Unless you are from Oklahoma or Chicago, you probably don't know who Stacey King is. But trust me, he was awesome!
Chicago Broadcast Legend Stacy King 1967-2026
His college career was highlighted by back to back outstanding season in which he earned All-American and player of the year status. He was also named the player of the 1988 NCAA tournament. During the 1987 season for the Oklahoma Sooners, King averaged 22.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. The following season he improved to average 26.0 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks on 52.3% shooting. After his senior season, The Chicago Bulls picked him with the 6th overall pick in the draft. After being drafted, King became a productive member of the bench and won three championships with Michael Jordan absolutely loving him as a teammate.
Although he never became a productive starter or lived up to they hype of his sensational college career, he was not a total stiff. He did his job and helped win those two titles. Then, after he was done helping the Bulls on their court, he was used in a trade to get a very valuable piece of the second three-peat. In 1994, King was traded for Aussie Luc Longley, the starting center for the Bulls' next three championships. It may be the best move by Bulls GM, and douchebag, Jerry Krause.
But Stacy King is not best remembered in Chicago for his play. Everyone in Chicago knows him as the current television announcer for the Chicago Bulls. And he was sensational Although it would be hard to top Johnny 'Red" Kerr or Jim Durham, Stacey King was the perfect announcer for the post Jordan Bulls.
The Bulls have been flat out unwatchable for most of the 30 something years since their last championship, but as long as King was calling the game, there was always a reason to tune in. Not only did he understand the game... seemingly better than the coaches who freaking refused to feed Vuc in the paint... he was absolutely hilarious. He never sugar coated anything and always called things the way he saw them. He came up with amazing nick-names and some of the most memorable catch phrases of all time.
I am not.much of a bobble head collector but one of my prize possessions is my Stacy king talking bobble-head that says some of his best phrases. Speaking of which...
In honor of King, here are some of my favorite and most memorable catch phrases:
"There's a mouse in the house!" followed by "That's free cheese!'
As soon as the Bulls nailed a shot to ice the game... "Drive home safe Chicago... Beep Beep!"
When a guy hits a three... "Gimme the hot sauce!"
After a steal, King would turn into Cookie Monster and yell... "Cookies!"
After a dunk he'd sing... "I wanna go higher!'
When a guy blew a layup... "Million dollar move and a ten cent finish."
And when a Bull posterized a defender with a dunk... "Didn't come for the massage, but came for the facial!"
"If you're scared... go buy a dog!"
Stacey King will be missed.
Drive home safe big man. Beep. Beep.
