Everything You Need To Know About ESPN's Coverage Of The 2009 NBA Draft

Monday, June 22, 2009


Every year, I post this little rundown of ESPN's Draft plans, and every year the number of people covering the event grows by four or five. We know that they've lost one person this year, in Stephen A. Smith (frowny face), so who are they going to replace him with? Well the answer is actually nobody. In fact, there are only going to be eleven ESPNers covering the event this year. Here's the list....

Main Stage: Stuart Scott, Jay Bilas, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy
Other Analysts: Fran Fraschilla, Dick Vitale
On-site Reporters: Ric Bucher, Andy Katz
Green Room Interviewers: Mark Jones, Lisa Salters, Rachel Nichols

Pretty obvious group there, but I'm surprised that neither Jon Barry, Magic Johnson or Michael Wilbon, is involved. But why would you need the majority of your studio team at the Draft? Other than that, it's going to be your pretty standard ESPN Draft production. You'll still have the crawl going during commercials, Bilas' "Best Available, Fran Fraschilla on the International prospects and video conferencing with fifteen NBA teams (Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Indiana, Los Angeles Clippers, L.A. Lakers, Memphis, Minnesota, New Jersey, Phoenix, Portland and Washington). Oh and here's your early look at the intro for this year as well....

Posted by Awful Announcing at 4:33 PM

11 Comments:

Only 11? Budget cuts hitting ESPN? Did someone come down with laryngitis?

Steve Smith said...
Jun 22, 2009, 4:43:00 PM  

I'm not surprised that Wilbnon is not duig the draft, because If you watched PTI over the years, he has mentioed how much he hates the draft. NBA, NFL, etc. Personaly I don't understand why people think Magic Johnson is any good on TV. Because he is not. He stinks.

Unknown said...
Jun 22, 2009, 4:57:00 PM  
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jun 22, 2009, 5:05:00 PM  

This must be a rough cut, because D-Wade was the 5th pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, not 2005 (:36 mark).

/Darko over Carmelo, Bosh, D-Wade...
//Old WDFN radio bit

Speaking of picking big stiffs, Pistons, please don't take BJ Mullens.

Jun 22, 2009, 5:09:00 PM  

WHERE IN THE HELL IS DORIS BURKE!!!

RJBO, I've heard that they promised to take him. Enjoy!!!

GMoney said...
Jun 22, 2009, 5:42:00 PM  

I'd probably rather watch it on NBA TV instead of listening to Stu Scott.

walnuts said...
Jun 22, 2009, 10:34:00 PM  

As long as they continue not to give Dick Vitale too much airtime, it should be fine.

Anonymous said...
Jun 22, 2009, 11:00:00 PM  

RJBO, I've heard that they promised to take him.

Shit. Joe Dumars is letting new Pistons' presenting sponsors Natural Light and Frank Grimes' Eyebrow Wax pick players???

Jun 22, 2009, 11:57:00 PM  

danglaser, it wouldn't matter how much airtime they give Dickie V: his script is already written.

* "Hansborough is a special player".
* "(Insert underclassman's name) would have been better served by staying another year."

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

BF said...
Jun 23, 2009, 8:04:00 AM  

Magic, Jon and Wilbon are the ABC studio team instead of the ESPN studio team, right? That's probably your reason...

BK said...
Jun 23, 2009, 9:27:00 AM  

At least I won't have to shield my eyes from Magic's stupid gold coat.I do think Lisa Salters is underrated as is Mark Jones.

Brad James said...
Jun 23, 2009, 1:23:00 PM  

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