A RARE experience for the TV sports junkie in HK. Channel hopping! Last Friday I was flicking between college football and the NBA. ESPN International's US College Football show featured the WAC clash between Brigham Young University's Cougars and San Diego State's Aztecs.
BYU zoomed out to a big lead and the Aztecs' staged an exciting but futile late comeback, finally losing 35-28.
Simultaneously Prime Sports were showing the New York Knicks beating Orlando Magic live from Madison Square Garden. In the end this took more of my attention.
Prime have scored big with their pre-game show in the Hong Kong studio. Expert analyst Tom McCarthy brought a touch of class to the proceedings. Looking tanned and relaxed McCarthy proved his calm demeanour was well placed as he talked us through the NBA's new rule changes before the game - aided by action clips and diagrams of the court.
At half-time and full-time McCarthy again contributed with insightful observations, revealing an insider's knowledge of the game. That air of authority comes naturally to a man who coached Boston College to the final eight of America's prestigious NCAA championship in 1983.
Hong Kong resident McCarthy now works as a basketball consultant throughout the Asia region.
