The unthinkable...thanking Grant Napear.
by jjham15 on Mar 23, 2011 2:19 PM PDT
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Hello friends. I haven't written a fan post in a long time because of my commitments to Cowbell, so long that many of you probably only know me by my real name, James Ham, and not jjham15 which has been my call name on StR since 2006. There have been some posts put up that are disparaging to some of the Kings employees so I think this is a good time for me to stand up and say a few things.
First, I want to do the unimaginable. I want to tell all of you, big and small, young and old, to give a round of applause to Grant Napear. This relocation situation has aged Grant probably a decade. When he is done with his radio show, there is a shell of a man who then has to recover and call a basketball game. As a member of Here We Stay, I would love to tell you that I am on the front line, but that is just not the case. Grant Napear is the front line. He is the one guy who has to take the abuse, disseminate what little information exists and try to keep a line of fans from jumping off the Capitol bridge every afternoon from 4-7. You may not agree with what he says or his approach but he is the one who has to sit there and work through the information in public.
While Grant is battling the hysteria, he is also a father of two young boys and has no guarantee when all of the dust has settled, that he, like hundreds more just like him, will still be employed with the Kings. That's right, when Grant Napear goes on the radio and tells his listening public that he has no idea what is happening, he isn't lying. He looked me in the eye and told me without a hint of deception, that he has yet to be asked to move to Anaheim if the team moves, that his own job stability is as precarious as any other.
We haven't always seen eye to eye here at StR with Mr. Napear, but in this most difficult time as fans, Grant has been pretty damn stellar. Until last week, I had only exchanged a few words with Grant in total, but before the 76ers game, while his regularly scheduled program was placed on hold for the NCAA tournament, we both sat on the players bench taking in a moment. Before you know it, we're deep in conversation. I have been told by others that Grant isn't a bad guy, just not comfortable with his role in public. Surprisingly, this is what I encountered as we talked for about 10-15 minutes. We were interrupted by passerby's on multiple occasions, but as soon as they left, our conversation continued without missing a beat.
Out of respect for Grant, I won't go into full detail regarding the contents of our conversation because I didn't pull out my recorder and ask for a formal interview, but we had an honest conversation about what was next, what he thought it would take to keep the Maloofs local and the dramatic effect relocation would have on this community. We batted around numbers, we talked about solutions and most of all, we talked about how this isn't a done deal just yet.
With the events of yesterday - (the KJ white flag, the OC politicians getting their ducks in a row), my feelings on the future of the Kings are beginning to take full form. With five home games remaining, I will also take this time to reflect on what being a Kings fan has meant to me. Like it or not, Grant Napear is a part of my Kings family. He has called more games than Mitch Richmond or Peja Stojakovic played in. He has seen good times and he has seen bad times and he has always voiced his opinion, whether you or I liked it or not. Although I don't always like his demeanor or his mannerisms on his radio show, I have have yelled, "If you don't like that, you don't like NBA basketball" and "put it in the book and send him to the line," more times than I would like to admit. He is as much a fabric of our fandom as any other single person affiliated with the Kings.
As a fan, more than anything else, I am saddened by what is looking like a negative outcome for our community. I am saddened that my two young boys might not get the chance to grow up Kings fans, but most of all, I am saddened that hundreds of loyal employees, some of whom have spent 26 years working for the Kings, very well could be out of work next month. I have spent the last six months getting to know so many good people that work within the Kings organization that have accepted me, a blogger, with open arms. This group is its very own community, and Grant Napear is just another one of the raw numbers at the end of the day.
If you get a chance to catch a game before the season ends, take a minute to thank the usher in your section for their service. Take a minute to thank the parking people, the ticket takers, the food vendors and heaven forbid, Grant Napear. You may be losing your team, but these people are most likely losing their jobs, their livelihood and their hidden community inside the walls of Arco Arena.
(This is a FanPost from a member of the Sactown Royalty community. The views expressed come from the member, and not Sactown Royalty staff.)
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I agree Mr. Ham.
I think he is one of the best play by play guys that I have ever seen, and if the Kings move, he will be missed.
I know I am in the minority, but I like Napear. He’s good at what he does and does good radio.
A Big Rec for this.
I somewhat like Grant as a PBP guy
but I hate his radio show. I don’t wish job loss on anyone, so in that regard, I do agree with you. it sucks to not know what your job is going to be next month, or if you have to move, or if you’re staying. Must be rough.
