Archives for January 2009

Super Bowl Memories Of NBC’s Broadcasters

January 30, 2009 By admin

AL MICHAELS:

MICHAELS ON SUPER BOWL III, 40 YEARS AGO ON NBC:“I was in Hawaii starting my career and was watching it with a friend of mine, early in the morning. I was an AFL fan and thought the AFL had been given short shrift and loved the way they played football and was very excited when the Jets won the game. I thought it was neat to have this upstart league come in and say to the NFL, ‘hey, we’re as good as you are.'”

MICHAELS ON THE FIRST SUPER BOWL:“I was there in the Los Angeles Coliseum with my brother David. It was a beautiful day in the middle of January and we had really good seats on the northern side of the Coliseum. There were only about 60,000 people in the staduim and about 30,000 empty seats but I thought it was cool. I had always followed the AFL as a kid and I loved the AFL. You had no idea what was going to happen; would Kansas City even remotely be able to stay in the game or was the NFL so superior and dominant. Even though Green Bay won, and they won it going away, it was a close game at halftime and I remember thinking at halftime, ‘hey this is pretty neat, the AFL can stay with the NFL.’ It was a lot of fun but I had no idea that 43 years later it would evolve into anything like this.”

JOHN MADDEN:

“I’ve done so many Super Bowls and have enjoyed them all.”

MADDEN ON HIS FIRST SUPER BOWL AS A BROADCASTER: “The first one as a broadcaster was in Detroit and it was my first year working with Pat Summerall. It was the first cold-weather Super Bowl, in a dome with the cold and the traffic and all and that was really the start of the 49ers dynasty. It was Bill Walsh’s first Super Bowl win as a head coach and was the start of the 49er era.”

MADDEN ON FINDING OUT HE WAS VOTED TO HALL OF FAME: “The last Super Bowl I did was memorable. It was Seattle-Pittsburgh and the day before the game we went to practice at the stadium in Detroit, and I got the call that I was voted into the Hall of Fame. That was a pretty doggone good weekend. It’s the day before the Super Bowl and I was just voted into the Hall of Fame, so I’ll never forget that. Weekends don’t get any better than that.”

MADDEN ON HIS FIRST SUPER BOWL AS A COACH: “We were in Super Bowl II and we had a good young team and it was my first year as a coach. Not only was I an assistant coach but I was a first-year assistant coach and we went and lost to the Green Bay Packers and it was Vince Lombardi’s last game.

“They didn’t even call it the Super Bowl then. It was the AFL-NFL Championship and I’d just come from college coaching and I thought that was a bowl game. We’d won the AFL and I thought that’s what happens – when you win the AFL you get to go to a bowl game. And you get double your salary. We got $12,500 and that’s about what my salary was. I thought this was pretty good and we have a good team so we should be back here every year. I started out young and dumb, taking something for granted and I didn’t get back there again until Super Bowl XI.”

MADDEN ON WINNING OR LOSING A SUPER BOWL: “You really appreciate it when you realize how hard it is to get to. The gap between winning and losing in the Super Bowl is probably the biggest gap there is in sports. The winner is Super Bowl champion forever and they can never take that away from you.

“I always want to correct people when I hear them say, ‘our goal this year is to get to the Super Bowl.’ I always want to say, ‘no no no, your goal is to WIN the Super Bowl.’ Getting to a Super Bowl is A thing but it’s not THE thing. Winning it is THE thing.

MADDEN ON WINNING SUPER BOWL XI: “Winning that Super Bowl in Pasadena, against the Minnesota Vikings was probably the biggest thrill of my life.”

ANDREA KREMER:

KREMER ON GIVING BIRTH AT THE SUPER BOWL: “My top Super Bowl memory is a bit off the field. My son Will was born in Atlanta on Jan. 26, 2000 four days before Super Bowl XXXIV, where I was working for ABC and ESPN. Many people have noted he was in such shock that the Rams were about to win the championship he had to see it first hand. I worked the pre-game show that day but watched the actual game with Will from Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta and gave the infant his first taste of football when I animatedly reacted to Mike Jones’ tackle of Kevin Dyson at the one yard line as the clock expired to preserved the Rams win. For the first few years of his life he thought the Super Bowl was held to celebrate his birthday.”

KREMER ON HER TOP SUPER BOWL MOMENT: “This will be the 20th Super Bowl I have covered and while I have witnessed many thrilling moments such as Adam Vinatieri’s game winning kicks to win Super Bowls XXXVI and XXXVIII, respectively, for the Patriots, I consider the best Super Bowl I’ve covered to be Super Bowl XXXII, Denver over Green Bay 31-24 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. This was John Elway’s first Super Bowl win and while Terrell Davis was the MVP of this game, the enormity of Elway finally winning a championship was quite memorable. I remember him telling me after the game that he thought his career wouldn’t be incomplete without a ring but he realized that was not true and the emotions of the moment were very intense.”

KREMER ON WHAT MAKES THE SUPER BOWL SPECIAL: “Unlike the championship games in the other major sports, this is one and done, a single event to determine the best and there is nothing like it in terms of drama, excitement and the panoply surrounding the event. I am most looking forward to what I hope will be another down-to-the-wire, ultra competitive game. For me personally, after all the years of covering the NFL, it is the highlight of my career to be part of the team broadcasting the game.”

BOB COSTAS:

COSTAS ON HIS MEMORY OF SUPER BOWL I:“I was a couple months shy of my sixteenth birthday and I think, like most fans, although I liked the old AFL and I liked Hank Stram’s Kansas City Chiefs, I really thought that the real NFL title game had taken place between the Cowboys and the Packers. When it was only 14-10 at halftime, I was a little bit surprised. I remember Max McGee’s two touchdowns, and Willie Wood with the interception that kind of broke Kansas City’s back in the second half. I remember Fred “The Hammer” Williamson getting laid out. He had been very talkative before the game and he got carted out off unconscious. I remember that the game was on two networks. I remember that it was on NBC and CBS simultaneously which I thought was really weird.”

