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NBA TV Announces Its Early Playoff Schedule Plus Other Programming

NBA TV, the league-owned and Turner Sports-run network, will be part of the TV rotation in the early-going for the playoffs. For the first week, it will carry three games and will utilize NBA television veterans Ian Eagle and Kevin Calabro to call the games. Steve Smith and Greg Anthony will be the analysts. Tracy Wolfson and Stephanie Ready will be the reporters.

In addition, NBA TV will provide plenty of programming surrounding the 2012 NBA Playoffs. Matt Winer, Rick Kamla and Vince Cellini will be the studio hosts. Chris Webber, Greg Anthony, Brent Barry, Dennis Scott and Steve Smith will be among those who will join the fun in the studio.

We have the NBA TV announcement.

NBA Digital to Provide Comprehensive Coverage of 2012 NBA Playoffs Across Television, Online and Mobile

NBA TV to Air Approximately 1,500 Hours of Playoff Coverage Including Originally-Produced Games
NBA.com to use Playoffs Pulse to Track Popular Social Media Content and Highlight Fan Tweets with Social Spotlight; NBA Mobile to Offer Enhanced Playoff Experience with NBA GameTime App

NBA Digital, coming off a record-setting regular season, will guide fans through the 2012 NBA Playoffs with comprehensive coverage and enhancements across multiple screens, including originally-produced NBA TV game telecasts, NBA.com’s Playoffs Pulse and Social Spotlight, and new features for an enhanced experience on NBA Mobile.

NBA TV’s original productions of NBA playoff games will mark the first time the network will independently produce its playoff games since the start of the Turner Sports-NBA partnership to jointly manage the NBA’s digital assets four years ago. The network’s playoff telecasts will tip off with the Indiana Pacers hosting the Orlando Magic on Monday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m. ET. Ian Eagle will provide commentary with analyst Steve Smith and reporter Stephanie Ready.

NBA TV playoff telecasts will include interviews with coaches, who will also wear microphones during the games. Each game night will include the Pregame Show, Halftime Report and NBA GameTime postgame shows.

2012 NBA PLAYOFFS ON NBA TV (All Times ET)

TIME/DATE	GAME
Monday, April 30
7:30 p.m. ET	Orlando at Indiana  (Game 2) Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Steve Smith (analyst) and Stephanie Ready (reporter)
Tuesday, May 1
7:30 p.m.	Boston at Atlanta  (Game 2) Kevin Calabro (play-by-play), Greg Anthony (analyst) and Tracy Wolfson (reporter)
Wednesday, May 2
7:30 p.m.	Indiana at Orlando (Game 3) Eagle (play-by-play), Anthony (analyst) and Ready (reporter)

NBA TV will air approximately 1,500 hours of wall-to-wall NBA Playoff coverage. The network will provide pre- and post-game analysis, press conferences, complete-game playbacks of every playoff game and encore presentations of NBA GameTime.

The 2011-12 NBA regular season on NBA TV was the most viewed in the network’s history.  The league’s 24-hour network averaged 337,000 viewers (up 33 percent vs. 253,000 last year) and 266,000 household impressions (up 34 percent vs. 2010-11) for its 96-game schedule.

“This has been a record-setting year for NBA Digital and we look forward to carrying that momentum into the postseason,” said Albert “Scooter” Vertino, vice president of content, NBA Digital.  “NBA Digital prides itself on being the home for all things NBA and that will be our focus throughout the playoffs with originally-produced games, constant updates and analysis across NBA TV, NBA.com and NBA Mobile.”

NBA.com will transform into “Playoffs Central” including a converted home page with access to series breakdowns, complete video highlights, stats, game storylines and live streaming press conferences. In addition, NBA.com’s Playoffs Pulse will allow users to vote, track top trending topics and share content in real-time about NBA players and teams.

Throughout the Playoffs, NBA.com will showcase the best tweets, photos and videos from players, fans and NBA.com writers through NBA.com’s Social Spotlight – a dynamic mosaic that flips every few seconds to highlight the conversation in the social media space.

NBA Digital’s complete playoff coverage – from the opening tip through trophy presentation – will also include:

NBA TV

• NBA TV’s studio teams will include hosts Matt Winer, Rick Kamla and Vince Cellini, alongside a deep roster of analysts – Chris Webber, Greg Anthony, Brent Barry, Dennis Scott and Steve Smith, among others.
• Winer, Smith and Sam Mitchell will break down each first round series on Friday, April 27, with the Eastern Conference Playoffs Preview at 8 p.m. followed by the Western Conference Playoffs Preview at 9 p.m. with Cellini, Smith and Mitchell.
• NBA TV will feature NBA GameTime every night before, during and after games throughout the playoffs featuring highlights, analysis, player interviews and live press conferences.
• The network will produce Playoff Playbacks, which will be 60-minute versions of every playoff game for re-air on NBA TV.
• Original programming will include: (*air dates TBD)
  • Sounds of the Playoffs – Airing at the conclusion of each round of the playoffs, the three 30-minute NBA Entertainment-produced shows will provide exclusive coverage of games plus access on and off the court, delivering all the big shots, clutch performances and memorable moments in the weeks leading up to The Finals.
  • NBA Backstage: The Playoffs – The NBA’s top stars talk about what it takes to succeed in the playoffs.
  • The Association: Denver Nuggets – In Episode 7, The Association follows the Denver Nuggets as they begin their playoff run.
  • One on One with Ahmad Rashad – Ahmad sits down with three players to discuss their compelling stories.

NBA.com

• NBA.com will produce Playoff Series Hub pages available for every series. Each page will include video highlights, box scores, series stats and game stories from the site’s stable of award-winning writers.
• NBA.com will provide instant analysis on all breaking news throughout the playoffs.
• Exclusive content, live chats with NBA.com writers, and replays of Inside the NBA will be available on TNT OverTime on NBA.com.

NBA Mobile

• During the playoffs, users can follow all the action through NBA GameTime, the signature mobile app of the NBA available via the iTunes App Store, Google Play and the Windows Phone 7 Marketplace. NBA GameTime will provide live scoring, game alerts, video on demand, radio feeds, a redesigned app dashboard and full bracket view.
• Users also can follow the playoffs through NBA Game Time Courtside, the official tablet application of the NBA, available via the iTunes App Store. Courtside will provide live scoring, a new NBA dashboard view, video on demand, and full bracket view.
• The NBA.com mobile web site will provide users with an enhanced experience with new features including video, series trackers and an expanded bracket view.
• The site will also allow users to access postseason stats, scores and standings, as well as follow their favorite players from any HTML 5 enabled device.

That is all.

33rd Annual Sports Emmy Nominations Announced

We have the nominations, all 170 in 33 different categories, for the 33rd Annual Sports Emmy Awards. They just came out today. There are some surprises like massive hockey charlatan Pierre McGuire nominated in the Sports Reporter category and for some really strange reason, Skippy Bayless of ESPN2′s First Take was nominated for Best Studio Analyst. What analysis does he do besides yelling and having massive manlove for Tim Tebow?

There are some of the usual suspects are nominated, Bob Costas for Best Studio Host, Al Michaels in Play-by-Play, Cris Collinsworth for both Studio and Game Analyst.

Some of the nominations I agree with include Mike Mayock for Best Game Analyst, College GameDay and Football Night in America as Best Studio Shows and all of the movies in the Sports Documentary category. Sports documentaries were strong this year and I have trouble picking one although Catching Hell, the ESPN Films effort on Steve Bartman and the Chicago Cubs might be the weakest of the bunch, but the doc was still very good.

Ok, get ready to scroll, the entire list is below. We do need a page break so the list of nominees will after the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences press releases.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES ANNOUNCES THE NOMINEES FOR THE 33^RD ANNUAL SPORTS EMMY® AWARDS

Winners to be Honored During the April 30^th Ceremony At Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center
Jack Whitaker to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

New York, NY – March 20, 2012 – The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) today announced the nominees for the 33^rd Annual Sports Emmy® Awards.

More than 170 nominees were announced in 33 categories including outstanding live sports special, live series, sports documentary, studio show, promotional announcements, play-by-play personality and studio analyst.  The Awards will be given out at the prestigious Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center located in the Time Warner Center on April 30^th, 2012 in New York City.

This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Sports will go to the Sports Commentator and Essayist, Jack Whitaker.

“This is an outstanding year for the sports community and for The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences,” said Malachy Wienges, Chairman, NATAS. “The entries received in this year’s Sports Emmys resulted in a record 175 nominees, illustrating the quality of these entries.  We are also honoring Jack Whitaker with our Lifetime Achievement Award.  I had the pleasure of working with Jack for eighteen years at CBS, and Jack is a sports icon and a class act.”

In addition to Jack Whitaker, many of the today’s leading sports broadcasters, personalities and television professionals will be in attendance as presenters at the event.

The networks of ESPN (ESPN, ESPN 2, ABC, ESPN 3D & espn.com) lead the nomination totals with 55, the NBC Sports Group (NBC, Versus, Golf Channel & nbcsports.com) garnered 32, CBS (CBS, Showtime, CBSSports.com) entries received 26 nominations, while Turner Sports (TNT, TBS, NBA TV, NBA.com & truTV) have 22.

A complete list of all nominees is attached below.

33^rd Annual Sports Emmy Award Nominations by Network Group

ESPN (ESPN, ESPN 2, ABC, ESPN 3D, espn.com) – 55
NBC Sports Group (NBC, Versus, Golf Channel, nbcsports.com) – 32
CBS (CBS, Showtime, CBSSports.com) – 26
Turner Sports (TNT, TBS, NBA TV, NBA.com, truTV) – 22
HBO Sports – 19
FOX Sports Media Group (FOX, SPEED) – 16
NFL Network – 12
MLB Network – 8
DIRECTV – 2
MLB Advanced Media (MLB.com, MLBAM) – 2
NFL.com – 2
NCAA.com – 1
PGA.com – 1

33^rd Annual Sports Emmy Award Nominations by Network

ESPN – 36
NBC – 22
HBO Sports – 19
CBS – 15
FOX – 15
TNT – 15
ESPN2 – 14
NFL NETWORK – 12
SHOWTIME – 10
MLB NETWORK – 8
VERSUS – 7  
TBS – 3
ABC – 2   
DIRECTV – 2
ESPN 3D – 2
GOLF CHANNEL – 2
NBA TV – 2
NFL.COM – 2
CBSSPORTS.COM – 1
ESPN.COM – 1
MLB.COM – 1
MLBAM – 1
NBA.COM – 1
NBCSPORTS.COM – 1
NCAA.COM – 1
PGA.COM – 1
SPEED – 1
truTV – 1

BREAKDOWN OF MULTIPLE PROGRAM/SERIES NOMINATIONS

Program/Nominations/Network

24/7: 8 -  HBO
E: 60: 7 – ESPN2
A Game of Honor: 5 – Showtime/CBSSports.com
MLB on FOX: 5 – FOX
NASCAR on FOX: 5 – FOX
NBA on TNT: 4 – TNT
NBC Sunday Night Football: 4 – NBC
FIFA Women’s World Cup: 3 – ESPN/ESPN2
Outside the Lines: 3 – ESPN
Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel: 3 – HBO
SportsCenter: 3 – ESPN
The Army/Navy Game: 3 – CBS
The Franchise: 3 – Showtime
Winter X Games 15: 3 – ESPN/ESPN3D
2011 Open Championship: 2 – ESPN
2011 Stanley Cup Final: 2 – NBC/Versus
ESPN Monday Night Football: 2 – ESPN
Football Night in America: 2 – NBC
Grand Slam Tennis on ESPN: 2 – ESPN2
Inside the NBA on TNT: 2 – TNT
Joplin: City of Hope: 2 – ESPN2
McEnroe/Borg: Fire & Ice: 2 – HBO
MLB Tonight: 2 – MLB Network
NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament: 2 – CBS/TBS/TNT/truTV
NFL Films Presents: 2 – NFL Network
NFL GameDay Morning: 2 – NFL Network
NFL on FOX: 2 – FOX
Sports Science: 2 – ESPN/ESPN.com
Sunday NFL Countdown: 2 – ESPN
Unguarded: 2 – ESPN

And after the page break, all of the nominees for the 33rd Annual Sports Emmy Awards which will be handed out April 30 in New York City.

(continue reading…)

NBA Digital Adds New Features; Greg Anthony Joins NBA TV

A couple of things from Turner Sports which runs NBA TV. First, Greg Anthony who has done work with the NBA on TNT and NBA TV, will be part of the network’s Fan Night, which allows the fans to choose which game will be aired that night. Anthony, who is also CBS’ NCAA Tournament studio analyst, will join host Ernie Johnson and co-analyst Chris Webber.

In addition, Turner has announced that NBA on TNT studio analyst Shaquille O’Neal will contribute to NBA TV as well.

Plus, NBA TV will have a one hour pregame show airing before TNT’s Thursday Night doubleheaders. That will be hosted by Matt Winer.

And there are other features on the NBA’s other digital platforms. I’ll let the press release speak for itself.

NBA Digital to Offer Content Across More Platforms Than Ever Before During the 2011-12 NBA Season

- Greg Anthony to Join NBA TV’s Acclaimed Fan Night and Shaquille O’Neal to Serve as Network Contributor -

NBA Digital – a partnership between Turner Sports and the NBA – today announced the addition of Greg Anthony to NBA TV’s signature Tuesday Fan Night program and TNT NBA analyst Shaquille O’Neal for regular contributions and in-studio appearances, as part of its multiplatform digital plans for the 2011-12 season, which includes new programming on NBA TV, an enhanced NBA GameTime mobile application, and access to NBA.com StatsCube for the first time during the regular season.

Anthony will join host Ernie Johnson and analyst Chris Webber, with O’Neal making contributions for the popular NBA TV Fan Night on Tuesdays throughout the regular season.  Entering its fourth season, Fan Night provides fans with the opportunity to vote on NBA.com for games they want to see televised nationally on NBA TV.  The first Fan Night game will be January 3, 2012.

NBA TV new programming for the 2011-12 season will include Thursday Night Pregame Show, a 60-minute pregame show on Thursday nights with host Matt Winer, joined by analyst Steve Smith or Dennis Scott and a rotating TNT studio analyst each week prior to the TNT pregame show.

“NBA Digital’s goal is to provide fans with around-the-clock access to the most-comprehensive coverage of the game they love, regardless of platform,” said Christina Miller, senior vice president and general manager of NBA Digital and senior vice president, Turner Sports Strategy, Marketing and Programming. “Our talented and energetic studio teams, coupled with our full schedule of games, informative original programming and our extensive cross-platform offerings, deliver everything fans need to catch every minute of the season.”

NBA TV will tip off its 13^th season and 96 games of coverage on Dec. 26 with a doubleheader, as the Houston Rockets take on the Orlando Magic (7 p.m. ET) followed by the L.A. Lakers visiting the Sacramento Kings (10 p.m. ET). Prior to the regular season, NBA TV will broadcast at least 10 preseason contests live, including Florida’s intrastate rivalry when the Orlando Magic hosts the Miami Heat Dec. 21 (7 p.m. ET), with Marv Albert and Mike Fratello calling the game, and Craig Sager providing courtside reporting.

NBA GameTime Mobile Application:

• The NBA GameTime Mobile application has been enhanced for the 2011-12 season to provide more content and video for fans, along with the option to customize the home screen to their favorite NBA team. A premium NBA GameTime version will provide live audio of games, in-game video highlights, game highlight recaps, and extensive video features.

NBA.com StatsCube and NBA.com highlights:

• NBA.com StatsCube – For the first time during the regular season fans will have access to the NBA.com StatsCube, the official analysis tool of the NBA.  The one-of-a-kind tool allows fans and media on NBA.com to navigate an easy-to-use interactive application to develop deep, custom analysis on NBA players, teams and matchups. NBA StatsCube (http://www.nba.com/statscube/) is developed from the official NBA play-by-play data that is tracked courtside during every game.
• Additional Social Media interaction – NBA.com will provide a more interactive fan experience through Facebook Connect integration and feeds from Twitter throughout the season. The site also will provide original content from the extensive roster of writers, onsite features, photo galleries, and video blogs.

