Malika Andrews was the featured guest on a new episode of the SI Media with Jimmy Traina podcast. Andrews is entering her first playoff season as host of NBA Countdown, a position she took over from Mike Greenberg. Andrews filled in for Greenberg on various editions of the program throughout the 2022-23 regular season, largely due to Greenberg’s busy schedule.
As Traina pointed out Andrews will have to be on almost every night coming up she said, “I usually don’t think of it in those terms. I get to be on every night versus I have to be on every night.” She later added about the upcoming schedule, “This is new to me. I have never experienced this sort of schedule before.”
Traina asked Andrews about when she found out she had gotten the new gig and whether or not she had an idea it was coming. Andrews said because she had filled in and had a taste of NBA Countdown, “I hoped that someday I would have the opportunity to host NBA Countdown. Giants have sat in this seat before me, and I’ve always had a deep appreciation for that.”
Andrews told Traina about a text she received from Greenberg upon the announcement of her getting the position. “He wanted to make sure that I heard from him, and he said, ‘You’re so ready and you’re going to be so great in this role. I don’t have the least bit of concern, and neither should you. My only advice is keep having fun with it and pace yourself, because it’s a long season. If you need some rest, take it. And I’m looking forward to watching you. I am a text away if you need anything.’
“That meant the world to me, getting that text from him in that moment because he has done so much and continues to do so much. I felt at that point there are a couple of people that see something in me so now I’m going to try and fulfill whatever that is even if I’m a little bit nervous.”
Andrews talked about working on the show and some of the unique personalities show is on with, including Stephen A. Smith. “I always knew that Stephen A. was a machine in terms of the work that he puts in, but I think sitting next to him I’ve definitely grown to have a new appreciation for it…There is nobody who works harder. His work ethic is really unparalleled. I admire his ability to jump sport to sport on First Take and then really know basketball.”
