ESPN’s Simmons and Rose: TNT is better than us

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Everybody who follows and watches the NBA on a regular basis knows that TNT has a superior halftime show and post-game show than ESPN.

Now the folks at ESPN have come right out and admitted it.

During a conference call today to introduce Bill Simmons and Jalen Rose as two of the the new co-hosts for ESPN’s Wednesday and Friday doubleheader studio shows, the two spent about as much time discussing Turner Sports’ superiority as they did discussing anything else.

Here are some excerpts from the transcript:

Q.  Jalen, why do you think you’ll be a good fit on the show? 

JALEN ROSE:  I’m really excited about the opportunity to join NBA Countdown. We all know that the standard for the NBA studio show was set, and rightfully so, by the TNT show lead by Ernie, Charles, Kenny and now they added Shaq.

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Morning News Roundup

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Here are this morning’s top NBA news stories:

  • “Sixers still talking extension with Holiday,” by John Finger from CSNPhilly.com
  • “Rasheed Wallace’s fate with Knicks in coach Mike Woodson’s hands,” by Marc Berman from the New York Post
  • “McGrady’s China move earns NBA plaudits,” from 560 WGAN
  • “Why it’s worth it for Mavs to take wild ride with Delonte West,” by Eddie Sefko from  Dallas Morning News
  • “New rule puts crimp in Jordan’s pre game ritual,” by Dan Woike from the Orange County Register
  • “Ray Allen is running circles around his teammates,” from the Miami Herald
  • “Mark Cuban of Dallas Mavericks not worried about ailing Dirk Nowitzki,” by Tim MacMahon from ESPN.com
  • “Andrew Bogut to have ankle examined,” by Marcus Thompson II from the San Jose Mercury-News
  • “As Clippers round into shape, Lamar Odom lags,” by Broderick Turner from the Los Angeles Times
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Kevin Love out 6-8 weeks with broken hand

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Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star forward Kevin Love will miss six to eight weeks with a broken hand, the team announced Wednesday.

According to a release from the team, Love fractured the third and fourth metacarpal in his right hand while working out.

The plan is for the Team USA member to travel to New York on Thursday to be examined by hand specialist Dr. Andy Weiland at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

Love’s injury could be devastating to Minnesota’s postseason hopes. A season ago, they were in the Western Conference playoff hunt when sensational rookie point guard Ricky Rubio went down with a torn ACL.

Even with Love carrying the team on his broad shoulders, the Wolves collapsed without Rubio, losing 20 of their last 25 games to miss the playoffs for the eighth straight year.

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What kind of a broadcaster would Stan Van Gundy have been?

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By now you have probably heard that Stan Van Gundy will NOT be joining ESPN as a studio analyst, and Stan is NOT happy about the lack of an explanation.

Now, the news is out about who will fill the chair that would have been Stan’s.

From Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead.com: “Jalen Rose, whose star continues to rise at ESPN, has just been selected as the 4th member of ESPN’s “NBA Countdown,” sources tell me. The deal, which came together over the weekend, will pair Rose with Bill Simmons, Magic Johnson and Michael Wilbon, as ESPN makes a run at TNT’s “Inside the NBA.” The two shows don’t go head-to-head, but “Inside the NBA” is far more popular among fans.

Whatever the reason for the lack of an agreement between ESPN and Stan, it is a pity for basketball fans than the elder Van Gundy brother will not be providing his insight.

What kind of a broadcaster would Stan have been?

Before his deal broke off, Van Gundy answered that question for me in an interview recorded for the soon-to-debut SheridanHoopsRadio:

SVG: “First of all, I haven’t finalized anything yet, but we’re moving in that direction. I don’t know. It’s a whole new dynamic for me, so I don’t think there’s any way to know if I’ll be any good or anything else at that. Until you do it, you just don’t have any idea. I’m looking forward to trying something new. I’m looking forward to trying to get better. I’ll always certainly try to be honest, but whether I’ll be any good, I don’t have any idea.”
“I wasn’t maybe David Stern’s favorite coach in the league. David likes to control everybody and I would say some things he didn’t like. I’m not looking to be outrageous or say things. I get asked questions, and unfortunately, sometimes, I’ll just say the first thing that pops into my head without really editing myself, and that’s gotten me into trouble at times.”

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Morning News Roundup

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Here are this morning’s top NBA news stories:

  •  ”Fisher free to return to Lakers now,” by Marc Stein from ESPN.com
  • “Jeremy Lin wanted to retire with New York Knicks, not Houston Rockets,” Marc Berman from the  New York Post
  • “Delonte West of Dallas Mavericks suspended for conduct detrimental to the team,” by Tim MacMahon from ESPN.com
  • “Deron Williams of Brookyln Nets rips A.J. Price of Washington Wizards,” by Mike Mazzeo from ESPN.com
  • “Brandon Bass staying focused despite being unsure of his role on Celtics,” by Gary Washburn from the Boston Globe
  • “Melo: ‘I’m willing to do whatever it takes,’” by Jared Zwerling from ESPN.com
  • “New Bulls guard Marco Belinelli looks lost in Thibodeau’s system,” by Joe Cowley from the Chicago Sun-Times
  • “Nowitzki chooses to delay surgery as long as possible,” by Dwain Price from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram
  • “Sixers’ Andrew Bynum to being practicing October 24,” by John N. Mitchell from the Philadelphia Inquirer
  • “Knicks’ forward Amar’e Stoudemire returned to practice,” by Tony Williams from the Newark Star-Ledger
  • “Jalen Rose to join Bill Simmons, Magic Johnson, and Mike Wilbon on NBA Countdown,” by Jason McIntyre from The Big Lead
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