Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Fiorentino fallout
ESPN broadcasters
and used their national forum during Wednesday night’s broadcast of the Heat’s loss to the Spurs to vent about the Heat’s decision to break up the team’s longstanding television duo of and
Mike Breen Gundy Eric Reid Fiorentino. Jeff Van Tony
The Heat announced in June that “Tony Fiorentino, an original Miami Heat employee, will begin his 15th and final season as a member of the television broadcasting team when the team opens training camp in September,” with Reid remaining as the team’s play-by-play television voice.
During the second quarter of Wednesday’s broadcast, Van Gundy, who served as a Providence College assistant coach while Reid was a broadcaster there, addressed the Heat’s decision to open a search for a new television analyst.
“Mike,” he said, “I’ve got to mention this. You told me coming in, and I’m still astounded by it, that they are breaking up the Miami Heat tandem of Eric Reid and Tony Fiorentino. They’re moving on from that great two, duo, that’s been with this franchise from the start?
“I can’t believe it. Sometimes you try to change and you go backward. I’m astounded that they’re breaking these guys up.”
Breen, who called the Heat’s championship victories in 2006, ’12 and ’13, then added his thoughts.
“Eric Reid, the play-byplay man, Tony Fiorentino, the former coach, the analyst, they’ve been together for over 20 years doing the local broadcasts for the Heat,” he said, “and not only are they just fantastic on the air, but they’re also, they’re beloved here. And I agree with you, I was shocked.”