It sucks for every employee of the Kings cause most of them might just end up losing their job. That’s trumps any negative that happens to me if the Kings move.
Nice job with the perspective, James.
Especially the part about letting loose with the kind words for all of the employees with far lower profiles. That’s truly important, and I’m glad you’ve suggested it to those who will be at the remaining games.
As ever, thanks for a terrific bit of writing.
Rocks are free, and slingshots easily stolen. And for a limited time, every third person who follows me on Twitter (andy_sims) gets a free ice cream cone.
Which I will eat.
by andy sims on Mar 23, 2011 3:21 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I agree about the lower employee's 110%.
I guess I just don’t care about Peaches at this point.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985...... On Twitter
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
If Omri has 12 games with 85+ TS% (20+ mins only) on the season, I will send RikSmits a slice of Cherry Pie with real Californian cheese pasteurized locally in Washington state.
My older brother actually spoke with Peaches for awhile last year, and he turned out to be a really nice guy.
My brother was looking into broadcasting and was curious as to whether or not there any positions available with the Kings or if Grant had any advice. Peaches gave him quite a bit of his time, several useful suggestions, took my brother’s resume, and even gave my brother his personal email if he had any questions.
I’ll be the first to admit that he’s a bit of a jerk on his radio show, but in our personal experience with him, he’s a surprisingly nice fellow.
Grant...
I have been watching other teams play and their play by play guys. And technical ability-wise. Grant has better chops than any other local announcer I have watched.
My real beef with him was over Kevin Martin. He UNFAIRLY went after somebody that was really hurt and a class act. And he never said he was sorry for doing that when it came out that Martin had a broken bone. His other stuff never really rose to a level where I abhorred him. But then he is a company man is our Grant. Also, I recently heard that his radio show is actually owned by the team. Not sure if that is correct, but it would explain a lot given that they are were all for trading KMart.
You make an important point about Grant and, in fairness, few people are truly bad apples. I think that in some cases people take on roles that are unappealing and this is likely the case here. It is actually good to know that Grant was uncomfortable with his role. Cause if he was really to internalize his role and completely own it…
Spot on about the other staff. I have known a few and they are good peops. Mostly moonlighting to help pay the bills.
I didn't major in Common F-cking Sense, but ...
Grant
Great play-by-play guy.
Bad radio show guy.
Handled the StR SPCA t-shirt situation horribly.
I wish him the best, appreciate his efforts as it pertains to publicizing Here We Stay, but I can’t say that I am going to miss him or lose any sleep over him. He’ll land on his feet. If Jim Gray can find work, so can Grant Napear.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
by section214 on Mar 23, 2011 5:24 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Long story short -
StR developed a t-shirt with Grant’s face, the word “Peaches” on the front and the phrase “Oh Boy!” on the back. Grant didn’t like it, which was certainly his right. But rather than make a civilized inquiry, his first communication with the site revolved around lawyering up. The resulting conversation with Napes bordered on comical – the guy has no respect for bloggers or anyone that spends any time on a website (though many of these people are also the folks that call into his show). He really came off as pretty close to what I have always perceived him to be – a not particularly bright guy with not much of a sense of humor.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
Good thoughts James
I too think Grant is a much better than average play by play guy. I’m not wild about him on the radio, sometimes I like his show, sometimes I think he’s just a dick. Both things get ratings I suppose.
I will certainly follow your excellent advice on thanking Arco employees over the last few games I have this year (I hope!).
"But screw your courage to the sticking place - and we'll not fail"
Macbeth Act I, Sc VII
by lietothegirls on Mar 23, 2011 5:40 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Grant Napear
As far as I can make out, (I have never met Grant personally) Grant seems like a guy who knows his stuff. On his radio show, I think he does his best on dealing with the bad callers. If I was hosting his show, I would have already left. He is also a great TV guy, especially with the “If you don’t like that, you don’t like NBA/Kings basketball” phrase.
As for your advice, James, I will certainly follow it when I arrive at PBP on April 11, hopefully not my last chance to see the Sacramento Kings.
"Keep a positive outlook, even when things are looking bleak. Remember, nothing is impossible."
Bad Callers
Isn’t that a result of poor phone screening/producing, and possibly a host who doesn’t always have the most interesting content. Can’t think of another radio show who doesn’t have on a writer from the local paper or TV stations, or god forbid website
I don't think he has his calls screened
I was surprised that many people on KHTK actually just let the calls go straight through.