NBA LEAGUE PASS highlights:

• This season a subscription to the NBA LEAGUE PASS television product allows viewers, for one price, to watch live games on television, via the Internet on NBA.com, and on a variety of mobile devices and internet connected devices via NBA GameTime application. NBA LEAGUE PASS will provide fans with up to 40 out-of-market games per week.    

Additional NBA TV highlights:

• The Beat: The reporter roundtable-based program moves to Monday nights from Tuesday nights.  Vince Cellini will host, with David Aldridge returning as a regular contributor on the show.
• NBA.com Fantasy Insider: Rick Kamla, NBA TV’s fantasy expert, teams up with Dennis Scott to continue the weekly fantasy show NBA.com Fantasy Insider airing Mondays on NBA.com at 3 p.m. (ET) and airing on NBA TV at 5 p.m. (ET).
• The Jump: Along with Fan Night, Tuesday’s will feature the return of The Jump at 3 p.m (ET) on NBA.com with Brent Barry, Dennis Scott, chat master Sekou Smith and a new host to be announced soon. The show will re-air at 5 p.m on NBA TV.
• NBA GameTime: This year, Shaquille O’Neal joins the NBA GameTime team. Wednesday night’s edition of NBA GameTime will offer a double dose of analysis. The show will feature host Rick Kamla and analysts Dennis Scott and Greg Anthony for the early part of the night. For the later part of the night, Matt Winer and Greg Anthony will be joined by TNT analysts Kenny Smith and O’Neal for regular appearances.
• NBA GameTime on Christmas Day: NBA TV will tip off its new Thursday night pregame show as a part of the NBA’s opening day action on Sunday, Dec. 25 with a live studio NBA GameTime show at 10 a.m. (ET) with host Vince Cellini and analysts Steve Smith and Chris Webber previewing all of the Christmas Day games prior to TNT’s pre-game show, TNT NBA Tip Off ’11 at 11 a.m. (ET). At the conclusion of the Christmas Day games, host Matt Winer and analyst Dennis Scott will wrap up the holiday with a breakdown from all of the opening day activity.

That will do it.

NBA Digital Platforms All Over This Week’s Draft

As some in the media (like the Dan Patrick Show) are discussing the upcoming NBA Draft, NBA Digital is gearing up like none other. Of course, NBA TV has been airing past NBA Draft shows. It’s interesting to see how TNT covered the NBA Draft when it had the contract. Ernie Johnson, Jr. with a goatee is especially interesting. Anyway, there are plenty of platforms for the NBA to peruse such as NBA TV, NBA.com and NBA Mobile.

Here’s what you can kind find on each platform on the days leading up to Thursday night.

NBA Digital to Become Fan Destination for Coverage of 2011 NBA Draft Week

NBA TV Coverage to Feature More than 150 Hours of Exclusive Draft-Focused Programming

NBA Digital will provide fans with  all-access coverage  leading up to, and continuing throughout, the 2011 NBA Draft from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on Thursday, June 23.  NBA TV will cover its 12^th consecutive NBA Draft featuring more than 150 hours of exclusive draft-focused programming. “Draft Week on NBA TV” began with 13 hours on Sunday and continues with 20 hours on Monday, 24-hour round-the-clock coverage Tuesday-Friday, June 21-24 and concludes with 22 hours on Saturday, June 25. NBA.com will feature video interviews from draft prospects in the Green Room and social commentary via Facebook and Twitter and NBA Mobile will provide instant alerts and breaking news updates on draft picks through NBA Game Time, the league’s digital app.

NBA TV:

• The 2011 NBA Draft Preview (Thursday, June 23, 6 p.m. ET): Host Rick Kamla and analysts Steve Smith, Sports Illustrated and SI.com’s Seth Davis and NBA Insider David Aldridge will deliver analysis on draft picks, breaking news updates and storylines before selections are made. Following the draft, the NBA TV crew will recap the draft picks during the 2011 NBA Draft Recap at Midnight (ET). In addition to pre- and post-draft analysis, Matt Winer will host the Instant Analysis segment on key draft selections that will be available exclusively on NBA.com.

NBA.com:

• Exclusive Video Interviews: Reporter Craig Sager will be live at Prudential Center to interview players moments after they have been selected in the draft. Each interview will be featured on NBA TV and NBA.com.
• Live Chats: NBA.com writer John Schuhmann will be on-site and on-line to chat live with fans about activity surrounding the biggest night in a rookie’s career.
• Social Media Commentary: Social media correspondent LaChina Robinson will monitor the on-going conversation and provide updates via the NBA Facebook page (Facebook.com/nba) and Twitter account (www.twitter.com/nba).
• Virtual Green Room: Featuring interviews conducted by Craig Sager, NBA.com will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the prospects as they go through their NBA indoctrination from touring New York City to being fitted for suits that they will wear on draft night to meeting with the media to the moments leading up to the NBA Draft.

NBA Mobile:

• Instant Alerts: NBA Game Time, the league’s digital app, will provide fans on-the-go with instant alerts on breaking news and draft updates.

During the week, additional studio programming will include:

• NBA Draft Prospect Park (Monday, June 20, 8 p.m. ET): Host Matt Winer, analyst Greg Anthony and sports journalist Chris Dortch will take a detailed look at the prospects from across the country and around the world.
• The Jump on NBA.com Draft Special (Tuesday, June 21, 8:30 p.m. ET): During a special episode of The Jump on NBA.com host Kyle Montgomery, analysts Dennis Scott and Brent Barry and ‘chat-master’ Sekou Smith will provide a lighter approach on the 2011 NBA Draft. Fans can participate by submitting their comments via Twitter and Facebook while the crew will respond and give their comments and analysis on everything happening around the draft. The Jump on NBA.com Draft Special will re-air on NBA TV at 5 p.m. ET.
• NBA Draft: Coming Attractions (Wednesday, June 22, 8 p.m. ET): Host Marc Fein, analysts Brent Barry and Seth Davis will review the NBA.com “mock drafts” to anticipate possible selections for the draft.
• NBA Draft Review (Friday, June 24, 7-9 p.m. ET): Host Matt Winer, Former Memphis Grizzlies Head Coach and Current Team Ukraine Head Coach Mike Fratello, NBA Insider David Aldridge and former NBA scout Ron Thompson break down each division team-by- team  to assess the impact of the draft.

And there you have it.

NBA Digital To Go All Out For The NBA Finals

As the NBA Finals begin on Tuesday, NBA Digital Properties of NBA.com, NBA TV and NBA Mobile are stepping up to provide their fans an all-access pass to the games. There will be all types of features, programming and even short films dedicated to the NBA Finals which can be accessed either via your TV, computer or mobile. The details are below.

NBA Digital to Provide Unrivaled Coverage of The Finals 2011 on NBA TV, NBA.com, and NBA Mobile

Kevin McHale, Chris Webber, Charles Barkley Kenny Smith, and Rick Kamla will be Onsite Leading NBA TV’s Comprehensive Coverage Featuring 40 Hours of Live Programming
NBA.com to offer “Mini-Movies” an All-Access look at The Finals

NBA Digital will deliver extensive content of The Finals 2011 across its portfolio of television, broadband and mobile platforms, featuring more than 40 hours of live coverage on NBA TV, the launch of NBA GameTime on Microsoft Windows Phone, and five-minute “Mini-Movies,” offering a comprehensive and all-access look after each game on NBA.com.

Host Rick Kamla will anchor NBA TV’s 12th season covering The Finals.  He will be onsite with TNT’s studio analysts Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith for pre- and postgame coverage of Games 1 and 2.  Kevin McHale and Chris Webber will join him for pre- and postgame coverage of Games 3, 4, 5*, 6* and 7* (*if necessary).  Kamla and analysts Steve Smith, Brent Barry and Dennis Scott will handle press conferences and off-day news coverage onsite, while host Marc Fein will hold court from the network’s Atlanta studio. TNT’s David Aldridge will be reporting throughout the series. In addition, NBA TV, now in more than 55 million homes, will provide original programming including Sounds of The Finals.

NBA Game Time, the league’s signature digital application, will now be available on Windows Phone during The Finals. The free customized NBA application, available for download through the Windows Phone Marketplace, will provide fans with access to live scores, complete player statistics, standings, and video highlights from every game.

Along with Windows Phone, NBA Game Time is available on Apple TV, Google TV, LG NetCast™, Panasonic VIERA Connect™, Roku, Samsung Apps, and VIZIO Internet Apps™ (VIA), making it one of the most far-reaching sports applications.

“From one of the most talked about offseasons  in NBA history straight through the Playoffs, this season has captured the fans’ attention on television, online and on mobile,” said Albert “Scooter” Vertino, vice president of content, NBA Digital. “NBA Digital prides itself on being the home for all things NBA and we plan to step up our game even more in The Finals with constant updates, breaking news and analysis on NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA Mobile, and our social outlets.”

From pregame to postgame, NBA TV and NBA.com’s coverage of The Finals also will include:

NBA TV

• Pregame Show: Live at the Finals: The network’s 60-minute pregame show will air live onsite throughout The Finals. The show will feature highlights, analysis, player interviews and live press conferences.
• NBA GameTime: Finals Edition: After each game, NBA TV will air its postgame show featuring game recaps, look-aheads and analysis.
• Playoff Playbacks: The network will produce Playoff Playbacks, which will be one- and two-hour versions of every playoff game for re-air on NBA TV.
• Sounds of The Finals: The original series will follow the storylines throughout The Finals. Airing Thursday, June 9, at 7:00 p.m. (ET) and Saturday, June 18 at 7:00 p.m. (ET)*, the two 30-minute NBA Entertainment-produced shows will provide exclusive coverage of the games plus access on and off the court, delivering all the big shots, clutch performances and memorable moments from The Finals.  (*tentatively)
• Off-Day Coverage: On non-game days, NBA TV will continue its comprehensive look into The Finals with coverage of team practices, press conferences, and Finals playbacks.

NBA.com

• Mini-Movies:NBA.com will provide a five-minute, all-access look at The Finals through the lenses of NBA Entertainment’s cameras, all available online after each game.
• Player of the Game: Beginning at halftime and through the conclusion of each game, users will have the ability to vote online or by text for the Player of the Game. Once the votes are tallied, the winner will be announced on-air and online.
• Finals Hub page: NBA.com will construct a hub page for The Finals, which will include extensive video highlights, box scores, series stats, commentary, analysis, and game stories from the site’s stable of award-winning writers.
• Live Streaming Video: The site will provide live streaming video from the Courtside Camera before every game in addition to live streaming video for every postgame news conference.
• NBA.com live chats: NBA.com’s roster of critically-acclaimed reporters will conduct live chats during every game.
• Playoff Pulse: The interactive application will allow users to track conversations, vote, and share content in real-time about NBA players and teams. In addition, Pulse will guide fans on popular trending topics to access more NBA postseason information including videos, photos, new stories, and blog posts.

NBA Mobile

• NBA GameTime: NBA Mobile will add another mobile platform to its already bustling portfolio with the launch of NBA GameTime for Windows Phone. The app will give fans one touch access to video highlights, scores, play-by-play, team stats, and schedules.

NBA Digital is the NBA’s extensive cross-platform portfolio of digital assets jointly managed by the NBA and Turner Sports. This robust offering includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAGUE.com and WNBA.com.

And that concludes this post.

Sports Media Weekly Podcast No. 53 With Guest “Scooter” Vertino of NBA Digital

After a week off for Keith Thibault’s vacation, we’re back with another edition of the Sports Media Weekly Podcast. Today, our guest is Albert “Scooter” Vertino of Turner Sports’ NBA Digital division. Long-time NBA watchers know that name is familiar having heard Marv Albert give out his producer’s credit at the end of various TNT broadcasts. Scooter is now the Vice President of Content for NBA Digital overseeing NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA League Pass, WNBA.com and NBADLeague.com.

During our segment with Scooter, we discuss his responsibilities at NBA Digital. How his days are different now spending time in Atlanta as compared to when he was producing the NBA on TNT. In addition, we get one of Scooter’s favorite Marv Albert stories. We also look forward to how NBA Digital is handling the NBA Playoffs as well as what’s coming for the organization including the WNBA season and we find out how NBA Digital would handle an NBA lockout.

In the opening News of the Week segment, Keith and I talk about the NHL’s new 10 year agreement with the NBC Sports Group. We also touch on the NHL Playoff ratings, NFL schedule unveil, the Pac 12 rights bidding and the NBA ratings.

Subscribe to the podcast through iTunes by searching for Sports Media Journal. Of course, you can listen right here.

NBA Digital All Over NBA Playoffs

The NBA Playoffs are now underway, but wanted to post this press release from earlier in the week that its digital arm encompassing the web, mobile and TV will be covering the postseason like a wet blanket.

NBA Digital to Provide Extensive Multiplatform Coverage of the 2011 NBA Playoffs Across Television, Online and Mobile

NBA TV to air approximately 1,500 hours of total playoff coverage

NBA.com to launch Playoffs Pulse to track popular social media content; live streaming of postgame press conferences; and NBA Mobile to offer an enhanced playoffs experience

NBA Digital will guide fans through the entire 2011 NBA Playoffs with extensive multiplatform coverage including approximately 1,500 hours of playoff coverage on NBA TV, a new social media application – NBA Playoffs Pulse – on NBA.com, and extensive video highlights and enhanced experience on NBA Mobile.

NBA TV’s 1,500 hours of wall-to-wall coverage over approximately 65 days will include live first round action, 195 hours of live studio coverage, pre and postgame analysis, press conferences, complete game playbacks of every playoff game, and encore presentations of NBA GameTime.

On NBA.com, the new NBA Playoffs Pulse application will allow users to track conversations, vote, and share content in real-time about NBA players and teams. In addition, Pulse will guide fans on popular trending topics to access more NBA postseason information including videos, photos, new stories and blog posts.

Throughout the entire NBA Playoffs, NBA.com will convert into “Playoffs Central” featuring a transformed homepage with access to series breakdowns, comprehensive video highlights, and live streaming of press conferences.

“NBA Digital is utilizing our assets from television, web, mobile and social media to keep fans engaged and informed about the most climactic NBA season to date,” said Albert “Scooter” Vertino, vice president of content, NBA Digital. “Through NBA TV and NBA.com, to our mobile site, we will provide fans with updates, breaking news and access to everything Playoffs focused.”

From the announcement of the playoffs schedule to the conclusion of The Finals, NBA Digital’s complete coverage will also include:

NBA TV

• NBA TV’s studio teams will be made up of hosts Matt Winer, Rick Kamla and Marc Fein, alongside a roster of NBA analysts including Fan Night’s Chris Webber, as well as Greg Anthony, Brent Barry, Dennis Scott and Steve Smith.
• Kamla, Anthony and Scott will break down all first round series on Thursday, April 14 with the Eastern Conference Playoffs Preview at 7 p.m. (ET) followed by the Western Conference Playoffs Preview at 8 p.m. (ET).
• NBA TV will feature the NBA GameTime show every night before, during and after games throughout the playoffs, as well as a first-ever, live announcement of all scheduled playoff action. The studio shows will feature highlights, analysis, player interviews and live press conferences.
• The network will produce Playoff Playbacks, which will be 60-minute versions of every playoff game for re-air on NBA TV.
• Sounds of the Playoffs will follow the storylines leading up to The Finals. Airing at the conclusion of each round of the playoffs, the three 30-minute NBA Entertainment-produced shows will provide exclusive coverage of games plus access on- and off-the-court, delivering all the big shots, clutch performances and memorable moments in the weeks leading up to the NBA championship.

NBA.com

• NBA.com will produce Series Hub pages available for every series. Each page will include video highlights, box scores, series stats and game stories from the site’s stable of award-winning writers.
• The site will provide live streaming for every postgame news conference.
• Exclusive content, analysis from TNT announcers and replays of Inside the NBA will be available on TNT OverTime on NBA.com.
• Live blog updates with instant analysis and late-breaking news will be produced for every postseason game.

