ESPN has tinkered with its NBA studio show once again, trying to find that magic touch to show that it can equal or surpass TNT’s beloved Inside the NBA. After losing a legitimate studio host and going with four analysts, ESPN is dropping Jon Barry and Chris Broussard and bringing in Bill “Captain Blowhard” Simmons and Jalen Rose in hopes of making television history.
Since I’m not an avid watcher of the NBA, I usually avoid the studio shows and occasionally watch the games. ESPN hopes that the new cast of Simmons and Rose joining Magic Johnson and Michael Wilbon will give viewers something to watch.
Rose will continue as an analyst on the basketball version of College GameDay.
We have ESPN’s press release on this latest incarnation of NBA Countdown.
ESPN’s Bill Simmons, Jalen Rose Join NBA Countdown
NBA Countdown – ESPN and ABC’s NBA pre-game show – will present a new look this season when Grantland editor-in-chief Bill Simmons and ESPN analyst Jalen Rose join NBA Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Michael Wilbon. The new Countdown quartet, who will engage in the show’s lively roundtable format, will debut Friday, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m. ET during a special one-hour pre-game telecast, preceding ESPN’s season-opening doubleheader: Miami Heat/N.Y. Knicks at 8 p.m.; L.A. Clippers/L.A. Lakers at 10:30 p.m.
Mark Gross, ESPN Senior Vice President and Executive Producer, on Countdown team:
“The unique, diverse perspectives of our new commentator team fit perfectly with the show’s free-flowing format. Bill brings a deep knowledge of the league past and present, an entertaining style and an ability to articulate his inventive thoughts from a fan’s point of view. Jalen’s lengthy playing experience and his strong, informed opinions will give fans great insight into how and why things happen on the court. They join a team that includes one of the greatest players of all time and one of our most versatile and engaging commentators.”NBA Countdown guide
- Bill Simmons – author of The Book of Basketball – will make regular appearances during ESPN’s Wednesday and Friday NBA pre-game shows and ABC’s Sunday NBA pre-game shows.
- Jalen Rose will make regular appearances during ESPN’s Wednesday NBA pre-game shows and ABC’s Sunday NBA pre-game shows. Rose will also serve as a college basketball studio analyst for College GameDay and as an analyst for ESPN2’s Numbers Never Lie. He will appear on Friday’s NBA pre-game shows after the college basketball season.
- Magic Johnson will resume his role as a featured commentator on Countdown. Johnson will continue to provide expert insight and analysis, conduct interviews with the NBA’s biggest stars and contribute to the lively roundtable format.
- Michael Wilbon will continue his featured role on Countdown. Wilbon will add his journalistic insights and opinions on hot-button NBA topics, while helping to guide discussion and debate centered on the highest profile stories in the NBA.
Additional roles
- Jon Barry will transition to game analysis with regular assignments throughout the season, beginning Friday, Nov. 9, at 10:30 p.m. for Utah Jazz at Denver Nuggets.
- Chris Broussard will continue to serve as ESPN NBA Insider for SportsCenter and other news and information programming. Broussard will also serve as reporter for ESPN’s game coverage, beginning Friday, Nov. 2, at 10:30 p.m. for Clippers/Lakers.
That’s it.
