ESPN, TNT to combine talent for NBA In-Season Tournament semifinals

ESPN and TNT will combine broadcasting talent during coverage of the NBA In-Season Tournament semifinals, which tip off a week from Thursday, as relayed by Jon Lewis of Sports Media Watch.

Both networks will carry a semifinal game just a few hours apart — and the TNT Inside the NBA studio show will combine forces with ESPN’s NBA Countdown.

More specifically, TNT’s Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley will appear on Countdown, with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and Michael Wilbon joining Inside.

Also, Lewis wrote:

“In addition, TNT NBA game analyst Reggie Miller will join Mike Breen and Doris Burke on ESPN’s semifinal, while ESPN analyst Doc Rivers works alongside Kevin Harlan and Candace Parker for the TNT semifinal. It will mark a homecoming for sorts for Rivers, who worked with Harlan on TNT and TBS in the 1990s.”

This is all interesting, because most NBA fans love the Inside crew and Barkley’s strong takes, and appear very much up in the air about NBA Countdown. (At least, from what I see.)

Personally, I think it’s a great idea. More analysis from Barkley and Shaq is always a good thing.