COSTAS ON HIS FAVORITE SUPER BOWL MEMORY AS A BROADCASTER: “The last Super Bowl prior to this one that NBC did was the one where the Broncos upset the heavily favored Packers. John Elway finally got his Super Bowl Championship. I remember from that game the famous Elway run and kind of whirly bird finish. He was brought down at the goal line and kind of whirly birded his way from the ground. Then, the Packers in effect letting Terrell Davis score, so they would have some time remaining. I thought that was a very good move on Mike Holmgren’s part. Although it didn’t work out for them they did drive inside Bronco’s territory. That was a historic game because Elway broke through, because the Packers were denied consecutive Super Bowl wins which would have taken Favre to yet another level and because the game was so close.”

CRIS COLLINSWORTH:

COLLINSWORTH ON HIS MEMORIES OF SUPER BOWL XVI IN PONTIAC: “The two Super Bowls I played in were completely different. The first one it was freezing in Pontiac – it was like zero degrees. A few of us rented a car and I remember us spinning donuts in the parking lot. That was the most fun we had. Forrest Gregg didn’t believe in having us do anything. He just wanted us focused on football. Diana Ross sang the anthem. She looked great. And then we came out and played as horribly as we’d ever played. I fumbled, we fell behind 20-0…”

COLLINSWORTH ON HIS MEMORIES OF SUPER BOWL XXIII IN MIAMI: “I remember having the opposite experience in Miami – we had a lot of fun. At the game, there were celebrities everywhere, Billy Joel sang the anthem, Christie Brinkley was with him. You can’t help but notice that stuff. The 49ers winning drive, we were all hoping they would score quickly. We knew if we got the ball back with enough time on the clock, we would win.”

KEITH OLBERMANN:

OLBERMANN ON HIS FIRST SUPER BOWL MEMORY: “I watched the first game, and remember principally my confusion that it was on two channels at the same time, given that even in New York we only had seven channels. The majesty of Lombardi’s Packers was a little lost on me, but the principle ancillary benefit of sports to kids (it teaches you geography) was in play that Sunday: I had to try to figure out exactly where ‘Green Bay’ was, and why it might be green.”

OLBERMANN ON HIS FAVORITE SUPER BOWL: “To this day, my favorite is Super Bowl III, the first played while I was a fully cognizant sports fan. Today’s fans got a touch of the sense of disparity during that stretch when the AFL was pretty dominant, but only a touch. The perception going into that week in Miami was that the Jets were the top team – and maybe not even the top team – in something that might almost be akin to arena football today. There was genuine fear in football that the NFL would be ‘diluting’ itself by going through with the merger. And Namath! Namath was a braggard, a phony, a party boy with no real interest in football other than for what it could get him, while the Colts were a football team. I mean, the outcome was so startling, that thirteen or fourteen years after that game, Bubba Smith still couldn’t shake the idea that the game had been somehow fixed. That’s a ballgame.”

DAN PATRICK:

PATRICK ON HIS FIRST SUPER BOWL MEMORY: “I remember watching the Packers against the Chiefs during the first Super Bowl. I had this fascination to see how the AFL with its wide-open offense was going to fair against a Packer team that seemed blue collar working with two legendary coaches. Looking back on it you had two legendary Hall of Fame coaches, two Hall of Fame quarterbacks and just the fascination of would the AFL be able to stand up to the big bad Green Bay Packers. It didn’t take long to realize that the Packers were a lot better than Kansas City that day.”

PATRICK ON HIS FAVORITE SUPER BOWL MEMORY: “The Giants beating the Buffalo Bills. The feeling was it was sort of like the tortoise and the hare — that the Buffalo Bills with that offense, would the Giants be able to take the air out of the game, literally and figuratively, to slow the game down. I thought it was one of the great coaching strategies of Belichick and Parcells that I’d ever seen. And to go in the locker room after the game and see Hostetler come back from the press conference and his teammates had taken razor blades and sliced up his suit so he would have to wear his uniform home. He got punked by his teammates that night when he came back. I was there as he walked to his locker, and saw him as he looked at his suit and realized they had taken razor blades and sliced it all up. I was fascinated by the game plan by Belichick. That’s why that defensive game plan is in the Hall of Fame. To be able to do that with losing Phil Simms and having Jeff Hostetler step in and then Hostetler going back and having his suit sliced to shreds by his teammates. To see somebody who just won the Super Bowl be angry after a game is an interesting dynamic.”

TIKI BARBER:

BARBER ON HIS MEMORIES OF SUPER BOWL XXXV IN TAMPA: “The thing I remember most is standing near to Ray Charles during ‘America the Beautiful.’ That was pretty cool. It was all down hill from there though. The power of selective memory allows me to forget everything after that other than Ray Lewis breathing down my neck every time I touched the ball.”

JEROME BETTIS:

BETTIS ON SUPER BOWL XL: “My favorite memory is when they called the team out of the tunnel and onto the field, Joey Porter told me to lead the team out there. So I ran out there but Joey held the rest of the team back so I could have that moment to myself. I didn’t even realize it until I ran on the field, looked back and they weren’t there. It was really special.”

PETER KING:

KING ON HIS FAVORITE SUPER BOWL STORY: “My favorite Super Bowl story came after the Packers beat New England in Super Bowl XXXI. I was assigned to find Brett Favre in the crush of the Green Bay Super Bowl party back at the Fairmount Hotel, a few blocks from the Superdome in New Orleans. There were 4,000 people in the hotel ballroom and I spied Favre. I mouthed the words, ‘Five minutes?’ He nodded, and we found a stairwell with a luggage cart and sat on it … for 45 minutes. This was after he’d been to rehab for his Vicodin addiction, and after the death of his best friend in a car accident with his brother, Scott, driving. ‘Trouble never seems to be far away,’ he said that night. ‘The future won’t be all rosy, but they can’t take this away from me. Thirty years from now, kids will be getting ready to watch the Super Bowl, and NFL Films will drag out Steve Sabol — he’ll be about 102 then — and he’ll talk about how Brett Favre fought through such adversity. There will be other players and coaches, and other games, but I know this: We etched our place in history today.’
The great thing about my job is being able to be at the front lines with the biggest players at the biggest games. There’s nothing more fun.”

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Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the NBA – Thursday, January 29, 2009

January 30, 2009 By admin

Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the NBA – Thursday, January 29, 2009

TNT’s NBA coverage continues Thursday, Feb. 5 at 8 p.m. ET with an exclusive doubleheader featuring the Los Angeles Lakers @ Boston Celtics followed by the Dallas Mavericks @ Utah Jazz.

