Tuesday, November 3rd

LA Lakers @ Oklahoma City Thunder (NBATV, 8pm)- Local Announcers

Wednesday, November 4th

Miami Heat @ Washington Wizards (ESPN, 7pm)- Dan Shulman, Mark Jackson
Dallas Mavs @ New Orleans Hornets (ESPN, 9:30pm)- Mark Jones, Hubie Brown

Thursday, November 5th

San Antonio Spurs at Chicago Bulls (TNT, 8pm)- Kevin Harlan, Doug Collins, Cheryl Miller
Denver Nuggets @ Portland Trail Blazers (TNT, 10:30pm)- Marv Albert, Mike Fratello, Reggie Miller and Craig Sager

Friday, November 6th

Cleveland Cavaliers @ New York Knicks (ESPN, 8pm)- Mike Breen, Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy, Doris Burke
San Antonio Spurs @ Portland Trailblazers (ESPN, 10:30pm)- Kevin Calabro, Hubie Brown

Saturday, November 7th

Denver Nuggets at Atlanta Hawks (NBATV, 7pm)- Local Announcers

Sunday, November 8th

Golden State Warriors @ Sacramento Kings (NBATV, 9pm)- Local Announcers

Feel free to Create a Caption with this one....

We'll be live blogging all of the action here and at 12SD tonight. Drew Brees and the high flying Saints are hosting Matty Ice and the Atlanta Falcons Here are your particulars....

Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints (ESPN, 8:30pm)- Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Jon Gruden
Line: NO -11.5, O/U 55.5

It's not a firing situation, but Bill Walton will not be returning to ESPN to cover the NBA. Walton has been dealing with back issues for years now (the reason for his original departure from ESPN), and has subsequently made the personal decision to retire from broadcast entirely. Via Sports Business Daily....

Citing persistent back problems, Bill Walton has decided not to appear on ESPN’s NBA telecasts this year, ending a relationship that started in '02. The Basketball HOFer missed most of last season because of back pain. His deal with ESPN expires after this season. “As I return after a grueling multi-year, life-threatening, life-changing ordeal with back problems, it is time to dedicate the rest of my life to service,” Walton said in a statement released by ESPN. “It is great to be back in the game. Thanks everybody -- for everything.” ESPN Exec VP/Studio & Remote Production Norby Williamson: “Bill is a Hall of Fame talent, both as a player and broadcaster. NBA fans will miss his distinct personality. We appreciate all of his contributions to ESPN and share best wishes toward continued health and happiness.”

This is obviously a sad day for the NBA community, because even though you may not always enjoy Walton's commentary, you can't deny his passion for the game of Basketball. Things just won't be the same without him.

Chris Johnson is undoubtedly very fast, but when describing his prowess in that department, you probably shouldn't call it "get away from the cops speed". That's what Gus Johnson said during the Titans romp over the Jags yesterday, and it brings up a lot of questions. First the video....

"First down and ten. Johnson ... gets his shoulders square! Watch out! He's got gettin' away from the cops speed. Touchdown."- Gus Johnson

I know that this is just another attempt at making a clever comment, that went wrong, but an ESPN commenter just got suspended for a similar line of thinking recently. What would happen if Jim Nantz blurted that line out instead of Gujo?

Exciting calls like these are made on the fly, but every announcer should seriously just stick to the gameplan and not try to be so clever.

Press Coverage (The Sporting Blog)

During FOX's OT yesterday evening, Curt Menefee and the gang announced that they are talking the show on the road. Well overseas to be exact. FOX's NFL Sunday will be broadcasting a show for the troops in Afghanistan next weekend.

FOX Sports, in conjunction with Armed Forces Entertainment, proudly announced that it would broadcast an unprecedented two-hour special FOX NFL SUNDAY on November 8 (11:00 AM ET/8:00 AM PT) from an undisclosed military installation in Afghanistan.

The Emmy Award-winning team of Curt Menefee, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Michael Strahan, Jimmy Johnson and Jay Glazer make this exciting trans-global journey just three days before Veteran’s Day as a tribute to the dedication and sacrifice of our country’s servicemen and women.

“Our men and women in the military put themselves in harm’s way to protect everything we hold dear, and none more so than those who are stationed in the Middle East,” said FOX Sports Chairman David Hill. “It is our privilege and honor to take FOX NFL SUNDAY to them in November, right before Veteran’s Day. Amidst the fun and football, it’s our hope to showcase the dedication of these men and women who have to defend against a lot more than the Wild Cat.”

Well this should certainly be a blast. Veteran's Day occasionally becomes a forgotten holiday, and needs to be recognized especially during times when America is at war. Great idea by FOX if you ask me.