Collins remains top NBA analyst

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I first reviewed Doug Collins' NBA work in May 1991, mentioning that he had a squeaky TV voice similar to that of Fred Savage, the adolescent hero on "The Wonder Years."I also mentioned that Collins, on TNT, was the best NBA analyst on television. Only one thing has changed in 17 years -- the voice of Savage, now an active grown-up producer-actor on the Hollywood scene. Collins still offers a squeaky tone and retains his credentials as the best analyst working the NBA playoffs. Viewers can easily find a handful of analysts and play-by-play personalities with deep, mellifluous voices.But no one zeros in on the intricacies of the NBA better than Collins, who has survived and thrived in the musical- chairs game constantly played in the NBA. He's been a player (76ers), a coach (Bulls, Pistons, Wizards) and a broadcaster.Such varied experience provides Collins with in-depth insight into the past and the present.Probably because he's aware of his voice limitations, Collins basically stays away from the wowie!- and zowie!- type exclamations used by many along broadcasting row. As a former coach, Collins is at his best enlightening viewers on the art of substitution, particularly in the closing minutes of a tight contest. Because of his skills, Collins always improves the broadcasting work of his partners. Collins will be the network's main analyst during coverage of the Western Conference final. Unless the Lakers fall into the basketball sinkhole being dug by the Utah Jazz, Collins should be able to "critique" the work of Phil Jackson, who succeeded Collins as coach and guided the Michael Jordan-dominated Bulls.TIMELY STORIES: As the heated debate continues surrounding the tragic death of Eight Belles following the Kentucky Derby, HBO's Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel this week provides a disturbing investigation about the growing number of former U.S. racing horses being regularly slaughtered abroad for profit. Correspondent Bernard Goldberg traces events by which horses -- no longer profitable on U.S. tracks -- are shipped by "killer buyers" to slaughterhouses around the world. (Such slaughter is illegal in the U.S.)Goldberg's trail leads from the tracks, to auctions, to slaughterhouses and finally to the plates of European and Japanese diners, who pay top dollar for this "delicacy."WHAT RECESSION? The Wall Street Journal reports that NBC Sports will be asking $3 million per 30-second spot for Super Bowl XLIII -- a 10 percent increase over the fees during last February's extravaganza, which drew a record-breaking 97.4 million viewers. NBC reportedly is planning a Friday night Super Bowl Special prior to the daylong events on Super Bowl Sunday. When will the NFL and the networks reach an agreement to air a 72-hour pregame show? COMMERCIAL BREAK: It's time for that cell-phone manufacturer to come up with new commercial spots for the ubiquitous Charles Barkley.They've become boring.QUOTABLE: "Kobe Bryant is the most complete offensive player in the game. He can beat you off the dribble, he can shoot the three, he can get to the foul line and you cannot defend him with one player." -- Collins, summing up the strengths of the Lakers guard and this year's Most Valuable Player in the NBA. (Dusty Saunders writes for the Rocky Mountain News in Denver)