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| starring = ''Various personalities'' (see [[List of NBA on ESPN commentators|below]])
| country = United States
| network = {{Plainlist|
| network = [[ESPN]] (1982–1984, 2002–present)<br />[[ESPN2]] (2002–present)<br />[[NBA on ABC|ABC]] (2006–present)<br />[[ESPN3]] (alternate camera angles and ABC game streams)<br />[[ESPNews]] and [[ESPNU]] (alternate channels, mainly for [[NBA playoffs|playoffs]])<br />[[ESPN Deportes]] (2005–present)
*[[ESPN]] {{small|(1982–1984, 2002–present)}}
| picture_format = [[NTSC]]<br>[[HDTV]] [[720p]]
*[[ESPN2]] {{small|(2002–present)}}
| first_aired = {{Plainlist|
*[[NBA on ABC|ABC]] {{small|(2006–present)}}
* {{Start date|1982}}–{{End date|1984}}
*[[ESPN3]] {{small|(alternate camera angles and ABC game streams)}}
* {{Start date|2002}}–{{End date|present}}
*[[ESPNews]] and [[ESPNU]] {{small|(alternate channels, mainly for [[NBA playoffs|playoffs]])}}
*[[ESPN Deportes]] {{small|(2005–present)}}
*[[ESPN+]] {{small|(2018–present, simulcasts)}}
}}
| first_aired = {{Start date|1982}}
| last_aired =
| last_aired = {{End date|1984}}
| first_aired2 = {{Start date|2002|10|30}}
| last_aired2 = {{End date|present}}
}}
 
The '''''NBA on ESPN''''' is the branding used for the presentation of [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) games on the [[ESPN]] family of networks. The ESPN cable network first televised NBA games from [[1982–83 NBA season|1982]] until [[1983–84 NBA season|1984]], and has been airing games currently since the [[2002–03 NBA season]]. [[ESPN2]] began airing a limited schedule of NBA games in 2002. [[ESPNAmerican onBroadcasting Company|ABC]] began televising NBA games under full ESPN production in [[2006–07 NBA season|2006]] (ABC Sports aired NBA games under the title of the ''[[NBA on ABC]]'' from 2002 to 2006). On October 6, 2014, ESPN and the NBA renewed their agreement through 2025, and on July 24, 2024 it’s agreement was renewed through 2036.<ref name="NBAPR">{{cite press release|title=NBA extends partnership with Turner Broadcasting, Disney|url=https://pr.nba.com/nba-partnerships-walt-disney-company-turner-broadcasting-system/|publisher=National Basketball Association|date=October 6, 2014|access-date=January 24, 2022}}</ref><ref name="NBA extends television deals">{{cite web|title=NBA extends television deals|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/11652297/nba-extends-television-deals-espn-tnt|work=[[ESPN.com]]|date=October 7, 2014|access-date=January 24, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NBA announces new 11-year media agreements |url=https://www.nba.com/news/nba-media-agreements-2024 |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref>
 
==ABC History ==
=== 1982–1984 ===
{{main|NBA on ABC|NBA Countdown}}
[[ESPN on ABC]] is the broadcast home of the NBA. ABC airs games on Christmas Day and under the title of ''NBA Saturday Primetime,'' airs on Saturday nights, and ''NBA Sunday Showcase'', airs on Sunday afternoons from January/February through the end of the season, continuing to air games throughout the early rounds of the [[NBA Playoffs]], culminating with exclusive coverage of the [[NBA Finals]].
 
==ESPN==
===First incarnation (1982–1984)===
====Background====
On January 30, 1982, the NBA reached a two-year agreement with ESPN to broadcast the league's 40 regular season and 10 playoff games from [[1982-83 NBA season|1982–83]] until [[1983-84 NBA season|1983–84]].<ref name="espn-1982nbapressrelease">{{cite press release|url=https://www.espnfrontrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/PDFNBAONESPN.jpg|title=ESPN Acquires Rights to NBA Games|publisher=ESPN|date=January 30, 1982|accessdate=August 9, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/1983/01/espn-the-year-in-review-2/|title=ESPN, Inc.: 1982 in Review|website=ESPN Pressroom|date=January 2, 1983|accessdate=August 9, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/82-OCR/1982-02-08-BC-OCR-Page-0101.pdf|title=Cable sports news|periodical=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|date=February 8, 1982|accessdate=August 14, 2021|via=World Radio History}}</ref>
 
Initially from 1982-83 until 1983-84, ESPN aired the league's regular season games every Sunday.<ref name="espn-1982nbapressrelease"/>
 
