| Ray Clay Responds THE FAMOUS VOICE THAT ANNOUNCES THE ARRIVAL OF THE BULLS before each home game belongs to Ray Clay. Ray took some time recently to answer e-mail sent to him through NBA.com from fans from around the world. Q: What game was the most exciting for you to announce? Would you trade your job now for any other job? A: The most exciting game was the last one ever played at the old Chicago Stadium...the Scottie Pippen All-Star game. Michael had just retired, but he showed up to play in that game. As he left with a few minutes to go in the game, he bent over and kissed the Bull's head at center court. I don't think that I would trade, I have the best seat in the house, watching the best players on earth. Q: What are your tips to people who want to improve their public speaking voice? A: Don't yell, you can hurt your voice. Try to project from your chest. Don't chop off the ends of your words. Q: Why don't you put the high pitched emphasis on Pippen's last name like you used to? A: Linda, sometimes it is so loud in the United Center that I have a hard time hearing myself, so I can't judge my pitch. I will think about it for the next game. Q: How many years have you been the P.A. announcer for the Bulls? A: I started just prior to the '90 playoffs. The very next year we won the first NBA Championship. Q: Ray, Have you ever thought of using your voice for a basketball video game? I think it would be awesome! Do you have any plans in the works for this? A: A few years ago I did the voice for Rim Rockin' Basketball, an arcade game. This year I did the Space Jam pinball game, and this summer I might be involved with a project from Konami for a Nintendo 64 and Playstation game. -stay tuned Q: Ray, this past baseball season I served as the P.A. Announcer at Buck Bailey Field for our Cougar Baseball team. I have done radio in high school with my Dad (color commentary for H.S football and Comm. College basketball) and have a solid background in communications, but where do I start if I want to continue my work with announcing? A: Keep your ears open for opportunities. Call local teams, volunteer for charitable events. The more you do, the better you will be known. Q: Which building was more fun for you to announce the starting lineups - Classic Chicago Stadium or the Ultra-modern United Center? You're simply the best at your job. Thanks. A: I originally liked the old Chicago Stadium, the noise was deafening. The new United Center is superior in its acoustics. Q: Do you have a pregame ritual you go through? I know Michael slaps dust in Red's face. Do you wear special underwear like Mike? Keep up the good work!!! A: Thanks, Michael. I try to get to the game early so that I can get my game sheets together. Right before the start, all of the members of the stats crew touch the game ball. It seems to have brought some luck Q: Who is your favorite Bull (past or present) and who are the players that you get excited about when they come to visit the Bulls in the UNITED CENTER? (past or present). A: My favorite Bull is a tough question, Craig. I like them all! Though John Paxson is a class guy all the way. I enjoyed watching Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, even though they were at the end of their careers. Q: What are your predictions for the series between the Jazz and the Bulls? A: I all of the games are anything like Game 1...it will be very tough. I think that the Bulls have the desire and the experience to take it all. Q: What was your reaction to Michael Jordan's last second shot in game 1 of the NBA Finals against Utah? A: No one heard what I said. The building was so loud. I didn't make any closing announcements until about 5 minutes after it had ended. Q: Have you ever mispronounced or flubbed a player's name when introducing him? A: A few years ago I was given the wrong pronunciation of Zan Tabak of the Raptors. That night I kept saying it the wrong way, and he lit the Bulls up for 31 points. Jud Buechler said that I must have made him mad.
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