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Hes too noble for this kind of skullduggery. And not to worry, Bob Fitzgerald wont be forcibly retired either. Details on the contract were not disclosed. Kelenna David Azubuike (born 16 December 1983) [1] is a Nigerian-American former professional basketball player and currently the Golden State Warriors television analyst on NBC Sports Bay Area . Fitz and Buike will merely be repurposed to roles that better suit them. Why the Warriors should replace Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike with Jim Barnett and Baron Davis. Fitzgeralds homerism isnt the genuine, charming if sort of silly homerism of a drunk but passionate fan. Im ecstatic. His comments on myself and Facu were beyond disrespectful. In the 200506 season, Azubuike averaged 12.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in forty-one games with the Fort Worth Flyers of the NBA's Developmental League. [1] His father, Fabian, was a police officer, and his mother, Florence, was a middle school teacher. He was also the only player to ever earn Oklahomas Super 5 recognition three times, an honor bestowed upon the states top five players, regardless of classification. 7 jersey to Carmelo Anthony. Dok All-Time NCAA Leader in Field-Goal Percentage; KU Athletics; 3 February 2020. Fifteen years ago. Azubuike spent five years in the NBA (averaging 14.4 pts a game in 2008-2009) before he had to hang up his sneakers. Endure it, and think what could have been, had the Warriors not put the universally beloved Jim Barnett out to pasture. This pairing does create one potential problem, though hardly an insurmountable one: instead of two hype-men, we may now be subject to a sensory overload of excellent anecdotes and play deconstructions, but no one to describe the action (which again, we can see with our eyes). [12] Before the injury, he averaged 5.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 62.9% field goal percentage. Roll out an unpredictable delightful chaos, not the bumbling paint-by-numbers sort Fitzgerald and Azubuike are currently ladling out. Whatever we lose from not having someone explain a shot did or didnt go in will be more than made up for. The season cant get here soon enough.. Two adults who talk on television for a living should know better than to mock the accent of a player from a different country, as. With Steph Curry out (but not for much longer), Klay Thompson has filled his shoes as the Dubs no. A daily roundup of Golden State Warriors news from Golden State of Mind, By submitting your email, you agree to our, This date in Warriors history: Kelenna Azubuike debuts. But one can easily imagine why Barnett may have intimidated or otherwise irritated Lacob, a new, hands-on owner looking to replace the cogs and pinions of a former era with his own commissars. What can the Knicks do for an encore after the thrilling highs of 2021? 1 option. It resurrects a deep and abiding connection that was severed too early, too abruptly. I think it will be a better season than a lot of people think, Azubuike said. The convention brought together many of the world's political and business leaders to focus attention and resources on Africa's economic and social development.[25]. Had too much integrity. Andre Iguodala might be free next season if he hasnt achieved his final form as an NFT. This is cause for celebration. [5] [23], Azubuike has three siblings: Nonzo, Nesochi and Adaeze. Azubuikes yes-man persona is a jarring shift from the presence of Barnett, who did yeomans work smoothing down Fitzgeralds cloying edges. The injury, plus a botched surgery that left his kneecap up against his quadriceps, ultimately ended his NBA career. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Just to be clear, were not trying to get anyone actually fired here, even in this hypothetical dream scenario. Azubuike, 35, has spent the last four seasons mostly as a studio analyst at NBC Sports Bay Area while also occasionally providing analysis on radio alongside Roye. The good news is its not as though Barnett has renounced calling Warriors games and embraced the life of a curmudgeonly hermit. Azubuike said in a fake accent, as he and his partner chuckled. He shot nearly 50% from three-point range, something that Don Nelson really liked. [32] On February 22, 2020, Azubuike scored 23 points and had a career-high 19 rebounds in a 6461 win over top-ranked Baylor. Im grateful that the Warriors are giving me a contract to do this. The season cant come fast enough., Where Livingston wants to end career after Warriors release. He will start his comeback with the Frisco-based Texas Legends, Dallas' D-League affiliate. The same will apply to their telecasts and radio broadcasts. Its fun.. From Sleepy Floyds incredible playoff performance in 1987 to our most recent stretch that has included three championships and five consecutive trips to the NBA Finals, his outstanding work has been an everyday staple on the airwaves., [RELATED: Where Livingston wants to end career after Warriors release]. Azubuike spent five years in the NBA (averaging 14.4 pts a game in 2008-2009) before he had to hang up his sneakers. [26] An MRI revealed he tore a ligament in his right hand. Warriors TV announcers Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike targeted the Denver . Rivers was at the free-throw line when Fitzgerald and Azubuike, who played five seasons in the NBA with the Warriors and Mavericks, struck up the conversation about his time in LA under his father, who is now head coach of the Sixers. [2] In 2012, he caught the attention of recruiters with Basketball Without Borders and was offered a scholarship to play basketball in the United States. [9] On 17 July 2008, Azubuike signed an offer sheet with the Los Angeles Clippers for a three-year deal worth $9 million, with Golden State having seven days to match the offer. Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images. Some cookies are placed by third party services that appear on our pages. Kelenna Azubuike is a Basketball Player, zodiac sign: Sagittarius. 22 years (September 17, 1999)Udoka Azubuike / Age. Williams played in only eight games with the Mavericks after leaving his team in Israel to sign with his hometown team on Dec. 21, averaging 3.6 points and 1.6 rebounds in 8.1 minutes. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Azubuike spent five years in the NBA (averaging 14.4 pts a game in 2008-2009) before he had to hang up his sneakers. Get the latest news, stats, videos, highlights and more about small forward Kelenna Azubuike on ESPN. A possible solution to the pure play-by-play quandary is to bring a third person to the already star-studded booth. Barnett spent 11 seasons as a guard in the NBA, including three with the Warriors, when he averaged 11.9 points per game. After playing on the Golden State squad that upset Dallas in the first round of the 2007 playoffs, Azubuike averaged 13.9 points through the first nine games of the 2009-10 season under then . In Azubuike's defense, he is very eager to point out split-action or a nice hesitation (hesi) move and is always cognizant when someone achieves Beast Mode (and occasionally God Mode). [35] Azubuike averaged 13.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game as a senior. He holds both Nigerian and US citizenship; his application for British citizenship was turned down in December 2007 due to problems with the immigration status of his parents at the time of his birth. The Jazz compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the leagues Western Conference, Northwest Division. His presence will add a new dimension to our TV broadcasts and we are thrilled with the addition., Barnett said of Azubuike, I really mean this: Im so happy its Kelenna and not someone else. Fifteen years ago today, Kelenna Azubuike made his Golden State Warriors debut in a win over the Charlotte Hornets. That whole dance was an awkward misfire on the part of the Light Years Brain Trust, and even a few years later, leaves a not entirely un-sour taste in Dub Nations collective mouth. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. [18] He was waived by the Cavaliers on 14 October 2012. After Azubuike retired from professional basketball, he started his career as a TV analyst. [22], He joined NBC Sports Bay Area in 2015, covering Warriors games as a studio analyst for the pregame, halftime, and postgame shows. [24] On December 4, 2018, he severely sprained his right ankle against Wofford and missed the following four games. Late in the second quarter, while Rivers was at the free throw line, Fitzgerald and Azubuike began discussing the 29-year-old guard and his familial ties within the league. (He's) the kind of athlete that we're trying to find for our team.". Kelenna David Azubuike (born December 16, 1983) is an English/American former professional basketball player. "3 grand, that's it?" Please enter a valid email and try again. Why did Kelenna Azubuike retire? Both Azubuike and Barnett will travel with the team for road games. [2]He returned to the Flyers, where he averaged 26 points and 5 rebounds, while leading the D-League in scoring and ranking third in three-point field goal percentage.[3]. Kelenna David Azubuike (born December 16, 1983) is an English/American former professional basketball player. Some FAQs Why did Kelenna Azubuike retire? Regular Season, Playoffs, All-Star) Im so pumped. [2] His parents were doctors and had moved to London for work. [6] In August 2006, Azubuike was signed by the Houston Rockets as a free agent, but eventually waived by October. And the fan base adored him, so much so that the outpouring of support (and the inability to secure Brent Barrys services) when his forced retirement was announced even delayed his exile for a few years. I really couldn't find much and was wondering if I'm missing something? [15] He averaged 13.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and led the nation with a 77% field goal percentage for the season. No, that would be wrong. The defunct Central Division won one championship in 1950. Youll be surprised by the new Forbes rankings, Stephen Curry produces high-end movie, lowbrow TV, How Curry's 3-point shooting changed the game. With Mickael Pietrus likely on the way out . Steph Curry and Zion Williamson highlight the list of players who arent available tonight. I consent to the use of following cookies: Necessary cookies help make a website usable by enabling basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website. Warriors majority owner and trophy-cuddler Joe Lacob bet on the wrong horse, or rather, didnt want anything to do with the right horse. But its been the great honor of my life to plot this coup on his behalf. Ive had a great run of 34 years on TV, Barnett said. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. After playing on the Golden State squad that upset Dallas in the first round of the 2007 playoffs, Azubuike averaged 13.9 points through the first nine games of the 2009-10 season under then-Warriors coach Don Nelson when he suffered a season-ending knee injury. The most notable thing Azubuike did as a Knick was sell his No. He was later included in Golden State's sign-and-trade acquisition of David Lee from the New York Knicks in the summer of 2010, but Azubuike never played a game with the Knicks and was released Feb. 28, 2011. Others are cautiously optimistic that by 2029 or so, Fitzgerald and Azubuike will really start to gel and find their rhythm. What can the Knicks do for an encore after the thrilling h MLB's rule changes will only bring needless new degree of confusion, Yankees may get solution to to glut of infielders after NL teams' misfortune, The Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast, The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman, Amazin' But True: A NY Mets Baseball Podcast, Gangs All Here: A NY Jets Football Podcast, Kellyanne Conway and George Conway to divorce, Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave. Kelenna Azubuike (@KelennA7) . Oops. You know, he might just be the perfect guy to take on the team ambassador role, whatever that means. [13] Udoka started every game of the regular season but missed the Big 12 tournament after spraining his left MCL. No NBA player has made a full recovery from this injury, it is much closer to an Achilles tear vs an ACL tear in severity. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Weird vibes. Tuning into a Warriors game means subjecting yourself to two hype-men inelegantly bumbling into one another for 2.5 hours. [4]Azubuike was selected to play in the 2016 McDonald's All-American Boys Game,[5] Jordan Brand Classic,[6] and Nike Hoop Summit. The recently passed SECURE 2.0 Act is giving college savers more time to learn the benefits of compound interest. List of European basketball players in the United States, "Azubuike destined for greatness All the hoopla not just hype - this kid can play", "Ex-Cat Azubuike earning respect of NBA peers: KentuckySports.com", "SI.com NCAA Basketball UK's Morris remains in draft as deadline passes Tuesday June 21, 2005", "InsideHoops.com Kelenna Azubuike released by Houston Rockets", "WARRIORS: Warriors Sign Kelenna Azubuike to Contract", "Blow for Britain as London-born Kelenna Azubuike is denied passport Times Online", "Sources: Clips sign swingman Azubuike to three-year offer sheet NBA ESPN", "Warriors keep Azubuike, match Clippers' offer NBA ESPN", Warriors' Kelenna Azubuike out for the season, C.J. I enjoy breaking down what I see and just reacting on the spot, he said. Azubuike said Barnett helped connect him to NBC Sports Bay Area and played a huge role in launching Azubuikes second career. He always comes equipped with the latest talking points from on high. [3] On January 28, 2016, he announced his choice to play college basketball at the University of Kansas.[11]. I was wronged!, The incident came just a week after Rivers had a pair of fans removed from aNuggets-Thunder game in Oklahoma City,after he said they were talking about [his] family the whole night.. Basketball Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. His father, Fabian, was a police officer, and his mother, Florence, was a middle school teacher. When the Golden State Warriors are rolling, they're one of the leagues biggest draws. [1] He was the top scorer in the state of Oklahoma during his last three seasons of high school, averaging 28.5 points as a sophomore and 38.7 points as a junior. [8] He was also eligible to play for the Nigeria national team. And he threw down a lot of spectacular dunks. Born in London to Nigerian parents, Azubuike moved to the United States as a child. Its important to note that while Azubuike is moving into the seat Barnett occupied for 34 years, he owes a debt of gratitude to Barnett, who entered broadcasting nine years after his retirement in 1977. "We like him as a player," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle told reporters in San Antonio on Friday morning following the team's shootaround. Current Projects. [3], He played Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball for the Georgia Stars in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL). Fridays news ended lingering uncertainty about Barnetts future with the Warriors. That remains to be seen. Email: rkroichick@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ronkroichick. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Barnett will transition to. He retired after playing the 2011-12. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not announced. Marketing cookies are used to track visitors across websites. He bridges eras and generations with absolute clarity. [2], He was rated by Rivals.com as a five-star recruit and was ranked as the 27th best overall player[8] while ESPN ranked him 22nd overall in the Class of 2016. 7 off his back . He was too tall (this is very threatening to the extremely wealthy). He went 4/4 from the field in that brief stint. The Warriors named Kelenna Azubuike as their new television color analyst for NBC Sports Bay Area, replacing Jim Barnett, a longtime staple of the game broadcasts. It seemed like he was going to progress into a solid player, and then poof a knee injury seems to end his career? Azubuike, 35, will partner with play-by-play broadcaster Bob Fitzgerald on TV. So, Im eternally grateful., Said Barnett: Im glad I was able to help him get into this profession. The Warriors ought to be an electrifying affair for both casuals and die-hards. Jim was actually one of the first people I talked to when I was thinking about getting into broadcasting, said Azubuike, who retired in 2012. Analytics cookies help website owners to understand how visitors interact with websites by collecting and reporting information anonymously. His former partner, Fitzgerald, long a burr in the collective saddles of a vocal segment of Warriors fandom, is by contrast mostly a goofy propagandist. As shambolic as the broadcasts have been these Barnett-less years, were now used to a somewhat unorthodox approach. