In the inaugural episode of Courtside, host Marc Israel sits down with Craig Ackerman, the longtime television voice of the Houston Rockets, to unpack one of the most unique journeys in professional sports broadcasting.

Craig shares how a childhood love of the Rockets, a college baseball career, and an unpaid internship inside the Rockets organization ultimately led him to one of the rarest jobs in sports: NBA play-by-play announcer.

This conversation covers:

• 🎙️ How broadcasters actually break into the NBA
• 📻 Why radio is the true “art form” of play-by-play
• 🤝 The power of internships, relationships, and timing
• ✈️🏀 What it’s really like traveling with an NBA team
• 🔥 Why energy matters more than perfection behind the mic

Along the way, Craig reflects on working alongside legendary voices, learning the language of the game, and why preparation and persistence matter just as much as talent.

Whether you’re an NBA fan, an aspiring broadcaster, or someone curious about how careers are really built, Courtside Episode 1 offers an honest, behind-the-scenes look at life in the NBA broadcast booth.

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New episodes drop weekly, bringing you conversations from inside the NBA and the people who live the game every day.