Jeff Van Gundy is going to be difficult to replace on the ESPN/ABC NBA telecasts. Love him or not, it was always an entertaining broadcast, with Mark Jackson and Mike Breen. The chemistry that team created was special and didn’t just happen overnight. That’s why bringing someone else into that mix is going to put a strain on the parties that remain intact on the broadcast.
In case you’ve been living under a rock, Van Gundy was a part of the latest ESPN cost cutting moves. Last month Van Gundy became the one of the big names let go after 16 years calling the NBA. He had just wrapped up calling the NBA Finals when word came of his ouster, with one-year left on his contract.
Will ESPN/ABC even decide to bring in someone else? It’s one option for the network, but maybe not the best choice. I think fans have gotten used to the three-person booth. I’m not usually into the crowded broadcast, but even I got accustomed to the multitude of voices.
Names have come up already from various insiders. Doc Rivers, JJ Redick and Doris Burke are popular choices to step in, and all could likely do the job. Burke is very well respected in basketball circles and would be a fine choice. Rivers has that kind of been there done that feel to him and Redick while on the rise, may not be quite ready to step into a role on the lead broadcast.
Here’s a few thoughts, on a few of those names, and some other options to consider. There’s some of the obvious and some that may be a little more outside the box.
THE ROOKIES
How often do we see it in baseball? The high priced veteran is released so a young player on a rookie contract can come up. There are plenty of rookies out there that might deserve a chance to show what they’ve got.
I mentioned JJ Redick. He’s been a rising star at ESPN. The credentials are there, since he played in the league and for more than a few teams. He’s been an analyst in several roles at the network and even called a few games in the playoffs this season. Redick was a little green, but got pretty good reviews overall. Having that experience could have been a sign that ESPN was preparing him for an expanded or different role. But will the network stretch him thin or will he be required to give up his podcast, First Take appearances and other studio work to get a spot on the top NBA broadcast team? Would he want to? Of the rookie candidates he’s the most intriguing.
Richard Jefferson is also already at ESPN, which would make for an easy transition. Jefferson is mainly a studio host, but has some experience as a game analyst with ESPN and also on YES’s Nets broadcasts. He has a bold personality, is known to crack a one-liner from time to time. I just wonder if that personality would mesh with the established announcers that are in place right now.
POACH A BIG NAME
It would fly in the face of cost cutting if ESPN/ABC were to do this. Somebody that’s already established as a game analyst isn’t going to come cheap, especially if they are making a leap from a 2nd or 3rd crew to a top one. Somebody like Reggie Miller or Grant Hill, would instantly help that already established broadcast, but neither wouldn’t come cheap.
It would certainly make a splash, if ESPN/ABC were able to pull off something like this. But it doesn’t ensure the new person, who is already established, would be able to assimilate smoothly into the established broadcast. Then there are the optics again. Not good.
THE RETREAD
Doc Rivers is a guy that has done this job at a high level before. He was part of ABC’s coverage of the NBA Finals back in 2004 working with Al Michaels then. While I have no doubt he’d be able to recapture his earlier magic, this is a good opportunity to bring in some new blood. Plus, Rivers won’t come without a high price tag. Again, bad optics.
OTHER NAMES TO CONSIDER
As I just mentioned, this is an opportunity to think outside the box, to approach the broadcast with a clean slate.
I would love to see someone give Candace Parker a bigger shot at this type of job. She made history when she joined the TNT broadcast of the All-Star game in February. She has proven herself more than capable as a studio analyst for NCAA Tournament coverage and for TNT’s Tuesday night NBA coverage. Parker has a terrific personality and looks like she’s having a great time, when I’ve watched her. She seems to work well with those that she is on the set with. It would be great to see her get a chance to expand her role and profile. Parker is more than qualified to step in as well. She’s a tremendous basketball player and brings a ton of experience and great credentials to analyze games.
Doris Burke doesn’t really have to do much more to prove how good she would be in a game analyst role. She already does this on the secondary NBA crew for ESPN/ABC. Normally paired with Mark Jones, Burke provides excellent insight and breakdowns of plays and players. She should be under consideration for the full-time role with the main broadcast for sure.
CONCLUSION
While all of the above names are certainly worthy, I think ESPN/ABC would be wise to just stay the course with the two remaining members of the broadcast. Breen and Jackson work well together and I think would continue the success that has already been built. The two know the NBA landscape very well and are true professionals.
While it will certainly be different without Van Gundy, the broadcast would have a little more room to breathe. I’m not being critical here of JVG, but there was always a lot of chatter with him and Jackson, which can be a bit much at times. To me, two person booths are usually smoother and less cluttered. The broadcast would certainly lose some personality and back and forth, but I think it would survive and do so quite well.
Ride it out for a couple of seasons and see what happens. If you want to have ‘guest’ analysts once in a while, to see how some of these possibilities might work out, go for it.
We’d all find out just how good an analyst Jackson is, without having someone like Van Gundy to play off of. Jackson would also have room to carve out his niche and have more opportunity to analyze. He brings that experience as a player and a former coach in the league, we’d get to hear more of what he knows and thinks in this scenario.
While it was a mistake to get rid of Van Gundy, the game goes on. I think the broadcast in good hands with Breen and Jackson.
Andy Masur is a columnist for BSM and works for WGN Radio as an anchor and play-by-play announcer. He also teaches broadcasting at the Illinois Media School. During his career he has called games for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox. He can be found on Twitter @Andy_Masur1 or you can reach him by email at Andy@Andy-Masur.com.