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Game 1: Cleveland Cavaliers (88) @ Orlando Magic (99)

Announcers: Marv Albert, Mike Fratello and Reggie Miller with David Aldridge reporting

TNT’s David Aldridge interviewed Magic forward Rashard Lewis prior to the game.

Lewis on what it means to make the NBA All-Star team: “It means a lot, it’s a stepping stone in my career. Especially after getting drafted in the second round, a lot of hard work pays off. I think I was even more excited that Jameer Nelson made it, I’m happy for him, I think it’s well deserved. Even if I didn’t make it, as long as he made it I would have been happy for him.”

Miller on Cavaliers guard Mo Williams getting snubbed from the NBA All-Star reserves: “Of course there are always going to be snubs and the guys that made it are All-Star caliber players, but I’m shocked that a team with the best record in the league, the Cleveland Cavaliers, only has one representative in, LeBron James. You cannot tell me they cannot have another representative, there is no way you have the best record in the league and you can’t get a reserve. The coaches ought to be shot in the East. They ought to be shot, whoever did not select Mo Williams to be on the team. I like to reward guys on winning teams, Mo Williams is on a winning team with the best record in the league, he deserves to be playing in Phoenix.”

TNT’s David Aldridge interviewed Cavaliers head coach Mike Howard after the first quarter.

Brown on his defensive plan to control Magic center Dwight Howard: “We’ve got to mix it up, (Dwight Howard) is a young player that has a great feel for the game at an early stage in his career. So sometimes we’re not going to double, sometimes we’re going to come on the dribble, sometimes we just got to figure it out as we go along, but our guys have to do that in order to control him a little bit.”

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Halftime

Johnson, Smith, Webber and Payton

Smith on the differences between the Magic and the Cavaliers: “(The Magic and the Cavaliers) both have ‘super men’ with LeBron James and Dwight Howard, the one difference is with how they win and what makes them special is their two units. I think the first unit for the Orlando Magic, with the exception of the Boston Celtics, can arguably be the best starting five in the Eastern Conference. The second unit for Cleveland could be the best second unit on the East Coast. One unit (Magic) does it with its starting five. The other unit (Cavaliers) does it with LeBron and their second unit is so big.”

Webber on Toronto Raptors center and Eastern Conference All-Star Chris Bosh: “(Chris Bosh) is arguably the best big man in the game.”

Webber on Dallas Mavericks forward and Western Conference All-Star Dirk Nowitzki: “(Dirk Nowitzki is) one of the best power forwards to play the game and one of our best shooters. I’m not surprised that he’s going to be there for the (All-Star) Game, the three point contest…everything but the dunk contest because he doesn’t have any hops.”

Smith on Lakers forward and Western Conference All-Star Pau Gasol: “(The Lakers) were a good team before (Pau Gasol) came and he made them a contender.”

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Miller on Magic assistant coach Patrick Ewing working with Dwight Howard: “Dwight Howard’s moves are reminiscent of (Magic) assistant coach Patrick Ewing. You can see a lot of individual work has gone into Dwight Howard’s game.”

Fratello on Cavaliers rookie guard J.J. Hickson: “(J.J. Hickson) has some skill. They’ve liked him from training camp all along. That’s why they felt that they could get rid of a couple of the big men they had last year. They felt his talent and abilty and little by little he has come along and become a contributor.

Miller on whether or not TNT’s broadcast team could challenge Tiger Woods who was in attendance at the Cavaliers/Magic game: “Do you think the three of us combined would have a shot in a foursome with Tiger (Woods)? If you put our golf scores together going against Tiger Woods, would we have a shot?”

Fratello: “(Miller) and I might.”

Albert: “I’d like to take him on in pop-a-shot.”

Miller on the Magic gaining confidence in the game against the Cavaliers: “This is a measuring stick for the Cavaliers. They played the Lakers in Los Angeles and they didn’t show up and the Lakers had their way with them. The Magic are a team they could face down the road in the playoffs and if they don’t shoot the ball well or play well…this could be a nice sign for the Magic and they could be gaining some confidence.”

TNT’s David Aldridge interviewed Magic guard and Eastern Conference All-Star Jameer Nelson following the game.

Nelson on how he felt after finding out he made the All-Star team: “When I heard (I made the team) I was really emotional. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t crying or anything, but I was just happy for my team. My assistant coaches and my head coach, they put us in great situations and work us out and trying to make us the best players we can be. I have to give a lot of credit to my assistant coaches.”

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Game 2: San Antonio Spurs (114) @ Phoenix Suns (104)

Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Doug Collins with Craig Sager reporting

Collins on the inconsistency of Spurs guard Manu Ginobili: “(Manu Ginobili is) a streaky player. He’s struggled this year with his consistency. He said there are three things he thinks about, ‘focus, juice (energy) and consistency.’ He’s been inconsistent this year coming off his ankle injury trying to do too much.”

Collins on Suns forward and Western Conference All-Star starter Amar’e Stoudemire: “I like (Amar’e Stoudemire) mixing up his game. I think his jump shot is much-improved. When he gets to the free throw line, he opens things up and gets in the paint. He should be a very good offensive rebounder because he’s so quick and he’s got great hands.”

Collins on how veteran Spurs forward Kurt Thomas helps his team: “When (Kurt Thomas) really helps his team is when he can knock down that 15 foot jump shot. He is a guy who plays very good position defense and knows where to be on the floor when playing with Tim Duncan.”

Collins on how Suns point guard Steve Nash is most effective for his team: “The more assists (Steve Nash) gets, the better his team is. When he has to score, the less the winning percentage. You would like for Steve Nash to take a lot of shots so he doesn’t get his teammates involved. If you make him a scorer, (the Suns) aren’t nearly as effective.”

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Halftime

Johnson, Smith, Webber and Payton

Smith on the Suns changing their offense when playing with Shaquille O’Neal: “(The Suns’ offense) has changed dramatically now because they go through Shaq (O’Neal) now. Going through Shaq slows the offense down but if makes them more effective and efficient in other areas. The Suns still seem to be a little uncomfortable playing (at a slower pace) so they have to do a combination (up-tempo and half-court) game.”

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Collins on Grant Hill continuing to play despite numerous injuries: “When I see Grant Hill, I think of all the games he helped me win in Detroit. He was so good in Detroit. When I had the opportunity to coach him, he was my point guard. When he was in the open court, he was so good and I can only think about the injuries this man went through. He’s back playing the game because he loves to play. He could’ve retired along time ago and taken all that money to the bank. That’s not Grant Hill.”