NBA Mobile

• During the playoffs, users will be able to access a new HTML 5 site on mobile web to include an app-like environment.
• The enhanced site will allow users to access extensive video highlights, postseason stats, scores and standings, as well as follow their favorite players from any HTML 5 enabled device.

There you have it.

Doing The Saturday Linkage

I got up early this morning (not that you care) and it now enables me to do some links for you. Some good stuff out today.

First USA Today’s Mike McCarthy, we learn that Joe Theismann claims he has not been told about any changes to the NFL Network Thursday Night Football booth. Earlier this week, Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch reported earlier this week that Mike Mayock is replacing Theismann and Matt Millen. Thanks to Marcus Vanderberg at SportsNewser for the link.

Back to Marcus at SportsNewser, he tells us that the Los Angeles Times is explaining why it chose to print the homophobic slur Kobe Bryant used against a referee in an NBA game this week.

CNBC’s Brian Beers has three cities to where the Sacramento Kings should relocate and they don’t include Los Angeles.

Kathleen E. McLaughlin of Global Post says an economic summit in Communist China led officials to ban several TV channels including Golf Channel.

There’s a controversy brewing in Philadelphia over a she said/she said story that was originally posted in the Naked Philadelphian blog where Sarah Madson, the wife of Phillies pitcher Ryan Madson was quoted as saying she hates Phillies fans and they’re rude and she won’t live in the city in the offseason. Deadspin picked up the story and the story boomeranged from there.

But Kyle Scott from the Crossing Broad blog did some investigating and found that the writer of the post, Laura Goldman has a rather checkered past. While Mrs. Madson has not denied the quote, the Phillies issued a statement that Goldman never identified herself as a reporter, nor did she record the conversation with Madson. For her part, Goldman said she did identify herself not just once but several times.

Kyle has written a post for CBS Philadelphia on the whole matter and again, he questions Goldman’s credibility. The whole question on bloggers and ethics is coming up again. I’m not sure about Goldman’s actual credentials based on her rather shady past, but there is a standard to uphold on approaching a potential interviewee. If she did identify herself as a reporter, that’s one thing, but according to people who attended the event, there was no notebook or tape recorder and there is a claim that Goldman cornered Madson and would not let her go. This story is apparently not going away any time soon.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says the NBA’s TV partners are looking forward to high ratings for the postseason.

Mike says Comcast SportsNet Chicago saw record ratings for the Bulls during the regular season.

Mike writes that the NHL on Versus saw increased viewership for the first night of the postseason.

Thomas Umstead of Multichannel writes that NBA.com is going to provide increased coverage for the NBA Playoffs.

Chris Tribbey of Home Media magazine says 3-D TV’s future depends on sports programming.

At SB Nation Boston, Bruce Allen of Boston Sports Media Watch takes a look at the Bruins and Celtics playoff TV coverage.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times takes a look at MSG Network Knicks analyst Walt Frazier’s extensive wardrobe.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post reports that Bob Papa and Gus Johnson are “neck-and-neck” for the NFL Network Thursday Night Football gig.

The Gaston (NC) Gazette reports that the local Fox Sports Radio affiliate has picked up the rights to the Charlotte 49ers basketball and football broadcasts.

Chris Bahn of Arkansas Sports 360 notes that the University of Arkansas is reaping the benefits of ESPN choosing its spring football game to air today.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News writes that the Fox/Big 12 deal could look frugal down the road and Barry also talks with CBS’ Bill Macatee about his infamous Tiger Woods interview at The Masters last week.

Speaking of that interview, the Golf Channel’s Bradel Chamblee takes Tiger to task for being smug with Macatee.

Nathan Olivarez-Giles of the Los Angeles Times writes extensively on the success of NBA.com’s video streams and how it looks to make a mark in social media.

Nathaniel Popper of the Times reports on the Fed’s crackdown on three online poker websites on Friday.

Ben Koo of Awful Announcing says while ESPN reported on the FBI’s shutdown of the poker betting websites, it did not mention the money it took in from each site for advertising.

The Hawaii Reporter says the NBC Sports Group will be covering a rowing and canoeing event at the islands next month.

Sports Media Watch notes the NBA on TNT wrapped up its most viewed regular season.

SMW says the same goes for the NBA on ESPN.

SMW says ABC had its highest-rated and most viewed season for the NBA as well.

Joe Favorito says Vancouver has untapped potential for the NHL and MLS.

And we are now done for the day. If there’s any breaking news, I’ll be here to cover it.

NBA Digital Sees Gains in 2010-11

NBA.com, NBA Mobile and NBA TV all saw significant gains in the regular season. For NBA TV, it saw a record increases in audience thanks to increased penetration into cable TV homes. In addition, NBA.com saw record numbers for video streams and page views. And for NBA Mobile, the site saw a whopping 130% increase in visits.

Your press release.

NBA Digital Enjoys 2010-11 Season Successes Across Television, Online and Mobile Platforms

NBA.com Sets All-Time Record with More Than 1.94 Billion Videos Viewed by Fans; An Increase of More Than 140% from 2009-10

The 2010-11 NBA regular season delivered tremendous success for NBA Digital across key metrics on television, online and mobile platforms. Highlights include:

NBA TV:
NBA TV featured more live NBA games (96) during the regular season than any other network, and increased distribution to 55.2 million U.S. homes in April 2011. Additionally, the network delivered:

• The highest M18-34 concentration of any cable sports network
• The youngest median age (35) of all cable sports networks
• More than 8.5 million viewers to the signature Fan Night program
• Premiered its first newsmagazine True NBA, hosted by CNN’s John King
• Debuted original programs: “NBA Unscripted: New York Knicks”, “NBA Unscripted: Golden State Warriors”
• NBA Real Training Camp shows provided unprecedented access to team practices with the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards

Source:  Nielsen Media Research.  11/2/10-4/5/11.  Live +SD data.  Includes all Live Tuesday Fan Night telecasts. Reach based on 6+ Minute qualifier.

NBA.com:
NBA.com set all-time records for video streams and page views during the regular season:

• More than 1.94 billion videos were viewed by fans this season, an increase of more than 140%
• Nearly 5.9 billion page views were viewed, an increase of more than 35%

Source: Omniture, NBA Internal Data

NBA Mobile:

• NBA GameTime, the league’s digital application, is now available on Apple TV, Google TV, Roku, Vizio, LG, iPhone, Android, Blackberry, iPad, Panasonic and Samsung, making it one of the most far-reaching sports applications.
• NBA Mobile Web page views increased 140% vs. last year (July Systems).
• NBA GameTime App downloads delivered a 130% increase across all platforms from last year.

“This year’s performance across every single metric, on every single platform is a testament to how our mission resonates with fans – the best NBA content anytime, anywhere, any way, ” said Bryan Perez, SVP and GM, NBA Digital. “Our efforts this year on emerging platforms like tablets and connected devices show we will continue to innovate toward this goal. ”

NBA Digital will once again serve as the home for NBA fans from the start of the Playoffs through the conclusion of the NBA Finals. Some highlights of NBA Digital’s postseason plans include:

• NBA TV will provide approximately 1,500 hours of NBA-related programming, including 195 hours of live studio coverage.
• NBA TV will televise at least four first-round Playoff games
  • April 19 – Atlanta @ Orlando, 7:30 pm
  • April 20 – Memphis @ San Antonio, 8:30 pm
  • April 21 – Chicago @ Indiana, 7:00 pm
  • April 25 – San Antonio @ Memphis or Portland @ Dallas, TBA
• NBA.com, through the launch of the new NBA Playoffs Pulse application, will allow users to track conversations, vote, and share content in real-time about NBA players and teams.
• NBA Mobile will provide a richer mobile experience through a new HTML5 app-like site, allowing fans access to extensive video highlights, postseason stats, scores and standings, as well as follow their favorite players from any HTML 5 enabled device.

NBA Digital is the NBA’s extensive cross-platform portfolio of digital assets jointly managed by the NBA and Turner Sports. This robust offering includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAGUE.com, and WNBA.com.

And that is all.

TNT’s NBA Doubleheader Involves The Celtics and the Heat, But Not Against Each Other

This Thursday, TNT has another NBA doubleheader. Both the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat will be involved, but they’re not going to play each other. Miami will be in Chicago to take on the Bulls while the Celtics will be out west taking on Denver. We have details from TNT on what will be aired Thursday plus we look ahead to next week’s double dip.

NBA Action Continues on TNT with an Exclusive Doubleheader Featuring Heat @ Bulls and Celtics @ Nuggets

Special one-hour pre-game show recaps the NBA trade deadline

TNT NBA Thursday continues on February 24 with a special one-hour edition of NBA Tip-Off at 7 p.m. (ET). Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Kevin McHale (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst) will preview the night’s action and will be joined by TNT NBA Insider David Aldridge to break down all the moves made at Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.  Following the pre-game show, the network will present an exclusive doubleheader beginning at 8 p.m. (ET). The first game will feature LeBron James and the Miami Heat in the Windy City to take on Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls. Play-by-play announcer Kevin Harlan will call the game alongside analyst Reggie Miller with Craig Sager reporting. In the second game of the night, Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics visit Nene and the new-look Denver Nuggets at 10:30 p.m. (ET). Marv Albert (play-by-play) and Steve Kerr (analyst) will be courtside with Cheryl Miller reporting. The Emmy® award-winning studio show Inside the NBA with Johnson, Barkley and Smith will recap the games.

Through 38 games, the NBA on TNT is averaging a 1.5 U.S. rating (+26%, 1.2 U.S. rating), 2,377,000 total viewers (+30%, 1,832,000 total viewers) and 1,770,000 households (+27%, 1,390,000 households) over last year’s corresponding coverage. In addition, this season is +26% on total viewers compared to Turner’s next best regular season audience from the 1995-96 season (total viewer average 2,377,000 vs. 1,885,000).

Exclusive content, analysis from TNT announcers and replays of Inside the NBA are available on TNT OverTime on NBA.com. The broadband channel gives fans the inside scoop on players, coaches and storylines taking place around the league seven days a week. Check out the NBA on TNT pages on Twitter (http://twitter.com/NBAonTNT) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/nbaontnt) to see the latest NBA on TNT schedule, news updates and special features from TNT announcers.

NBA ON TNT NBA SCHEDULE:

DAY/DATE
TIME (ET)	EVENT
Thu., February 24
7 p.m.	TNT NBA Tip-Off
	Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Kevin McHale (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst) with David Aldridge (reporter)
8 p.m.	Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls
	Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Reggie Miller (analyst) with Craig Sager (reporter)
10:30 p.m.	Boston Celtics @ Denver Nuggets
	Marv Albert (play-by-play) and Steve Kerr (analyst) with Cheryl Miller (reporter)
Post-game	Inside the NBA
	Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Kevin McHale (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)

NBA ON TNT UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

Thu., March 3
8 p.m.	TNT NBA Tip-Off
	Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)
	Orlando Magic @ Miami Heat
	Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Reggie Miller (analyst) with Craig Sager (reporter)
10:30 p.m.	Denver Nuggets @ Utah Jazz
	Dick Stockton (play-by-play) and Kevin McHale (analyst) with Cheryl Miller (reporter)
Post-game	Inside the NBA
	Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)

Source: Nielsen Media Research. Based on Live+SD.  NBA Regular Season on TNT STD; 38 games vs. 37 games. (10/26/2010-2/17/2011) vs. (10/27/2009-2/18/2010).

And let’s do a jump break as we have another NBA press release.

(continue reading…)

TNT’s and NBA Digital’s Plans For All-Star Weekend

I’ll give you two more NBA-related press releases and I’ll combine them into one post. Since both deal with Turner Sports properties’ plans for the NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, February 18-20, I’ll do a jump break. First, let’s give you this very long press release from TNT on the 19 hours of basketball action starting with a doubleheader on next Thursday, February 17, then the Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam at Staples Center the following night. Of course, there’s All-Star Saturday featuring the Three-Point Competition and the Slam Dunk. It all culminates with the All-Star Game on Sunday night.

We have TNT’s plans for you right here.

TNT Presents 19 Hours of Exclusive Coverage of NBA All-Star 2011 in Los Angeles from Feb. 17-20

2011 NBA All Star Game to feature Miami Heat’s “Big 3” and Boston Celtics’ “Big 4” leading the East against L.A. hometown heroes Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Blake Griffin and the West

Leading Rookie-of-the-Year candidate Griffin headlines the Slam Dunk field for All-Star Saturday Night

TNT will be live in Los Angeles for exclusive coverage of all the excitement of NBA All-Star 2011, with 19 hours of All-Star programming Feb. 17-20 featuring the biggest and brightest stars from the world of sports and entertainment. The NBA All-Star Game grabs the spotlight on Sunday, Feb. 20, when the East’s LeBron James and the Miami Heat’s “Big Three” team up with Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics “Big Four” to take on the West’s Kobe Bryant (L.A. Lakers), Pau Gasol (L.A. Lakers) and Blake Griffin (L.A. Clippers) on their home court. All eyes will be on rookie sensation Griffin on Saturday, Feb. 19, as he competes in one of the most highly anticipated Slam Dunk competitions in recent years as part of All-Star Saturday Night. The stars will be out in Hollywood beginning Thursday, Feb. 17, to tip off TNT’s All-Star coverage as four-time Grammy Winner Lenny Kravitz and other special guests join NBA Tip-Off with host Ernie Johnson, alongside analysts Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Chris Webber, live from the London Hotel prior to an exclusive doubleheader.

TNT’s exclusive coverage of the 2011 NBA All-Star Game gets underway on Sunday, Feb. 20, beginning at 7 p.m. (ET) with NBA Tip-Off live from Staples Center. NBA TV and TNT analyst Kevin McHale will join Johnson, Barkley, Kenny Smith and Webber to preview the night’s action. The show will also feature Access Hollywood reporter Maria Menounos interviewing celebrities from the Magenta Carpet at NBA All-Star 2011. This will be Turner Sports’ 27th year of hosting NBA All-Star coverage, and this will be the ninth consecutive year the NBA All-Star Game is televised in prime time on TNT.

• The Heat’s “Big Three” of James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh will team up with the Celtics’ “Big Four” of Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo and the rest of the Eastern Conference squad to take on Kevin  Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder), Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets) and the Western Conference All-Stars at 8:30 p.m. (ET).
• Marv Albert will be courtside to call the action, along with analysts Steve Kerr and Reggie Miller, with Craig Sager reporting from the sidelines.

NBA All-Star Saturday Night returns to TNT on Saturday, Feb. 19, at 8:30 p.m. (ET).

• The highly anticipated Slam Dunk with Griffin competing on his home court against JaVale McGee (Washington Wizards), DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors) and Serge Ibaka (Oklahoma City Thunder). TNT analyst Kenny Smith will serve as Griffin’s “dunk coach” and McGee will be advised by NBA TV and TNT analyst Webber during the competition.
• Skills Challenge: New Orleans Hornets All-Star point guard Chris Paul will take on four participants chosen by a fan vote. The players will compete in a two-round timed “obstacle course” consisting of dribbling, passing and shooting stations.
• Three-Point Contest: Six players will compete in the popular three-point shooting contest from beyond the arc. The Celtics’ Paul Pierce won the competition in 2010.
• Shooting Stars: A four-team competition with each team comprised of an NBA player, WNBA player and NBA legend, including TNT and NBA TV analysts Rick Fox, Kerr, Kenny Smith and Steve Smith.

TNT will have exclusive coverage of the Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam on Friday, Feb. 18 at 9 p.m. (ET).

• Star rookies Griffin and John Wall (Washington Wizards) will lead the Rookie Team against Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Tyreke Evans (Sacramento Kings) and the Sophomore Squad in the annual All-Star contest.
• Assistant coaches for the Rookies are All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire (New York Knicks) and NBA TV/TNT analyst McHale. The assistant coaches for the Sophomores are Carmelo Anthony and TNT NBA basketball analyst Kerr. Providing fans with insight from the bench, Kerr and McHale will be mic’d up during the game.

