Q&A: Pistons announcer George Blaha had 'great day' during Hall of Fame induction
Coty M. Davis The Detroit News
Detroit — George Blaha took to the stage at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut on Sept. 6 as one of four honorees to receive the 2025 Curt Gowdy Electronic Media Award by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Blaha's recognition comes just before he begins his 50th season as the Detroit Pistons' broadcaster. Since 1976, Blaha has called more than 3,400 regular-season games and over 260 playoff games. His career also includes being the voice behind several memorable moments in franchise history, highlighted by witnessing each of the Pistons' three championship titles (1989, 1990 and 2004).
The Curt Gowdy Electronic Media Award is the latest acknowledgement that recognizes Blaha's legendary career. The Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association awarded Blaha with the Tyson Award for Excellence in Sports Broadcasting in 2002. He is a two-time Michigan Sports Broadcaster of the Year winner (2003 and 2007). In 2008, he was enshrined in the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.
In a recent interview with The Detroit News, Blaha discusses his experience at the Basketball Hall of Fame, sharing what made him nervous and recounting his interactions with Pistons' legends during the memorable weekend.
Question: What was that moment like for you, standing inside the auditorium to deliver your Hall of Fame speech?
Answer: To tell you the truth, it was nerve-racking, because you only get to do this once. It was one chance, and I was leading off. I was the first speaker. But I said to myself, "I'm so excited and happy to lead off. If I had to sit there for half an hour and think about it, I probably wouldn't have been as authentic with it." I was nervous, but it was also kind of a positive nervous energy. It was a huge crowd, and my family was there. Everybody gave me great support. When it was all over, I was glad, but I went back and listened to it and thought I did OK.
Q: I understand that delivering a Hall of Fame speech is different from anything you have done throughout your near 50-year career. But, as someone who has spent half a century broadcasting games, what made this moment so nerve-racking?
A: Well, as I said before, this is probably the greatest honor that I've ever received professionally, and it was on live national TV. Plus, all the people that I love were there. I knew there was not going to be another speech like this. Another award like this. Another night like this. That's the reason why I was a little bit pumped and a little bit nervous. So, I'd better get at least a base hit, but I preferred to knock it out of the park.
Q: From the moment you woke up, what was your entire day like during the enshrinement?
A: It was a great day. It started with me getting some text messages and live shots from my Michigan State friends, athletic director J Batt, football coach Jonathan Smith and basketball coach Tom Izzo. They were telling me they were going to miss me at the football game (Blaha has been calling Michigan State football games since 1971), but sent their congratulations. During the day, I went down to a lunch they had for inductees and their families, and I saw all sorts of people there that I hadn't seen in a while. Artis Gilmore was there, among others.
But the most important thing was that we sat with Danny Crawford, who was going into the Hall as an official. He is a person who wasn't often associated with controversy and a person who was a near-perfect official. He has done so many NBA Finals games, you couldn't count them all. He is from Isiah (Thomas') neighborhood on the west side of Chicago, so Isiah was there to present him. It was a very nice day, just knowing that you were there and among the honorees.
Q: The list of honorees for the 2025 Curt Gowdy Media Award was impressive. In addition to yourself, your class included Clark Kellogg (CBS analyst), Michelle Smith (veteran women’s basketball writer) and Adrian Wojnarowski (influential NBA journalist). What did it mean to you to be honored alongside other prominent recipients?
A: "The media people who went in are all giants. It was humbling to go in with people like that. Clark Kellogg does a heck of a job, and by the way, he was a heck of a player. Adrian Wojnarowski and Michelle Smith were major contributors and continue to be in the basketball world.
Q: The Pistons had a strong presence throughout the weekend. You mentioned Isiah Thomas earlier, but Tayshaun Prince was also present. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the 2008 U.S. Men's Olympic Basketball team, known as the Redeem Team. Did you get an opportunity to catch up with any of them? And if so, what can you share about those interactions?
A: Kevin Grigg, the Pistons chief communications officer, threw me an after-party, and Tayshaun came by. I'd seen him earlier in the day and got to hang out with him, his father-in-law, and his family. Tayshaun is a great guy, and it's always nice to see him. He's doing a heck of a job in the front office for Memphis (Grizzlies).
It's always great to see Isiah. It made me even happier that he was there to present Danny Crawford, because we got the chance to hang out. He is Isiah Thomas — the all-time great. (Wife) Mary and I rode over to the Saturday night function in Springfield with Isiah and back with him to the hotel. Then, attended a party they had thrown for Danny Crawford. All the great NBA officials were there to celebrate him. There are a lot of layers of important people in the NBA, and it was great to hang out with some of them."
Q: Next year will mark your 50th anniversary in the NBA. What are you looking forward to the most as you reach this monumental milestone?
A: I'm just looking forward to being able to do the games like I've always done. I've always felt like if I couldn't do the job, I didn't want to hang on and insult people with a bad broadcast, just because I'm George Blaha. If I get started and feel great about it, it will be a major plus because 50 is 50. No one can take that away from me. It's going to be a great season.
coty.davis@detroitnews.com
@cotydavis_24
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