The NBA season has concluded, and with the Oklahoma City Thunder clinching their first title, a fresh chapter is about to unfold for the league. Beyond the team itself, there’s been discussion about how the broader sports media landscape is changing. On Sunday, speculation about the future of NBA Countdown arose when co-host Malika Andrews seemed to hint at its potential end. This sparked numerous conversations on social media, particularly surrounding Stephen A. Smith.
Malika Andrews’ statement appeared to be a bit perplexing, given that it suggested both NBA Countdown and Inside The NBA would continue together after ESPN acquired them. For those who didn’t stay tuned until the end of Game 7 of the NBA finals, here’s what she communicated (via @AwfulAnnouncing):
I’m deeply grateful to our extraordinary production team whose unparalleled skills and relentless dedication have made this show a reality. Kendrick Perkins, Bob Myers, and Stephen A. Smith, thank you for your contributions. With great admiration, we eagerly anticipate the arrival of Inside The NBA next season. It’s been a privilege to share this stage with such esteemed individuals.
As a die-hard movie buff, I used to anticipate that “Inside The NBA” and its crew would play a significant role in ESPN’s basketball coverage. But Eric Andrews’ recent comments hint that the TNT-acquired show might be stealing the spotlight, handling the pre-game and post-game coverage of major games on their network next season. While some initially didn’t mind this shift, others have been quick to voice their displeasure, expressing a strong desire to keep Stephen A. Smith away from Charles Barkley or Shaq’s side during next season’s broadcasts.
- Please keep Stephen A off the television 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 – @BillMuellerMMA
- Now for the love of god, keep Stephen A and Perkins away from them – @disc_vinyl
- Screamin’ A is totally unwatchable. I literally had to mute my TV in pregame til Richard Jefferson came on. – @BAGF_E
- Poor Malika Andrews and Bob Myers. They deserve better. This NBA countdown show is unwatchable. Shaq, Ernie, Kenny and Charles can’t start soon enough. – @CoachWilkes3
- NBA Countdown is so, so bad. – @dylanrettinger
It’s widely agreed that many viewers find Stephen A. Smith and Kendrick Perkins less appealing, a sentiment I can relate to since I follow both NBA Countdown and Inside The NBA. While both programs have a tendency to prioritize entertainment over in-depth basketball analysis, NBA Countdown focuses more on storytelling and controversial opinions, whereas Inside is known for its humor.
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It seems combining comedy and his role doesn’t seem like a natural fit, considering Stephen A. Smith isn’t generally associated with humor. Instead, he is renowned for his heated disputes with athletes, such as his recent banter with LeBron James, which underscores this point.
James made an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, taking aim at Stephen A. Smith, following their heated exchange on the court after a previous match. Their dispute intensified to the extent that NBA commissioner Adam Silver felt compelled to address it, expressing his hope that such incidents wouldn’t recur in the future.
There are concerns among fans about whether ESPN will be able to recreate the magic of Inside The NBA, a series previously successful on TNT, particularly when it comes to the addition of Stephen A. Smith or other ESPN personalities to the crew. Sports journalist Bill Simmons has expressed doubts, suggesting that ESPN’s approach to airing Countdown might not work well for Inside. Specifically, Simmons believes that the new structure could hinder the production of the extended segments that have become iconic due to the interactions between Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, and their team.
As a dedicated cinema-goer of sports, I eagerly anticipate the unfolding of ESPN’s “Inside The NBA” come this fall, curious about its future and if indeed it marks the end of “NBA Countdown.” For now, the focus lies squarely on the imminent NBA Draft, as each team strives to enhance their prospects for victory in the Finals a year from now or beyond.
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2025-06-23 21:10