This week, the Northeast was gripped by a heat wave with temperatures rising above 100°, but in the NBA, it was Windy. I’m talking about ESPN’s NBA scribe and commentator Brian Windhorst. Windhorst’s rise to popularity, omnipresence, and success has been nothing short of phenomenal.
He came to the forefront covering LeBron James as the basketball wunderkind rose to fame in Ohio, but Windhorst has escaped the shadow of James not only by talking about what’s happening in the NBA, but by telling viewers what’s going to happen in the NBA.
This has been some kind of a week for Windhorst and the Association – a scintillating seven-game Finals series culminating with the Oklahoma City Thunder winning the championship, a series of big trades, and then the NBA Draft. Indeed. It is the NBA’s world right now, a world in which Brian Windhorst thrives.
Windhorst Wears Many Hats Because He Can
On June 24, Windhorst was all over the ESPN programming lineup. His day began with an appearance on Get Up in studio alongside Mike Greenberg and Bobby Marks. Windhorst opened the discussion of the Celtics trading Jrue Holiday to the Blazers for Anfernee Simons and a couple of second-round draft picks. Windhorst talked about Simons being nine years younger than Holiday and his solid stats but stressed that this was a money move to help the Celtics free up cash and get out of the second apron of the NBA salary system.
Windhorst then joined the discussion on the cloudy future of the Eastern Conference with injuries playing a role on several teams. He explained that the Knicks could benefit from this given that they have some salary cap room to go out and sign players. Windhorst said that the conference is basically up for grabs next season with teams like Cleveland, New York, Orlando, and Boston leading the way.
One of Windhorst’s strengths is his scope of knowledge. He segued perfectly into a discussion on the Knicks’ endless coaching search, talking about the team’s interview with Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori. Windhorst may not break stories at the pace of ESPN’s NBA insider Shams Charania, but he offers terrific and in-depth analysis. Moreover, he has an uncanny ability to explain how today’s headlines will affect tomorrow’s news.
Later in the show, Windhorst contributed to Get Up’s Burning Questions segment. This discussion focused on what the Lakers need to do to become true title contenders. Windhorst warned that if L.A. plans to play Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves together, they are going to need some defensive protection. The next question focused on which Western Conference graybeard was closer to winning a title: Stephen Curry, LeBron James, or Kevin Durant. Windhorst said that he liked what they are building in Houston, but he’s not sure Durant will be there long enough for them to achieve their title goals. Windhorst also said that, similar to the Knicks, the Lakers have a financial window of opportunity right now to add to their roster and make a run at a championship.
From ‘Get Up’ To Sharing a ‘First Take’
The second leg of Windhorst’s TV Triple Crown saw him on First Take joining Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim. The program opened with a debate on whether Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton should have played in Game 7 vs. OKC, a contest in which he tore his Achilles. Windhorst gave the best explanation of why Haliburton was right to play. He stated, “He has got his contract … He’s been an All-Star. He’s been an All-NBA player. He won a Gold Medal in the Olympics. He’s got a shoe deal … The only thing he doesn’t have in his life is that championship.” Windhorst added that the saddest part of Haliburton’s injury is that he was off to a great start and may have scored 40 points and delivered a Game 7 performance for the ages.
He breaks stories but can also break down the game. In addition, he likes to get to the heart of the matter. Regarding Haliburton’s decision to play Game 7 with pain, Windhorst said that he has spoken to numerous NBA people, all of whom have gained a ton of respect for Haliburton. He then doubled down, surmising that the Pacers’ leader also gained millions of worldwide fans for his selflessness. Windhorst is right. Haliburton’s decision to play was refreshing in this age of load management and future-first decisions on the part of players.
Windhorst is a dream guest for any program because he can talk about anything and anyone in basketball. These shows are pre-planned in terms of topics and time for each program block, but conversations often move away from the script. He thrives in these moments. He is plugged in and turned on to any and all basketball discussions. I especially like when he’s a guest on First Take, where he lies in the weeds waiting for his turn to pounce on a subject as Smith sermonizes. He smiles, raises his eyebrow, and then unloads—either agreeing or annihilating Smith’s take.
When the discussion turned to the Celtics, Windhorst stated bluntly that they are not trading Jayson Tatum, and they don’t want to trade Derrick White or Jaylen Brown, so Kristaps Porziņģis would be the next likely person to go. Just a few hours later, that happened, as Boston shipped the talented but injury-prone Porziņģis to Atlanta in a three-team trade.
First Take continued with Qerim leading into an interesting question about which veteran player has more at stake with his new team: Durant with the Rockets or Aaron Rodgers with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Windhorst said that Durant has a much better chance to achieve success, adding that, as a team, the Steelers are not heading in any way near as positive a direction as Houston.
Wit, Wisdom, and Insights Define Windhorst
When he appears on numerous shows on a given day, he doesn’t just regurgitate what he said on a previous program. While the subject matter is the same, he brings a different look and substance to his takes. In a First Take standup segment, he talked about how the Milwaukee Bucks are financially handcuffed in terms of improving their roster, then segued to a discussion on the best duos in the NBA, saying that Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are still tops, but OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams are on the come up for sure.
Windhorst continued his Tuesday Tour de Force joining Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon on ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption for their 5 Good Minutes segment. In this format, Windhorst showed his ability to be both lightning-fast and in-depth. He ripped through a discussion on the current frequency of Achilles injuries in the NBA, further analysis of the Durant-to-Houston deal, expectations with the Lakers’ sale to Dodgers owner Mark Walter, and more on the Knicks’ head coaching search.
Windhorst is listed as a Senior NBA Writer at ESPN and also hosts the Hoop Collective podcast, but those titles do not do justice to what he brings to the airwaves. His wisdom and basketball know-how shine in any format and on any program. LeBron James recently chided Windhorst, calling him “the guy who says he’s like my best (expletive deleted) friend.” Guess what, LeBron? Brian Windhorst doesn’t have time to suck up to you. He’s too busy offering up some of the best real talk in basketball.
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John Molori is a weekly columnist for Barrett Sports Media. He has previously contributed to ESPNW, Patriots Football Weekly, Golf Content Network, Methuen Life Magazine, and wrote a syndicated Media Blitz column in the New England region, which was published by numerous outlets including The Boston Metro, Providence Journal, Lowell Sun, and the Eagle-Tribune. His career also includes fourteen years in television as a News and Sports Reporter, Host, Producer working for Continental Cablevision, MediaOne, and AT&T. He can be reached on Twitter @MoloriMedia.
