The Miami Heat sit one win away from a chance to play for an NBA championship after demolishing the Boston Celtics 125-102 on Sunday night. After the game, the Inside the NBA interviewed Miami Heat guard Gabe Vincent and asked him about the mindset of the team entering a game that could send them to the NBA Finals. After Vincent gave an answer about how the Celtics are well-coached and will require a sense of focus and determination from the Heat, Charles Barkley responded in a way that makes the show unique compared to many others.
“Yeah, clearly you didn’t watch the game tonight,” Barkley told Vincent. “[You’re] talking about [being] well-coached and ‘don’t lay down.’ Hey, go look at the tape again.”
On Monday morning, WQAM 560 Sports host Joe Rose reacted to the viral sound bite, and gave his thoughts on TNT’s coverage of the Eastern Conference Finals ahead of what could be the final game on the network this season.
“They’re the best,” Rose said of Inside the NBA. “You can’t script that. They’re just themselves. Unbelievable.”
Being a sports talk radio host, Rose needs to stay cognizant of what teams in South Florida and beyond are doing; therefore, he watches a preponderance of the games to guide and engender conversation. Although national broadcasts draw the ire of viewers accustomed to local coverage, Rose but complimentary of the TNT crew’s work.
“The broadcast last night was really good,” Rose said. “Stan Van Gundy and Reggie [Miller] and Kevin Harlan, who we have come on here a lot during football and sometimes during basketball season as well. Those guys together and having Stan back.”
Aside from Warner Bros. Discovery-owned TNT, The Walt Disney Company is presenting the NBA Playoffs – specifically the Western Conference Finals – on its linear channels (ABC/ESPN) and on its streaming service (ESPN+). Rose mentioned how he enjoys listening to that broadcast, including color commentator Jeff Van Gundy; however, show producer Zach Krantz expressed a dissenting point of view about the network’s presentation of basketball games.
“We’ve got a few weeks until The Finals,” Krantz said. “Maybe Mark Jackson gets a coaching job so we don’t have to listen to him during those games?”
“He’s alright,” Rose responded in defense of Jackson. “Everybody’s got their own deal man, come on.”
The Walt Disney Company will present the NBA Finals starting on Thursday, June 1 featuring the longtime commentary team of Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson. Rumors have surfaced that Jackson is being considered for head coaching openings in the NBA, raising the possibility of his availability to broadcast if a potential hire is made. Although it is purely speculation, it is being regarded as something to watch as the culmination of the NBA season nears.
