The growing interest of the people towards the NBA has resulted in the rise of various analytics and debate shows. Each show tries its best to bring out something unique for the audience in order to keep them interested and help their knowledge base with regard to the game. ESPN?s Stephen A. Smith, who has been a part of the network for over 20 years now, has continued to entertain his audience by reporting on the various games and bringing out his own comments during some controversial moments.
The anchor?s latest comments about the dismissal of an ex-NBA legend have recently come to light, even as the latter is in talks to join the very same network.
An NBA veteran is to join ESPN
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Chad Finn, a sportswriter for the Boston Globe, recently took to Twitter a particular piece of information. While he claims that nothing is of an imminent nature as of this moment, the Globe writer has heard of a high probability that NBA legend and former coach Doc Rivers, along with sports analyst Doris Burke, are set to join Mike Breen on ESPN’s top NBA broadcast team for the upcoming season.
The news comes a few months after Doc Rivers was fired by the Philadelphia 76ers. The dismissal took place after the team lost to the Boston Celtics in a semifinals match.
Nothing is imminent now, but hearing there’s a good chance that Doc Rivers and Doris Burke join Mike Breen on ESPN’s top NBA broadcast team next season.
? Chad Finn (@GlobeChadFinn) July 17, 2023
ESPN is currently in the middle of a change. Only a few weeks ago, the network had been a part of a firing spree, letting 20 prominent anchors and analysts like Jalen Rose and Jeff Van Gundy go.
While Rivers will be new to the broadcasting network, Burke has been a part of it for over 32 years. Not only was she the first female commentator for a Knicks game, but she was also the first female to act as a game analyst during an NBA Finals match.
Rivers has had one year of experience with ABC, before leaving that gig to join the Celtics in 2004. In light of the recent news, the internet has resurfaced a few comments made by Stephen A. Smith in the aftermath of Rivers? dismissal from the team.
Stephen A. Smith claims the “chickens came home to roost” in the aftermath of River’s dismissal
Smith claims that he predicted Rivers? firing as soon as he saw the 76ers losing the match.
While he called the dismissal an ?unfortunate? event, he soon started to point out why it was inevitable. The team lost 10 games in the Game 7 series; and Joel Embiid and James Harden, two key players, were no-shows in two games. Furthermore, the ESPN host also blamed Rivers for letting two players go to Vegas just before the playoffs.
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.@stephenasmith reacts to the 76ers dismissal of Doc Rivers: pic.twitter.com/RC7cWG1hO0
— First Take (@FirstTake) May 16, 2023
According to Smith, these mistakes convert into ?the kinds of things where chickens come home to roost.?
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WATCH THIS STORY: After ESPN Shut Doors on Stephen A. Smith?s Colleagues, NBA Millionaire Breaks Silence Only to Accept Harsh Reality of Layoff
All of the matters are subject to speculation at the moment. Things may become awkward, however, for the former Atlanta Hawks player and Smith if the former player is made an offer he can?t refuse.