SPORTS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2016

HOUSTON: In this April 4, 2016, file photo, Craig Sager speaks before the NCAA Final Four HOUSTON: In this May 12, 2015, file photo, broadcaster Craig Sager, left, talks with Los tournament college basketball championship game between Villanova and North Angeles Clippers’ Glen Davis prior to Game 5 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Carolina in Houston. Sager, the longtime NBA sideline reporter famous for his flashy suits semifinals against the Houston Rockets in Houston. — AP and probing questions, has died after a batter with cancer, announced Thursday. He was 65. — AP Colorful NBA reporter Sager dies after battle with cancer

HOUSTON: Craig Sager never once thought be the same without him.” about giving up as he battled cancer for more echoed those sentiments on Twitter. than two years. “Man, life is too beautiful, too “The NBA family lost a legend who changed wonderful, there’s just too many things,” he the way sideline reporters did their job. RIP said in late August from a Houston hospital Craig Sager,” Johnson said. It wasn’t just the bed. “It’s not just you. It’s your family and kids NBA community that mourned his passing , and all. Fight. Fight until the end. Fight as hard with Vice President Joe Biden and Drake as you can.” expressing sadness at the loss. The end for the beloved TNT broadcaster Sager had two bone marrow transplants came Thursday when the man known as much with his son as the donor before undergoing a for his outrageous wardrobe as his relation- third one from an anonymous donor four ships with the NBA’s elite succumbed to an months ago. aggressive form of leukemia. Turner Sports He announced in April 2014 that he had announced his death without disclosing been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, details. He was 65 and had worked basketball and he missed the playoffs and much of the games for TNT for nearly a quarter-century. following season as he underwent the first two “There will never be another Craig Sager,” transplants. Sager revealed in March 2016 that Turner President David Levy said. “His incredi- his leukemia was no longer in remission. He ble talent, tireless work ethic and commitment said doctors told him the typical prognosis was to his craft took him all over the world cover- three to six months to live. ing sports.” He was overwhelmed by how news of his His son, Craig Jr., posted a loving video trib- fight spread and people across the world start- ute to his father, tweeting: “We packed a life- ed talking about the Sager Strong campaign. time and then some into these 28 years His battle brought out the soft side of MILWAUKEE: ’ Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker wear shirts to together.” , the prickly honor NBA broadcaster Craig Sager who died earlier before an NBA basketball game Sager’s passing brought out condolences coach with whom he had many memorable against the Thursday, in Milwaukee. — AP from every corner of the NBA and Hall of Famer exchanges during in-game interviews. Larry Bird expressed what many were feeling. Sager never faulted Popovich for his gruff nearly two minutes before a game in Phoenix. NFL and the NCAA Tournament, among oth- “He was as identifiable with the NBA as any attitude during those interviews. After learning “If any of us can display half the courage he er sports. But he was indelibly connected to player or coach,” Bird said. “The league will not Sager had died, Popovich spoke somberly for has to stay on this planet, to live every life as if the NBA. it’s his last, we’d be well off,” Popovich said. “Craig was as vital to the NBA as the play- Sager sported suits in every color of the ers and coaches,” Silver said. “Craig earned rainbow and plenty of shades not found in widespread respect for his insightful report- nature, from teal to fuchsia to magenta. He ing and inspired so many most recently with would match plaid blazers with paisley ties or his courage.” Sager got to cover his first NBA striped shirts - all in bold hues. Finals in 2016 through an unusual arrange- Sometimes lost in the glare of his wardrobe ment between TNT and ESPN, which invited was Sager’s relentless nature as a reporter. him to join its coverage. He marked the occa- Every time Popovich would give a terse non- sion by wearing a blazer with a royal blue flo- answer, an unfazed Sager would pepper him ral print. In an interview with LeBron James with another question. after Game 6, the Cavaliers star turned the Sager’s persistence was on display at the tables to giddily ask Sager a question: “How in start of his career at age 22. Working for a the hell do you go 30-plus years without get- Braves-affiliated AM radio station in Sarasota, ting a Finals game?” Florida, he hopped a flight to for a A native of Batavia, Illinois, Sager attended game with a home run away from Northwestern, where he walked onto the breaking Babe Ruth’s career record. After football and basketball teams, and served as Aaron hit the homer, Sager sprinted onto the the school’s “Willie the Wildcat” mascot for field and wound up chasing Aaron down the three years. third-base line. When Aaron’s teammates He worked at several TV and radio stations mobbed him at home plate, Sager can be seen in Florida after college before spending two in his trench coat in the middle of the scrum. years in Kansas City. Sager joined CNN in 1981 MILWAUKEE: Milwaukee Bucks’ Jabari Parker wear a shirt to honor NBA broadcaster Sager worked as a reporter on the after handling the network’s first live remote Craig Sager. — AP Olympics, playoffs, the report during the 1980 baseball playoffs. — AP