The Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers bring plenty of impressive postseason stats into the NBA Finals, but so does Mike Breen.
Consider this one: The ABC/ESPN play-by-play commentator will be calling his 12th straight Finals when the series begins tonight in Oakland (6 p.m., ABC). That’s more championship airtime than guys like Dick Stockton, or Breen’s longtime idol, Marv Albert, ever logged.
A native of Yonkers, Breen, 56, has pulled off that impressive run off with a smooth, easygoing delivery that is complemented by a boundless love for, and knowledge of, the game. Along the way, he has often had to play referee as well — officiating on-air “squabbles” between broadcast partners Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy, and reining in the latter when he veers off on a crazy rant.