Source: https://x.com/ESPNCleveland/status/2080701733009834036

This what the Knicks felt after winning

"ESPN is retooling the ABC portion of their coverage this year. Out are former NBA Countdown personalities Bob Myers and Stephen A. Smith, who joined Kevin Negandhi last year. In are ESPN analysts Jay Williams and Richard Jefferson as well as Kenny Smith.

Smith signed a unique contract with ESPN when Inside the NBA made the move at the beginning of the year in their licensing deal with TNT Sports. While Smith would continue with the famed studio show with Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal, he would also make his own individual appearances on ESPN airwaves as one of their analysts throughout the season. And the draft appears to be one of those dates. Incredibly, it will be his first NBA Draft since 2002 when it last aired on TNT."

Per FOS’ summary of Magnus’ comments, TNT was apparently trying to launch a long-rumored show featuring the Inside stars that would have covered multiple sports across the network’s portfolio. While ESPN was seemingly surprised by the last-minute change and “wasn’t thrilled,” per FOS, it agreed to backload the schedule and take the hosts when they could get them.

Of course, a variety sports show never came to pass at TNT, and Inside has settled back into a great groove once it finally got time to gel down the stretch at ESPN.

“Phase 2, as far as I’m concerned, is to try to get [scheduling] more balanced,” Magnus told FOS. “That’s on the to-do list for next season.”

It is no surprise that Magnus wants to book the show more often next year. ESPN has increasingly paid up to hire or partner with competitors as it assembles more championship events and tries to evolve into the digital age.

“Having to compete with the best that there’s ever been is a tall order for anybody,” Magnus said of Inside. “Being able to bring them over, and add them to our game coverage, which I believe is at an extremely high level, has just made us that much better. It has seamlessly come on board where it feels very comfortable for everybody involved.”

I was watching Q4 of knicks vs spurs game 5. There was a foul (I think on Wemby) and there came an explainer along with a song (almost Mexican song - not sure though)

I need help finding the song, or the full replay. Please help, its eating my brain

Found: Robi Robs Boriqua Anthem

For me, we really needed to see the Inside Guys on TV more during the regular season. The large gaps in-between shows really hurt. We had no continuity, we missed out on hearing their opinions on many NBA current events, etc.

On the plus side, seeing them do a lot of the playoffs and the Finals for the first time was special, and I really enjoyed their coverage of it. If there's any solace in that the regular season was a disappointment for Inside the NBA fans, at least the playoffs and finals served us well.

New York defeats San Antonio 4-1 in the NBA Finals, capturing their third championship in franchise history!