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Billy Crystal To Be Clippers Analyst For One Night

LOS ANGELES (AP) — He's done television, movies, he's even hosted the Oscars. But what Billy Crystal has never done is be an analyst for his beloved Clippers, that is until now.

 

Premiere Of Disney's "Mary Poppins Returns" - Arrivals
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 29: Billy Crystal attends the premiere of Disney's "Mary Poppins Returns" at the El Capitan Theatre on November 29, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)

 

Los Angeles Clippers announcer Ralph Lawler was approached two months ago with a special request. A longtime season-ticket holder asked team president Gillian Zucker if he could call a game on television with Lawler and honor his 40 seasons with the club.

 

US-ENTERTAINMENT-HWOF-LAWLER
Sportscaster Ralph Lawler gestures while addressing the audience at a ceremony for his Hollywood Walk of Fame Star on March 3, 2016 in Hollywood, California. Lawler, who has been broadcasting games of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers for 37 years, received the 2,575th Star in the category of Radio. / AFP / FREDERIC J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)

 

Lawler apprehensively said yes, until he found out it wasn't just any season-ticket holder. It happens to be one that has hosted the Academy Awards nine times.

Billy Crystal, who has been the team's most well-known fan through the good times and bad, will be the analyst for the Jan. 31 game against the Lakers.

 

 

2016 Toys"R"Us Children's Fund Gala
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 19: Martin Short performs with Ana Gasteyer and Billy Crystal during the 2016 Toys"R"Us Children's Fund Gala on May 19, 2016 in New York City. One of the largest, single-night fundraisers in New York City, the 2016 Gala raised $4.6 million to support charitable organizations that keep children safe and help them in times of need. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Toys"R"Us)

 

"They told me he really wants to do it," Lawler said before the Clippers faced Dallas on Thursday night. "He has been a fan forever and he wants to take his time to pay his respects for my longtime service to the club."

Crystal has been a season-ticket holder since 1985, when the team played at the old LA Sports Arena. Lawler said the two have spent a lot of time over the years talking basketball and that it will be a fun experience doing it on television.

 

56th GRAMMY Awards - Arrivals
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 26: Actor Billy Crystal attends the 56th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on January 26, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

 

"It will be a big game and the building will be electric. He's done the Academy Awards for nine years so he can handle our broadcast," Lawler said.

Crystal isn't the only guest analyst who will work with Lawler this season. Mike Fratello, Hubie Brown and Bill Walton — who are all former partners of Lawler — will return for some games.

 

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 28: Actor and Clipper fan Billy Crystal reacts as the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Clippers play during Game Five of the Western Conference quarterfinals of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 28, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. The Spurs won 111-107. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

 

"Ralph is a fantastic broadcaster and a wonderful man," Crystal told the Clippers' website. "I'm looking forward to calling a game with him. He's a Hall of Famer in my book."

 

© 2018 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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