TNT colleagues remember Craig Sager as 'friend' and 'brother'

Ron Clements

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TNT colleagues remember Craig Sager as 'friend' and 'brother' image

TNT broadcasters remembered one of their own Thursday night.

Longtime sideline reporter Craig Sager died earlier in the day at age 65 following a two-year bout with cancer.

MORE: Notable sports deaths in 2016

Former players Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Reggie Miller and Shaquille O'Neal each discussed how they lost a member of their NBA family.

"I felt like I lost a brother," Barkley said. "I feel great sadness for myself, but I feel so much sadness for his wife and their kids because there was no person in this world who wanted to live more. He battled so hard.

MORE: Rachel Nichols emotional in relating news of Sager's death

"He had the most positive attitude of anybody going through that situation. My life is better, sports is better, for knowing Craig Sager."

Smith said Sager was a big reason he got into broadcasting once his playing career was over. 

O'Neal mentioned other celebrity deaths in 2016, including Prince, Muhammad Ali, Arnold Palmer and, on Tuesday, Alan Thicke. O'Neal said he "lost a brother and a friend" in Sager and lauded the late broadcaster's professionalism.

MORE: Remembering Craig Sager's greatest moments

"He always asked the right questions," O'Neal said. "He brought the best out of everybody. If you got interviewed by Craig Sager, that means you did work."

Miller, who was on the call for Thursday's game between the Bulls and Bucks at Milwaukee's Bradley Center, said Sager's death is a "huge loss to the NBA family and a devastating loss to the Turner family." The Pacers Hall of Famer said he wants to celebrate Sager's life and will think of Sager as a guardian angel. 

The Bucks had their own tribute for Sager. Players came out wearing warmups that depicted the type of flamboyant suit Sager regularly wore. 

In Phoenix, meanwhile, the Suns' Devin Booker made a similar tribute prior to his team's game against the Spurs:

Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard did the same before his team's game in Denver.

Ron Clements