If the Kings leave, We all lose
by prowseinthehouse on Mar 24, 2011 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions
producing
If thats the case it doesn’t help his show, as there have been some really bad calls and questions over the years. For example why can’t they refurbish Arco Arena, that gets asked seemingly every day.
he likes to take on those people to try to talk sense into them
Doesn’t seem to work, but he does try. He makes a point to mention that he like to talk to the people, even if they drive him insane.
If the Kings leave, We all lose
by prowseinthehouse on Mar 24, 2011 5:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Great write up.
You said exactly what I was thinking.
Just an aside..
…but it’s stuff like this that make me proud to be a Sacramento Kings fan. The Maloof’s are making the mistake with Anaheim; Kings fans haven’t wasted their time being loyal to each other and to the team.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985...... On Twitter
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
If Omri has 12 games with 85+ TS% (20+ mins only) on the season, I will send RikSmits a slice of Cherry Pie with real Californian cheese pasteurized locally in Washington state.
by pookeyguru on Mar 23, 2011 7:33 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Great post
As much as the players & games played are apart of the Kings, it’s the play-by-play guys to the PA announcer or the ushers handing out Gametime programs as you walk in to the anticipation building up as you grow closer to the starting lineups & tipoff. It’s the complete game fanexperience that made the Sacramento Kings so special…
"These Kings won't quit... Hey Sacramento, don't quit on your Kings either"
-Steve Levy, ESPN SportsCenter on 2/22/2011(approx. 8:54pm PST)
"Both teams played hard. God bless & good night"
-The GREAT Rasheed Wallace
by SheWentToJarrad on Mar 23, 2011 8:02 PM PDT reply actions
*Fan experience
"These Kings won't quit... Hey Sacramento, don't quit on your Kings either"
-Steve Levy, ESPN SportsCenter on 2/22/2011(approx. 8:54pm PST)
"Both teams played hard. God bless & good night"
-The GREAT Rasheed Wallace
by SheWentToJarrad on Mar 23, 2011 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Nape's
I’ve run into Grant a couple of times and he has always been a class act towards me. He gets his hair cut where I do and everyone comments on what a nice, down to earth person he is when he’s there. Love ‘em or hate ’em, he’s our SACRAMENTO Kings broadcaster and before long it is looking like we will have NO broadcasters thanks to our wondeful, can’t get anything done city!
It has always been about more than just a game in SACRAMENTO and it is a damn shame that we won’t get to continue to being a part of the fan experience…good luck Magoofs when you turn around and see no one behind you after a blowout!
You must live in Folsom then?
Because I’ve been at the Folsom Sport Clips while Grant was there.
Author of the Pick and Scroll. Follow me on Twitter here.
Yep
The lady who cuts my hair does his too and when I was in there yesterday she said he told her he has no clue what is going to happen and this all sucks big time.
Grant Freaking Napear ---aka PEACHES
Peaches makes me sick. His PBP is tolerable, but his interviews are weak. His afternoon show is something you just cannot listen to if you aren’t willing to believe everything he says. He is rude, abrupt, classless, and yes, an asshole.
Recently he is just pissed at the whole town and runs the whole area down for not bailing out his damned job. That seems like his main interest. I hope the Maloofs keep him as announcer when they move to Anaheim. Who wants his afternoon show gig?
If you feel the same about Peaches, give him your feedback at
http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2011/03/23/audio-the-grant-napear-show-march-21-2011/
I have to say, I will miss Grant when the Kings are gone
Not because I am a regular listener (I’m not), or even because I particularly like his PBP calling, but because he has been a staple in the Kings organization that I have grown up with. Grant has called every game that I have watched, he has infuriated me at times on the radio, been the butt of countless jokes, and has, at times, even brought some down-to-earth perspectives to a lot of issues.
Its not that I can’t think of Grant Napear without thinking of the Kings, its that I can’t think about the Kings without thinking of Grant Napear. He is a cornerstone of the Kings public image, and although we often disagree, he has been a HUGE part of my interaction with the team.
Thank you Grant. I only wish the best for you and your family in all this chaos.
"The Kings have nothing to lose but their games."
Grant is not on the top 10 list of things I'll remember about the Kings....
I don’t think Grant is a monster. I’ve never met him. I don’t like or dislike him personally…I’ve had no interaction with him personally.