Collins on the energy in the arena during the game: “This is a great a game. This is one of the better games I’ve seen this year. The energy in this building (is great). Guys are making big shots. (It’s a) fun, fun game to watch.”

TNT’s Craig Sager interview Spurs guard Manu Ginobili following the game

Ginobili on his struggles since returning from injury: “I feel good; I’m just not playing well. I’m not able to get to the rim as strong as before. I guess it’s mental. I feel healthy and strong. I’m trying to focus on (getting to the rim) and draw more fouls.”

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Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai

Johnson, Smith, Webber and Payton

Payton on the San Antonio Spurs: “When (the Spurs) first started, when they were on their rough, I wasn’t on their bandwagon. But now they are back to San Antonio, once (Manu) Ginobili and (Tony) Parker came back it was great and now they are the same team. Tim Duncan is going to stay steady, but (Roger) Mason is the key, he comes in and gives them big shots, defense, he does everything and they found a good star in him off the bench.”

Smith on his pick to win the NBA Championship: “The Lakers have more of a sense of urgency too win it all, the Lakers have the best team in basketball from (players) one to eight.”

Smith on Raptors forward/center Chris Bosh who made the NBA All-Star reserves: “(Chris Bosh) is the best power forward, he is the best big man in Canada.”

Log on to TNT OverTime for a full replay of Inside the NBA and special features from TNT’s NBA announcers.

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Bob Knight to Call Women’s College Basketball Telecast Featuring Pat Summitt’s Attempt at Career Win 1,000 on ESPN 2 Feb. 2

January 30, 2009 By admin

Bob Knight to Call Women’s College Basketball Telecast Featuring Pat Summitt’s Attempt at Career Win 1,000 on ESPN 2 Feb. 2

Brent Musburger and Nancy Lieberman to Join Knight for Big Monday Matchup Featuring No. 15 Tennessee at No. 2 Oklahoma

ESPN men’s college basketball analyst and Basketball Hall of Famer Bob Knight, the winningest coach in Division I men’s college basketball with 902 victories, will call his first-ever women’s college basketball telecast, which could potentially be winningest Division I women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt’s historic 1,000th career victory. Coach Summitt is only one win away from achieving that milestone, but must first defeat No. 2 Oklahoma at the Sooners home court on Monday, Feb. 2, at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and ESPN360.com for the Big Monday telecast.

“Anyone who wins 1,000 times at anything is special,” said Knight.

Knight will be joined by his Thursday night men’s college basketball telecast partner Brent Musburger, as well as women’s basketball analyst and fellow Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman, and sideline reporter Holly Rowe.

Prior to the Big Monday telecast, Coach Summitt will join Knight on College GameDay Driven by State Farm, which will originate from Knoxville for the Florida at Tennessee men’s game tomorrow night on ESPN at 9 p.m. Summitt will appear on the set during the 11 a.m. two-hour program hosted by Rece Davis with analysts Knight, Digger Phelps, Jay Bilas and Hubert Davis.

Lieberman, one of the most recognized individuals in the history of women’s basketball, is a women’s basketball analyst for college and the WNBA on ESPN. Lieberman also serves as a sideline reporter for the network’s NBA coverage.

“This has the potential to be one of the greatest milestones for any coach in the history of sports,” said Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president, production. “We want to document it in a special way by adding Hall of Famers Bob Knight and Nancy Lieberman, who have experienced record-setting success first-hand.”

Former Tennessee All-American guard Kara Lawson and former Lady Vols assistant coach Carolyn Peck will provide in-depth analysis and thoughts on the matchup from the Bristol studios alongside host Cindy Brunson.

In addition, ESPNEWS, ESPN and ESPNU will provide live look-ins throughout the telecast. Should Coach Summitt achieve the milestone, ESPN Classic will dub the game an “Instant Classic” and televise a marathon featuring nine historic matchups from her career, including all eight national championships.

ESPN Classic Pat Summitt Marathon Schedule for Feb. 3 (schedule subject to change)

Time (ET)	Game
6 a.m.	1987 NCAA National Championship: Louisiana Tech vs. Tennessee
8 a.m.	1989 NCAA National Championship: Auburn vs. Tennessee
10 a.m.	1991 NCAA National Championship: Tennessee vs. Virginia
12 p.m.	1996 NCAA National Championship: Tennessee vs. Georgia
2 p.m.	1997 NCAA National Championship: Old Dominion vs. Tennessee
4 p.m.	1998 NCAA National Championship: Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech
6 p.m.	2007 NCAA National Championship: Rutgers vs. Tennessee
8 p.m.	2008 National Championship: Stanford vs. Tennessee
10 p.m.	Tennessee vs. Oklahoma (Feb. 2 , 2009)

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Superbowl XLIII Advertisements To Stream On NBC.com, Hulu.com And Superbowl.com

January 30, 2009 By admin

SUPERBOWL XLIII ADVERTISEMENTS TO STREAM ON NBC.COM, HULU.COM AND SUPERBOWL.COM

Tampa Bay, FL – January 30, 2009 – Fans of the advertisements featured in this Sunday’s Super Bowl will be able to view those ads almost immediately after they air, on popular websites NBC.com, Hulu.com and SuperBowl.com.

In addition, users will be able to post their favorite ads on a blog or webpage through both the NBC.com and Hulu.com widget applications. Hulu will allow users to vote on their favorite ad, with the winner announced on Tuesday, February 3rd.

Notes from TNT NBA Tip-off, NBA All-Star Reserves Announced

January 29, 2009 By admin

Notes from TNT NBA Tip-off presented by AutoTrader.com – Thursday, January 29, 2009

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TNT NBA Tip-off presented by AutoTrader.com

Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Chris Webber and Gary Payton

TNT exclusively announced the 2009 NBA All-Star Reserves. TNT will air the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, February 15.

NBA All-Star Eastern Conference Reserves:

G – Devin Harris, New Jersey Nets

G – Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks

G – Jameer Nelson, Orlando Magic

F – Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers

F – Rashard Lewis, Orlando Magic

F – Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics

C – Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors

NBA All-Star Western Conference Reserves:

G – Chauncey Billups, Denver Nuggets

G – Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs

G – Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers

F – Paul Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers

F – Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks

F – David West, New Orleans Hornets

C – Shaquille O’Neal, Phoenix Suns

Denver Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups joined the studio show via satellite to discuss his fourth straight NBA All-Star selection.