====Announcers= 2002–present ===
On January 22, 2002, the NBA signed an initial six-year agreement with [[The Walt Disney Company]] that allowed ABC and its sister network [[ESPN]] (of which Disney owned an 80% stake) to broadcast the league's 75 regular season and 24 playoff games.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/espn-abc-and-nba-reach-six-year-agreement-100-plus-games-annually-on-abc-sports-espn-espn2-nba-finals-on-abc|title=ESPN, ABC And NBA Reach Six-Year Agreement 100-Plus Games Annually On ABC Sports, ESPN, ESPN2 NBA Finals On ABC|publisher=The Walt Disney Company|date=January 22, 2002|accessdate=August 9, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2002/0122/1315389.html|title=NBA TV deal moves to ABC, ESPN|website=ESPN|date=January 22, 2002|accessdate=August 9, 2021}}</ref> Currently, ESPN airs games on Wednesdays and Fridays, with select games broadcast on ESPN or ABC on select Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, as well as much of the [[NBA Christmas games|Christmas Day games]]. ESPN/ABC also holds the exclusive rights to air the Eastern Conference Finals on even-numbered years (opposite [[NBA on TNT|TNT]]'s Western Conference Finals telecast), the Western Conference Finals on odd-numbered years (opposite TNT's Eastern Conference Finals telecast). In contrast, ABC holds the exclusive broadcast rights to the NBA Finals. ESPN/ABC also has the rights to air the [[NBA draft]].
[[Greg Gumbel]]<ref>{{YouTube|title=1984 MIL BOS Game 2 Intro |id=6PL3HdfOQbE}}</ref> and [[John Andariese]] were some of the voices of the original telecasts of ''The NBA on ESPN'', which lasted only two seasons. [[Tom Mees]] was among the studio hosts. During a commercial break of a game at [[Madison Square Garden]], the announcers (Greg Gumbel and [[Chris Berman]]) danced to the song "[[Little Darling]]" that was played on the [[public address system]] of the arena. That [[blooper reel]] is still often played when ESPN celebrates a milestone.
 
In June 2007, the NBA renewed its television agreement with ESPN and ABC through 2016, which included expanded digital rights and an increased number of playoff games on ABC and ESPN.<ref>{{cite web |title=NBA's TV extensions include rights for ESPN digital media content |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2918089 |website=espn.com |publisher=ESPN |date=27 June 2007}}</ref> This agreement was renewed again through 2025 in 2014.<ref name="NBAPR"/><ref name="NBA extends television deals"/> Most recently, the NBA renewed its agreement again in 2024 to take its coverage through to 2036.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NBA announces new 11-year media agreements |url=https://www.nba.com/news/nba-media-agreements-2024 |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref>
Other announcers during this period<ref>[http://www.sportsbroadcasthistory.com/forums/index.php?topic=128.0 1982–'83 NBA Announcing Crews]</ref><ref>[http://www.workoutgearlab.com/ NBA Announcing Crews]</ref> included:
* [[Irv Brown]] (game analyst)
* [[Ken Charles]] (game analyst)
* [[Jim Simpson (sportscaster)|Jim Simpson]] (play-by-play)
* [[Roger Twibell]]<ref>[https://vault.si.com/vault/1983/05/16/the-good-bad-and-ugly ESPN announcers Roger Twibell and Sam Smith are, respectively, cliché-ridden and machinelike in turn.]</ref> (play-by-play)
* [[Dick Vitale]] (game analyst)
* [[Fred White (sportscaster)|Fred White]] (play-by-play)
* [[Geoff Witcher]] (play-by-play)
 
==Commentators==
===Current incarnation (2002–present)===
{{main|List of NBA on ESPN commentators}}
====Background====
ESPN's best-known NBA broadcast team consists of [[Mike Breen]] on play-by-play, with [[Jeff Van Gundy]] and [[Mark Jackson]] as analysts. The trio called 15 [[NBA Finals]] together from 2007 to 2011, and again from 2014 to 2023. Other notable commentators throughout the years include [[Al Michaels]], [[Mark Jones (sportscaster)|Mark Jones]], [[Dave Pasch]], [[Mike Tirico]], [[Adam Amin]], [[Ryan Ruocco]], [[Hubie Brown]], [[Richard Jefferson]], [[JJ Redick]], among others. Notable sideline reporters include [[Michele Tafoya]], [[Doris Burke]] (later a game analyst), [[Israel Gutierrez]], [[Rachel Nichols (journalist)|Rachel Nichols]], [[Lisa Salters]], [[Malika Andrews]], [[Cassidy Hubbarth]], [[Ros Gold-Onwude]], [[Jorge Sedano]], among others.
On January 22, 2002, the NBA signed an initial six-year agreement with [[The Walt Disney Company]] that allowed ABC and its sister network [[ESPN]] (of which Disney owned a 80% stake) to broadcast the league's 75 regular season and 24 playoff games.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/espn-abc-and-nba-reach-six-year-agreement-100-plus-games-annually-on-abc-sports-espn-espn2-nba-finals-on-abc|title=ESPN, ABC And NBA Reach Six-Year Agreement 100-Plus Games Annually On ABC Sports, ESPN, ESPN2 NBA Finals On ABC|publisher=The Walt Disney Company|date=January 22, 2002|accessdate=August 9, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2002/0122/1315389.html|title=NBA TV deal moves to ABC, ESPN|website=ESPN|date=January 22, 2002|accessdate=August 9, 2021}}</ref>
 
