It is the culmination of a long journey for Grady, who spent his younger days grinding up the ladder, from radio show producer to Pacers in-arena host and, eventually, a job with a television station in Indy that he parlayed into a coveted spot with the Nets’ broadcast crew. Grady would call 10-12 games per season for the Nets while filling in for Ian Eagle, one of the most respected voices in the game. The way he cultivated relationships with the coaches and players and how he prepared for broadcasts resonated with color analyst Sarah Kustok, who held Grady’s job as sideline reporter before he came aboard. “There are few professionals that compare to Michael Grady in his versatility, in his work ethic, in how much he pours his heart and soul into his craft,” Kustok said.
Ian Eagle Rumors
Stan Van Gundy back to TNT
After leaving the booth to coach the Pelicans for one season, Stan Van Gundy is returning to TNT, according to sources. The 61-year-old will look to build on his rookie season as an in-game analyst in 2019-20, during which he shined – particularly when teamed with Ian Eagle. Van Gundy also will appear on NBA TV as a studio analyst.
At the end of last season, the 80-year-old Albert retired and Webber walked away before the playoffs. TNT is now TBD on how it will replace the duo. Turner may not anoint anyone to the No. 1 spot this season and instead could go by a committee consisting of Eagle, Kevin Harlan and Brian Anderson.
The Nets had gone 26-56 the year before, prompting GM Rod Thorn to make arguably the greatest trade in franchise history, sending Stephon Marbury to the Suns in exchange for Kidd. Even so, it wasn’t like anyone was predicting an NBA finals run — let alone back-to-back NBA finals runs — at the time for the Knicks’ little brother. And there wasn’t exactly any buzz in the building for the opener against the Indiana Pacers. “I think it was a wakeup moment for Jason,” Eagle said. “A humbling way to start the next chapter of his career. He was used to playing in front of large, boisterous crowds in Phoenix, and this was a somber moment of what playing in New Jersey was going to be.”
The All-Star point guard finished with 14 points, nine assists and nine rebounds while putting the clamps on Jalen Rose (43 points) defensively down the stretch. “I was doing the game with Bill Raftery — they went down double digits early — and in most of the predictions that year, the Nets weren’t a factor,” Eagle said. “And then they got off to a bad start, and it was that general feeling you get of ‘Here we go again.’ And then everything changed. Kidd willed the team to victory, and it hits you after the game that they might actually be good.”
“I think Kevin brings some of what Kidd brought, which was a very quiet confidence of ‘I’ll show you,’” said Eagle, who will also call Durant’s debut on YES Network. “And I know he and Kyrie definitely look at this as a legacy-type situation where they can put their stamp on the franchise – and that goes against conventional thinking. Because for many years, the thought was always if you come to New York and win a ring for the Knicks, it’s all about setting this standard and creating these lasting memories. But the reality is they decided to do it a different way.”