Billups on adjusting to the Nuggets following the trade from the Pistons: “I had been on (the Pistons) for a long, long time. I didn’t know I would mesh so fast with (the Nuggets) because of the differences in styles. (The Nuggets) were ready. They were ready for a leader and someone to take hold of the ship. It worked out perfectly and hopefully we can keep it going.”

Billups on playing for Nuggets head coach George Karl: “(George Karl’s coaching style) is definitely better (than with the Pistons). If you play hard and don’t mind defending and you go out and try to win every night, he kind of gives you free reign. I’m in a position right now where I won’t abuse that freedom, he understands that, he has a lot of confidence in that and it’s been great.”

Billups on if he still follows the Pistons: “(The Pistons) are my brothers so I talk to them all the time. I listen to them and their frustrations right now. I feel bad for them, I really do, because they are a much better team than what they are showing right now. Hopefully, they’ll tighten it back up.”

Billups on the Pistons moving Rip Hamilton to the bench: “Of course (I talked to Hamilton) about (the benching). I can’t tell you everything we talked about but of course it’s hard (for Hamilton). He’s a guy that helped build that team to prominence and he’s now coming off the bench but he’s doing it and doing it well and he’s being aggressive when he comes off the bench. He’s never going to change; he’s always going to be a great player whether he’s starting or coming off the bench. I think everyone knows he’s a starter in this league but right now with the position he’s in, he’s doing what he has to do.

Payton on Al Jefferson not making the Western Conference All-Star team: “(Al Jefferson) has great numbers and now we have gotten his name out there and gotten some buzz around him. Next year it’ll be a lot easier for him (to make the All-Star team) because then he’ll come out and get these numbers again, his team will be better and he’ll be an All Star next year. I’m disappointed that he didn’t make it (this season).”

Smith on Utah Jazz forward Paul Milsap not making the All-Star team: “Paul Milsap is a really good player but I don’t know if he’ll ever be an All-Star. He’s a really good player and nice piece to have on your team and he can help you win a championship. But if he is one of the top two guys on your team, I don’t think you’ll be good enough to win it all.”

New Jersey Nets guard Devin Harris joined the studio show in studio to discuss his first NBA All-Star selection.

Harris on the difference in playing with the Mavericks compared to the Nets: “(The biggest difference is) the responsibility that comes every night. We had great players in Dallas (like) Dirk (Nowitzki), (Jerry) Stackhouse and Josh Howard. Now having to take more leadership and shots along with Vince (Carter), it’s different.”

Harris on Nets head coach Lawrence Frank benching him against the Celtics on January 17: “(The benching) wasn’t something that I liked. Obviously, we weren’t playing well but I don’t like to throw in the towel like that. But he felt that he had to (bench me) in order to keep the team in line. I have to respect him for that.”

Harris on the pressure of replacing point guard Jason Kidd on the Nets: “At first there was pressure but coming into the Dallas situation (as a rookie) I had to replace Steve Nash. I think that was tougher since he was so important to (the Mavericks) and the fan support he had. I felt more prepared coming into New Jersey. I can’t do the things that Jason is capable of doing and he’s a great player but the things that I can control, I’ll make (the Nets) love me for that.”

Harris on what he is looking forward to most with All-Star Weekend: “(I’m looking most forward to) seeing the guys in a different light. Getting the guys away from their teammates, you get to see them in a different light. Paul Pierce and Kobe (Bryant) and all those guys. It’ll be good to see them in a different atmosphere.”

Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O’Neal on the Suns recent losses the Spurs: “Anything that’s bad must turn to good. Shaq-ostotle. Before you succeed you must learn how to fail so we keep losing (to the Spurs) on last second shots, one day we’re going to wake up and say that we don’t want to lose to them anymore.

Smith on Suns GM Steve Kerr and owner Robert Sarver meeting with the team in the locker room prior to a recent game: “If the general manager and owner walk into the locker room, that doesn’t put any pressure on me (as a player). If my coach comes in and tells me that if I don’t start playing better, he’ll pull my minutes…that makes more of an impression (on me). The general manager and owner can’t make that kind of impression on players in the middle of the season.

Payton on Cavaliers guard Mo Williams not making the All-Star team: “I think Mo Williams played better but that’s just the way it happens. He’s going to get his time too. He’s come to Cleveland and has done what he needs to do. Now his name up there and people are going to be looking at him.

Smith on Knicks forward David Lee not making the All-Star team: “I think coaches looked at him and asked if he is really a power forward and if his system inflates his numbers. I think those two things hurt him. If he does those things again next year, then we’ll know that is the kind of player that he is and it’s not the system.”

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ESPN’S Sunday NFL Countdown And NFL Matchup Features For Super Bowl XLIII

January 29, 2009 By admin

ESPN’S SUNDAY NFL COUNTDOWN AND NFL MATCHUP FEATURES FOR SUPER BOWL XLIII

Chris Berman and Countdown Crew at Cotanchobee Park in Tampa; Monday Night Football’s Mike Tirico with Ron Jaworski and Former Super Bowl Winning Quarterbacks Trent Dilfer and Steve Young from Raymond James Stadium

ESPN’s four-hour Super Bowl Sunday edition of Sunday NFL Countdown Presented by IBM featuring host Chris Berman and analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson and Chris Mortensen will preview the Cardinals-Steelers matchup in Super Bowl XLIII beginning at 10 a.m. ET from the main set at Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park in Tampa. Monday Night Football play-by-play voice Mike Tirico and ESPN’s triumvirate of Super Bowl quarterbacks – Trent Dilfer, Ron Jaworski and Steve Young – will also appear on the program from a set at Raymond James Stadium. Reporters Suzy Kolber (Cardinals) and Ed Werder (Steelers) will provide updates throughout the program from the team hotels. In all, ESPN’s roster of analysts have a combined 14 Super Bowl appearances and eight Super Bowl championship rings between them. Planned features (in order of timing by half-hour):

Opening Tease: History (10 a.m. ET)

At the end of Super Bowl XLIII, the Pittsburgh Steelers could have their sixth Lombardi Trophy – most ever in NFL history – or the Arizona Cardinals could win their first. In their own voices, the two Super Bowl XLIII quarterbacks, Ben Roethlisberger and Kurt Warner, narrate their team’s paths to the Super Bowl and the history that will be made.

