ESPN has a new lead broadcast team for the first time in nearly two decades, and it's finally going to make its debut this week.
The new trio of play-by-play legend Mike Breen, fellow Hall-of-Famer Doris Burke, and former coach Doc Rivers will be making its broadcast debut on Friday, Oct. 13 during ESPN's broadcast of the preseason game between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN announced on Oct. 11.
Related: ESPN officially announces overhaul to its broadcasting lineup for NBA coverage
The new trio was officially announced in mid-August after a summer of turbulence that saw The Walt Disney Co. (DIS) -) sports network let go of around 20 on-air talents including NBA broadcasters Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson.
The trio will be the primary broadcast team for the NBA, including for the NBA Finals. Burke is set to be the first women in history to broadcast the NBA Finals on television.
The New York Post reported that Van Gundy's removal from the broadcast team may have been in part because of his critical nature on the broadcast which may have upset some folks with the NBA. As for Jackson, ESPN reportedly felt that his chemistry with Burke may not be as strong as it was with his previous partner.
Related: Former top ESPN NBA voices are intriguing candidates for this new gig
ESPN's second NBA broadcast team — which consists of play-by-play man Ryan Ruocco and former NBA players JJ Redick and Richard Jefferson — has yet to make its preseason debut for the network.
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