Jim Durham Dead: ESPN NBA Voice Dies Aged 65 (WATCH VIDEO)
ESPN's lead radio play-by-play voice on the NBA, and former broadcaster for the Chicago Bulls and Dallas Mavericks, Jim Durham, died on Sunday at the age of 65.
Durham died at his home in Tomball, Texas, just outside of Houston.
ESPN Radio's Senior Vice President and General Manager Mo Davenport said Durham "was a respected play-by-play specialist who combined a tremendous gift for storytelling with a Hall of Fame voice."
"He's been a dedicated friend and a trusted teammate to so many at ESPN for two decades and he will be greatly missed," Davenport said.
The voice behind ESPN's radio called NBA games on the radio since 1996. His last assignment at the station with his longtime partner, Dr. Jack Ramsay was Tuesday night, as the season started off with Boston and Miami.
Michael Jordan told ESPN Chicago's that he was, "The voice of champions."
"I will miss him," Jordan added.
Durham was also the radio and television voice of the Bulls from 1973-91. His final season with the Bulls was when the team won its first championship game.
Durham also announced the Chicago White Sox games on TN in 1989, in addition to being the TV voice of the Houston Astro from 1983-85.
Overall, Durham worked for NBC, CBS, and Turner Sports in addition to ESPN.
"Jim was an extraordinary professional," John Martin, ESPN executive producer, has said.
"His talent for calling NBA on radio is vivid. Descriptive terms were unmatched," Durham added.
Durham was the Illinois Sportscaster of the year in 1979, 1989, 1990 and won two Chicago Emmy awards.
"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." Martin said.
"He was a sensational individual."
Along with several of his grandchildren, Durham is survived by his wife, Helen, and their three children, Patrick, Richard and Tracy.