Collins' work behind microphone earns him Gowdy award

From behind the microphone, Doug Collins has narrated some of the NBA's greatest games, including the NBA All-Star Game and NBA conference finals. A commentator for Turner Sports, Collins was also the lead analyst for NBC, where he called four NBA Finals and three Olympics. His work at Turner earned him nominations for two Cable ACE Awards and one Emmy nomination. He also earned Emmy nominations for his work at NBC in 1998 and 2000.

Collins' passion lies in the game. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers out of Illinois State as the first overall pick in the 1973 NBA Draft. He stayed in Philadelphia for his eight-year career, where he scored 17.9 points, handed out 3.3 assists and pulled down 3.2 rebounds a game. Collins made three trips to the NBA Playoffs, including one to the NBA Finals in 1977. Before his professional career began, Collins represented the United States in the 1972 Olympics. Collins hit two clutch free throws to give the U.S. an apparent 50-49 victory over the Soviet Union, but in one of the more controversial calls ever in the Olympics, the referees established there was still time on the clock, giving the Soviet team time to score a basket to win the game, 51--50.

After his playing career, Collins coached the Chicago Bulls (1986-89), Detroit Pistons (1995-98) and Washington Wizards (2001-03). During his 17-year career on the sidelines, he coached fellow 2009 Hall of Fame inductee Michael Jordan at both the beginning of his career, with the Bulls, and the end with the Wizards.

In his first year in Detroit, Collins guided the Pistons to 46 wins and his first playoff berth. Detroit won 54 games the next season (1996-97), the fifth-highest win total in Pistons history. In eight seasons as an NBA head coach, Collins amassed a 332--287 record (.536) and a 15--23 record in the playoffs (.395).

Collins' combination of playing and coaching knowledge has allowed him to bring a different perspective to viewers as an award-winning television analyst and earned him the 2009 Curt Gowdy Media Award.