Since the [[2017–18 NBA season|2017–18 season]], [[Doris Burke]] became a regular analyst for the NBA on ESPN, replacing [[Doug Collins (basketball)|Doug Collins]].<ref name="SI">{{cite news|title=ESPN's Doris Burke Will Be the First Woman in National Role As a Regular NBA Game Analyst|url=https://www.si.com/media/2017/09/25/doris-burke-espn-nba-analyst|date=25 September 2017|publisher=Sports Illustrated}}</ref>
In June 2007, and again in October 2014, the NBA renewed its television agreement with ESPN, as well as [[NBA on TNT|TNT]], with the current contract extending through the 2024&ndash;25 season.<ref>{{cite web|title=NBA Extends and Expands Partnerships|url=http://www.nba.com/news/nba_tv_extensions.html|website=National Basketball Association|access-date=October 17, 2016|date=June 27, 2007}}</ref><ref name="NBAPR"/><ref name="NBA extends television deals"/>
 
The [[2021–22 NBA season|2021–22 season]] marked the addition of [[Beth Mowins]] to the roster of play-by-play commentators. She is the first woman to call an NBA regular season (and playoff) game.<ref>{{Cite press release|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2021/12/espn-play-by-play-commentator-beth-mowins-to-become-the-first-woman-to-call-an-nba-regular-season-game-on-espn-this-friday/|title=ESPN Play-by-Play Commentator Beth Mowins to Become the First Woman to Call an NBA Regular-Season Game on ESPN This Friday|publisher=[[ESPN]]|location=[[Bristol, Connecticut|Bristol]]|date=December 2, 2021|access-date=May 30, 2023}}</ref> In the same season, [[JJ Redick]] joined the crew as analyst following his retirement from playing basketball.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 27, 2021 |title=JJ Redick joining ESPN as NBA analyst following 15-year career |website=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32486988/jj-redick-joining-espn-nba-analyst-following-15-year-career |access-date=October 27, 2021}}</ref> Since 2022, all-women-led broadcasts have occurred once every season, with Beth Mowins and Doris Burke as commentators in these cases.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hughes Martin |first=Katie |date=2022-02-03 |title=ESPN to Produce First NBA Game Broadcast on National Scale Led By All Women on Camera and in Pivotal Behind the Scenes Roles |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2022/02/espn-to-produce-first-nba-game-broadcast-on-national-scale-led-by-all-women-on-camera-and-in-pivotal-behind-the-scenes-roles/ |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=ESPN Press Room U.S. |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2023/03/espn-continues-all-women-led-nba-game-studio-broadcasts-in-celebration-of-international-womens-day-on-march-8/|title=ESPN Continues All-Women Led NBA Game & Studio Broadcasts in Celebration of International Women's Day on March 8|publisher=[[ESPN]]|location=[[Bristol, Connecticut|Bristol]]|date=March 3, 2023|accessdate=May 25, 2023}}</ref>
====Overview====
ESPN airs NBA games on [[NBA Wednesday|Wednesdays]], [[NBA Friday Coast to Coast|Fridays]], and Sundays. Most NBA games on the ESPN cable network air on Fridays at 7:30&nbsp;p.m. [[North American Eastern Time Zone|ET]] and 8 p.m. [[Pacific Standard Time|PT]] (10 p.m. ET) as part of "Coast to Coast" doubleheaders. Games on Wednesdays are mostly single games, televised at 9:30&nbsp;p.m. ET (usually following an [[Atlantic Coast Conference|ACC]] college basketball game. If ESPN does not air an college basketball game, then it follows the Friday format). In addition to games on ABC, several Sundays throughout the season also feature ESPN televised games, usually during the evening, though on most nights ESPN defers to [[NBA TV]] for Sunday night national broadcasts.
 