The network will tip off its All-Star coverage on Thursday, Feb. 17 with an exclusive doubleheader beginning at 8 p.m. (ET).

• NBA Tip-Off with Johnson (host), Barkley (analyst), Kenny Smith (analyst) and Webber (analyst) will air live from the London Hotel in Hollywood.
• The first game of the doubleheader will feature the San Antonio Spurs visiting the Chicago Bulls followed by the Dallas Mavericks taking on the Phoenix Suns at 10:30 p.m. (ET).
• The Emmy® award-winning studio show Inside the NBA with Johnson, Barkley, Kenny Smith and Webber will recap the night’s action live from Hollywood.

“This continues to be one of the most exciting NBA seasons in the history of the league and that is reflected in the strong ratings growth we are experiencing on TNT  through the first half of the season,” said David Levy, President of Sales, Distribution and Sports, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. “NBA All Star Weekend is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in many years with a number of marquee events and storylines highlighting our four days of coverage.”

Heading into one of Turner Sports’ signature events, TNT is enjoying one of its most-watched NBA seasons. Through 34 games, the NBA on TNT is averaging a 1.5 U.S. rating (+25%, 1.2 U.S. rating), 2,359,000 total viewers (+33%, 1,769,000 total viewers), 1,756,000 households (+30%, 1,346,000 households) over last year’s corresponding coverage. Some ratings highlights from last year’s All-Star coverage:

• TNT’s exclusive coverage of the 2010 NBA All-Star Saturday Night was the second most-watched night in the event’s 25 year history, delivering a 3.1 U.S. household rating, (3.6 cable rating), nearly 5.5 million total viewers and 3.6 million households. It also was the #1 cable television program for the night among households, total viewers and adult and key demos.
• The network’s exclusive coverage of the 2010 NBA All-Star Game was the #1 television program on Sunday night among the key men 18-34 demo, besting Winter Olympic Games coverage.

Leading into NBA All-Star Saturday Night on Feb. 19, TNT will present three original programs:

• NBA All-Star Game at 60: A one-hour live special that will showcase the unforgettable games and players that make the NBA All-Star Game one of the premiere events in sports. Johnson will host alongside  analysts Barkley, McHale and Webber, who have a combined 23 All-Star appearances between them.
• Ultimate Fantasy Draft: Barkley, Kerr, McHale, Miller, Smith and Webber will play the part of general manager to put together their ultimate All-Star team. Each analyst will draft from a pool of former All-Stars to fill out their fantasy roster. Following the show, fans will be able to log onto NBA.com and choose which analyst has the best team. The results of the fan vote will be revealed on Inside the NBA following the All-Star Game.
• The Lost Dunks: The program will look back at some of the most amazing dunks by competitors that did not win the dunk contest. The show will feature interviews with over two dozen current and former NBA All-Stars.

Fans will be able to log on to NBA.com or TNT.tv to access TNT OverTime Extra, an online mosaic player, for companion coverage of NBA All-Star 2011.

• The player will feature four live HD streaming camera angles with DVR functionality and picture-in-picture capabilities for both Saturday and Sunday.
• Fans can vote for which player they want the Player Cam to focus on during each quarter of the All-Star Game.
• Viewers can also participate in a live chat via Facebook, Twitter and MySpace on the site.

2011 NBA ALL-STAR on TNT from Staples Center in Los Angeles, California

Thursday, February 17
8 p.m. ET	NBA Tip-Off (Live from Hollywood, CA)
	Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Chris Webber
	San Antonio Spurs @ Chicago Bulls
	Announcers: Dick Stockton and Mike Fratello with Lewis Johnson
10:30 p.m. ET	Dallas Mavericks @ Phoenix Suns
	Announcers: Marv Albert, Steve Kerr and Reggie Miller with Marty Snider
Post-Game	Inside the NBA (Live from Hollywood, CA)
	Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Chris Webber
Friday, February 18
9 – 11 p.m. ET	Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam
	Announcers: Kevin Harlan and Chris Webber with Craig Sager
	Rookies: Eric Bledsoe (L.A. Clippers), DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento), Derrick Favors (New Jersey), Landry Fields (New York), Blake Griffin (L.A. Clippers), Wesley Johnson Minnesota), Greg Monroe (Detroit), Gary Neal (San Antonio) and John Wall (Washington)
	Sophomores: DeJuan Blair (San Antonio), DeMar DeRozan (Toronto), Stephen Curry (Golden State), Tyreke Evans (Sacramento), Taj Gibson (Chicago), Jrue Holiday (Philadelphia), Serge Ibaka (Oklahoma City), Brandon Jennings (Milwaukee) and Wesley Matthews (Portland)
11– 11:30 p.m. ET	Inside the NBA
	Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith
Saturday, February 19
5 – 6 p.m. ET	NBA All-Star Game at 60
	Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kevin McHale and Chris Webber
6 – 7 p.m. ET	Ultimate NBA All-Star Fantasy Draft
7 – 8 p.m. ET	The Lost Dunks
8 – 8:30 p.m. ET	NBA Tip-Off
	Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley and Kevin McHale
8:30 – 11 p.m. ET	NBA All-Star Saturday Night
	Shooting Stars
	The Shooting Stars competition features four teams comprised of current NBA players, WNBA players, and former NBA players who compete in a timed, one-round shooting event featuring six shooting locations of increasing difficulty.
	Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller and Mike Fratello with Cheryl Miller
	Participants: NBA TV’s Rick Fox, TBA; TNT’s Steve Kerr, TBA; TNT’s Kenny Smith, TBA; NBA TV’s Steve Smith, TBA
	Skills Challenge
	The Skills Challenge will highlight four NBA players running through a timed obstacle course that will include dribbling, passing and shooting stations.
	Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller and  Mike Fratello with Cheryl Miller
	Participants: Chris Paul (New Orleans) and four of the following players (based on a fan vote): Stephen Curry (Golden State), Baron Davis (L.A. Clippers), Tyreke Evans (Sacramento), Derek Fisher (L.A. Lakers), Tony Parker (San Antonio), Derrick Rose (Chicago), John Wall (Washington) and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City)
	Three-Point Contest
	The Three-Point Contest will feature six of the NBA’s top long distance shooters in a two-round competition.
	Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller and Charles Barkley with Cheryl Miller
	Participants: TBA
	Slam Dunk
	The Slam Dunk will showcase four of the league’s high-fliers in a two-round competition featuring some of the NBA’s most athletic stars.
	Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller and Charles Barkley with Cheryl Miller
	Participants: DeMar DeRozan (Toronto), Blake Griffin (L.A. Clippers), Serge Ibaka (Oklahoma City) and JaVale McGee (Washington)
Sunday, February 20
7 – 9:30 a.m. ET / 6 – 8:30 a.m. PT	NBA All-Star Saturday Night  (Encore)
7 – 8:30 p.m. ET	NBA Tip-Off
	Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kevin McHale, Kenny Smith and Chris Webber
8:30 – 11 p.m. ET	2011 NBA All-Star Game
	Announcers: Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, Reggie Miller and Craig Sager
11 – 11:30 p.m. ET	Inside the NBA
	Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Chris Webber
11:30 p.m. – 2 a.m. ET	2011 All-Star Game (Encore)

Source:  Nielsen Media Research.  Based on Live+SD.  NBA Regular Season on TNT STD; 34 games vs. 31 games (10/26/2010-2/3/2011) vs. (10/27/2009-2/4/2010)

After the jump, I’ll provide NBA Digital plans including NBA TV and NBA.com.

(continue reading…)

A Couple of NBA Notes Before The Finals

As the NBA Finals are about to begin, we have two press releases from Turner Sports which runs both NBA TV and NBA.com. The first one is from NBA TV and earlier this week, there was a conference call involving the channel’s on-air staff for Finals coverage regarding the Lakers and Celtics.

Notes from the NBA TV 2010 NBA Finals Conference Call

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

NBA TV and NBA.com will feature extensive coverage of the 2010 NBA Finals which gets underway on Thursday, June 3 with game highlights and full post-game press conferences throughout the best-of-seven series.

Participants:

Kevin McHale, NBA TV analyst

Chris Webber, NBA TV analyst

Matt Winer, NBA TV host

Bryan Perez, Senior Vice President/General Manager, NBA Digital

McHale on if you can take anything from the 2008 Celtics/Lakers Finals: “I think you take quite a bit (from 2008), it was two years ago and things have changed.  (James) Posey, PJ Brown and Eddie House, those guys were three primary players coming off the bench for the Celtics team in the 2008 Championship.  The Celtics are going to do the same thing on defense.  They are going to overload to Kobe (Bryant) and they are going to bring the weak-side defender over to the strong side.  They are really going to get in there and disrupt (Bryant’s) ability and make him play against at least a player and a half when they completely come over to the double-team.  The Lakers are going to have to get tough, get physical and be aggressive because I think that was the turning point in 2008.  The Celtics seemed to be able to push them around a little bit.  I think Pau Gasol and everyone else is looking at that.  From what I can tell, everyone is excited.  The Celtics wanted the Lakers and the Lakers wanted the Celtics.  Everyone wanted this series so everyone should be happy.”

McHale on the historic Celtics/Lakers rivalry: “For me, when you played, you were hoping you got to play against the Lakers.  We felt we were the best team in the East (Conference).  The thing about playing as a player, I knew we could play really well against them and lose and that was unusual for our team back then.  If we played well, we thought we could win the game.  With the Lakers, you could play very well and lose so there was that added thought that we were going to have to be on top of our game and running on all cylinders.  We knew it was going to come down to a shot here or a shot there.  This series will come down to a shot here or a shot there.  It was fun and it was one of those times that you just loved playing.  It was great basketball and both teams were just loaded with talent.  At the time, you don’t look at the history of things, you’re just playing.  You’re trying to make history.  It’s different looking back now and looking at the names of the players who played in that (rivalry) and it’s a who’s who of who is in the Hall of Fame.  It was a very special time and lots of fun.”

McHale on if free agent-to-be LeBron James will shy away from signing with the Bulls because of Michael Jordan’s legacy with the team: “If (James) goes to the Bulls, he’s going to be able to play with a great, young player in Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah has great energy, I like Taj Gibson and they have a really nice nucleus of that team.  You make new history all of the time.  I don’t think it matters what Michael (Jordan) did (with the Bulls).  We looked up to Bill Russell and Dave Cowens and the Championship-era guys that were before us.  We were excited to make our own history.  I think there is something to be said about adding on to a legendary-type franchise.  If you can go in there and win Championships, everything will be fine.  When you’re in LeBron James’ category, if you’re not winning Championships, they are going to look at you a lot differently as talented as that kid is.”

McHale on if the pending free agency of LeBron James will overshadow the Finals: “When you are talking about Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, you’re talking about some of the best players in the NBA.  Where LeBron is going to go is going to take care of itself.  I don’t think it will overshadow the Finals at all.  I think it’s another storyline that will be interesting but not as interesting as watching the games unfold and see the different strategies that the coaches are going to use.  I just think it’s going to be a fantastic series.”

Webber on the Celtics/Lakers Finals match-up: “I’m very excited about this series.  It kind of brings back memories of my partner Kevin (McHale) and Magic (Johnson) and the Lakers.  I’m really excited about the renewal of this rivalry.  I’m really intrigued about Paul Pierce and Kobe Bryant.  I’m really going to pay attention to what goes on in the paint.  I’ve played with or against everybody in this series.  I really think that the paint is where the battle is going to be won with the veterans like K.G. (Kevin Garnett) and Rasheed (Wallace) against (Andrew) Bynum and (Pau) Gasol who are the new guys on the block.  I’m looking forward to the mental jabs that will be in the paper, going back and forth.  I don’t know if there are any tricks that either team can use to out-wit the others.  It’s going to be won on plays and I’m really looking forward to the series, I think it’s going to be some great basketball.”

Webber on whether the New York Knicks are an appealing team to play for:  “New York always has the allure, playing in one of the best arenas ever, (in one of the) best cities on a world stage. But guys want to win. The fact of the matter is that they don’t have the framework right now with players to come in, so it may be an uphill battle. It’ll take more than one superstar to go there, I don’t know if I could see one superstar free agent going there by himself and taking it on even if there’s promises made about them getting the best talent there later. That would be a situation where you see two powerhouses go there at the same time. The worst thing as a free agent is to go to a team and start over. Most free agents have earned their spot as far as being sought after after playing well for four years and to have that go down the drain, losing is so exhausting in the NBA. Yes, New York is a great place, but it’s going to take more than two stars going there and they are going to have to do a great selling job that they can win. That’s all guys want to hear about now because the money is pretty much even (anywhere).”

Webber on whether the Chicago Bulls are a good fit for impending free agent LeBron James: “I’m not sure, I’m unlike everyone else who wants him to go to Chicago because I think that great players need a point guard who can shoot, i.e. Michael Jordan (with) Steve Kerr, B.J. Armstrong, (John) Paxson. There should not have to be a decision made about whose hands the ball is in late in the game. Derrick Rose is such a great player, like, say an Isiah Thomas, that he needs the ball in his hands in the fourth quarter. I feel for a player like that that has the ball in his hands all the time that it’s a waste to have a point guard that needs the ball in his hands. You need another shooter. (James) needs to think about that. The worst thing that could happen is to go and both players don’t fulfill their potential because they have the same playing style. That could become confusing if the coach doesn’t set out the rules right away. But I don’t have a feel on where he’s going.”

Webber on the comparison between Boston’s defense in 2008 and this year: “(The Celtics’ defense) is just about as good (as in 2008) and they have their defensive intensity back, but I don’t think their defense can be any better than when Kevin Garnett was much healthier. He was blocking shots, he was jumping, he could check the point guard if he wanted to, he was moving around that way. I don’t know if he can get back his quickness and his lateral movement. I don’t know that he can be better than a younger Kevin Garnett. But I will say, (Rajon) Rondo is a much better defender, (Kendrick) Perkins knows how to play position defense, he’s a better shot blocker.  If anything, I don’t know if the defense is better, but I do know that it’s just as consistent and they rely on it now just as much as they did then. They don’t rely on their offense as much as their defense and that’s the one consistent thing between 2008 and now.”

McHale on whether there is bad blood between the L.A. Lakers and Boston Celtics:  “I hope so, it makes for a fun series. I think there is some bad blood with the way that the ‘08 series ended, with everyone saying that the Celtics beat up the Lakers, they punked them and everything else. That really bothers you as a player, so I think that there is some bad blood. I think Pau Gasol has some bad blood, I think Kobe wants another shot at them, I think all the Lakers do. The Celtics are puffing up their chest and saying, ‘bring it on.’ I think there’s some bad blood and it’s great for the game, that’s the way it should be.”

McHale on the defense the Celtics played against the Magic and what the Lakers can learn from that game film:  “Doc Rivers is a very good coach. Doc made the assessment that Dwight (Howard) couldn’t beat the Celtics one-on-one in the post, wasn’t going to double team him, wasn’t going to open up the three-point line.  He was going to stay at home and let Perk (Kendrick Perkins), Rasheed Wallace, Big Baby (Glen Davis) and a little bit of KG (Kevin Garnett) handle him one-on-one. I thought that was a very, very good idea. But Doc Rivers looks at L.A. and says that Kobe can beat them. If you play Kobe head up he can beat you.  So I think you’ll see him pull the trigger and bring an extra player, overload the strong side, always load the Kobe side of the ball. Wherever Kobe is, bring an extra defender over there, make him look at a few extra bodies. I’m not sure what the Lakers can learn from Orlando other than that the Celtics are tuned in defensively and when they call their defensive sets they are into it, they are rotating properly, they are out scrapping, they are fighting, they are going to play physical. But the one thing that Phil Jackson can show the Lakers and say, ‘hey look,’ was Kevin was hammering away on Dwight Howard’s arm, there was pushing and shoving, some fouls. Probably Phil is saying, ‘if we want to win a championship we’re going to have to man up and get physical.’”

