ESPN has officially hired former Sixers head coach Doc Rivers to join its top broadcast team, the network announced in a press release written by Ronce Rajan. Rivers, who signed a multiyear contract to be an analyst, will work alongside fellow analyst Doris Burke and play-by-play announcer Mike Breen.
ESPN decided to shake up its top broadcasting group after releasing former analysts Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy.
In addition to Rivers, ESPN has also signed longtime Warriors executive Bob Myers, who left his post a couple months ago. Myers will serve as analyst on NBA countdown and will also call games during the season, per Rajan.
The signings of Rivers and Myers were previously reported by The New York Post.
ESPN also announced a new secondary broadcast team comprised of play-by-play voice Ryan Ruocco alongside analysts — and former NBA players — JJ Redick and Richard Jefferson. Jefferson received a multiyear extension, Rajan adds.
Here’s more from around the basketball world:
- Forward Trentyn Flowers, who had committed to Louisville, has decided against playing for the Cardinals and will instead head overseas in an effort to make the NBA. Flowers announced on Twitter that he’ll be joining the NBL’s Next Stars program and will play for the Adelaide 36ers. The NBL features nine Australian teams and one based in New Zealand. As Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report tweets, Flowers is one of a handful of potential 2024 first-round picks who have decided to play in the NBL.
- Greece’s AEK Athens has officially signed big man Justin Tillman, according to Eurohoops.net. Tillman never actually got in an NBA game, but he signed a 10-day hardship deal with the Hawks a couple years ago and has been a highly productive player in the G League. The former VCU star has had several other international stops during the course of his professional career.
- In case you missed it, we passed along several World Cup notes this morning.
Rivers gers his chance at a normal voice again and shouldn’t have to worry about someone underperforming to get him fired at this job at least.
Richard Jefferson got an extension? I’m sure he’s a good guy and all, but is probably the blandest analyst in the game. I’m sure he is a LOT cheaper than JVG and Mark Jackson, though. Hence the extension. Salary cap games. Like signing Myers and Rivers.
Myers and Rivers are downgrades.
Van Gundy and Mark Jackson were both highly knowledgeable and were able to be likable while at the same time just being themselves.
JJ Reddick is the basketball version of Tony Romo. Was solid for like 5 seconds then just fell off and became annoying. Not really interested in Reddick’s takes on situations.
This. ESPN trying to assemble the Voltron of horrible commentators
Mark Jackson was horrible, a walking cliche, Im sure when he was leaving ESPN someone said – oh mamma, there goes that man)))
The vast majority of ESPN live broadcasts are unlistenable because they laid off all their good announcers. Now you’ve got guys like Eduardo Perez who sounds like he’s got a frog in his throat and Doc Rivers who always sounds so hoarse you just want him to shut up. Way to go, ESPN. How the mighty have fallen.
Marc Jones and Hubie Brown should be more prominent, but I get trying to get away from teaching the game, and instead leaning toward over sensationalizing everything else, like things have been going the last 10 years
At least we’re finally done with Mark Jackson. For that alone, I have to consider this a win
glad Myers took this gig…..id hate to see him go somewhere else and build another 4 time championship team! naw mean?
Burke is truly terrible. Aside from calling everyone by first name, like she’s 12, she has a disturbing voice and seems to put emphasis on all the wrong words. Extremely irritating.
I enjoyed JVG and the relationship with Breen. Not a big fan of Mark Jackson but I’d take him over Burke all day.
Eagle and Jefferson always a good listening. Hubie Brown thinks he has to say something after each play. Harlan is turning into Marv Albert, several seconds behind the play. I wish Steve Kerr was back. But please, no Draymond Green ever ever ever.