ABC and ESPN’s collaboration during Game 2 of the NBA Finals left much to be desired, and fans rightfully ripped the networks for it.
ABC is hosting this year’s NBA Finals and is receiving support coverage from ESPN. Typically, that would be a good thing, but the broadcast left so much to be desired after Game 1 that fans were already irritated.
Game 2 didn’t get any better. While the Dallas Mavericks were busy losing again to the Boston Celtics, social media was ripping the networks’ collaboration. Many fans complained that ABC and ESPN’s coverage was underwhelming and not what they had in mind for an NBA Finals. They also talked about how much they missed the NBA being on TNT.
Part 2/4: Host Malika Andrews notes "No time for introductions."
Stephen A. Smith, Michael Wilbon, Bob Myers and Josh Hart spend less than 2 minutes breaking down the first half. pic.twitter.com/VMwfHDIiix
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 10, 2024
Part 4/4: Mic'd up (Jaylen Brown), first half stats and JJ Redick and Doris Burke offering their brief commentary on the first half as the third quarter begins.
All told, about four minutes broken up into four sections. pic.twitter.com/L96IlEQO9E
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 10, 2024
As you’ve probably noticed, it’s not great. (Sorry, ABC and ESPN.) Here’s what fans had to say about the whole mess:
Halftimes are better on @NBAonTNT! #justsayin @NBA #NBA #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/cc9XGAYWXg
— Matt Harris (@Harris_MatthewJ) June 10, 2024
This horrendous NBA studio show on ESPN makes me grateful for the National Treasure that is "Inside the NBA" on TNT, the best studio show in sports history. If that show goes away, there will be no reason to watch regular season NBA basketball anymore.
— dave smith (@davesportsgod) June 9, 2024
Bruh why doesn’t ESPN show the timeout count ? Trash broadcast man.
— sensei donny (@_donnydomino) June 10, 2024
This ABC broadcast has the…aura…of a regular season matinee in February with a 3:30 tip, not Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
— Cousin Grizz (@AndrewDoxy) June 10, 2024
ABC broadcast keeps talking about Celtics woes from 3 …
But Dallas is 1-14 besides Doncic, and most of the misses haven’t been close.
— Mark Stopa (@MarkStopa) June 10, 2024
This ABC broadcast for the #nbafinals is awful. Adam Silver doesn’t care about basketball.
— Kym (@kaywhyem) June 9, 2024
idk if it’s just me, but this #NBAFinals has ZERO aura. The ESPN broadcast has been awful. JJ and Doris make me want to turn off the game. So many ads on the court. Only one superstar with charisma (Luka)
Lol idk
— Lee (@leeavenir) June 10, 2024
@NBA ESPN is nothing close to TNT broadcast. Then you put out on ABC and it’s streamed on 720p. The quality is horrible!
— JCOP (@tobuk_ak) June 10, 2024
@NBATV with the amazing post game analysis team. People actually talking basketball who are knowledgeable. @espn take notes@NBA you guys should have final veto for the broadcast & halftime team for the finals.
— Himothy Chalamet 👑 (@TheyGotELROY) June 10, 2024
If you thought game 1 was bad game 2 was worse. I didn’t feel like I was watching a NBA FINALS game through the majority of that broadcast. ESPN is a joke. There regular season SEC football games carry more weight. https://t.co/gWcEpVuSyA
— Niku Mistry (@MistryNBA) June 10, 2024