McHale on his assessment of the additions of Rasheed Wallace to the Celtics and Ron Artest to the Lakers:  “Especially with Rasheed (Wallace) I didn’t know if he’s a good fit at all, but in the playoffs he’s played better. I would tell you that the jury was out a little with (Ron) Artest, is (Trevor) Ariza better, is it going to work? Both those guys have stepped up and played better. At the end of the day, the improvement is going to be in the taste of the pudding, who wins a championship? I thought they were both pretty bold moves. I anticipated Rasheed fitting in and having more of an impact with Boston than what’s happened. But he’s had some playoff games where he seems really engaged and playing well. It seems to me that Ron has never quite grasped the entire concept of the triangle, when to move and when to play off the ball and when to be aggressive. He’s starting to get a feel for that. After he made that game winner (in Game #5), I said he’ll have a great next game. It’s really odd and it’s really funny how the guy makes two hoops but what happens when he makes the game winner, the next game he comes out on fire. It’s such a game of momentum and such a game of confidence and such a game of mojo, he found it, but can he bring that and can he stop Paul Pierce?”

Webber on the impact of Celtics guard Rajon Rondo: “(Rajon) Rondo has gone from in 2008 saying they’re lucky to have won with Rondo to this year that if Rondo doesn’t play well they won’t win. He is the most important part of that team and that we need to refer to the Big Three as the Big Four now because of his impact. Any time you have a guy who causes matchup problems, where he can get a rebound and push it with his speed and quickness, Doc allows him to have freedom. Any point guard that a coach trusts with freedom, that’s something special. You see how they can run plays right out of their fast break, so he can push the ball in the fast break and has the presence of mind to come back out and make great decisions.”

Our next release regarding the multiplatform coverage by NBA.com, NBA TV and NBA Mobile. That comes to you after the jump.

NBA Digital Hits the Court with Multiplatform Coverage for The Finals

NBA TV’s All-Access Coverage to Be Led by Matt Winer, Kevin McHale, Chris Webber, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith

NBA.com Introduces “Super Highlights” Feature with Slow-Motion Replays, Multiple Camera Angles and Radio Calls

NBA Mobile Delivers Interactive Companion for a Real-Time Courtside Viewing Experience

                       

NBA Digital announced its multiplatform coverage of The Finals for on-air, online, and mobile. Marking its 11^th season of Finals coverage, NBA TV will present live pregame and postgame shows featuring its marquee lineup of on-air talent – who will be onsite throughout The Finals – and original programming, while NBA.com will debut its new “Super Highlights” feature. NBA Mobile will offer a live game companion with access to real-time player and team performance stats and highlights.

Throughout The Finals, NBA TV’s arsenal of hosts, analysts, and reporters will be onsite providing comprehensive coverage and in-depth analysis of the teams and players. The studio team of Matt Winer, Chris Webber, Steve Smith and Brent Barry will be at the helm with the Pregame Show and NBA GameTime, the network’s postgame show, for Game 1, with Boston Celtics Hall of Famer Kevin McHale joining the team for games 2, 6* and 7* (*if necessary). Winer also will team up with TNT’s Emmy® Award-winning studio team of Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith for Games 3, 4, and 5* (*if necessary) and in Boston, where he won three NBA championships, Kevin McHale will join Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith for Game 3.

NBA TV’s Finals team will also include host Rick Kamla and analysts Steve Smith and Brent Barry, as well as NBA.com’s award-winning reporters providing instant analysis of the action.

NBA TV, NBA.com, and NBA Mobile’s coverage of The Finals will also include: 

• Super Highlights: NBA.com will provide fans with extended “Super Highlights” the day after each game, including video playback in slow motion, multiple camera angles, and audio for radio-call rewinds. 
• The Barkley Zone: NBA.com’s popular channel will be active throughout The Finals, including the popular “Ask Chuck” segment, during which Barkley answers questions submitted by fans. 
• Special Finals Programming: NBA TV will present a lineup of original Finals programming, including One on One with Ahmad Rashad, a season-ending special featuring interviews with All-Stars Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic, and LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers; Sounds of the Playoffs, an all-access pass featuring never-before-heard conversations between players and coaches in the locker room and in the huddle; Sounds of the Finals, a unique, in-depth insight into rival matchups; and live coverage of David Stern’s annual Finals press conference.
• Live Streaming Video Chats on NBA.com and Yahoo.com with Chris Webber and Kenny Smith. 
• NBA Game Time Courtside: NBA Mobile’s live game companion providing fans with at-a-glance access to real-time player and team performances in addition to live scores, stats, plays, and video highlights enabled through a simple tap or swipe of the finger.  Game Time Courtside is available for free and available for download through the Apple App store at www.itunes.com/appstore/ .
• The Ahmad Squad: Rashad provides an all-access pass to The Finals as he goes behind the scenes using his video camera to capture exclusive footage. 
• All-Access Coverage on NBA.com: NBA.com will provide live streaming of the coaches’ pregame news conference, all postgame conferences, postgame live blogs for every game, and streaming video reports, analysis, highlights, and content from TNT and NBA TV announcers.  The site also allows fans to vote on their choice for the Player of the Game.
• NBA TV Talent and NBA.com Writers on Twitter: From a last-second jumper to pivotal passes, NBA TV talent and NBA.com reporters will provide commentary on The Finals via Twitter, which will also be posted to a landing page on NBA.com that aggregates the tweets of the NBA’s best analysts, writers, and insiders.

That’s it for this post.

Sports Media Weekly Podcast No. 32

Time for another edition of the Sports Media Weekly Podcast.

In the first segment, Keith Thibault of Sports Media Journal and I talk about the NFL Draft, coverage and the ratings, plus the move to a primetime event. Then we talk about CBS/Turner gaining the rights for the NCAA Tournament. We discuss the Sports Emmy Awards which took place earlier this week. Other subjects include the excellent ratings for the NHL on Versus and Milwaukee Brewers radio voice Bob Uecker undergoing heart surgery.

Our guest this week is Kyle Montgomery, host of The Jump on NBA.com and NBA TV. We ask him about his duties at NBA.com/NBA TV. Talk about The Jump. And we also discuss the NBA Playoffs plus what websites he visits every week.

Overall, another great podcast. You can download it at iTunes or you can listen to the podcast right here.

NBA All-Star Game Press Releases

Here are some releases related to the NBA All-Star Game this weekend in Dallas. Plenty of coverage coming up.

First, here’s TNT’s schedule over the next few days from Big D.

The NBA on TNT will present an exclusive doubleheader on Thursday, Feb. 11. The action gets underway at 8 p.m. (ET) with NBA Tip-Off live from Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Kenny Smith (analyst) and Chris Webber (analyst) will preview the night’s action live from Cowboys Stadium, site of the 2010 NBA All-Star Game. The first game of the night will feature a 2009 Eastern Conference Finals rematch between LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic. Play-by-play announcer Marv Albert will call the game alongside analysts Mike Fratello and Reggie Miller with Stephanie Ready reporting. In the second game, Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs visit Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets at 10:30 p.m. (ET). Dick Stockton (play-by-play) and Doug Collins (analyst) will be courtside with Marty Snider reporting. The Emmy® award-winning studio show Inside the NBA with Johnson, Barkley, Smith and Webber will recap the games.

TNT’s coverage of NBA All-Star Weekend festivities tips off Friday, Feb. 12 at 9 p.m. (ET) with the Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam. Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Kevin McHale (analyst), Dwight Howard (analyst) and Dwyane Wade (analyst) will be courtside to call the action with Craig Sager reporting from the sidelines. Howard will also serve as an analyst for during the All-Star Slam Dunk-In alongside Harlan, Barkley, Smith and Cheryl Miller. At 11 p.m. (ET), the network will present The Best of Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai commemorating 10 years of Johnson, Barkley and Smith working together on the popular post-game show.

On Saturday, Feb. 13, the network will present All-Decade NBA presented by esurance at 5 p.m. (ET). Throughout the regular season, 13 categories featuring the top performances, games and moments throughout the 2000’s were voted and selected by the fans on NBA.com. At 6 p.m. (ET), TNT will present a one-hour special Dunk Defying: Spud and Nate which will look back at two notable Slam Dunk Contest champions: Spud Webb and Nate Robinson. At 7 p.m. (ET), H.O.R.S.E. returns with a move to prime time and will showcase 2009 H.O.R.S.E. winner and Western Conference All-Star Kevin Durant challenging Omri Casspi and Rajon Rondo in a classic basketball competition.

NBA All-Star Saturday Night begins at 8 p.m. (ET), with the Skills Challenge, the Three-Point Contest and the Slam Dunk. The Shooting Stars, which is a four team competition with each team comprised of an NBA player, WNBA player and NBA legend. For the first time, the four legends in the competition will be TNT and NBA TV analysts, including Kenny Smith (Team Texas), Webber (Team Sacramento), Steve Smith (Team Atlanta) and Brent Barry (Team Los Angeles). The teams will compete in a timed, two-round event featuring six shooting locations of increasing difficulty.

The 2010 NBA All-Star Game takes center stage on Sunday, Feb. 14 at 8 p.m. (ET) from Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, with an anticipated crowd of more than 90,000 fans, the largest to watch a live NBA game. Albert will handle play-by-play and will be joined by analysts Collins and Reggie Miller; Sager and Aldridge will report.

2010 NBA ALL-STAR on TNT from Dallas, TX
Thursday, February 11
8 p.m. ET – NBA Tip-Off (Live from Cowboys Stadium)
Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Chris Webber
8:15 p.m. ET – Orlando Magic @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Announcers: Marv Albert, Mike Fratello and Reggie Miller with David Aldridge
10:30 p.m. ET – San Antonio Spurs @ Denver Nuggets
Announcers: Dick Stockton and Doug Collins with Marty Snider
Post-Game – Inside the NBA (Live from Cowboys Stadium)
Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Chris Webber  
Friday, February 12
9 – 11 p.m. ET T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam
Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Kevin McHale, Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade with Craig Sager
Rookies: DeJuan Blair (San Antonio), Omri Casspi (Sacramento), Stephen Curry (Golden State), Tyreke Evans (Sacramento), Jonny Flynn (Minnesota), Taj Gibson (Chicago), James Harden (Oklahoma City), Brandon Jennings (Milwaukee) and Jonas Jerebko (Detroit)

Sophomores: Michael Beasley (Miami), Danilo Gallinari (New York), Marc Gasol (Memphis), Eric Gordon (L.A. Clippers), Brook Lopez (New Jersey), Kevin Love (Minnesota), O.J. Mayo (Memphis), Derrick Rose (Chicago) and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City)

All-Star Slam Dunk-In (Half-Time)
Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Dwight Howard with Cheryl Miller
Participants: DeMar DeRozan (Toronto) and Eric Gordon (L.A. Clippers)

11 p.m – 12 a.m. ET – The Best of Inside the NBA Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith
Saturday, February 13
5 – 6 p.m. ET – TNT All-Decade NBA
Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith
6 – 7 p.m. ET – Dunk Defying: Spud and Nate
7 – 8 p.m. ET – H.O.R.S.E. – Jam Session
Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Chris Webber
Participants: Omri Casspi (Sacramento), Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City) and Rajon Rondo (Boston)

8 – 8:30 p.m. ET – NBA Tip-Off
Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley and Kevin McHale
8:30 – 11 p.m. ET – NBA All-Star Saturday Night – American Airlines Center 
Shooting Stars
The Shooting Stars competition features four teams comprised of current NBA players, WNBA players, and former NBA players who compete in a timed, one-round shooting event featuring six shooting locations of increasing difficulty.

Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller and Mike Fratello with Cheryl Miller
Participants: NBA TV’s Brent Barry, Pau Gasol and Marie Ferdinand-Harris (Team Los Angeles), TNT’s Kenny Smith, Dirk Nowitzki and Becky Hammon (Team Texas), NBA TV’s Steve Smith, Joe Johnson and Angel McCoughtry (Team Atlanta), NBA TV’s Chris Webber, Tyreke Evans and Nicole Powell (Team Sacramento)

Skills Challenge
The Skills Challenge will highlight four NBA players running through a timed obstacle course that will include dribbling, passing and shooting stations.

Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller and Mike Fratello with Cheryl Miller
Participants: Brandon Jennings (Milwaukee), Steve Nash (Phoenix), Derrick Rose (Chicago) and Deron Williams (Utah)

Three-Point Contest
The Three-Point Contest will feature six of the NBA’s top long distance shooters in a two-round competition.

Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith with Cheryl Miller
Participants: Chauncey Billups (Denver), Daequan Cook (Miami), Stephen Curry (Golden State), Channing Frye (Phoenix), Danilo Gallinari (New York) and Paul Pierce (Boston)

Slam Dunk
The Slam Dunk will showcase four of the league’s high-fliers in a two-round competition featuring some of the NBA’s most athletic stars.

Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith with Cheryl Miller
Participants: Shannon Brown (L.A. Lakers), Nate Robinson (New York), Gerald Wallace (Charlotte) and Dunk-In winner: DeMar DeRozan (Toronto) or Eric Gordon (L.A. Clippers)

Sunday, February 14

7 – 8:30 p.m. ET – NBA Tip-Off 
Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith; Matt Winer, Kevin McHale and Chris Webber will appear for a segment
8:30 – 11 p.m. ET – 2010 NBA All-Star Game – Cowboys Stadium
Announcers: Marv Albert, Doug Collins, Reggie Miller, David Aldridge and Craig Sager

11 – 11:30 p.m. ET – Inside the NBA 
Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kevin McHale, Kenny Smith and Chris Webber
11:30 p.m. – 2 a.m. ET 2010 All-Star Game (Encore)Next, here are highlights of a conference call involving the TNT analysts regarding the game.

Notes from the 2010 NBA All-Star on TNT Conference Call

Monday, February 1

TNT will be in Dallas, TX for exclusive coverage of NBA All-Star 2010 from Feb. 11-14.  Beginning at 5 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, Feb. 13, TNT All-Decade NBA presented by esurance will tip off the night’s action followed at 6 p.m. (ET) with Dunk Defying: Spud & Nate.  H.O.R.S.E. presented by GEICO returns with a move to prime time at 7 p.m. (ET). Exclusive live coverage of NBA All-Star Saturday Night presented by State Farm follows at 8 p.m. (ET), which includes the Haier Shooting Stars competition, the Taco Bell Skills Challenge, the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest, and the Sprite Slam Dunk.  On Sunday, Feb. 14 the 2010 NBA All-Star Game takes center stage at 8 p.m. (ET).

Along with NBA All-Star Saturday Night and the All-Star Game on Sunday, Turner Sports will proudly present some highlights for its 2010 NBA All-Star coverage:

• In total, Turner Sports will provide 68 ½ hours of live/original NBA programming during NBA All-Star Weekend through TNT (19 ½ hours), NBA TV (20 hours) and NBA.com (29 hours).

• Eastern Conference All-Star starters Dwight Howard and Dwyane Wade will get behind the TNT microphone for the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam alongside play-by-play announcer Kevin Harlan and NBA TV analyst Kevin McHale on Friday at 9 p.m. (ET).

• A special one-hour edition of “The Best of Inside the NBA” on TNT on Friday at 11 p.m. (ET), celebrating 10 years of EJ, Kenny and Charles. The show has won five Emmys as the Best Studio Show during their 10 years together.

• NBA.com brings the action to the fans’ fingertips starting Friday, Feb. 12 with 12 hours of LIVE streaming coverage.

Participants:

Doug Collins, TNT NBA analyst

Kevin McHale, NBA TV/TNT analyst

Reggie Miller, TNT NBA analyst

Miller on his expectations for NBA All-Star 2010 being played in Cowboys Stadium: “From a shooter’s standpoint, I would like to play in a smaller venue, but this is more of an exhibition game. You’re playing in a place where there will potentially be 100,000 people watching you play. If you can’t get jacked up and excited about that…site lines really don’t matter. Personally for me, I can’t wait to watch it on ‘Jerry-Vision,’ that’s awesome. That’s what I’m looking forward to. It’s going to be an awesome environment. To have potentially 100,000 people watch an All-Star Game? It’s going to be unreal.”

