Broadcast shakeup moves Azubuike to TV, Barnett to radio
Revamped TV lineup has Barnett moving to radio
The Warriors, who will enter next season with a drastically revamped roster, apparently believe it’s time to give their television team a fresh look as well.
The organization announced Friday that Kelenna Azubuike will be a color commentator for the games on NBC Sports Bay Area. And no, Jim Barnett is not going away. After 35 years on TV, he’s moving over to radio coverage.
Azubuike, who will work alongside playby-play man Bob Fitzgerald, has been an analyst on Golden State’s pregame and postgame programs for the past four seasons on NBC Sports Bay Area.
Azubuike, 35, played four seasons with the Warriors (2006-10) and was a member of the “We Believe” team that shocked the topseeded Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2007 NBA playoffs. In five NBA seasons overall with Golden State and Dallas, he posted career averages of 10.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 24.3 minutes in 208 games (84 starts).
“We think Kelenna is one of the bright young stars in the broadcasting business,” said Warriors president and COO Rick Welts in a statement. “He’s done an outstanding job the last few seasons as a member of our pre, halftime and postgame shows on NBC Sports Bay Area, and his familiarity with our team, our players and our fans dating back to the ‘We Believe’ days will serve him well in this new role. His presence will add a new dimension to our TV broadcasts and we are thrilled with the addition.”
“The season can’t get here soon enough now. I’m hyped,” Azubuike told The Athletic. “I’m really excited about the opportunity to work with Bob; he’s a professional. I’m just thankful. Thank you to the Warriors, Joe Lacob, Peter Guber, Rick Welts for believing in me.”
Barnett, 75, is currently the second-longest tenured color analyst in the NBA behind Tommy Heinsohn of the Boston Celtics. He’ll enter his 35th season with the Warriors in 2019-20 and will work alongside radio play-by-play man Tim Roye.
It will be interesting to see how Dub Nation reacts to the changes. In 2014, the Warriors announced plans to move Barnett off the team’s telecasts. But fans launched a passionate campaign to save his job and the organization eventually backtracked. Barnett has since worked on yearto-year contracts over the past five seasons.
Theoretically, this adjustment should be easier for fans to accept. Barnett remains associated with the team and Azubuike has become a fan favorite with his quality studio work in recent years. Azubuike also brings some welcome diversity to the broadcast — something sorely lacking on other NBC Sports Bay Area crews.
The changes are also a sign that the Warriors and NBC Sports Bay Area weren’t in favor of a threeperson TV booth. NBCBA had occasionally experimented with Fitzgerald, Barnett and Azubuike working together on the broadcasts.
In a story posted on NBCSBA’s “My Teams” app, Barnett said, “I think it’s fantastic that I can continue working for the Warriors. I’m very grateful for everything I’ve had over the years. Tim is a really good guy, and does a great job. I’m looking forward to it.”