ESPN changed its top NBA broadcast team for the upcoming season, adding Doris Burke and Doc Rivers to call games with Mike Breen, while letting Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson go. The move comes despite Jackson and Van Gundy being a part of the network’s NBA Finals coverage since 2007.
Many fans and analysts don’t understand why ESPN chose to shake things up, and that includes an analyst from the network’s competitor. TNT analyst Kenny Smith said he was as confused as anyone as to why ESPN fired Jackson and Van Gundy.
“I’m not really sure how they’re [ESPN] doing it. I’m not really versed on why they’re doing all their cuts and how, is it budgetary? Because certain guys are getting let go, and then you hire someone else for more money. I have no idea why they’re doing it, but stability is what brings success,” Smith told Andrew Cohen of Front Office Sports.
Therefore, Smith is proud of what TNT has developed with Inside the NBA, as he, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Ernie Johnson have been together for over a decade.
“People can count on certain things, I think that’s what makes us the best show on television. We have stability, we’re entertaining,” Smith said. “But more importantly, we have stability. We have guys that you really can count on that know the game.”
Smith, Barkley and Johnson have worked together since 2000, while O’Neal joined permanently in 2011. The quad will once again head TNT’s NBA coverage this year, while ESPN tries to find the right mix of personalities to compete.
