Jim Durham, ESPN NBA voice, dies

Jim Durham, ESPN's lead radio play-by-play voice on the NBA and a former broadcaster for the Chicago Bulls and Dallas Mavericks, died Sunday at his him outside of Houston. He was 65.

Durham had called NBA games on ESPN Radio since 1996. His final assignment alongside his longtime partner Dr. Jack Rarmsay was Tuesday night's season opener between Boston and Miami.

Durham was the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's Curt Gowdy Media Award winner in 2011.

In addition to his ESPN duties, Durham was the radio and television voice of the Bulls from 1973-91, including the first seven seasons of Michael Jordan's tenure with the team. He also called Chicago White Sox games on TV in 1989-90, and was the TV voice of the Houston Astros from 1983-85. He also was the TV voice of the Mavericks from 1993-2001. He also worked for NBC, CBS and Turner Sports.

He was the Illinois Sportscaster of the Year in 1979, 1989 and 1990, and won two Chicago Emmy awards.

"Jim was a respected play-by-play specialist who combined a tremendous gift for storytelling with a Hall of Fame voice," said Mo Davenport, ESPN Radio's senior vice president and general manager. "He's been a dedicated friend and a trusted teammate to so many at ESPN for two decades and he will be greatly missed."

"Jim was an extraordinary professional," said John Martin, ESPN executive producer, radio remotes, who frequently worked on-site with Durham. "His talent for calling NBA on radio in vivid, descriptive terms was unmatched. When JD was so deservedly recognized with the Gowdy Award, he had the Hall of Fame career to go along with his long established position as a Hall of Fame person. He was a sensational individual."

Durham is survived by his wife, Helen, their three children, Patrick, Richard and Tracy and several grandchildren.

I am not a legal expert, how many times do I have to say it?

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.

Weird/sad that he never became the fixture of Bulls broadcasts that he should have been.

I was so sorry to learn this morning of Jim Durham's untimely passing," Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. "Jim was the voice of the Bulls for 18 years and he was the best at calling a basketball game I ever heard. I loved the energy he brought to our broadcasts, the way he painted a word picture of what was happening on the court which made you feel like you were there, and his sense of humor. Most importantly, Jim was my friend and I will miss the conversations we had about the NBA, life in general, and his favorite baseball team ... the Chicago White Sox. On behalf of the entire Chicago Bulls organization, my deepest condolences to Helen and his entire family. He will be greatly missed."


You thought he was so great at calling games you didnt want to pay him. Fuck off Jerry.

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.

I was so sorry to learn this morning of Jim Durham's untimely passing," Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. "Jim was the voice of the Bulls for 18 years and he was the best at calling a basketball game I ever heard. I loved the energy he brought to our broadcasts, the way he painted a word picture of what was happening on the court which made you feel like you were there, and his sense of humor. Most importantly, Jim was my friend and I will miss the conversations we had about the NBA, life in general, and his favorite baseball team ... the Chicago White Sox. On behalf of the entire Chicago Bulls organization, my deepest condolences to Helen and his entire family. He will be greatly missed."


You thought he was so great at calling games you didnt want to pay him. Fuck off Jerry.

I also would like to know why he he left Chicago. Great announcer.

RIP.

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.

This one Sucks. JD was 1 of the best. He was the soundtrack of a lot of good times with buddies watching da boo.

I think Durham left to go play baseball at the time.

Well Mac told me to to tell you to go FUCK YOURSELF!!! ..So now it's been said .. .