I don’t often watch the NBA.

I don’t have a personal vendetta against the league or anything of that sort, I just don’t watch it very much. The college game is much more exciting to me.

But there’s something about the NBA Playoffs that always seem to excite me.

The passion and the intensity are real, from both the fans and players. The big shots, the nail-biting free throws, the never-ending timeouts and reviews. They all mean a lot more now, and that in itself is exciting.

The glamour and fame that comes with the NBA gets the best of some people and makes others into glorified superstars. On one end of the spectrum is a guy like LeBron James, known to all the world from the time he was in high school. At the other end is someone similar to Jeremy Lin, relatively unknown until a breakthrough with the New York Knicks.

Good or bad, the NBA brings it out of you. Ask Metta World Peace about that 2004 game against Detroit.

Through much of the NBA season, TNT has you covered. The station televises games weekly during the regular season and a slew of playoff games.

Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith, among others, keep you entertained back in the studio. But it’s the courtside guy you’ll probably remembers most when the game ends.

His name is Craig Sager.

Sager has been the sideline reporter at NBA games on TNT for 17 seasons now. He also has worked the MLB postseason for TBS and formerly was a studio host for CNN sports shows.

He’s known for his vibrant attire and crazy suits. Sager wears some of the most unique suits you’ll ever see, and that was the subject of a recent commercial he starred in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dERaAUtx1l8

While covering the NCAA Tournament the past two years, Sager sported a tie with a bracket on it.

He’s taken some jibes about his apparel from NBA players in interviews before, namely Chris Paul and Kevin Garnett. Even his partners back in the studio like to poke a little fun at Sager for what he’s wearing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGVUX9-9QOw

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is known for being extremely short, and sometimes arrogant, when speaking to the media. He and Sager have had their fair share of interesting exchanges during their careers, including this clip of an interview during the preseason.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POxMSdBg8GA

This past week, it was announced that Sager was diagnosed with a form of leukemia. He will miss this year’s postseason to undergo treatment.

His son, Craig Sager, Jr. filled in for him during the first round game between Dallas and San Antonio. Sager II wasn't wearing a ridiculous suit, Popovich had a special message for Craig Sr.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXX45T_gkUM

We’ll miss the absurd suit/tie combinations and the funny interviews.

But Popovich is right. The NBA Playoffs need Craig Sager.

They’re not the same without him, especially for those who don’t watch many NBA games before the playoffs.

Get well soon, Craig.