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. pic.twitter.com/17FXszxmEe, Just a few minutes later, Campazzo was arguing a foul call when Fitzgerald said on the broadcast, Campazzo likes to get scrappy and then look aggrieved all the time., Azubuike chimed in, adding, See, this is how you lose your credibility. After the Warriors matched a multi-year contract offer from the Clippers in the summer of 2008 - perhaps out of anger about the Baron Davis signing - Azubuike started nearly the entire 2008-9 season, averaging 14.4 points per game and making 44.8% of his three-pointers. I remember him being traded to NY from GS and am pretty sure he was dealing with injuries..was he forced to retire? A few (masochists) tolerate the pair, because yes, it does take a certain amount of toil for some people to get worked up about an NBA teams local broadcasting duo. Simply put, hes a strange man. Heres where California reservoir levels stand after this weeks rains. This counts as a high-profile promotion for Azubuike, who has served as an analyst on Warriors Pregame and Postgame Live the past four years. While being a two-way player yet he called me overpaid?, Seems the Warriors announcers arent too fond of Austin Rivers pic.twitter.com/KL2yIIYfs0. [23], Azubuike was selected as an honorable mention to the 20182019 All-Big 12 preseason team. He's also The Chronicle's golf columnist, covering the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and all major championships in Northern California. Hopefully roles where they can avoid unforced errors like impersonating Facundo Campazzos accent, but that remains to be seen. A huge thank you to the NBC Sports Bay Area for preparing me for this, said Azubuike, who has done color commentary for multiple media outlets. Big 12 Men's Basketball Player of the Year winners, "Kansas star will get amazing Final Four moment: Seeing Mom", "Think Reaching the Final 4 Is Tough? The former Mansfield (Texas) High School standout played in 24 games on multiple assignments to the Mavericks' D-League affiliate in Frisco, averaging 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks for the Del Harris-coached Texas Legends. Radio doesnt show age. Azubuike appeared to suffer a dislocated ankle in a G League contest on March 10, his third right ankle injury in the past 13 months. Hes found a workaround from being phased out, still plies his wisdom and his trademark avuncular wit on the radio side of things. I dont know. Kelenna and Rona exchanged their vows in a traditional Christian wedding ceremony. Will Bay Bridge go dark forever? The Golden State Warriors signed him for four years worth $7 Million. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). Undrafted out of Kentucky, Azubuike began his pro career with the Fort Worth Flyers in the D-League and was regarded as a quality defender and 3-point shooter before his knee troubles (the Fort Worth franchise has since relocated to Reno, Nev.). Preference cookies enable a website to remember information that changes the way the website behaves or looks, like your preferred language or the region that you are in. [14] He returned for the NCAA tournament until KU's loss to eventual champion Villanova in the Final Four. He's previously contributed to The New Yorker, Vice, GQ and more. [19], In the summer of 2015, Azubuike attended the Sportscaster U. program at Syracuse University sponsored by the NBPA, training for a career in broadcasting. Unlike past years, Lucia did not include any analysis and/or fan commentary with the rankings, so we don't know exactly what kind of gripes fans had against the work of Fitzgerald and Azubuike. Barnett will return for his 35th season providing opinion and insights, but his medium will change. In his first year, Kelenna took home $251,000.Then in the following years, he earned $2.9 Million and $3.3 Million.In the 2010/11 season, Kelenna signed with New York Knicks for $3.3 Million. Kelenna David Azubuike (born 16 December 1983)[1] is a Nigerian-American former professional basketball player and currently the Golden State Warriors television analyst on NBC Sports Bay Area. Azubuike (ankle) is out Friday against the Hornets. Barnetts replacement, Azubuike, is a likeable guy (and Ive always admired his biceps) and also a competent in-studio analyst, but the synergy isnt there. Unfortunately for him, injury is the reason as he still cannot participate (at) what would be the NBA combine or workouts for the NBA teams. Privacy Policy. The Clippers' offer was matched by the Warriors on July 24, 2008, allowing Azubuike to remain a Warrior.[6]. And though Mr. Boom Dizzle opted out in 2008 and tried to start a super-team with Elton Brand in Los Angeles (weird sentence! Think this kinda funny especially since its coming from a guy who has never played a game of basketball in his life, Rivers wrote of Fitzgerald under an Instagram video highlighting the announcers remarks. For all other types of cookies we need your permission. On May 17, he measured out to be a near 7' tall center (with shoes on) weighing in at 274 pounds and holding the second-longest wingspan at 7'7", behind only Mohamed Bamba.