ESPN continues their trend of firing on-air talent and implementing their succession plan. After it was announced Doris Burke was in line to replace Mark Jackson in the NBA Finals broadcast booth, Jackson tweeted out that not only was he removed from the broadcast, but he was fired from ESPN.
— Mark Jackson (@MarkJackson13) August 1, 2023
Another long time and beloved employee let go; thus ending one of the best broadcast trios to ever sit court side. With the departure of Jeff Van Gundy last month, only Mike Breen is left standing. The trio called 15 NBA Finals together.
Mike Breen, per a statement to The New York Post:
“It’s sad because we really thought we had something special and … we were able to do it a lot longer than anybody ever did,” Breen told The Post. “It’s something we’ll all treasure, but we just wish it was a little bit longer.
“You don’t expect it, because it was such a great team and to have it completely broken up was a surprise.”
ESPN’s plan is pretty out in the open: they fired JVG and Jackson, and will be replacing them by promoting Doris Burke and hiring Doc Rivers. Of course, you have morons like Jason Whitlock saying Doris Burke is “unqualified,” which is just laughably false. I am totally against the firings of JVG and Jackson, I would have preferred that didn’t happen, but what’s done is done, so I’m happy for Doris Burke for a much deserved promotion.
Doc Rivers, on the other hand, I’m skeptical on how he will be received by the audience and how he will fit in with Burke and Breen (who already have an established chemistry on-air). Plus, if his voice is horse the entire time we’re going to have a problem. Sadly, Burke and Rivers will have an uphill battle, because no matter what they do and say (and what the ratings are) they’ll always be compared to the previous booth of Breen, Jackson and Van Gundy.
I’d also like to take the time to remember one of the best meme formats to ever grace sports Twitter. Here are some highlights:
RIP to the greatest meme format in the history of basketball Twitter pic.twitter.com/CmZTTOho7W
— Ian Levy (@HickoryHigh) July 31, 2023
Mark Jackson: "Duncan Robinson bringing the heat from around the corner like Pacino!"
— James (@FunkDoc1112) June 2, 2023
Jeff Van Gundy: "I was in a situation like Deniro was in once, where I had to walk out on a woman to avoid the law. I often think about the life we could've had."
Mike Breen: "Butler for 3" pic.twitter.com/ZvUNJNvrRr
Jackson: I’m telling you, Monica and Rachel could have never afforded such a nice apartment on their wages.
— Ryan Burkhart⚾ (@BaseballBurk) June 2, 2023
Van Gundy: I have never spoken publicly about it, but in 1990 I hit a drifter from the passenger side of a car with a drive by lawn dart.
Breen: Jokic to inbounds. pic.twitter.com/2amj6CojrR
VAN GUNDY: You know what movie I finally watched? The Irishman. No wait, I streamed it. No, I binged it. Can you binge movies? It's a long movie.
— Jake Meyers Fan Club Member (@DelRaz09) June 1, 2023
JACKSON: You know what movie is underrated? Monopoly the board game.
BREEN: Murray misses the first free throw.
National treasures through and through. I’m not sure what’s next for JVG and Jackson. TNT and ESPN/ABC dominate the NBA, and all those roles are filled. Barring expiring contracts, I’m not sure there is a place for them to call basketball games right now, which is heartbreaking.
I wish them the best, and this year will certainly be an adjustment listening to the NBA on ESPN.
Leave A Comment