Miller on Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson being voted by the fans to start the All-Star Game: “Sure (he should be starting), why not?  The fans have spoken.  It’s not Allen Iverson’s fault (that) the fans love him that much.  I understand that playing in the All-Star Game shouldn’t be a lifetime achievement award.  I go back to his press conference in Philadelphia the first time around when I remember him as a snotty-nosed brat talking about practice.  The press conference he had when he came back to Philadelphia has the emotion, the tears, it showed how grateful (he was) to be back in the league with the team that gave him his start; that was a man in front of us.  I’m happy that he’s going to be playing in the All-Star Game.”

Collins on Oklahoma City Thunder guard Kevin Durant: “Kevin Durant has been amazing.  He scores so easily.  He can shoot the ball with range, he can run the floor on the break.  More importantly, Oklahoma City is playing well and they have a winning record on the road.  They are in the playoff hunt.  Kevin Durant has been phenomenal and he is a guy that, if he stays healthy, can get three or four scoring titles before it’s all said and done.  He gets to the foul line and he can shoot the three.  He’ll add a little post-up game as he gets older.  He’s a complete offensive player.”

McHale on his advice to All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Dwight Howard joining the announce team for the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam: “First and foremost, (they should) keep their fingers away from (Kevin) Harlan’s mouth while he’s eating.  He’ll chomp them off like a band saw.  That’s the most important thing they need to know.  When Harlan is eating…stay away.”

Collins on if the Dallas Mavericks can compete with the Los Angeles Lakers: “I think (the Mavericks) are pretty far behind the Lakers.  Dirk (Nowitzki) has had a tremendous year, there’s no doubt about that.  I think they really miss an effective Josh Howard.  He was such a big part of that team and Jason Terry has really taken on his role.  When Josh was playing well, he would get them out of the gate quickly.  He got them off to great starts.  He is struggling right now coming off the bench.  I think from (head coach) Rick Carlisle’s standpoint, he’s been unhappy with the defensive slippage the team has had.  I think he feels that they’ve lost some of that competitive toughness that they had earlier when they were winning.  We’ll see if they can get that back.  I don’t see them as a team that can beat the Lakers as they are constituted right now.”

Miller on the Lakers dominating the Western Conference: “It’s hard to compare any team in the West (Conference) to the Los Angeles Lakers.  To me, they are head and shoulders above everyone else.”

Miller on the Charlotte Bobcats: “Having played for Larry Brown (with the Pacers), I remember our first three years, we always got off to slow starts and rounded ourselves into shape around the All-Star break.  We always would take off in the final 30-35 games of the season.  When I look at the (Charlotte) Bobcats, they are very much set up that (same) way.  I know what type of basketball player Stephen Jackson is.  He can hit big shots and you add him to first time All-Star Gerald Wallace, who is playing out of his mind.  Raymond Felton is playing great at the point guard position.  They are a little thin in the frontcourt but they are going to play hard and tough.  It starts with their defense and they know they are always going to be in games because of their defense.  Whether or not their offense can catch up to their defense remains to be seen.  They could be a scary team in that six or seven seed in the first round (of the playoffs).”

McHale on the importance of playing well down the stretch of the regular season: “The whole thing depends on how you’re playing coming down the stretch.  I always thought the most telling thing with championship teams is (how they are playing) in the last 25 games of the season.  I think up to that point there is a lot of positioning.  But those last 25 games really separates you and how you’re playing.  The teams that play well in that stretch, go into the playoffs on a roll.”

Collins on achieving chemistry in the broadcast booth: “It takes a while to get chemistry (with other broadcasters).  That’s why, during the course of the year, TNT will put Reggie (Miller), Marv (Albert) and I together for a few games so going into the All-Star Game, we won’t be doing our first games of the year (together).  It’s one of our bigger games of the year with a big following.  You learn people’s idiosyncrasies; you learn when they are going to pause or how they’re going to get out.  How they are going to take a breath so you don’t step on top of them.  When you have a three-man booth where there are three voices that want to be heard, you make eye contact or tap the guy next to you to let him know you want to make a point.  There’s a lot of teamwork that goes on.  When you have a three-man booth, you really have to cut back because you can’t have wall-to-wall sound.  The All-Star Game was such a high entertainment value that you’re not going to have a lot of analysis.  You’ll have a lot of storytelling.”

Miller on working with Marv Albert and Doug Collins at the All-Star Game: “For an All-Star Game, this is going to be ‘Marvelous’ Marv Albert at his best.  Between the passes and the dunks, (the fans) want to hear the ‘voice of the NBA’ and that’s Marv Albert.  It’s an honor and pleasure to be working with two Hall of Famers with Albert and Coach Collins.  I’m still learning and I get a chance to learn from the best.”

Collins on the Orlando Magic missing Hedo Turkoglu’s decision making abilities: “It’s been a struggle (for Vince Carter).  When you take over for Hedo Turkoglu, who was such a huge part of Orlando, he was the guy in the fourth quarter that you were going to put the ball in his hands and you know what Orlando was going to run.  They were going to run the pick-and-roll with Dwight Howard and Turkoglu, they were going to spread the floor with three-point shooters and Turkoglu was going to make the right decision.  People don’t give him enough credit for the decisions he made in critical situations for that team.”

McHale on Vince Carter replacing Hedo Turkoglu with the Magic:  “I was really concerned when Orlando changed the finisher.  Turkoglu was the finisher.  Vince is a better one-on-one, get-your-own-shot guy than Hedo is.  Hedo made the simple pass out.  I think he made everybody better.  Vince, for all of his talents, I don’t think he makes anybody better as a basketball player.”

Miller on Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen: “(Ray Allen) looked great in that Orlando game down in Orlando last Thursday. Obviously the older you get for jump shooters your percentages go down. I think that’s what everyone is somewhat concerned about with Ray right now, but he’s played in every game this season. I had a chance to speak with him before the game and he was a lot like me when it came to preparation before a game, I liked to get there three or four hours before a game and, as I called it, smell the gym, get up there early and gets some shots up. I told him, the older I got, I cut back. I got there at the same time, but I didn’t go through a two-hour shooting routine because I felt drained once the game started. He might have to start thinking about that by cutting down a lot of volume of shots that he puts up before the game so he can be a little fresher when game time comes around. Ray knows how much respect I have for him because I love guys who like to come to the gym early and stay late. He has struggled at times, especially at playoff times, with his shooting, but I thought he was fantastic in last year’s playoffs in that Chicago series. He had so many big games. But they’ll right the ship. Health is going to be a big part for the Celtics.  Kevin will have to get healthy along with Paul Pierce, but once Marquis Daniels comes back and Doc (Rivers) has his full complement of players, I think then maybe then we’ll see what the Celtics are made of.”

McHale on how the Boston Celtics are playing at this point in the season: “(The Celtics) are ok right now, they are getting where they want to be. When you get to the age where Kevin Garnett is, and Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen is, it’s always going to be after the All-Star break. You do pace yourself. When you’re 22 or 23 you’re out there going gung ho, you have no idea what you’re doing anyway. You’re playing on energy and running around. As you get older you start conserving your energy and you start to realize you can be 40-10 at the All-Star break. If you play poorly down the stretch and don’t get in the playoffs on a roll, healthy and playing well, it doesn’t make any difference.  I think they are pacing themselves. When you are a jump shooter, it comes and goes, it’s hard, I can’t imagine being a jump shooter and relying on that shot all the time. I always liked when Ray would drive a little more and get fouled and get free throws; he’s such a good free throw shooter, but as you get older that gets harder to do. Doing that for 82 games is very hard. Is he getting longer in the tooth? Yeah, but that’s what happens. If you stayed 25 none of us would ever play because Jerry West and Bill Russell and everyone would never let us play. So as you get older they start looking at the season differently, it’s going to be after the All-Star break. I’ll be able to assess that team a lot better after the All-Star break. They are fine, they are where they need to be. They are geared for the playoffs and have a different mindset than a lot of the other teams.”

McHale on the Wizards’ slow start to their season and the impact of the locker room incident: “Flip (Saunders) is a tremendous offensive coach, he calls the game on the sidelines like an offensive coordinator does in football. But he puts a lot of stuff in, so I wasn’t surprised that they were struggling at the beginning of the season. Flip puts a comprehensive package in really quickly. I’d say, ‘Flip, how can you add 10 plays in two days?’ He’d say, ‘don’t worry, they’ll get it, I’d rather get it in and have them know and we’ll refresh it as we go.’ I was always surprised at how he was able to put a lot of stuff in. Even the years that Flip was winning 50 games here in Minnesota and doing well, his teams started off slower and then hit their stride, so that didn’t surprise me. People don’t realize that not having Mike Miller on that team is a big factor. Mike really knows how to play, he moves the ball, he makes three pointers and can really do a lot of stuff. Then when the gun incident happened, that was so disruptive. This whole thing with (Gilbert) Arenas and the gun, it goes through the whole team and makes everything really odd. When you’re a good team and you get your momentum and you start rolling and playing better it’s a snowball going downhill in a positive direction. On bad teams that snowballs goes downhill but it’s all in a negative direction. I just sense that there’s a negative vibe with the team. You’ve got to give Flip a chance, he’s a tremendous coach and I think he will get them. I wasn’t surprised that they started slowly, but after what happened with the gun thing I thought all bets were off.”

Miller on how the brawl in Detroit impacted the Pacers drawing parallels to the situation in Washington: “Being on a team when total chaos hit, it was deflating to our team from the simple fact that we had gotten off to a 7-2 or 8-1 start. We were going to beat Detroit in Detroit, it was the closing moments of that game. Our arch rivals who beat us in the conference finals and went on the win a championship. We were getting ready to beat them in the Palace, we had signed Stephen Jackson who was going to be coming off the bench as our sixth man, so we thought we were primed to get back to the conference finals and get over the hump and get back to the championship. Then all hell broke loose. You’ve got Ron (Artest) who was suspended for 73 games, Stephan Jackson for 30 games, at the time Jermaine O’Neal was slated to be suspended for 30 games, but I think he ended up out for 15 games and came back in mid-December. So God Bless Coach (Rick) Carlisle making makeshift line-ups on the go, calling up NBA D-League players, guys off the street were suiting up. It was deflating because it took the wind out and on top of that it was my last year as well. Everything just built up and it was tough.  I can only imagine what’s going on in that locker room because Ron never really came around. He would show up here and there. I’m not sure if Gilbert is showing up and practicing or working out on his own. Now that he’s been suspended for the year there’s no need to work out. But we never saw Ron, Stephen would come here and there. It was tough. Hats off to Carlisle and his staff, we ended up in the fifth or sixth spot and we were lucky to get that and move on to the second round. We made it work, Flip (Saunders) will make it work. As they always say, and this too shall pass. This will pass. We don’t know what the future holds for the Wizards, but Flip is an excellent coach. I know he didn’t sign up for this, but it’s very, very unfortunate. (The Pacers) still haven’t recovered. Other than Danny Granger, who was an All-Star last year and (Roy) Hibbert’s playing well this year. They play hard, but the Pacers have never, ever recovered from that night. Things will never be the same until they get lucky in the draft, they are able to overpay a free agent and things get turned around, but things will never be the same. Let’s hope that’s not the case in the nation’s capital with the Wizards, but it’s just not the same.”

Collins on the Chicago Bulls and what factors have led to their success: “I like a couple of things that Vinny (Del Negro) has done. First of all, John Salmons was really struggling to start the year, he couldn’t make shots, (Kirk) Hinrich couldn’t make shots and he was out of sorts. Derrick Rose did tweak his ankle in preseason, but I personally don’t think he came into camp in great shape. He learned a valuable lesson this year about the importance of the offseason and preparing himself especially when you come off that Rookie-of-the-Year and what he did. I remember talking to Jerry Reinsdorf, we were talking and he said after the Celtics series, he was very happy with the way the team competed, but he said, ‘I had to let the team know the fans here love you so much, don’t forget the fact that you lost that series, you didn’t win that series. So we’ve got places we’ve got to go and we’ve got to get better.’  I like what Vinny did, I like putting Kirk Hinrich in the starting lineup. I think it helps your defense, I think it helps Kirk, I think Salmons settled in coming in off the bench and started shooting the ball well. Luol (Deng) has been very consistent this year. They have a real surprise in Taj Gibson, what a mature young guy he is and what he’s done there. Joakim Noah who could have been an All-Star with the way he’s played and the energy he’s brought. It’s a combination of things and I think they are confident now. They were totally out of synch offensively, their defense really has been very good all season long, but they couldn’t score. Then all of a sudden they got into rhythm offensively and it starts with Derrick Rose with the ball in his hands, when he gets that ball and he starts attacking, he gets to the foul line. Early in the year he was flipping shots at the basket and not getting to the line, now he’s creating contact, playing at an incredibly high level. It’s all worked together, Vinny making Hinrich a starter and he got his confidence back and it helps get Salmons back in the swing of things. A lot of good things are happening in Chicago.”

McHale on the difficulty of guarding Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony: “The thing I love about Carmelo (Anthony) is he gets to the line. You put a small guy on him because he makes a couple of jump shots. You’re the opposing coach so you say, ‘I’m going a little smaller because he made a couple of jump shots, so I’ll get a smaller guy to push up on him on the perimeter.’ Then he turns around and takes him off that right box where he does most of his work, not a true low post, but a step or two off that post.  He turns and goes, he’s strong as an ox, he gets to the hole and all of a sudden you’ve got the small guy on him. You’re thinking, gee, he takes him to the post, we’re fouling, I’ll put the bigger guy on him. Then he steps back out and makes some shots. He’s impossible to match-up, he’s too strong and big for the smaller guys who can contend with him on the perimeter and he’s too gifted, he can shoot it, he can make threes, he beats the bigs off the dribble when you go bigger on him. He’s a match-up nightmare. I love the fact that he’s more patient, he’s going slower this year. He’s taking his time and scoring at his pace. I think the maturity in his game is showing. He scores as easy as anyone in our league.  He can have a so-so energy night and end up with 28 points.”

Miller on Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups being a key to forward Carmelo Anthony’s success: “It’s no coincidence that he’s having his most efficient year and you have a point guard like Chauncey Billups, a guy who understands big shots, big moments, has played on championship teams and has been to so many Conference Finals. He’s directing you and giving you the ball and going over game film with you saying these are the positions in your ‘kill zones.’ It’s not a secret that his game has evolved to a different level. When I played against Carmelo his rookie year, he was in such a hurry to take the quick shot, make the quick move, very impatient and that showed in his shooting percentage. But now he’s much more patient, he’s reading defenses much clearer, he understands time and score and all that is predicated on the success of the Nuggets with Coach Karl, but adding a true, understanding point guard in Chauncey Billups has elevated his game.”

Collins on where Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant ranks on his MVP list: “I put him in my top five (of MVP candidates). I had LeBron (James), Kobe (Bryant), (Kevin) Durant, Steve Nash and Carmelo (Anthony). The thing I go on is what has he brought to the franchise. Those people are so excited about basketball in Oklahoma, it’s an incredible environment, it’s almost like a college crowd the way they cheer on that team.  They have a chance to win every night. He’s consistent, he’s fun to watch, he plays with great energy. A big part of being a star is that charisma, that energy, where you walk out onto the floor and you bring a presence. He has that. At the same time, he’s incredibly humble, his team is winning, they’ve done a nice job putting pieces around, they’ve got a lot of draft picks. They are in the thick of things in the playoff race. As long as they are, you have to start talking about him. Is he probably going to win over LeBron or Kobe?  The chances are probably not, but now that he’s an All-Star and you’re starting to talk about him and the breadth of what he does for his team…I love the young guy and he plays the game.”

Miller on Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant needing to be in the MVP conversation: “Will (Kevin Durant) win an MVP this year? No, that’s probably going to go to one of the big two: Kobe or LeBron. But this is my magic number, if he can get to 50 or 55 games (of scoring 25 points a game), you certainly have to strongly consider this guy if he continues to play like this. When you talk about these teams – how do they win on the road? Oklahoma City is winning games in the road, this is a team who is finding ways to win. What is scary is when a young, athletic team finds a way to win on the road. So 50 or 55 games and if he continues to play like this and score and elevate his team, then you absolutely have to put him in the same breath with Carmelo, Kobe, LeBron, Dwyane Wade. It will probably happen more so later on in his career because these guys are at the pinnacle of their careers.”