Do I like his radio show? No. He’s the guy I put up with in the afternoons so I, as a fan, can enjoy talk radio about the team I support…the Kings. He’s a complete jerk to some people and often it’s unnecessary. Yes, he gets idiots calling…but I think being a jackass and ridiculing idiots is the sign of a dick. Where’s the sport in making an idiot look a bigger fool by ridiculing them? Just to make them feel bad by getting them to realize how big a dumbass they really are? That’s why ignorance is bliss…the idiots have no idea they are idiots…so please leave them alone…they aren’t hurting anybody.
Do I like him as a PBP guy? Not really. I hate “put it in the book and….blah blah blah”, I despise “if you don’t like that…blah blah blah” Personally, I would rather listen to Gary Gerould…but that’s MY personal opinion. You certainly don’t have to share it…
I’m not wishing or hoping that Grant loses his job. I don’t want anything bad to happen to Grant, and I hope he is able to provide for himself and his family for as long as he lives.
But I’m supposed to thank him for the act I grew tired of, and that I didn’t appreciate? Just because the Kings could possibly move to Anaheim, and Grant MIGHT not move with them?
I don’t think so….
I'll say one thing about Napear (and Jerry for that matter)
for the most part, on his play-by-play, he is one of the most unbiased announcers in the league, and that makes watching the game much more enjoyable for me.
If the Kings leave, We all lose
by prowseinthehouse on Mar 24, 2011 11:34 AM PDT reply actions
At the end of Grant's first season here
The Kong’s surveyed the season ticket holders to get their opinion on a number of topics.
One of the questions was what do you think of Napear. I responded by saying “put him in the book and send him out the door”. In the following years I learned to appreciate Grant’s pbp style. He is a much better TV announcer than he was at pbp on radio. Which works out because Gary Gerald is great on the radio.
In my quest to set the family record and live to 103, I am beginning to get pissed at the amount of body parts falling off along the way.
I generally enjoy Grant and Jerry’s calls on TV. Grant’s catchphrases are a little silly but endearing. I like our duo more than other announcers I’ve heard throughout the years.
Grant’s radio show has been ok most times, and downright unlistenable at many times. His dire hatred of Kevin Martin and the obscene amounts of vitriol he spread into the airwaves prior to the trade really turned me off of his show for good, though it’s still better than Don Geronimo.
Where's my pie
I also enjoy his PBP
Never listen to radio show, and although I think Peaches is pretty funny… honestly, this guy cares about the Kings more than he cares about his own publicity.
Its good to hear stories like this with a positive spin, because he’s a real person and shouldn’t let the blogosphere always be judge/jury/executioner.
His sometimes annoying, but strong PBP presence is a familiar part of Kings basketball that I hope will not be missed.
Props for the Kings Employees
I wish all the Kings employees well. Every Kings game I went to was always a pleasant experience from the ticket takers to the seating personnel. I just wished the Maloofs would have treated their employees better, remember the latest set of personnel lay-offs. The Sacramento fans supported this team in its growing stages but do to blunders of the upper Kings management people have consistently stayed home. They completely stripped this team in the last 5 years and failed to bring in the right players to keep competitive. This is a small NBA market and I think our fans have done their part. In hard economic times you had better have a winning team if you expect the average Joe to spend that kind of money. A new arena is out of the question for a team with our current talent. Its a hard sell in Sacramento with a play-off team let alone one that barely competes. Yes, I will miss the Kings not being in Sacramento but in the end it is an organization being poorly run and probably will have problems with fan acceptance anywhere else after the honeymoon is over. Boy do I miss those Divac, Peja, Weber days of yesterday. Still have my huge. purple Kings banner in my bedroom, guess its time to take down, fold it up and sigh!!
Great Post
I have met and spoke to Grant several times when I was a resident of EDH. Grant deserves much of the labels put on to him. He has a huge ego and loves being a big fish in a small pond. He is not overly smart, and not quick witted in dealing with idiot callers, his caustic ways are part of his shtick (sp).
I do not think he studies his craft enough to be a really good sports talk show host; and has not had to because most of his listeners are happy to talk about our kings. He should know everything their is to know about the River Cats, A’s, Giants, Niners and Raiders to make his show more intriguing; hell he should be able to talk about almost every team in pro sports to be super effective; it is
after all his job.
I hate Grant’s show, his attitude and his persona; but I do think he is a very good PBP announcer and I do think he does a great job at the Kings game.
hey dipitydoo
"these arent writers, they’re fans. you want grammatic aestheticism? read the times." Rambler 80 in response to my request for use of spell check and grammar at Turf Show Times when writing an article, fanpost or fanshot.
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