Cardinals Turning Point (10:30 a.m.)

The Cardinals had just lost four games out of five – the last three losses were by 28, 21 and 40 points, respectively. After the last loss at New England, head coach Ken Whisenhunt made his team practice in pads, even on Christmas Day in a driving rainstorm. Rachel Nichols reports on Whisenhunt’s decision to toughen up his team by practicing in pads once-a-week, a move that Arizona players say was the turning point to their season and improbable playoff run.

Mike Tomlin’s Formative Years (11 a.m.)

Ever since he was a young boy playing Pee Wee football in Newport News, Va., Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has kept notes. In an old red notebook that sits on his mother’s kitchen table are pictures and hand-written captions describing early moments in the young coach’s path to the NFL. The first page reads: “This is a book about football and how it has molded my character, Michael Pettaway Tomlin 3-15-72.” Jackson speaks with Tomlin about his childhood memoirs.

Mayne Event: Offseason Insanity (11 a.m.)

With only two teams remaining, Kenny Mayne embarks on a mission to discover what other players are doing during their off-season, catching up with Pro Bowlers Jared Allen and Wes Welker as they begin their winter “retreats” in the Super Bowl edition of The Mayne Event.

Namath’s Guarantee (11 a.m.)

Forty years ago, Joe Namath and the New York Jets were a 17-point underdog against the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. Leading up to the game, Namath scoffed at being an underdog and guaranteed a win. The Jets quarterback delivered on his guarantee with a 16-7 win. On the 40th anniversary of Namath’s guarantee, Jeremy Schaap reports on the circumstances that led to Namath’s famous proclamation and how the star quarterback spent Super Bowl week making bold statements and headlines that equaled or exceeded the bravado of his guarantee.

“Soundtracks” – AFC Championship (11:30 a.m.)

The AFC Championship game – Ravens vs. Steelers – was one of the hardest-hitting games in recent NFL history. Countdown will re-live the sights and sounds of the game in the Super Bowl XLIII edition of “Soundtracks.”

Super Bowl Quarterback Blueprints for Success (11:30 a.m.)

Former Super Bowl quarterbacks Dilfer, Jaworski and Young will present the blueprints for success for both Ben Roethlisberger and Kurt Warner. Young will give three keys for Warner’s success, Jaworski will comment on Roethlisberger, and Dilfer will preview each blueprint and how the opposing defense will counter it in the game.

Big Ben: Stand & Deliver (12 p.m.)

Steelers Ben Roethlisberger likes to stand in the pocket and hold onto the ball so much he’s become the most-sacked quarterback in the NFL since 2004. Roethlisberger’s ability to maneuver in the pocket allows him to shed would-be sackers, get out of the pocket and make big plays. Tom Jackson sits down with Roethlisberger and his teammates to discuss how “Big Ben’s” style of play means big risk, but comes with big reward.

Larry Fitzgerald: Memories of Mom (12 p.m.)

Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is distinctive on the field for his size, hands, exceptional plays, and his long dreadlocks – the result of not cutting his hair since 2003 when his mother died after a long battle against breast cancer. Cris Carter sits down with the Arizona wide receiver to discuss how he honors his mother on the field and how her death has affected him.

EA Sports Virtual Playbook: Kurt Warner vs. Steelers’ Blitz (12:30 p.m.)

In EA Sports Virtual Playbook, Jackson previews how the Steelers blitz will pressure Kurt Warner in Super Bowl XLIII.

The Terrible Towel (1 p.m.)

Legendary Pittsburgh broadcaster Myron Cope coined the name “The Terrible Towel” and rallied Steelers fans to cheer for their home team with their towels. Past and present Steelers have embraced “The Terrible Towel” and the fans who wave it in support. Greg Garber traces the history of “The Terrible Towel” and the charity which benefits from the sales of the towel even after Cope’s death last year.

Kurt Warner: Peaks & Valleys (1:30 p.m.)

Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner will be playing in his third Super Bowl, and the Super Bowl XXXIV MVP is back in the title game for the first time in seven years. He made the journey to Tampa after his career faltered in St. Louis, and after bouncing in and out of the starting lineups with the New York Giants and Cardinals. Trent Dilfer, the winning quarterback in the last Super Bowl played in Tampa, sits down with Warner to discuss how he has dealt with the peaks and valleys of his career.

Plus, the members of the Countdown crew will give their Super Bowl picks, predict the unlikely players and matchups that will make the difference in Super Bowl XLIII “X-Factors,” and offer their “Gamebreakers” for the game.

(Note: Times are subject to change)

STATE FARM NFL MATCHUP SUNDAY 3 A.M. AND 6:30 A.M.

State Farm NFL Matchup (Sunday at 3 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.) with host Sal Paolantonio and analysts Ron Jaworski and Merril Hoge will preview Super Bowl XLIII by bringing viewers inside the film room as they analyze the Xs and Os matchups between the Cardinals and the Steelers. The 30-minute program – taped this week from Tampa – will highlight each team’s strategy and game plan. This week’s features:

Steelers “D” vs. Cardinals “O”

Blitzing the Blitz

Quarterback Kurt Warner picked apart the Eagles’ blitzes in the NFC Championship Game, and he faces a similar style of defense against the Steelers in Tampa. Hoge shows why Warner was so effective against the Eagles’ blitzes and what the Cardinals must do to attack Pittsburgh’s pressure schemes.

Steelers Defense

Teams have tried to revolve their blocking schemes around stopping James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley all season. If the offensive line is able to stop Harrison and Woodley, who’s left to block James Farrior? Jaworski shows how the Steelers “D” use pre-snap movement as well as the alignment of their two best pass rushers to disrupt blocking schemes and create favorable matchups for the defense.

Fitzgerald

“Why don’t they just double-team Larry Fitzgerald?” That’s been the popular refrain among football fans. It’s not that simple, says Jaworski, as he pulls out his “X and O Files” and uncovers how the Cardinals will be able to find ways to get Fitzgerald the ball no matter the coverage.

Steelers “O” vs. Cardinals “D”

Big Ben

Ben Roethlisberger is known for his ability to make plays when he scrambles, but the Steelers offense is at its best when Big Ben can plant his back foot and deliver a strike down the field. Jaworski displays how Pittsburgh’s “Bunch” formation can put Roethlisberger in the position to pick apart the Cardinals’ secondary from the pocket.

