The Los Angeles Clippers are in Philadelphia on Thursday night at the Wells Fargo Center and a legend comes with them for his final professional ride through town. Chances are he will recognize the city.
That's not just because Ralph Lawler has been the broadcast voice of the Clippers for 40 seasons – a man who has shared more bad news with southern California than a shark-spotting lifeguard – but because he got his big break in Philly and hasn't forgotten those roots.
Lawler, 80, the play-by-play announcer for Fox Sports West/Prime Ticket, is retiring after this season.