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The crowning of an NBA champion is an early summer tradition.
So is ESPN changing the lineup of its NBA Countdown pre/post game shows.
If the Bristol Faculty is judging the current crew strictly on performance, the annual changing of the guard will not happen. The cast — Mike Greenberg, Stephen A. Smith, Michael Wilbon, Jalen Rose along with news-breaker Adrian Wojnarowski — have made the show well-worth watching. Considering the revolving-door history of Countdown, that’s a major accomplishment.
The show’s identity is now fueled by a natural collaborative effort. No gimmicky segments are part of the program. The priority is not loud debate. This is not the NBA version of First Take.
No individual is trying to dominate. Though Smith is a star in his own right, he has not shown any desire to maintain a half-hour of pedal-to-the-metal of me-me-me passion. In doing so, he still maintains enough of the SAS style that’s driven his career and his brand, endearing him to friend and foe alike.
Credit Greenberg, who initially had trouble controlling the flow of conversation between the opinionated panel, while trying to add his two-cents to the conversation, for becoming more cognizant of his role as traffic cop. Greenberg’s ability to steer the conversation — keep it moving, for the most part, sans soliloquies — has given the show more focus and made it a much easier watch.
Wilbon, who once hosted Countdown, brings his knowledge of the NBA, and an appreciation of its history, to the studio. He also brings a trust factor, developed and polished on Pardon the Interruption and his many years as a sportswriter, that very few in the flighty world of sports TV possess. When ESPN divides the screen into four boxes, viewers can see Wilbon listening intently to what his colleagues are saying. And when he reacts, he provokes even more thought from his colleagues and viewers.
Rose, the only holdover from the last edition of Countdown, was known, at least in this space, as a wannabe game show host. He seemed more concerned with punching up the beginning of a commercial break with some joke-cracking than delivering memorable NBA insight.
Someone running the joint must have gotten to Rose — sort of. He’s dialed back the shtick but still delivers edgy opinions. One was so controversial and possibly libelous, SAS had to provide a retraction for him during a November episode of Countdown when Rose supposedly “was out of the country.”
Outside of the respect they apparently have for each other, this iteration of Countdown benefits from the singular identity it continues developing. Countdown, finally, is not solely about chasing down TNT’s Inside the NBA/NBA Tip-Off studio shows and going copycat.
At least that’s our perception. Previously, ESPN tried duplicating the magic produced by TNT’s Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley, and apparently realized that won’t happen.
This time around it’s different. Finally, ESPN brainiacs have produced an NBA Countdown concerned about being itself.
MAD DOG CUDDLY WITH ESPN
For years, going back to his day at WFAN, SiriusXM’s Christopher (Mad Dog) Russo got highly agitated with ESPN, its product, and the way it did business. He would often bash the Worldwide Leader, treating its talent and executives as his own personal fire hydrant.
Oh, how times have changed. Doggie has become ESPN’s most favored Bobo. The love is reciprocal with Russo going Gaga over ESPN teaming him with Stephen A. Smith on Wednesday editions of First Take. Last Sunday, the affair took on an unctuous quality with Russo doing a guest-spot on ESPN’s KayRod Sunday Night Baseball alternate broadcast featuring Michael Kay and Alex Rodriguez.
In the past, Russo has never had any use for A-Rod. Rodriguez has been the target of many classic spews delivered by Dog. But there was Russo last Sunday night swapping giggles with A-Rod & Co.
So now, we must ask the following question: Did Russo really mean those nasty things he used to say about ESPN and A-Rod? Is his “new” attitude a change of heart? Or is it strictly business? After all, Russo all but gave ESPN the next Peabody Award for its recent 30 for 30 documentary on Greg Norman.
A caller to Russo’s SXM soiree asked Dog similar questions.
“I think if you’re saying I hurt my credibility by going on there and cutting it up with A-Rod it’s a valid point,” Russo said via his satellite connection. “….But I’ve known Michael (Kay) for years. He’s a friend. I did it for Mike.”
Very touching!
At least Dog didn’t get defensive over the caller challenging his credibility when it comes to sucking up to ESPN or trading yucks with A-Rod. Something tells us this won’t be the last time Russo will be answering similar questions.
BREEN BLEW IT AND KNEW IT
Even the best of them stumble.
Mike Breen, on ABC, wrecked the end of his buzzer-beater call of Jayson Tatum’s cutting layup in Game 1 claiming “they waved it off.” Wonder how many TV screens in the homes of Celtics fans were smashed after hearing Breen’s blunderful call?
Seriously though, there was complete chaos on the court with the Celts celebrating a wild win over Brooklyn. Yet Breen had the presence of mind, and courtesy, to say he made a mistake and apologize to viewers. That’s a tough pill for any voice to swallow after blowing a classic, game-ending call.
Still, it was the right thing, the honest thing for Breen, who some recognize as the NBA’s top play-by-play voice, to do. His mea culpa will only cement the trust factor Breen has established with a national audience.
MAYBIN MAYBE A BIT MUCH
When a player is inserted into the lineup, even a rookie, he is expected to produce.
The same standards should be applied to baseball analysts on TV.
Enter Cameron Maybin, one of YES’ new Bombers’ analysts. He got his first extended taste of yakking during the recent three-game series in Detroit. It’s impossible to teach likeability and personality. Maybin has both. That’s good.
Yet there is a major gap between what he knows and how he delivers it. During the three games, Maybin seemed intent on building the Yankees up. Instead of bringing the reality to Gerrit Cole’s situation, Maybin was pulling a Boone, selling optimism and hoping for performances that will justify what the Yankees are paying their beleaguered ace.
On the flip side, Maybin showed an ability to break down a hitter’s problems in a specific manner. Like Wednesday, when he analyzed Gleyber Torres’ stance and swing, focusing on the mechanical flaws and what Torres could do to be a consistent hitter.
AROUND THE DIAL
Count on Nets radio analyst Tim Capstraw to bring something different to the playoff post game show. Mostly it’s about his reality. While the Free World, right after Game 2, was stunned over Kevin Durant/Kyrie Irving’s lack of offense, Capstraw actually heaped gobs of credit on the Celtics for their defensive scheme and intensity. After all, Durant/Irving didn’t stop themselves from scoring…
Fox allowing Gus Johnson to work some TNT NBA games is a good thing. It also shows the only voices networks hold as exclusive to them are the rules analysts, like CBS’ Gene Steratore and Fox’s Mike Pereira…..FANs Tiki Barber/Brandon Tierney are better together. Alone, not so much. Each mouth flew solo for a day last week. It equaled nails on a chalkboard.
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DUDE OF THE WEEK: EPIC GAMES
The makers of the enormously popular Fortnite generated more than $140 million earmarked for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. This is how an elite brand makes a meaningful contribution. Well done.
DWEEB OF THE WEEK: BEN McADOO
When it comes to dealing with the media, the former Giants coach still has much to learn. Now, the Panthers OC, McAdoo said: “Sam (Darnold) is our starting quarterback, yes.” Just over a minute later he said: “That wasn’t something I should have said.” McAdoo still knows how to deliver mixed-up messages.
DOUBLE TALK
What Michael Kay said: “The Yankees aren’t scoring runs off an Orioles pitching staff that’s been much maligned. “
What Michael Kay meant to say: “The Yankees aren’t scoring runs off an Orioles pitching staff that stinks.”
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