Straddling the sideline
CSN's Dickerson airs perspective
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When sideline reporting was in its infancy, it was a mixed bag. There were some legitimate reporters - such as former Globe writer Lesley Visser, who was the gold standard - but there were others who were little more than window dressing. The position has evolved into something worthwhile (well, most of the time). For example, Michele Tafoya and Suzy Kolber do a fine job on ESPN's "Monday Night Football," and Greg Dickerson has a unique perspective with his coverage of the Celtics for
Dickerson spends a good deal of time listening to the inner workings of the team during games and he translates that to viewers, who will get their first look at Celtics game action on CSN the second game of the season - next Friday at home against Chicago at 8 p.m.
"You kind of pick and choose your spots," said Dickerson. "Depending on the situation and what's going on in the game, you kind of get a feel for it. I watch [Celtics coach Doc Rivers] and if Doc is getting a little frustrated during play, it might be a good time to go over and hear what he has to say. If the Celtics have an 8-0 run or the other team has a 10-0 run, that's a good time [to give some perspective]."
Dickerson knows he has to straddle the line between intrusiveness and his responsibility to viewers.
"From Day 1, Doc has been very good and the players have been very good," said Dickerson. "They understand my role. They also understand I'm not going to throw anybody under the bus. There is a certain limit to what I will translate on TV. I know where to draw the line and if I do go over the line, somebody will probably say something to me. Not every team allows a sideline reporter locally to go into the huddles. It's a privilege I have, so I'm not going to make anybody look bad."
As much as Dickerson realizes he can't reveal everything, he is committed to helping fans see the inside of an NBA team.
In addition to the insight given by his co-workers, such as play-by-play veteran Mike Gorman, analysts Tommy Heinsohn and Donny Marshall, and studio host Gary Tanguay, Dickerson believes sideline reporting provides a different and necessary dimension.
"I think the best thing for any sideline reporter is to be a storyteller," he said. "My goal is four or five times a game to tell people something they didn't already know."
Skating stars
NBC will air a special tomorrow from 4-6 p.m. entitled "Skating for Life," benefiting the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which seeks a cure for breast cancer. The event, taking place in Bloomington, Ill., will feature US Olympic silver medalist Sasha Cohen, 2008 world champion Jeffrey Buttle, three-time US national champion Johnny Weir, 1996 US national champion Rudy Galindo, 2006 US national bronze medalist Emily Hughes, and six-time Canadian national champion Jennifer Robinson . . . Fox Sports reported solid ratings for Game 1 of the World Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies. It earned a 9.2/15 household rating/share with 14.6 million viewers. It was the first Wednesday prime-time household victory for Fox since May's "American Idol" finale. Although it was 15 percent better than Game 1 between the Cardinals and Tigers in 2006 (8.0/15, 12.8 million viewers), it was down 12 percent from last year's Red Sox-Rockies matchup (10.5/18, 16.9 million viewers). "The 2008 World Series is off to a good start," said Fox Sports president Ed Goren. "It was a very exciting contest that matched two extremely talented teams and I stand by my pre-World Series assessment, that if we get a six- or seven-game series, with games as compelling as [Wednesday's], we could have the most-watched World Series in several years." . . . In case you haven't had enough of Manny Ramírez, Comcast SportsNet is producing a half-hour special Wednesday at 7 and 10:30 p.m., dedicated to recapping the myriad examples of Manny being Manny. Among those interviewed are Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy.
