(Photo by Mike Windle/Getty Images for ESPN)
ESPN’s NBA broadcasts could look — and sound — a lot different next season.
With the network firing Jeff Van Gundy and reportedly ready to move on from Mark Jackson on their broadcast team, the rumor around the league is that they’ll replace them with Doris Burke and former NBA coach Doc Rivers.
And while they’re obviously more than qualified for the job and should do a nice job of complementing Mike Breen’s elite play-by-play commentary, some fans weren’t as excited to hear the news.
no pls not doris
— ً (@DestroyingWrld) July 17, 2023
Doc needs to clear his throat before he can be on tv
— Zach Schriftman (@zschrifty3) July 17, 2023
I don’t even hate Doris like the rest of NBA twitter but getting rid of JVG was dumb he and Mark were entertaining
— GOAT James (@BronToAD) July 17, 2023
If Doris Burke is on it I will try believe there is no god .
— tomp (@NavyTomP) July 17, 2023
Another season watching ESPN games on mute.
— DaddyRich (@DaddyRich98) July 17, 2023
Van Gundy was highly respected as one of the most knowledgeable guys in the NBA broadcast scene, which is far from a surprise, granted that he had plenty of experience as an NBA coach.
It shouldn’t take long before he finds another deal somewhere else, whether it’s on another network or with an NBA team looking for more experience for their top-of-the-line assistant staff.
As for Jackson, he did have his fair share of controversial takes and comments, and the fans weren’t always fond of him or his opinions, but it seemed like the three of them had developed some nice chemistry after all the years together.
Burke is one of the most insightful color commentators in basketball, but fans can’t seem to stand her when she talks about the players she’s a fan of, and Rivers’ reputation as a coach could also take a toll on how fans think of him as a commentator.
Whatever the case, we can only hope this is the right move by ESPN.
The post Fans React To ESPN’s Potential NBA Broadcasting Team Next Season appeared first on The Cold Wire.