In August 2023, as part of a shakeup following the company's layoffs of many of its employees and personalities,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/07/espn-layoffs-list-talent-fired-1235428485/|title=ESPN Layoffs: Here's Updated The List Of On-Air Talent Who Were Let Go|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=July 31, 2023|access-date=August 16, 2023}}</ref> ESPN announced major changes in its commentator lineup for the [[2023–24 NBA season|2023–24 season]]. The new lead broadcast team consists of Mike Breen, Doris Burke, and former NBA coach [[Doc Rivers]]. Burke will become the first female TV analyst in a major men's championship round.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/08/espn-new-on-air-nba-announcers-doris-burke-1235519292/|title=ESPN Revamps No. 1 On-Air NBA Announcing Team & Sets Up History-Making Finals Run For Doris Burke|first=Tom|last=Tapp|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=August 14, 2023|access-date=August 15, 2023}}</ref> Burke and Rivers replace lead analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Jackson, who were laid off by the network after the [[2023 NBA Finals]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Reedy|first=Joe|date=August 14, 2023|url=https://apnews.com/article/nba-espn-abc-doris-burke-doc-rivers-5f60c90e7bce1573dabd1692131830a0|title=Doris Burke and Doc Rivers named to ESPN and ABC’s top NBA crew|agency=Associated Press|access-date=October 14, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Chavkin|first=Daniel|title=ESPN Lets Go of NBA Analyst Jeff Van Gundy, per Report|url=https://www.si.com/media/2023/06/30/espn-lets-go-jeff-van-gundy-layoffs-report|publisher=Sports Illustrated|website=SI.com|date=June 30, 2023|access-date=June 30, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Marchand|first=Andrew|title=ESPN’s NBA succession plan: Hiring Doc Rivers, laying off Mark Jackson and promoting Doris Burke |url=https://nypost.com/2023/07/31/espn-hiring-doc-rivers-demoting-mark-jackson-promoting-doris-burke/|publisher=New York Post|website=NYPost.com|date=July 31, 2023|access-date=July 31, 2023}}</ref> Additionally, a second core broadcast team consisting of [[Ryan Ruocco]], JJ Redick, and [[Richard Jefferson]] was formed. The team calls the ''[[NBA Sunday Showcase]]'' games and works together for other marquee events throughout the season and into the playoffs. The trio debuted during the opening week of the regular season rather than the preseason, due to Ruocco's assignment for the [[2023 WNBA Finals]]. The first game they called was the game between the visiting [[Dallas Mavericks]] and the [[San Antonio Spurs]], notable for [[2023 NBA draft|2023 first draft pick]] [[Victor Wembanyama]]'s regular season debut. That same year, [[Bob Myers]] joined the broadcast team as game analyst.<ref name="New team 2023-24">{{Cite web |last=Rajan |first=Ronce |date=2023-08-14 |title=ESPN's Reimagined NBA Game and Studio Coverage Plans for 2023-24 Season |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2023/08/espns-reimagined-nba-game-and-studio-coverage-plans-for-2023-24-season/ |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=ESPN Press Room U.S. |language=en-US}}</ref> After Rivers was hired as head coach of the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] in January 2024, Redick joined Breen and Burke on the lead team.<ref name="RedickTopTeam">{{Cite web |last=Rajan |first=Ronce |date=2024-02-15 |title=JJ Redick Joins Mike Breen, Doris Burke and Lisa Salters on ESPN’s Lead NBA Broadcast Team |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2024/02/jj-redick-joins-mike-breen-doris-burke-and-lisa-salters-on-espns-lead-nba-broadcast-team/|access-date=2024-02-21 |website=ESPN Press Room U.S. |language=en-US}}</ref>
ESPN's presentation of games is referred to as ''NBA (name of day)'' (i.e., ''NBA Wednesday'', ''NBA Friday'' and ''NBA Sunday''). The telecast also was formerly known as ''ESPNBA''. ESPN used to brand a few other games under the ''NBA Special Edition'' brand, but dropped the name in favor of the NBA (name of day) format in the 2013–14 season and beyond (e.g., ''NBA Monday''); should the game air on a holiday, ESPN brands it according to the special occasion. Unless specified, ESPN's NBA broadcasts are not exclusive, in which local sports networks may still air the game in their home market. Likewise the first round playoff coverage is not exclusive.
 
