Billy Crystal, a long suffering Los Angeles Clippers fan, will get a chance to provide color commentary alongside play-by-play announcer Ralph Lawler, as Lawler celebrates his 40th anniversary in the booth.
According to reports, Crystal will join Fox Sports Prime Ticket's television crew on January 31, as the Clippers take on the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center.
“It’s going to be a real honor to sit with [Lawler] and do this game,” Crystal told Variety. “And hopefully it goes well. Who knows? I may have a new career.”
Per Variety: "He’s been preparing by taping himself offering commentary while watching games on TV. He plans to be funny, but doesn’t want to be a distraction to the action."
The Clippers got out to a hot start this season but have lost seven of their last 10 as they've dropped to 17-13. The 70-year old, nine-time Oscar host has been a fixture at Staples Center since 1985, and he's hoping the team is finally ready to make the next step.
“With the Clippers, it’s always been, ‘Wait til next decade.’ I love the grit, I love the characters,” he says. “Sometimes that’s enough for me. But now it’s getting to the point where I really want to win it.”
Crystal, who once signed a one-day contract with the New York Yankees in celebration of his 60th birthday, isn't the only guest who will get to work with Lawler this season. The Clippers have also announced that current Nets analyst Mike Fratello will join Lawler on January 23 and former coach Hubie Brown will be in the booth on March 24.