Inexperience at Safety

Former cornerback Antrel Rolle is new to the safety position, and his lack of experience showed up at times in the NFC Championship game against the Eagles. Hoge illustrates how the Steelers passing game can manipulate Rolle with their formations to create big plays over the top.

Familiarity Breeds Success

Former Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt knows Pittsburgh’s offense better than most opposing coaches, and his familiarity helped the Cardinals defeat the Steelers last season in Arizona. Hoge revisits that game and spotlights how the “Red Birds” were able to shut down Willie Parker using Whisenhunt’s knowledge of Pittsburgh’s offense.

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NFL Network at Super Bowl XLIII: What’s On – Thursday, January 29 & Friday, January 30

January 29, 2009 By admin

NFL NETWORK AT SUPER BOWL XLIII: WHAT’S ON

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29 & FRIDAY, JANUARY 30

TONIGHT ON NFL TOTAL ACCESS AT 7:00 PM ET & REPLAYED AT 11:30 PM ET:

Don’t miss:

· Rich Eisen EXCLUSIVE one-on-one interview with Bruce Springsteen

· Guest Analyst John Lynch

The following is NFL Network’s Super Bowl Programming for Friday, January 30 (All Times listed are ET)

8:00 AM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl

8:30 AM – LIVE at AFC Head Coach Press Conference
9:00 AM – LIVE at Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Press Conference
9:30 AM – LIVE at NFC Head Coach Press Conference
11:30 AM – LIVE at Commissioner Goodell Super Bowl Press Conference

1:00 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl – Live from the Media Center

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell
NBC host Keith Olbermann
NBC sportscaster Bob Costas
49ers head coach Mike Singletary
Hall of Famer Jim Kelly
Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson
Hall of Famer Joe Montana at G Lounge
Recently retired Colts head coach Tony Dungy
Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl – Live from the NFL Experience

Guest Analyst: Osi Umenyiora

8:30 PM – Playbook – Pittsburgh Steelers defense

9:00 PM – Super Bowl Classics – Super Bowl XIV: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Los Angeles Rams (complete game re-air with original network announcers and graphics)

11:30 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl

1:30 AM (11:30 PM MT) – Super Bowl Classics – Super Bowl XIV: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Los Angeles Rams (complete game re-air with original network announcers and graphics)

Top Videos from NFL Network on NFL.com:

Bruce Springsteen Press Conference: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band discuss the Bridgestone Super Bowl XVIII Halftime Show.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80e6ec42

Faith Hill interview: Super Bowl XLIII pregame performer Faith Hill talks with Michelle Beisner on Thursday.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80e6e857

Faith Hill and John Legend Press Conference: Faith Hill and John Legend meet with the media on Thursday before Super Bowl XLIII.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80e6e395

Super Bowl XLIII Playbook: Marshall Faulk with Kurt Warner: Kurt Warner compares his receiving corps in Arizona and St. Louis.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80e6cddd

Super Bowl XLIII Playbook: Marshall Faulk with Kurt Warner Part 2: Marshall Faulk talks with Kurt Warner about how he’s improved.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80e6ce84

Wes Welker interview: Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker talks about the Cardinals and Steelers in the Super Bowl as well as the Patriots.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80e6f8eb

Rookie of the Year: Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is the winner of the 2008 Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Year.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80e6eb0f

Archie Manning: Archie Manning shares his thoughts on the Super Bowl and announces the winners of the Canon “Why Do You Love Football” photo contest.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80e6ea1c

Chris Johnson: Titans running back Chris Johnson talks about the Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Year Award and the Titans offseason.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80e6e3c5

Strahan’s world II: Michael Strahan reminisces about last year’s game and looks forward to Super Bowl XLIII.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80e6e19e

Derrick Brooks on set: Buccaneers linebacker Derrick Brooks talks about Simeon Rice’s comments on Gruden’s firing.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80e6de4f

Matt Birk: Vikings center Matt Birks talks Vikings’ and Cardinals’ success.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80e6d9c1

Joe Theismann interview: Joe Theismann talks with the NFL Total Access crew on set in Tampa.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80e6d362

The Steel Curtain: Adam Schefter compares this year’s Steelers defense to the great ones of the past.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80e69fae

Cards prepare for blitz: Kara Henderson reports on how the Cardinals will prepare for the Steelers’ blitz happy defense.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80e6e3b2

Defending Cardinals’ pass attack: Steelers defenders discuss how they plan to contain the Cardinals’ passing game.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80e686d8

Super Bowl XLIII Playbook: Solomon Wilcots with Max Starks: Max Starks explains why Pittsburgh is successful at running the ball in goal-line situations.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80e6cc31

Super Bowl XLIII Playbook: Dick Vermeil film study: Dick Vermeil examines Cardinals’ defensive front seven and how he would scheme against them.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80e6cf80

NBA TV Offers Free Preview from February 8 – 18; Spurs @ Nuggets Selected as Fan Night Matchup

January 29, 2009 By admin

MEDIA ADVISORY

NBA TV Offers Free Preview from February 8 – 18

Fans select Spurs @ Nuggets to air on Fan Night, Kevin Garnett special premieres on Feb. 4

NBA TV will offer its second free preview of the year, allowing cable and satellite distribution partners the opportunity to showcase the 24-hour network to all of their viewers from Sun., Feb. 8 – Wed., Feb. 18. Fans can tune in to see NBA TV’s signature programming, including the all-access coverage of 2009 NBA All-Star with special studio live programming throughout the weekend. Fans can also tune in to the most talked-about new NBA studio show featuring host Ahmad Rashad and analysts Chris Webber and Gary Payton on Tuesday’s Fan Night. In addition, Wednesday’s Premiere Night debuts new in-depth features on some of the NBA’s most compelling players and their stories. Thursday’s Legends Nights is a blast from the past with memorable moments and classic games from throughout the history of the NBA.

NBA TV’s marquee roster of announcers also includes TNT’s Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson, as well as NBA veterans Eric Snow and Steve Smith, and veteran announcers Rick Kamla, Andre Aldridge, Marc Fein and David Aldridge. In addition, some of the top names in the NBA have stopped by the studio including Atlanta’s Josh Smith, Memphis’ O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay, and Milwaukee’s Richard Jefferson with many others to come.