==''Pre Game Show''==
As part of the NBA's cable-heavy TV deal, ESPN airs one [[NBA Conference Finals|Conference final]] per year; since the [[2004 NBA playoffs]], ESPN airs the Eastern Conference Finals in even-numbered years and the Western Conference Finals in odd-numbered years. Most conference final games are televised on ESPN itself, with usually Game 1, 4 and/or Game 7 set aside for ABC. Outside of the Conference Finals, ESPN airs playoff games only on Thursdays (starting the conference semi-finals), Fridays and Saturdays (with competitor [[NBA on TNT|TNT]] airing the majority of games on the other nights of the week).
{{Main article|NBA Countdown}}
 
ESPN airs the [[NBA draft]] each season since 2003, as well as the [[NBA draft lottery]] (with the exception of [[2003 NBA Playoffs|2003]], when ABC aired the Draft Lottery prior to a Conference Final game on TNT).
 
The game between the [[New York Knicks]] and the [[Miami Heat]] on December 17, 2010, was the first NBA game ever aired on [[3D television|3D]], courtesy of [[ESPN 3D]]. The network aired 14 NBA regular season games, as well as select playoff games, in 3D that season.
 
====Announcers====
Originally, ESPN (and ABC's) lead broadcast team was [[Brad Nessler]] and [[Bill Walton]]. Nessler and Walton (eventually joined by [[Tom Tolbert]] on ABC) worked ''NBA Wednesday'' games most weeks during the [[2002-03 NBA season|2002–03 season]]. For ''NBA Friday'', [[Mike Tirico]] and [[Tom Tolbert]] worked late night [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]] games while [[John Saunders (journalist)|John Saunders]] and [[Sean Elliott]] did the early games, with [[Brent Musburger]] sometimes taking the place of Saunders. For the playoffs, ESPN added [[Jim Durham]] to its list of television play-by-play voices and used the ABC main team of Nessler, Walton and Tolbert for its coverage of the [[2003 NBA Playoffs#Conference Finals 2|2003 Eastern Conference Finals]].
 
After low ratings on ABC and for the Conference Finals, ESPN reshuffled its announcing group. With the addition of [[Al Michaels]] to the ABC NBA line-up, ESPN dissolved the Nessler-Tolbert-Walton team, keeping Nessler as the main announcer but pairing him with [[Sean Elliott]] and [[Dan Majerle]]. Walton was demoted significantly, working games sporadically (including most of the ESPN NBA Sunday games with either [[Jim Durham]] or [[Brent Musburger]]). Tolbert stayed with [[Mike Tirico]] in a new three-man booth that also included newcomer [[George Karl]].
 
Also added to the ESPN line-up was [[Mike Breen]], who became the number three announcer behind Tirico and Nessler. Breen worked most of his games with [[Bill Walton]].
 
For the [[2004 NBA Playoffs#Conference Finals 2|2004 Eastern Conference Final]], ESPN used Nessler along with ABC's lead analyst [[Doc Rivers]] for every game of the series. Game 6 between [[Detroit Pistons|Detroit]] and [[Indiana Pacers|Indiana]] was the last NBA game Nessler has called to date.
 
[[Brad Nessler]] was dropped from ESPN/ABC's NBA coverage altogether starting with the [[2004-05 NBA season]]. [[Mike Breen]] was promoted to lead announcer for ESPN, continuing to work games with [[Bill Walton]] (including the [[Pacers–Pistons brawl]]). [[Sean Elliott]] was dropped, along with [[Dan Majerle]], [[Doc Rivers]] (who had become coach of the [[Boston Celtics]]) and [[George Karl]] (who left during the season to coach the [[Denver Nuggets]]). [[Jim Durham]]'s role increased and ESPN hired former [[NBA on NBC|NBC]] analyst [[Steve Jones (basketball)|Steve Jones]] (Durham and Jones would work several regular season games together). ESPN did not use Jones and former cohort Bill Walton in games together during the regular season. [[Tom Tolbert]]'s role decreased significantly; he was reduced primarily to West Coast games.
 
In the playoffs, ESPN used the team of Mike Breen and Bill Walton for its coverage of the [[2005 NBA Playoffs#Conference finals|2005 Western Conference Final]]. Al Michaels partnered with newly added [[Hubie Brown]] for the NBA Finals on ABC.
 
ESPN's announcing teams remained stable in the [[2005-06 NBA season]]. [[Mike Breen]] and [[Bill Walton]] worked games together during the first half of the season; after Breen was promoted to lead broadcaster for [[The NBA on ABC|ABC]] (due to [[Al Michaels]] defecting to [[NBC Sunday Night Football|NBC]]), [[Mike Tirico]] became the number two broadcaster and worked several games with Walton (and later, [[Steve Jones (basketball)|Steve Jones]]). During the [[2006 NBA Playoffs]], Breen worked games with ABC partner [[Hubie Brown]], including the [[2006 NBA Playoffs#Conference Finals 2|2006 Eastern Conference Final]].
 
