The NBA Finals weren’t a crucial moment for just the two teams involved. or the numerous fans around the world. It was a historical moment for Doris Burke. She became the first woman to serve as a game analyst for a professional men’s finals event. With an experience of 34 years and counting under ESPN, Burke started covering the Finals as the sideline reporter in 2009. That gave her 14 years to live with the event alone.

So when the time arrived to decide who would be calling the Finals, Doris Burke was a natural choice. When Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson were laid off as part of job cuts by the network, the initial team consisted of Burke, Doc Rivers, and Mike Breen. However, when Rivers left as the Bucks coach, JJ Redick joined the group, giving us the current squad.

Everything up to this point went extremely well. But when she was on air, for whatever reason, Doris Burke had a bit of Shaqtin’a fool moments, for lack of a better word. The 59-year-old said that she didn’t “want to be a lifer on the job.” Needless to say, it wasn’t very well-received. Ex-ESPN employee and correct FSR sports analyst Doug Gottlieb was vocal about the incredulity of it all.

In the recent episode of The Doug Gottlieb Show, the Green Bay head coach said, “That was a weird one. You waited your whole career to finally get to the NBA Finals and the first comment that you have is, ‘Yeah, I don’t want to do this forever.’ Like really? Really?” Gottlieb repeatedly asked. 

Well, we can’t blame him for going down that road. It certainly was odd. However, Burke did admit that the immense weight, responsibility, and significance of the moment were nerve-wracking. And the more she thought of it, the more nervous she became. This comes in the wake of two prominent names in both the NBA and broadcasting world giving her flowers for the honor.

LeBron James and JJ Redick heaped praises on Doris Burke for her historical accomplishment

Soon after it was announced that Doris Burke would be calling the NBA Finals, James took to X to congratulate the veteran reporter. He hailed her as the GOAT for the achievement. “Important moment for our sport tonight. Love and respect to DB and everything she does to elevate all of us! You’re a *GOAT emoji*!” 

Following in his role as co-host of the Mind The Game podcast, JJ also shouted out his colleague after the live broadcast ended. “I just want to say how proud I am of my teammate Doris Burke, who made history tonight calling this NBA Finals game. Look, I’m a newbie at this. I called my first tonight. It’s meaningless in the grand scheme of things. What she did tonight is historic. I’m so proud of you. I love you. It’s so great working with you,” he said.

Many well-wishers, friends, and fans had come forward with wholesome messages and comments to Burke. And she deserves it. Let’s just hope the slight mishap was the nerves that let her tongue have a mind of its own. But before you go, be sure to check this video of Leonardo Armato’s take on Caitlin Clark vs Angel Reese.

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