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Seattle Sonics legend Slick Watts dies at 73
Seattle Sonics legend Slick Watts dies at 73

Yahoo

time15-03-2025

  • Sport
  • Yahoo

Seattle Sonics legend Slick Watts dies at 73

Slick Watts, one of the most recognizable figures in the history of Seattle basketball, has died at the age of 73. Watts played six seasons in the NBA, including the first four and a half with the Seattle SuperSonics, who he signed with as a free agent out of Xavier University of Louisiana. Despite going undrafted in 1973, the 6-foot-1 Watts was immediately a key member of the Sonics who established himself as a premier defensive point guard and playmaker. He finished third in the NBA Rookie of the Year voting after averaging eight points, 5.7 assists and 1.9 steals per game in 62 games. In his third season, Watts started all 82 games for the Sonics and led the NBA with both 8.1 assists per game and 3.2 steals per game. He also averaged a career-high 13 points and 3.1 rebounds per game in that 1975-76 campaign. Watts was named to the NBA All-Defensive first team in 1976, the first Sonics player to do so, and the same year also was the second ever winner of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, which is given annually to an NBA player, coach or staff member who shows 'outstanding service and dedication to the community.' We are saddened by the passing of Sonics icon Slick Watts. Slick was a champion for the Storm and a beloved member of the Seattle community. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and loved ones at this time. 💚💛 — Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) March 15, 2025 Watts' arrival in the Emerald City coincided with the Sonics' first period of contention in the league. Under head coach Bill Russell, Seattle made its inaugural trip to the postseason in 1974-75 and reached the Western Conference semifinals both that season and the next. Watts was traded by Seattle to the New Orleans Jazz during the 1977-78 season, and he moved on to the Houston Rockets the next season, which was his last. Though the Rolling Fork, Miss., native's legal first name was Donald, he was known as Slick due to his bald head, which he adorned with signature headbands, a look that was ahead of its time in the 1970s. Watts called the Seattle area home for the rest of his life, becoming a physical education teacher and basketball coach after his playing career. He dealt with health problems in recent years, and suffered a strike in 2021 before his 70th birthday. Watts remained to be an integral part of the community in Seattle, and his name was even used as a song title by Seattle hip-hop duo Blue Scholars. The Watts family has long been a major part of the Seattle basketball community. His son Donald Watts was a star guard at Lake Washington High School and then in college for the UW Huskies (1995-99), his grandson Isaiah Watts is currently a guard for the WSU Cougars, and his granddaughter Jadyn Watts is a forward for the Western Washington Vikings. Slick Watts' death comes just two months after his former Seattle Sonics teammate Gus Williams died at the age of 71.

REGGIE MILLER TO JOIN NBC SPORTS BEGINNING WITH 2025-26 NBA SEASON
REGGIE MILLER TO JOIN NBC SPORTS BEGINNING WITH 2025-26 NBA SEASON

NBC Sports

time18-02-2025

  • Sport
  • NBC Sports

REGGIE MILLER TO JOIN NBC SPORTS BEGINNING WITH 2025-26 NBA SEASON

Hall of Famer and One of the Game's Greatest Shooters Begins Role in October 2025 when the NBA Returns to NBC and Debuts on Peacock STAMFORD, Conn. – Feb. 18, 2025 – Reggie Miller, a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and one of the game's greatest shooters and clutch performers, will join NBC Sports as a lead game analyst beginning with the 2025-26 season when the NBA returns to NBC and debuts on Peacock this October. Miller played all 18 seasons of his professional career with the Indiana Pacers and is the team's all-time leader in points scored, assists, and steals. His illustrious career includes countless milestones and accomplishments: retired with the most three-point shots made in NBA history (2,560, which now ranks third); a five-time NBA All-Star; led Indiana to the NBA Finals in 2000; won a gold medal with Team USA at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics; was selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team; and culminated his career with enshrinement in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. In 2004, Miller won the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, which is the NBA's annual community service award. Following his playing career, Miller joined Turner Sports as a broadcaster, receiving critical acclaim as a game analyst throughout his 20-year career. In addition to the regular season, Miller called numerous NBA All-Star games and playoff series, including Conference Finals. He will continue his role with Turner Sports through the end of the 2024-25 season. When Miller joins NBC Sports in October, he is expected to call one or more games per week during the regular season and playoffs. 'It's good to be HOME, NBC hello, Peacock! Some of my most memorable moments have been on NBC and I'm looking forward to creating more,' said Miller. Regarded as one of the game's most clutch players, Miller's career coincided with NBC Sports' coverage of the NBA from 1990-2002, resulting in many memorable moments on the network, none more so than when he scored eight points in a span of nine seconds to shock the New York Knicks and the Madison Square Garden crowd in Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals. 'One of the greatest clutch performers of his generation has apparently done it again,' exclaimed NBC Sports' Bob Costas in 1998 following Miller's game-winning shot over Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis. 'Having provided so many memorable moments on NBC during his playing days, it's only fitting that Reggie will join our team as the NBA returns to NBC and debuts on Peacock,' said Sam Flood, Executive Producer, NBC Sports. 'As basketball fans know, not only was Reggie one of the game's greatest shooters and clutch performers, but he was also one of its most entertaining players with a unique combination of skill and swagger. He has successfully brought those traits to his broadcasting career and consistently provides viewers with in-depth analysis while pulling no punches.' A first-round draft pick (11th overall) by the Pacers in 1987, Miller starred in college at UCLA, finishing his career as the school's No. 2 all-time scorer (now tied for third). Miller was inducted into the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998. Click here for more on Reggie Miller. In addition to Miller, NBC Sports announced earlier this month that Jamal Crawford will join its coverage as a game analyst and that Mike Tirico will serve as its lead play-by-play voice. Emmy Award-winning producer Frank DiGraci was announced in December 2024 as the coordinating producer for NBC Sports' NBA coverage. In July 2024, NBCUniversal and the NBA announced an 11-year agreement to present NBA and WNBA regular-season and playoff basketball games across numerous platforms beginning with the 2025-26 season. Peacock will livestream exclusive national Monday night games while NBC/Peacock will present national coverage of regional doubleheaders on Tuesday nights. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball in 2026 across NBC and Peacock, providing NBA fans with three consecutive nights of national coverage across NBCUniversal platforms during the second half of the regular season. For more information on the agreement, click here. Additional information about NBC Sports' 2025-26 NBA coverage will be announced soon. ABOUT NBC SPORTS NBC Sports connects sports fans to the moments that matter most with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. As the sports division of NBCUniversal, NBC Sports produces, programs, and promotes premier content across numerous linear and digital platforms, including NBC and Peacock. NBC Sports possesses an unparalleled collection of media rights agreements, partnering and presenting many of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the NFL, NBA, WNBA, Big Ten Conference, Big East Conference, Notre Dame, NASCAR, PGA TOUR, USGA, PGA of America, The R&A, Churchill Downs, Premier League, and many more. It is renowned for making big events bigger and has produced some of the most-watched sporting events in U.S. media history, including Olympic Games, Super Bowls, and Sunday Night Football, primetime television's No. 1 show for 14 consecutive years. --NBC SPORTS--

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