How ESPN Can Better Compete With TNT's NBA Coverage

As mentioned previously on the Steeze Report, TNT's coverage of the National Basketball Association is superior to ESPN's coverage.  It is not even close. TNT delivers on both basketball analysis and entertainment value.  As our very own AJ has stated in a previous post, "TNT is by far my favorite network that covers the NBA. Not only is the Inside The NBA Crew the best, but their in game commentators such as Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, Mike Fratello, and Chris Webber are also great. Listening to Steve Kerr tonight after listening to that clown Jeff Van Gundy on ESPN only makes me appreciate TNT more." There's never a dull moment.  However, there is hope for ESPN.  I have a solution for them.  Here is what I propose:

Starting next NBA season, ESPN should introduce a NBA post game show that should IMMEDIATELY follow all of their games, much in the same way TNT does with "Inside the NBA."  In doing so, ESPN will retain its viewers who were just watching the game.  Currently, ESPN "kicks it" to sportscenter after every game.  The problem with immediately going to sportscenter is in the lack of in-depth coverage and analysis. A game will end and jump right into sportscenter, which will talk about the game that just aired for 10 to 20 minutes at most and then move on to one of the million baseball highlights. Simply move sportscenter to ESPN2 and allow your new post game show to build a following.  Name it whatever you like.

Now what should be for the format of this new show and who should star in it?  Currently, during the rare times ESPN has post game shows, they have a sportscenter anchor, Bill Simmons, Jalen Rose, and Coach Collins.  Magic Johnson and Michael Wilbon were removed before the start of the season.  I think they need to keep Jalen Rose and Bill Simmons, and dump the sportscenter anchor( usually Sage Steele) and Coach Collins.  From here, ESPN should get a new "hipper" host or just have it be Simmons and Rose.  Essentially, what I am trying to do here is to get ESPN to deliver as much entertainment and AUTHENTIC/NON-CHEESY banter between the analyst, while at the same time delivering valuable basketball analysis.

The best time to be taught something about the game is immediately after you've viewed it.  Most of the plays are still fresh in your mind.  I would not mind if they even added Scott van Pelt and Ryen Russillo.  I enjoy watching the "SVP & Russillo" show on ESPN. If you have not watched them, I suggest you check them out.  Further still, I enjoyed listening to Russillo's audio-only NBA podcast when I used to take public transportation to my University a few years back.

The ebb and flow of the show needs to be as organic as possible.  ESPN needs to drop the scripted shows.  Just let your talent fill in the blanks.  ESPN is too stiff right now.  To achieve this, Simmons and Rose should simply move their Grantland YouTube channel to ESPN and have that be the post game show for them.  And yes, Rose should keep the bat he holds in every video.  If you have not seen their YouTube shows yet, check it out on bottom of this post.  There is some talent at ESPN; they're just not being used correctly and in the right spots.  Follow my plan, and ESPN's basketball coverage will no longer be a joke.  Just a suggestion.

Additional suggestions ESPN should implement that are easier to pull off:

1. Stay away from hyperbolic statements.  Not every great performance by LeBron or any other NBA star makes them the best ever.
2. I've grown to like Mike Breen but ESPN should still acquire Marv Albert from TNT to cover the NBA Finals.  This is ABC and Walt Disney we're talking about here.  Surely, they have enough money to sign the voice of the NBA.(Add Doug Collins along with him)
3. Have the post game hosts and analysts also do the pregame and halftime coverage.(Scott Van Pelt, Russillo, Rose, & Simmons)
4. Invite Stephen Jackson on the post game show frequently for entertainment.  If he works out, maybe bring him on permanently.(Jackson could be ESPN's Charles Barkley.)