NBA announcer Jim Durham dies at 65

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CHICAGO, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Longtime Chicago Bulls and ESPN radio basketball announcer Jim Durham has died, the broadcaster announced Monday. He was 65.

Durham, who was the radio play-by-play voice of the Bulls from 1973 to 1991, died at his home in Tomball, Texas, ESPN announced. No cause of death was given.

Durham, an Illinois native, was currently ESPN's lead radio play-by-play announcer for NBA games. He was at the mike during Tuesday's 2012-13 season opener between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf released a statement indicating sorrow over the passing of an important piece of the team's history.

"Jim was the voice of the Bulls for 18 years and he was the best at calling a basketball game I ever heard," he said. "I loved the energy he brought to our broadcasts, the way he painted a word picture of what was happening on the court which made you feel like you were there, and his sense of humor."

Durham is survived by his wife Helen and their three children, Patrick, Richard and Tracy.