Steve Buckhantz was only minutes away from calling Phil Chenier a “motherfucker.”



Chenier, the Wizards’ former color commentator who worked alongside Buckhantz in the booth for 20 years, had just intercepted a staffer in the fifth-floor hallway of a chic Philadelphia hotel. He recognized the package the man was bringing to a guest’s room: three feathered pillows and a box fan.



There was no question. This was for Buckhantz.



The popular play-by-play announcer’s hotel habits have become comedic relief around the Wizards. The way Chris Paul is particular about how he wants to set up his offense; that’s Buck in a hotel room. For 22 years on the road, Buckhantz has had the same routine. He requires his feathered pillows and box fan. He wants the softest mattress possible, and he’ll do whatever it takes, including yanking plywood out from above box springs, to get there. He prefers corner rooms. He’s gold when it comes...