Miller on the state of the Philadelphia 76ers: “They are going to have to come up with a solution for Andre Iguodala. Are they going to trade him or are they going to keep him? He’s reading his name in the paper every time he’s going into the sports complex. They bring back Allen Iverson the senior member of that team to try to bring back some stability. This is not the Philly team that we all expected; we expected them to be one of the top eight teams in the Eastern Conference so it’s been a little tough. Lou Williams was out with that broken jaw for a month or two months, so we haven’t seen the real Philadelphia 76ers.”

Collins in the Philadelphia 76ers biggest problem being a lack of a point guard: “People now are starting to figure out how important Andre Miller was to that team. You take a point guard off that team, Andre Miller is one of the best to throw the ball ahead on the break and let guys attack. Sometimes you lose assists that way and usually a lot of point guards hold on to that ball until the last second to get assists. This guy advances the ball, he can get down to the post, play out of the post. When you look at Philadelphia, the year that they had the really good finish and they went to the playoffs, it was a team that was built on speed and quickness, they played a small line-up. When you get Elton Brand and you put Elton Brand with Samuel Dalembert, all of a sudden you have two guys (Thaddeus Young and Andre Iguodala) playing out of position with no point guard. Now all of a sudden your struggles start coming and you’ve got to teach an offense predicated on cutting and moving and reading. That’s an offense that takes a lot of time to learn and a lot of time to teach. Now you have some injuries and you bring Allen Iverson into the mix and they play a different style. They are twisting and turning in between, they are all over the board with what they are trying to get accomplished. That Philadelphia team is much better playing one big guy and four smalls and running and getting in the open court. I just don’t think the pieces fit well and they really, really miss a point guard.”

NBA.com and NBA TV also have big plans for the game as well.

NBA Digital Tips Off Extensive Multiplatform Coverage of All-Star 2010 in Dallas

Fans will have an all-access pass to All-Star 2010 weekend with more than 50 hours of live programming and original content across NBA TV, NBA.com and NBA Mobile

NBA Digital will bring the live energy, action and thrilling entertainment of NBA All-Star 2010 to fans by providing access to more than 50 hours of exclusive content to all the weekend’s activities through NBA Digital’s extensive portfolio of television, on-line and mobile platforms. NBA.com brings the action to the fans’ fingertips starting Friday, Feb. 12 with 12 hours of LIVE streaming coverage. NBA TV takes the court with 20 hours of original content, including behind-the-scenes looks at All-Star Media Day and All-Star East and West Practices and NBA Mobile scores by providing live mosaic coverage throughout the weekend available on the Android Market™ and the App Store®.  

NBA TV will also be on the scene throughout All-Star beginning on Thursday, Feb. 11 with a Slam Dunk Marathon to showcase the slam dunk competitions of the past 24 All-Stars. The network will then tip off its wall-to-wall coverage in Dallas with the rookie and sophomore practices for the Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam on Friday, Feb. 12. During its all-day coverage, NBA TV will also present live the announcement of the finalists for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

On Saturday, Feb. 13, NBA TV’s coverage will continue with the All Star East and West Practices, followed by the NBA D-League All-Star Game. The network will also present a front row seat at Commissioner David Stern’s NBA All-Star Press Conference, which will lead up to TNT’s exclusive presentation of All-Star Saturday Night. Finally, the network will build up to the 2010 NBA All-Star Game by giving fans a seat at the NBA Legends Brunch on Sunday morning, February 14. NBA TV will then wrap up its All-Star coverage when it presents its NBA All-Star Pre-Game Show featuring musical act One Republic.

 NBA.com’s all-access coverage will feature:

• NBA Game Time All-Star Player Interviews — TNT and NBA TV reporter Craig Sager will interview All-Stars live on Friday and give fans the opportunity to ask the players questions via Twitter.
• All-Star Press Pass — Fans will get an entertaining behind-the-scenes look at six All-Stars as they answer questions during Friday’s media availability with NBA TV’s Kyle Montgomery hosting.
• All-Star Scene –, All-Star Scene (www.nba.com/allstarscene) returns as players and celebrities will utilize HD pocket video cameras to provide an all-access pass to NBA All-Star 2010. These behind-the-scenes videos will be posted in near real time, giving fans access to all the major events and happenings throughout the weekend as they happen. In addition, All-Star Scene will feature musical superstar Michael Bivins (New Edition, Bell Biv Devoe) and popular actor Christopher Mintz-Plasse (best known as McLovin from the film Superbad) serving as the fans’ personal guide to All-Star 2010.
• Additional live coverage includes the D-League Dream Factory and an episode of the successful online franchise, The Jump on NBA.com, featuring Brent Barry, Dennis Scott and Kyle Montgomery from the NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas.

NBA Mobile will provide fans with access to live coverage available on the Android Market™ and the App Store®. NBA.com All-Star Slam Dunk Live is an innovative application that provides access to four LIVE camera feeds during the Slam Dunk Competition on Saturday, Feb. 13. Live access to the feeds will be available at 10pm ET on Saturday night. The app is available to download for $0.99 cents from the Android Market™ and the App Store®.

And ESPN also has its coverage plans ready for All-Star Game weekend.

ESPN’s Multiplatform Coverage of NBA All-Star 2010

ESPN to Televise NBA All-Star Celebrity Game

ESPN Radio and ESPN International to Broadcast 59^th NBA All-Star Game

 

ESPN Inc.’s comprehensive coverage of NBA All-Star 2010 will tip off with ESPN’s telecast of the 2010 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game Friday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. ET. The game, held at the Dallas Convention Center, will also be simulcast on ESPN360.com and ESPN Mobile TV. Participants will include actors Chris Tucker, Joel Moore (Avatar) and Michael Rapaport, Grammy Award-winner Common, NFL star Terrell Owens, former NBA players Rick Fox, Robert Horry and Chris Mullin, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, WNBA players Becky Hammon and Angel McCoughtry,  PGA Tour golfer Anthony Kim, several members of the Harlem Globetrotters, and more.

 

ESPN analyst Magic Johnson and former NBA standout Alonzo Mourning will coach the teams, with Extra host Mario Lopez and recording artist Drake serving as assistant coaches. ESPN’s lead play-by-play commentator Mike Breen will referee the game. ESPN’s Mark Jones will provide play-by-play commentary with analyst Jon Barry and reporter Stuart Scott. The telecast will include interviews with several NBA All-Stars.

 

Celebrity Game rosters (subject to change):

Team Dallas	Team Mavericks
Coach: Alonzo Mourning	Coach: Magic Johnson
Asst. Coach: Mario Lopez, Extra host	Asst. Coach: Drake, recording artist
Dr. Oz (host, The Dr. Oz Show)	Anthony Kim, PGA Tour golfer
Chris Tucker, actor	Terrence J., host, BET’s 106 & Park
Joel Moore (Avatar)	Mark Cuban, Dallas Mavericks owner
Pitbull, recording artist	Common, Grammy Award-winning artist
Terrell Owens, NFL six-time Pro Bowl selection	Michael Rapaport, actor
“Flight Time” Lang, Harlem Globetrotters	“Special K” Daley, Harlem Globetrotters
“Big Easy” Lofton, Harlem Globetrotters	“Scooter” Christensen, Harlem Globetrotters
Angel McCoughtry, WNBA’s Atlanta Dream	Becky Hammon, WNBA’s San Antonio Silver Stars
Nancy Lieberman, Basketball Hall of Famer and head coach,  NBA Development League affiliate of Dallas Mavericks	Chris Mullin, five-time NBA All-Star Robert Horry, seven-time NBA champion
Rick Fox, three-time NBA champion

ESPN Radio

For the 14^th consecutive year, ESPN Radio will provide comprehensive coverage of NBA All-Star events – including all of the following events – culminating with the NBA All-Star Game Sunday, Feb. 14, at 8 p.m.  Jim Durham will provide play-by-play for the events with analyst and Hall of Famer Dr. Jack Ramsay and reporters Ric Bucher and Shelley Smith, with studio host Mark Kestecher and studio analyst Will Perdue.

 

Friday, Feb. 12, at 9 p.m., Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam – Memphis’ O.J. Mayo, New Jersey’s Brook Lopez and Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook will lead a sophomore class against the rookie team featuring Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Milwaukee’s Brandon Jennings and Sacramento’s Tyreke Evans.

 

Saturday, Feb. 13, at 6 p.m., Meet the All-Stars – interviews with players and other personalities attending NBA All-Star events.

 

Saturday, Feb. 13, 8:30-11 p.m., NBA All-Star Saturday Night

 

• Shooting Stars – for the sixth straight year, four teams consisting of an NBA player, WNBA player and former NBA player will compete in a timed shooting event. This year’s participants: Atlanta (Joe Johnson, Hawks; Angel McCoughtry, Dream; former Hawk Steve Smith); Los Angeles (Pau Gasol, Lakers; Marie Ferdinand-Harris, Sparks; Brent Barry, former Clipper); Sacramento (Tyreke Evans, Kings; Nicole Powell, former Monarch; former King Chris Webber); Texas (Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks; Becky Hammon, San Antonio Silver Stars; Kenny Smith, former Houston Rocket).
• Skills Challenge – four NBA stars will compete in an obstacle course challenge that tests shooting, passing and dribbling skills. Chicago’s Derrick Rose will return to defend his title against Milwaukee’s Jennings, Phoenix’s Steve Nash and Utah’s Deron Williams.
• Three-Point Shootout – Miami’s Daequan Cook will attempt to defend last year’s triumph against Boston’s Paul Pierce, Denver’s Chauncey Billups, Golden State’s Curry, New York’s Danilo Gallinari and Phoenix’s Channing Frye.
• Slam Dunk – New York’s Nate Robinson will try and repeat against Charlotte’s Gerald Wallace, the Lakers’ Shannon Brown and either Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan or the Clippers’ Eric Gordon (DeRozan and Gordon will compete in a “dunk-in contest” to determine the fourth participant, which will be held at halftime of Saturday’s Rookie Challenge on ESPN Radio).

 

Sunday, Feb. 14, 7:45 p.m., 59^th NBA All-Star Game – ESPN Radio will broadcast the action between the games’ elite players, including Kobe Bryant (Lakers), Tim Duncan (Spurs), Dwight Howard (Magic), LeBron James (Cavaliers) and Dwyane Wade (Heat).

 

ESPN International

ESPN International will televise the NBA All-Star Game to 109 countries and territories throughout Asia (excluding China, Philippines and Taiwan), Africa, Australia, Brazil, Canada (via TSN), the Caribbean, Japan (via JSB), New Zealand and the United Kingdom. 

 

News and Information

SportsCenter – Mark Jones will host SportsCenter’s coverage from Dallas with analyst Jon Bary and reports by Colleen Dominguez. ESPN’s Rome is Burning (M-F, 4:30 p.m.), Around the Horn (M-F, 5 p.m.), Pardon the Interruption (M-F, 5:30 p.m.) and ESPN2’s First Take (M-F, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.) will also provide NBA All-Star content.

 

ESPNEWS – The nation’s only 24-hour sports news television network will feature guest and player interviews from Dallas.

 

ESPN.com

ESPN.com will provide a special NBA All-Star Live page with video highlights of every event and in-depth perspective and information from ESPN’s analysts, reporters, and bloggers. Former three-point champion Tim Legler will also preview the All-Star events and give his predictions for the Rookie Challenge, All-Star Saturday Night and the All-Star Game. The site will also include an All-Star Scorecard featuring ESPN.com experts’ grades for the participants in each event. 

 

TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott will contribute on-site reports from Dallas. Additionally, ESPNDallas.com will provide in-depth coverage of all the All-Star festivities and each local site in Chicago, Dallas, Boston and Los Angeles will follow players from the hometown cities throughout the weekend. 

 

ESPN Mobile

For a mobile interactive experience, through the App Store, users will be able to download for free a location- and event-based game app NBA on ESPN RV Chase, where fans can show their fandom by watching games, visiting locations, and accumulating points against others for bragging rights and virtual trophies. Locations for the game include NBA arenas, ESPN Zone locations and NBA Store, among other local spots, where fans gather to watch their favorite teams and players. The RV will be stationed in front of the Jam Session throughout the weekend in Dallas.

 

ESPN Classic

ESPN Classic will celebrate the NBA All-Star break with the following programming Saturday, Feb. 13:

 

• 10 a.m., 1972 NBA All-Star Game – Jerry West hit a last-second jumper in a 112-110 win for the West;
• 12 p.m., 1982 NBA All-Star Game – Larry Bird, Robert Parish and Nate Archibald led the East with a fourth quarter push to win 120-118;
• 2 p.m., 1988 NBA All-Star Game – Michael Jordan tallied 40 points for the MVP in a 138-133 East win;
• 4 p.m., 1993 NBA All-Star Game – John Stockton and Karl Malone led the West to a 135-132 OT win;
• 6 p.m., 2003 NBA All-Star Game – Michael Jordan’s final All-Star Game was a double-overtime loss as the West prevailed 155-145.

That will do it for this post.

A Couple of Quick Monday Press Releases

I have a couple of more things to post before I go on night duty on the blog later.

The SEC Championship on CBS drew monster ratings.

CBS Sports’ coverage of the SEC Championship game between Florida and Alabama on Saturday, Dec. 5 earned an overnight metered market rating/share of 11.8/24, up +13% from last year’s 10.4/21 for the SEC Championship featuring Florida and Alabama.

The 11.8/24 is the best rating ever in the metered markets for the SEC Championship game since its debut in 1992 and is the highest-rated regular season college football game on CBS since 1989’s Notre Dame-Miami game (14.6 HH rating; 11/25/89).

Florida-Alabama also is the highest rated non-bowl game on ANY network in the metered markets since 2006 (13.7/28 for Ohio State-Michigan on 11/18/06).

Alabama-Florida’s game rating peaked at a 13.0/24 from 7:00-7:30 PM, ET.

NBA.com is featuring an interview between Allen Iverson and his former college coach, John Thompson of Georgetown University. It was done in advance of Iverson’s return to the Philadelphia 76ers which NBA TV picks up tonight.

On Monday, Dec. 7^th, NBA TV will present the Denver Nuggets @ the Philadelphia 76ers, featuring the return of Allen Iverson to Philadelphia in what is projected to be Iverson’s first game with the 76ers since his signing. The game will begin at 7 p.m. (ET) with the Show tipping off the night at 6:30 p.m. (ET). NBA TV’s Rick Kamla, Brent Barry and Eric Snow, Iverson’s former teammate, will provide commentary and analysis throughout the network’s pre- and post-game studio coverage.

Please click on the link below to see Part One of TNT’s John Thompson’s exclusive interview on NBA.com with Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson

John Thompson’s exclusive interview with Allen Iverson

Thompson: “When was the last time you did something wrong? Did you rob somebody?”

Iverson: “It’s just a bad rap on me. It’s something that I have to accept and deal with because that’s the way it is. Nobody wants to hear about how many scholarships I give out, what I do as far as charities. Nobody wants to hear about that. That’s not news when it comes out. The negative story is what people want to hear about when it comes to me.”

Thompson: “When I hear people talk about you now, especially during this period, I very seldom hear anybody ask you about your ability to play. They indicate your age or they indicate something else. Can you still play?”

Iverson: “I wouldn’t do that to myself. I wouldn’t do that to the franchise that invested in me. I wouldn’t embarrass myself like that. That’s the beauty of this whole thing that I can show that I can go at a high level (of play).”