For the [[2006-07 NBA season]], Hubie Brown moved to ESPN full-time as the lead color commentator, paired with Mike Breen. Mike Tirico and Bill Walton remained as the number two team, with Steve Jones being replaced by newcomer [[Jon Barry]]. Tom Tolbert remained in his reduced role, in a broadcast team with either [[Mark Jones (sports journalist)|Mark Jones]] or [[WNBA on ESPN|ESPN WNBA]] play-by-play man [[Dave Pasch]]. [[John Saunders (journalist)|John Saunders]], with former ''[[NBA Shootaround]]'' colleagues [[Greg Anthony]] and [[Tim Legler]] worked Sunday night games televised by ESPN, as they had in the previous season. [[Fred Hickman]] became the primary studio host, working with a rotating team of analysts. Additions included [[Jamal Mashburn]] and [[Allan Houston]].
 
ESPN increased its number of female analysts, adding current WNBA players [[Becky Hammon]] and [[Kara Lawson]] as sideline reporters. [[Swin Cash]], of the [[Detroit Shock]], was added as a studio analyst, debuting on ''NBA Shootaround'' early in the season. [[Doris Burke]] continued as a sideline reporter, while [[Lisa Salters]] (who had added ''[[Saturday Night Football]]'' to her duties) cut down on working ''[[NBA Friday]]'' games. On January 12, 2007, Kara Lawson was the analyst alongside play-by-play man Mark Jones for ESPN's [[Washington Wizards]]-[[New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets]] game. During this season, ABC's coverage of the NBA was fully integrated in ESPN.
 
In the 2007–08 season, [[Jeff Van Gundy]] joined ESPN's coverage, pairing with Mike Breen on the lead broadcast team. Mike Tirico and Hubie Brown, who worked ABC games together last season, formed the number two team, with [[Dan Shulman]] replacing Tirico when he had Monday Night Football commitments. Bill Walton became ESPN's lead studio analyst, along with Stuart Scott and Stephen A. Smith. Mark Jones also hosted NBA Shootaround, and occasionally paired with Jon Barry as the third team, replacing Shulman. Tom Tolbert, who called the NBA Finals for ABC just 4 years earlier, was dropped, along with reporter Jim Gray. [[Rick Carlisle]] and [[Jalen Rose]] also were added, giving analysis on Sportscenter and occasionally appearing on NBA Shootaround. On December 31, 2007 analyst [[Kiki Vandeweghe]] left ESPN to pursue a role with the [[New Jersey Nets]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Vandeweghe takes key personnel role with Nets |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3174881 |website=ESPN.com |access-date=January 24, 2022 |date=December 31, 2007}}</ref>
 
After the [[2011 NBA Finals]], [[Mark Jackson]] left the broadcast team to become the head coach of the [[Golden State Warriors]], leaving only [[Mike Breen]] and [[Jeff Van Gundy]] as the commentators for the following Finals. After being fired in 2014, he returned to ESPN in time for the [[2014 NBA Finals]].
 
In 2016, [[Mike Tirico]] left ESPN for [[NBC Sports]]. Starting with the [[2017–18 NBA season|2017–18 season]], [[Doris Burke]] became a regular analyst for the NBA on ESPN, replacing [[Doug Collins (basketball)|Doug Collins]].<ref name="SI">{{cite news|title=ESPN's Doris Burke Will Be the First Woman in National Role As a Regular NBA Game Analyst|url=https://www.si.com/media/2017/09/25/doris-burke-espn-nba-analyst|date=25 September 2017|publisher=Sports Illustrated}}</ref>
 
