.  And frankly I'm shocked that Wyc & Co would allow this.

Part of what the C's sell is their proud tradition -- and Cousy and Heinsohn are the main links to that tradition as both live in the area.  Cousy especially because he was here before Russell even.

To put Cooz out to pasture like that is both cold and in my opinion a horrible marketing decision.  No, the past isn't the focus -- but it is part of what the Celtics are all about -- part of what Wyc & Co bought a few years back when they paid a ton of money for a ballclub without it's own arena.

Besides, the guy only did a handful of games a year -- and from that standpoint was a welcome periodic addition to the team.  Plus his candor was legendary.

It's amazing than when you see a Gil Santos or Gino Capelletti who lost their fastballs 15 years ago still muddle through their now unlistenable broadcasts, a guy like Cooz -- who's still very sharp -- gets put out to pasture in such a cold way.

I'm not surprised the empty suits at Comcast would so something this stupid but I'm truly shocked that Wyc and his management team would sign off on this.  And don't give us this 'it's of our hands' crap.  It isn't.

Message to Wyc -- BAD MOVE.

[steve]

Bob would always tell it like it is even if the C's were stinking up the place which was nice & refreshing to go with tommy's view that the C's are always right and were gelling for those years that we couldn't do a thing.
Don't really like Donny, comes off smug.  Note to him we are the boston celtics not uconn huskies.
Really like Donnie Wahlberg for commentary.

Or how about Mark Wahlberg......"Hey, say hi to your mother for me."

How are you goat?  I like your beard, goat.  

Cooz is awesome.  He never sugar coated anything.  And he was more right than wrong.  He wore cool powder blue blazers.  And he called Red by his first name.  

Donny is annoying.  He knows the game but he's not a great personality.  They need to do better.  

[Redz]

The broadcast opener  just wreaked of entitlement the other night.  Yes, the Celts are champs, and that's cool, but does that mean your broadcast now has to change because the Celts are "cool" now?  There was just something wrong about it, and the dumping of Cousy is another step in that direction.

[GroverTheClover]

If Red were still alive, this would never have happened.  And frankly I'm shocked that Wyc & Co would allow this.

Part of what the C's sell is their proud tradition -- and Cousy and Heinsohn are the main links to that tradition as both live in the area.  Cousy especially because he was here before Russell even.

To put Cooz out to pasture like that is both cold and in my opinion a horrible marketing decision.  No, the past isn't the focus -- but it is part of what the Celtics are all about -- part of what Wyc & Co bought a few years back when they paid a ton of money for a ballclub without it's own arena.

Besides, the guy only did a handful of games a year -- and from that standpoint was a welcome periodic addition to the team.  Plus his candor was legendary.

It's amazing than when you see a Gil Santos or Gino Capelletti who lost their fastballs 15 years ago still muddle through their now unlistenable broadcasts, a guy like Cooz -- who's still very sharp -- gets put out to pasture in such a cold way.

I'm not surprised the empty suits at Comcast would so something this stupid but I'm truly shocked that Wyc and his management team would sign off on this.  And don't give us this 'it's of our hands' crap.  It isn't.

Message to Wyc -- BAD MOVE.

QFT.

I enjoy Cooz's sometimes cold assessment of our own players to sometimes take the sugar off Tommy's praise. I'll definently miss him. Terrible move for CSN.