Thompson: “I get the impression from listening to folks that you’re whining or you’re moaning or he’s complaining. Where is this stuff coming from? You’re not a cry-baby. I know that from the child-abuse I gave you (at Georgetown). “

Iverson: “I don’t know. I guess it comes with the coming off the bench thing. All I want to do is play. From my experience in basketball, no guy was given a job in training camp anyway. You’ve got to earn it. I don’t want anybody to give me (anything). I’ve earned everything that I’ve accomplished in my life. As far as playing time and being a starter, I think I’ve deserved it.”

Thompson: “You want someone to beat you (by) playing?”

Iverson: “Exactly, that’s all I ever asked. Just let the guy in front of me or the guy that I’m fighting with over position to beat me out. I don’t have a problem with that.”

Thompson: “What adjustments does a coach have to make to coach Allen Iverson?”

Iverson: “None at all. Give me an assignment. Tell me what you want me to do out on the basketball court to help us win and that’s what I can do.”

And ESPN has made four flex adjustments in its NBA schedule for December and January.

NBA Flex Schedule Adjustments

The following flexible schedule adjustments have been made to ESPN’s NBA lineup:

Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 10:30 p.m. – Washington at Sacramento (replacing San Antonio at Golden State)

Friday, Dec. 18, at 8 p.m. – Milwaukee at Cleveland (replacing Los Angeles Clippers at New York)

Friday, Jan. 15, at 8 p.m. – Phoenix at Atlanta (replacing Toronto at New York)

Sunday, March 21, at 8 p.m. – San Antonio at Atlanta (replacing Detroit at Cleveland)

That’s it for now.

A Few Monday Morning Press Releases

Let’s give you some releases this morning and then I’ll do some links in about an hour.

Starting with TBS and some quotage from yesterday’s MLB On Deck pregame show.

Notes from Sunday MLB on TBS – September 27, 2009

Sunday MLB on TBS concludes on Sunday, Oct. 4, with a game to be announced. TBS’ coverage will begin with a 30-minute pre-game show prior to the game with its exclusive coverage of MLB’s Division Series beginning on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

MLB on Deck

Announcers: Host Ernie Johnson with analysts Cal Ripken, Dennis Eckersley and David Wells

Ripken on the teams battling for a spot in the Postseason: “This is the coolest part of the game, and I thought we weren’t going to have these kinds of races down the stretch. Minnesota comes back and they are playing really well. Colorado, I still can’t figure out Colorado; they are just riding out the momentum. This is more pressure and more fun than the playoffs.”

Eckersley on the pressure being on the team that is leading the standings: “I was never in that position all that much coming down to the last week, to only have a two or three game lead. The pressure I think is definitely on the team that’s leading, if you don’t win, you choked the last week of the season. The pressure is definitely on Colorado and Detroit.”

Wells on the Colorado Rockies: “The thing about Colorado is that anything can happen anytime. These guys are so notorious for coming back and making a playoff run. They did it a few years ago against San Diego. Are they going to be able to do it again? We’ll find out, but the thing about them is they play better at home.”

Wells on the San Francisco Giants problems producing runs: “I was working the (Giants) game a few weeks ago and talking to (manager Bruce) Bochy. I said, ‘Bochy, what happened to you guys?’ And he threw up his hands and said, ‘we just can not score.’ I said, ‘there’s a new invention called trying to manufacture runs.’ When you’re in that situation with the type of pitching you have, they’ve got guys that can pitch and win 1-0 ball games. And they’ve got guys who can hit, but you want to talk about going in the tank, they are the definition of going in the tank.”

Eckersley on how the Yankees and Red Sox are the two best teams in baseball by far: “My pick is the New York Yankees, and I follow the Red Sox all year, and I think they are a close second. As far as the National League, that’s an inferior league, that’s like Triple A. Come over to the American League East and try to win some ball games.”

Wells on Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain: “I had no clue what they were doing with (Joba Chamberlain) to begin with when he was a reliever. He was setting up Mo (Mariano Rivera) very nicely, it was the (John) Wetteland, Rivera one-two punch. Then they had Joba and Rivera, but they tried to make him a starter because they didn’t have any starting pitching and they were tinkering with that. This guy was so good at his position and now he’s lost. I think they have the Joba rule, 70 pitches no matter how many innings you go. What does that do to a guy’s mental state of mind?”

Ripken on three teams to watch during the Postseason: “(The Yankees) are the better team, I love the team chemistry this year as an intangible. They are on the same page; winning does that. The Red Sox are an awfully dangerous team; the experience, they have, the nasty factor that we talk about. But keep your eye on the Angels. I have no real reason why, they’ve lost the last two years in the playoffs, but I think they’ve been pushed a little bit more this year and I think they might be due.”

TBS analysts rank the best National League teams:

Wells: “Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis and Philadelphia.”

Ripken: “The Cardinals first, I like Philly second and the Dodgers third.”

Eckersley: “St. Louis first, and number two is the Dodgers, and who cares after that?”

Sunday MLB on TBS

St. Louis Cardinals (3) @ Colorado Rockies (4)

Brian Anderson (play-by-play), Buck Martinez (analyst) and Marc Fein (field reporter)

Martinez on Rockies manager Jim Tracy taking over mid-season: “When you’re a manager taking over a team mid-season, guys like (Todd) Helton are invaluable. (Manager) Jim Tracy talked about the biggest asset he had in the dugout he said Helton, (Brad) Hawpe, (Aaron) Cook, they are all veterans who really validated his presence.”

Martinez on Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan’s pitching philosophy: “When you throw a lot of strikes it keeps you in the ballgame. The Cardinals’ starters have pitched a ton this year, when you’re out on the field pitching into the seventh and eighth inning you always have a chance to win. (Cardinals pitching coach) Dave Duncan has always been a proponent of throwing strikes. As a pitching coach, you convince your pitchers to throw it over, challenge the hitters to put it in play, plus, you always keep the defense on their toes.”

Martinez on throwing breaking balls high due to the dry air in Colorado: “That will happen to pitchers because of dry air, you don’t get a real good grip on a breaking ball and it will slip out of your hand from time to time.”

Johnson, Ripken, Eckersley and Wells called the bottom of the fifth inning and a portion of the sixth inning.

Wells on watching the scoreboard during a game to see how other teams are doing: “Every inning (I watched), you’ve got to adjust to the scoreboard. Those guys just won, now that puts us in a predicament, and as a pitcher, now I’ve got to make smart pitching and I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do. You try not to put pressure (on yourself), but I know when I get in situations I’ve got to be smart.”

Ripken on preferring to face an established pitcher over a new player: “Towards the end of the season I didn’t like facing new guys. Sometimes when you face a spoiler team and they are going to spot start a guy, and it felt like it took until the third at-bat to get to know him a little bit. I’d rather face a guy I know even if it means playing the tougher competition. There are all kinds of tricks you can do (to a rookie), but I would always rather know what I’m expecting because the advantage goes to the pitcher.”

Wells on Royals starter Zack Greinke pitching seven innings to help secure a victory against the Minnesota Twins who are trying to make it to the Postseason: “(Royals Zack Greinke) is playing the role of spoiler and that’s what you want to do. When you get an opponent to go out and spoil someone’s postseason, that’s almost like winning a postseason game because you’ve done the job and you’re gong to make some people mad and some people happy. But he’s going to go out and do the job because he’s a Cy Young candidate with the way he’s been throwing the ball.”

Martinez on Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki’s second error of the game on a bad throw to first baseman Todd Helton: “I don’t know why (Troy) Tulowitzki throws it on the run and handcuffs Helton. (Helton) is a Gold Glover, but you don’t want to put him in this position.”

Eckersley on the Tigers allowing it to become a race with the Minnesota Twins: “I keep thinking about Detroit, thinking they have messed up. They could have taken it, they should have won this thing long before the last week of the season.”

Wells: “No question. When you have an opportunity to capitalize and you don’t…if you’re pitching falls. The Tigers only have a couple of guys in the lineup doing it (with scoring), and that’s (Miguel) Cabrera, (Brandon) Inge has been in and out, so you don’t know what you’re going to get, but you have to do it.”

Golf Channel tells us that they’re airing this week.

ESPN and NBA Digital Team Up for ESPN NBA.com Fantasy Basketball

Distinctive Collaboration includes Official Game on both ESPN.com and NBA.com, Multi-Platform Content and Co-Promotion

NBA Digital and ESPN announced today a unique multi-year agreement that will make ESPN NBA.com Fantasy Basketball, the official commissioner-style fantasy basketball game for both ESPN.com and NBA.com. The collaboration between NBA Digital and ESPN means that fantasy sports players on two of the leading NBA destinations online will now have a single, integrated game and access to the very best fantasy basketball content online and on mobile devices. The companies will also develop cross-platform promotions through a multitude of ESPN and NBA Digital platforms.

“This collaboration takes NBA Digital’s multi-platform philosophy to unprecedented levels,” said Bryan Perez, senior vice president and general manager, NBA Digital. “By marrying the TV, internet and wireless assets of ESPN and NBA Digital, fantasy sports fans will be able to engage in the game and related content in more ways than have ever been offered in the fantasy arena.”

“Working together with NBA Digital on ESPN NBA.com Fantasy Basketball builds upon the great, multi-faceted relationship we have with the NBA and will provide fans with the very best fantasy basketball game and content available,” said John Kosner, senior vice president and general manager, ESPN Digital Media. “Fans will benefit this season and in seasons ahead from new innovations and an enhanced interactive experience, while advertisers will get more value than ever before from their connection to a best-of-breed multi-platform game and content experience.”

The game is available now on NBA.com and ESPN.com and on ESPN and NBA mobile Web sites. Fans will be able to manage their teams with the latest information on their players, check scores and set their lineups. Following a record-setting season for the free commissioner-style fantasy game on ESPN.com (including nearly 40 times the growth in participation from the previous season) ESPN NBA.com Fantasy Basketball will allow players to create leagues and teams, schedule drafts, conduct mock drafts and more. Other features include:

• Integrated access to all the leading NBA Digital and ESPN Fantasy news, analysis and information including video, podcasts, columns, features and more;
• NBA TV and ESPN studio personalities competing in the game throughout the season;
• Mobile companions allowing team management through the ESPN and NBA mobile Web sites, as well as a downloadable Draft Kit mobile application developed by ESPN;
• A co-branded and cohesive marketing campaign featuring 2008 Olympic Gold Medalists Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic) and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz), three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas (Washington Wizards), and reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls).

As part of the agreement, ESPN and NBA Digital will cross promote the game and the Fantasy Draft Kit across their multiple media platforms. ESPN and NBA Digital will work together to develop new features throughout the 2009-10 NBA regular season (begins Tuesday, October 27) and in seasons ahead, including the integration of video from the NBA Digital and ESPN libraries. In addition, ESPN and NBA Digital will jointly develop sponsorship packages and co-marketing initiatives around ESPN NBA.com Fantasy Basketball.

And ESPN has its motorsports schedule for the week.

Motorsports This Week on ESPN and ABC

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Live from Kansas on ABC

The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup continues this weekend as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races for 400 miles on Sunday, Oct. 4, at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. ESPN’s live, flag-to-flag coverage of the race will air on ABC. The telecast begins with NASCAR Countdown at 1 p.m. ET and the race’s green flag is at 2:15 p.m.

ESPN’s coverage of the final 11 races of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule will air on ABC, including all 10 races in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. ESPN’s coverage from Kansas includes NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying on Friday, Oct. 2, at 4:30 p.m. and a same-day telecast of NASCAR Sprint Cup final practice on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 6:30 p.m., both on ESPN2.

Dr. Jerry Punch will be lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN’s coverage, with analysis by 1999 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Dale Jarrett and two-time NASCAR champion crew chief Andy Petree. Reporting from the pits will be Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Shannon Spake and Vince Welch, with two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion crew chief Tim Brewer in the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage.

Allen Bestwick will host the pre-race NASCAR Countdown program with analysis by 1989 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty, co-owner of a winning team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, in the ESPN pit studio.

NASCAR Nationwide Series Live from Kansas on ESPN2

ESPN2 continues its season-long coverage of the NASCAR Nationwide Series this weekend as the series races at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. The live, flag-to-flag telecast airs Saturday, Oct. 3, at 3 p.m. ET, with the green flag at 3:46 p.m. ESPN2 is the home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series all season, with selected races on ESPN and ABC.

Coverage of NASCAR Nationwide Series final practice airs Friday, Oct. 2, at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.

Marty Reid will be lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN’s coverage, with analysis by 1999 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Dale Jarrett and two-time NASCAR champion crew chief Andy Petree. Reporting from the pits will be Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Shannon Spake and Vince Welch, with two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion crew chief Tim Brewer in the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage.

Allen Bestwick will host the pre-race NASCAR Countdown program with analysis by 1989 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty, owner of a winning team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, in the ESPN pit studio.

Evernham, Said, Craven on NASCAR Now Roundtable

NASCAR on ESPN analysts Ray Evernham, Boris Said and Ricky Craven will be panelists on NASCAR Now’s weekly roundtable discussion program on Monday, Oct. 5, at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Allen Bestwick will host the edition of ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information program.

Mike Massaro hosts half-hour episodes of NASCAR Now airing Tuesday through Thursday of this week at 5 p.m. and Friday at 7 p.m. following ESPN2’s coverage of NASCAR Nationwide Series final practice at Kansas Speedway.

Massaro will be joined by Said for the one-hour weekend edition that airs Sunday, Oct. 4, at 10 a.m. with a preview of that day’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Kansas. The weekend wrap-up edition airs at 10 p.m. Sunday. Nicole Manske and Terry Blount will report from Kansas for both programs.

NASCAR Now is hosted by Massaro, Bestwick and Manske and originates from ESPN’s high definition studios in Bristol, Conn. Contributors include NASCAR Insiders Marty Smith and Angelique Chengelis, analysts Ray Evernham, Tim Brewer, Brad Daugherty, Boris Said, Ricky Craven and Randy LaJoie, and ESPN.com reporters Ed Hinton, Terry Blount and David Newton. The NASCAR on ESPN team event coverage team of Rusty Wallace, Dale Jarrett, Dr. Jerry Punch, Andy Petree, Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Spake and Vince Welch also make frequent contributions to NASCAR Now.

Countdown to 1 Continues in NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing

The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series continues its Countdown to 1 playoffs as the series visits Memphis Motorsports Park for the NHRA Mid-South Nationals this weekend. ESPN2 will air qualifying and eliminations action, with qualifying airing Saturday, Oct. 3, at 10:30 p.m. ET. Eliminations action airs Sunday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m., with a re-air Monday, Oct. 5, at 5 p.m. on ESPN Classic.

The tour’s annual stop in “the birthplace of the Blues” is being contested for the third straight season in what should be cooler climes from its previous late-August date. For the teams still in the Countdown to the Championship for NHRA Full Throttle world titles, this is the halfway point of the Countdown to 1, the third of six events that will determine the world champions.

Paul Page anchors ESPN2’s coverage with analysis by 22-time NHRA winner Mike Dunn. Gary Gerould, Dave Rieff and John Kernan report from the pits. Rieff and Dunn host NHRA RaceDay on Sunday at 11 a.m. to set the stage for that day’s eliminations action.

Other NHRA programming airing on ESPN Networks this week includes highlights from the 2004 Pontiac Excitement NHRA Nationals in Columbus, Ohio, airing Monday, Oct. 5, at 3 p.m. on ESPN Classic. In addition, action from the recent Sportsman Series event in Dallas airs Sunday, Oct. 4, at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.

Traxxas TORC Series Action on ESPN2 Sunday

Action from the Traxxas TORC Series returns to ESPN2 on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 11:30 a.m. ET with highlights of the event held in Perris, Calif. The premier short-course racing series with the top stars in off-road racing, this exciting form of door-to-door action is appearing on both ESPN2 and ABC this season.

The 2009 season features eight total rounds of racing. ESPN2 will air five rounds with three to appear on ABC. Marty Reid, lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN on ABC’s coverage of the Indianapolis 500 and selected NASCAR races, will call all of the TORC Truck Series events on ESPN2 and ABC. Joining Reid will be long-time extreme sports announcer Tes Sewell and former Miss USA Kimberly Pressler as pit reporter.

That’s it. Links are coming up.