The [[2021–22 NBA season|2021–22 season]] marked the addition of [[Beth Mowins]] to the roster of play-by-play commentators.<ref>{{Cite press release|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2021/12/espn-play-by-play-commentator-beth-mowins-to-become-the-first-woman-to-call-an-nba-regular-season-game-on-espn-this-friday/|title=ESPN Play-by-Play Commentator Beth Mowins to Become the First Woman to Call an NBA Regular-Season Game on ESPN This Friday|publisher=[[ESPN]]|location=[[Bristol, Connecticut|Bristol]]|date=December 2, 2021|access-date=May 30, 2023}}</ref> In the same season, [[JJ Redick]] joined the crew as analyst following his retirement from playing basketball.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 27, 2021 |title=JJ Redick joining ESPN as NBA analyst following 15-year career |website=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32486988/jj-redick-joining-espn-nba-analyst-following-15-year-career |access-date=October 27, 2021}}</ref> Since 2022, all-women-led broadcasts have occurred once a season, with Beth Mowins and Doris Burke as commentators in such cases.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/10025774-warriors-vs-jazz-broadcast-to-have-all-woman-crew-for-1st-time-in-espns-history.amp.html|title=Warriors vs. Jazz Broadcast to Have All-Woman Crew for 1st Time in ESPN's History}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2023/03/espn-continues-all-women-led-nba-game-studio-broadcasts-in-celebration-of-international-womens-day-on-march-8/|title=ESPN Continues All-Women Led NBA Game & Studio Broadcasts in Celebration of International Women's Day on March 8|publisher=[[ESPN]]|location=[[Bristol, Connecticut|Bristol]]|date=March 3, 2023|accessdate=May 25, 2023}}</ref>
 
In Game 7 of the [[2022 NBA playoffs#Eastern Conference finals|2022 Eastern Conference Finals]], ESPN's lead play-by-play [[Mike Breen]] was out due to COVID-19 protocols, which resulted to [[Mark Jones (sportscaster)|Mark Jones]] replacing Breen on play-by-play. In Game 1 of the [[2022 NBA Finals]], analyst [[Jeff Van Gundy]] was also out for the same reason, leaving Jones, [[Mark Jackson]], and sideline reporter [[Lisa Salters]]; they were together the first all-African-American broadcast team for an NBA Finals game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/kings/news/mark-jones-reflects-on-historic-nba-finals-call |title=Mark Jones Reflects on Historic NBA Finals Call |work=NBA.com |accessdate=2022-06-17|author=Bradley, Jonathan|date=June 13, 2022}}</ref> Van Gundy returned in Game 2, while Breen followed suit in Game 3.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jack Baer |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-finals-espn-mike-breen-back-3-games-missed-covid-19-201808693.html |title=NBA Finals: ESPN's Mike Breen back after bout with COVID-19 |publisher=Sports.yahoo.com |date=2022-06-08 |accessdate=2022-06-17}}</ref>
 
===Personalities===
{{main|List of NBA on ESPN personalities}}
 
===''NBA Countdown''===
''[[NBA Countdown]]'', previously ''NBA Shootaround'', is ESPN's main studio program, airing before each game telecast. ESPN's in-game studio programs originally consisted of [[Kevin Frazier]] and [[Tim Hardaway]] on Fridays with [[Stuart Scott]] replacing Frazier on Wednesdays. After horrible reviews for Hardaway, ESPN brought in [[Greg Anthony]] to replace him on Friday nights. Frazier and Anthony became ESPN's main studio team and worked most of the playoffs. For the 2003 Eastern Conference Finals, ESPN used ABC's halftime team of [[Mike Tirico]] and [[Sean Elliott]] for all the games.
 
[[2003-04 NBA season|2003–04]] was the first year of the longest-tenured ESPN studio team. Frazier and Anthony were joined by controversial writer [[Stephen A. Smith]] and NBA legend [[Bill Laimbeer]]. Laimbeer, departing to continue coaching in the [[Women's National Basketball Association|WNBA]], was replaced by [[Tim Legler]] during the [[2004 NBA Playoffs]]. Smith, Legler and Anthony were joined by [[John Saunders (journalist)|John Saunders]] (replacing Frazier, who left to host ''[[Entertainment Tonight]]'') from [[2004-05 NBA season|late 2004]] to the end of the [[2005-06 NBA season|2005–2006 season]].
 
ESPN's studio team was generally more criticized<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20051107051732/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/kelly_dwyer/11/04/announcers/index.html TNT's fun NBA coverage a respite from ESPN's anger]</ref> than praised. After the Pacers–Pistons brawl, ESPN's studio team came under severe criticism, both by the media<ref>[http://cgi1.usatoday.com/mchat/20041123005/tscript.htm NBA: David DuPree]</ref> and by ESPN itself<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/martzke/2004-11-23-martzke_x.htm ESPN boss makes right call after announcers blame fans]</ref> for their stance regarding the actions of [[Indiana Pacers|Indiana Pacer]] [[Ron Artest]] (who entered the stands to confront a fan, sparking the melee). Saunders came down hard on Detroit fans, referring to them as "punks," while Anthony and Legler defended Artest.
 
