August 12, 2015
Even for those Sixers fans who are 100 percent down with “The Process,” there have been some major rough patches over the last couple of seasons. 60+ losses can’t all come painlessly. One of the ways that a rebuilding basketball team can make the season more tolerable for its fans is by employing a top-notch broadcast team. That is precisely what Comcast SportsNet had with Marc Zumoff, Malik Rose, and Molly Sullivan.
Now, they are down to only two of the three M’s. According to Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Rose has been hired by the Atlanta Hawks after four seasons as the Sixers analyst on CSN. The Inky’s Keith Pompey confirmed the initial report:
The Hawks have hired Malik Rose to a front-office position.
— Chris Vivlamore (@CVivlamoreAJC) August 13, 2015
.@MalikRose is the new manager of basketball operations for the #AtlantaHawks. He was hired Tuesday and starts after Labor Day
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) August 13, 2015
First off, congratulations are in order for Rose, an all-around good guy and bright basketball mind. Selfishly, I’m afraid this is going to greatly affect my basketball watching. As someone who is acquainted well with most of the local broadcasts on NBA League Pass, the Sixers’ crew was easily one of the best in the league over the past few years. It wasn’t just Philadelphia that came away impressed with Rose, either:
Have had the pleasure of talking hoops over the last few years w Malik Rose. Great hire for the Hawks.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) August 13, 2015
Great for Hawks. Unfortunate for fans. Malik is one of the best game commentators and radio hosts out there. https://t.co/dyfyKLPehZ
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) August 13, 2015
A Philly native, Rose was good at keeping things light on the air with pop culture references, some occasional Eagles talk, and nicknames that stuck like “Night Shift.” I especially appreciated that he wasn’t a huge homer, too. For example, if the Sixers got away with a call, he would mention it right away. Rose will be missed in his hometown.
Follow Rich on Twitter: @rich_hofmann
