Jim Durham

Jim Durham (February 12, 1947 – November 4, 2012) was an American sportscaster. Durham was born in Chicago, IL, and graduated from Donovan High School in Donovan, IL, and later attended Illinois State University in Normal, IL.

For other people named James Durham, see James Durham (disambiguation).

Career

Durham spent more than 32 years calling NBA games on TV and radio; his previous assignments were with the Chicago Bulls, the Dallas Mavericks, TNT and TBS. With the Bulls, he was the play-by-play announcer when Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and their teammates won the 1991 NBA championship. In 1998, Durham called men's NCAA basketball tournament games for CBS.

Early career

Early in his career, Durham worked on WJBC radio in Bloomington, Illinois. During his time there, he covered the career of Illinois State University basketball star Doug Collins, later coincidentally the coach of the Bulls during the early Jordan years in Chicago, including the famous call listed below.

NBA career

Durham was the play-by-play voice of the Chicago Bulls from 1973 to 1991. During his first twelve years covering the ballclub, he was exclusively on the radio broadcasts on WIND (1973–1980, 1982–1985), WVON (1980–1982) and WGCI-FM (1981–1982; shared arrangement with WVON). Primarily working solo, he was paired with Norm Van Lier in 1980–81 and Dave Baum in 1982–83. For the remainder of his time in Chicago beginning with the 1985–86 season, he and Johnny Kerr handled the simulcast on WMAQ (1985–1988) and WLUP (1988–1991) on the radio and WFLD/SportsVision (1985–1989) and WGN/SportsChannel Chicago (1989–1991) on television.[1] Five weeks after being relegated back to radio only on May 29, 1991,[2] Durham was dismissed on July 3 as a result of a contract dispute with Bulls management. He was succeeded by Wayne Larrivee (WGN) and Tom Dore (SportsChannel) on television[3] and Neil Funk on the radio.

Starting in 1995, he called numerous National Basketball Association games for ESPN and ESPN Radio.

The Shot

Perhaps Durham's most memorable call was for "The Shot" made by Michael Jordan in Game 5 of the 1989 Eastern Conference First Round between the Bulls and Cavs:

The inbounds pass comes in to Jordan. Here's Michael at the foul line, the shot on Ehlo...GOOD! (Johnny 'Red" Kerr: THE BULLS WIN! THEY WIN!) They upset the Cleveland Cavaliers! Michael Jordan hits it at the foul line! (Kerr: WOOOH!) 101-100! 20,273 in stunned silence here in the Coliseum. Michael Jordan with 44 points in a game hit the shot over Craig Ehlo. What tremendous heroics we have had in Game 5. From both teams, what a spectacular series this has been. In my days in the NBA, 16 years, this is the greatest series I've ever seen!

Major League Baseball

Durham also did play-by-play for Major League Baseball, first in the 1980s for the Houston Astros, then from 1989–1990 for the Chicago White Sox and for ESPN Radio from 1998 until his death in 2012.

Death

Durham died on November 4, 2012 due to complications from a heart attack.[4]

References
  1. Chicago Bulls 2012–13 Media Guide.
  2. Nidetz, Steve. "Radio Only For Durham Next Year," Chicago Tribune, Thursday, May 30, 1991.
  3. Nidetz, Steve. "After 18 Years, Bulls Fire Durham," Chicago Tribune, Thursday, July 4, 1991.
  4. "Jim Durham, N.B.A. Broadcaster, Is Dead at 65". New York Times. November 4, 2012. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
Preceded by
Brent Musburger
Mike Tirico		 National radio play-by-play announcer, NBA Finals
2005–2006
2010
2012		 Succeeded by
Mike Tirico
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