For the [[2006-07 NBA season]], Saunders was replaced by [[Fred Hickman]], with the remaining team left intact.<ref>[http://media.espn.com/ESPNToday/2006/Oct_06/NBAcommentators.htm 2006–07 NBA SEASON ON ESPN BEGINS NOV. 1]</ref> Previous reports by The Big Lead.com and ''[[The New York Post]]'' indicated that Anthony, Legler and Smith along with Saunders would be replaced by [[Dan Patrick (sportscaster)|Dan Patrick]], [[Michael Wilbon]] and [[Mark Jackson (basketball)|Mark Jackson]].<ref>[http://www.nypost.com/sports/espn_gets_a_re_phil_sports_andrew_marchand.htm ESPN GETS A RE-PHIL]</ref> Smith's role was significantly reduced, as he would no longer appear in studio with Hickman, Legler and Anthony, instead appearing during "The A List", a segment during the pregame show.
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The format changed for the 2011–2012 season. The show moved from Bristol to ESPN's West Coast headquarters in Los Angeles. Storm, Scott and Jones were dropped from the program and the host role abandoned. Instead, four analysts (Wilbon, Barry, [[Magic Johnson]], and [[Chris Broussard]]) discuss scores, games, and other topics in more of a free form style than previously used.
 
In 2023, as part of major changes to its commentary team, [[Malika Andrews]] became the new lead host of ''NBA Countdown''.<ref name="New team 2023-24"/>
===The RV Tour===
From the 2007–08 season through the 2013–14 season, commercials for the NBA on ESPN have always featured a [[recreational vehicle]] taking NBA players, ESPN announcers, mascots, and even celebrities to a cross-country tour. During each commercial, the featured NBA player or mascot always employ a prank on an ESPN broadcast personality. Most of the jokes have featured Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy as the 'victims' of each prank. Following the success of the commercials, the NBA on ESPN RV became an iconic figure of NBA broadcasts on the network, and it is prominently seen on select on NBA arenas during games covered by ESPN, during which arriving fans take a tour of the RV and participate in various activities.
 
==Ratings==
''The RV Tour'' commercials have been discontinued as of the 2014–15 season.
 
===Ratings===
 
{{Main|National Basketball Association on television}}
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ESPN2 NBA coverage is mostly made up of studio shows, notably ''[[NBA Coast to Coast]]''. ''NBA Coast to Coast'', formerly known as ''NBA Fastbreak Tuesday'' and ''NBA Nation'', is a two-hour long Tuesday night studio show that features live cut-ins to games throughout the league. In addition to ''Coast to Coast'', ESPN2 airs several editions of ''[[NBA Fastbreak]]'', ESPN's NBA oriented highlight show.
 
Despite airing fewer than forty NBA games in its eleven years of existence, ESPN2 did televise NBA legend [[Michael Jordan]]'s final game in [[2002-03 Chicago Bulls season|Chicago]] in January 2003.
 
ESPN2 also aired [[Kobe Bryant]]'s final game against the [[2015-16 Utah Jazz season|Utah Jazz]] on April 13, 2016.
 
ESPN2 also aired a [[LeBron James]] potential record breaking game on February 3, 2023<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gostomelsky |first=Adam |date=2023-02-02 |title=News: Brady, YouTube TV, LeBron, and more |url=https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2023/02/tom-brady-broadcasting-fox-youtube-tv-drops-mlb-network-lebron-scoring-record/ |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=Sports Media Watch |language=en-US}}</ref>
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ESPN2 is the primary outlet for ESPN [[WNBA on ESPN2|WNBA coverage]], televising regular season games, the [[WNBA Finals]] and the [[WNBA draft]]. ''WNBA Shootaround'', the WNBA equivalent of ESPN's NBA pregame show, airs sporadically on the network, typically before presentations of ''WNBA Tuesday''.
 
Beginning with the [[2022–23 NBA season|2022–23 season]], ESPN2 began airing [[ESPN Megacast|alternate presentations]] of select NBA games in a similar vein to ''[[Manningcast]]'' and ''KayRod Cast'' during ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' and ''[[Sunday Night Baseball]]'' respectively, with [[Stephen A. Smith]] as host. The series was titled ''NBA in Stephen A.'s World''.
 
==See also==
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==External links==
*{{Official website|http://www.espn.com/nba/}}
 
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{{succession box|before=TBS|title=NBA pay television carrier (with [[NBA on TNT|TNT]]) in the United States|years=[[2002–03 NBA season|2002]]–present|after=–}}
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{{NBA on ABC}}
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[[Category:National Basketball AssociationNBA on television|ESPN]]
[[Category:ESPN original programming]]
[[Category:ESPN2 original programming]]