NBA TV will air the San Antonio Spurs @ Denver Nuggets on Tues., Feb., 3 as the Fan Night matchup, with NBA TV announcers Ahmad Rashad and Gary Payton providing studio coverage beginning at 7 p.m. ET. The game will tip off at 9 p.m. ET.

Fans can continue voting for their team on NBA.com for the next Fan Night matchup that will air on Tues., Feb. 10. Voting will take place on Tues., Feb. 3 and Wed., Feb. 4 between:

In addition to the Fan Night game, NBA TV will also air live coverage of the Orlando Magic @ Miami Heat on Sat., Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m. ET and the Phoenix Suns @ Washington Wizards on Mon., Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. ET.

NBA TV’s Euroleague Game of the Week coverage continues featuring Real Madrid vs. Regal FC Barcelona. The game will air on Sat., Jan. 31 at 1 p.m. ET and is part of the network’s weekly Euroleague matchup that airs every Saturday throughout the regular season.

NBA TV’s coverage of the NBA D-League continues on Wed., Feb. 4 featuring the Eric Bayhawks @ Bakersfield Jam. Coverage will begin at 4 p.m. ET with D-League Central, a weekly studio show featuring an update on the news, transactions and D-League action, followed by tip-off of the game at 4:30 p.m. ET. NBA TV will air a D-League match-up every Wednesday.

NBA TV’s weekly programming will feature its three signature nights, including:

NBA TV PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE:

JANUARY 29 – FEBRUARY 1

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29: LEGENDS NIGHT
8 p.m. – 2 a.m. NBA Special: All-Star Moments
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30
7:00 p.m. – 2 a.m. NBA GameTime Presented by Hyundai Rick Kamla, Steve Smith and Cheryl Miller
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
1 – 3 p.m. Euroleague Game of the Week: Local Announcers

7:00 – 7:30 p.m. AutoTrader.com Pregame Show Rick Kamla, Steve Smith and Cheryl Miller
7:30 – 10 p.m. Dallas Mavericks @ Miami Heat Local Announcers
10 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. NBA GameTime Presented by Hyundai Rick Kamla, Steve Smith and Cheryl Miller
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1
12 – 5 p.m. NBA TOP 10 GAMES OF THE WEEK
12 a.m. – 12:30 a.m. NBA GameTime Presented by Hyundai Andre Aldridge and Eric Snow

******************************************************************************

FEBRUARY 2 – FEBRUARY 8

NBA TV LIVE AND ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (all times ET)
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2
8 – 9 a.m. NBA.COM FANTASY INSIDER Rick Kamla
7 – 7:30 p.m. NBA GameTime Presented by Hyundai Andre Aldridge, Steve Smith and Eric Snow
6:30 – 7:00 p.m. AutoTrader.com Pregame Show Andre Aldridge, Steve Smith and Eric Snow
7:00 – 9:30 p.m. Portland Trail Blazers @ New Orleans Hornets Local Announcers
9:30 – 2:00 a.m. NBA GameTime Presented by Hyundai Andre Aldridge, Steve Smith and Eric Snow
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3: FAN NIGHT
6 – 6:30 p.m. THE BEAT Marc Fein and David Aldridge
6:30 – 7 p.m. THE BEAT (reair)
7 – 8:30 p.m. NBA GameTime Ahmad Rashad and Gary Payton
8:30 – 9 p.m. AutoTrader.com Pregame Show Ahmad Rashad and Gary Payton
9:00 – 11:30 p.m. FAN NIGHT: San Antonio Spurs @ Denver Nuggets Local Announcers
11:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. NBA GameTime Presented by Hyundai Ahmad Rashad and Gary Payton
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4: PREMIERE NIGHT
4 – 4:30 p.m. D-LEAGUE CENTRAL Rick Kamla
4:30 – 5:30 p.m. NBA D-League: Erie Bayhawks @ Bakersfield Jam Local Announcers
6:30 – 8 p.m. NBA JOURNEY: Kevin Garnett
8 – 8:30 p.m. AutoTrader.com Pregame Show Andre Aldridge, Steve Smith and Eric Snow
8:30 – 11 p.m. Portland Trail Blazers @ Dallas Mavericks Local Announcers
11 p.m. – 2 a.m. NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai Marc Fein and Eric Snow
THURSDAY, February 5: LEGENDS NIGHT
8 p.m. – 2 a.m. Hardwood Classics: ’91, ’92, ’93 All-Star Games
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6
7:00 p.m. – 2 a.m. NBA GameTime Presented by Hyundai Rick Kamla amd Steve Smith
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7
12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Euroleague Game of the Week: Olympiakos vs. Tau Ceramica Local Announcers
7:00 – 7:30 p.m. AutoTrader.com Pregame Show Rick Kamla amd Steve Smith
7:30 – 10 p.m. Denver Nuggets @ New Jersey Nets Local Announcers
10 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. NBA GameTime Presented by Hyundai Rick Kamla and Steve Smith
SUNDAY, February 8
10 – 3 p.m. NBA TOP 10 GAMES OF THE WEEK
7 – 12 a.m. NBA GameTime Presented by Hyundai Andre Aldridge and Eric Snow

SUPER BOWL XLIII PREDICTIONS FROM ESPN

January 29, 2009 By admin

SUPER BOWL XLIII PREDICTIONS FROM ESPN

ESPN on-air personalities offer their predictions for Super Bowl XLIII. Of the 29 ESPN picks, 22 chose the Steelers, while just seven selected the Cardinals as the anticipated winner of this year’s Super Bowl game in Tampa, Fla.:

PICKING STEELERS:

Chris Berman, Host of Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown: 27-17, “Big Ben once again stands tall in the pocket like John Wayne on the Ponderosa.”

Mike Ditka, Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown analyst: 24-21, “The defense and special teams will prevail.”

John Anderson, SportsCenter anchor: 34-17, “Arizona makes it to the final two only to get blown out. Wait. Where have I seen this result before? Oh yes, Sen. John McCain (R) Arizona.”

Merril Hoge, NFL Live, NFL Matchup and NFL PrimeTime analyst: 24-17, “The Cardinals are playing all phases of football better than the Steelers, but the Steelers are just too strong and too consistent on defense and they pose too many concerns on offense for the Cards to handle for 60 minutes.”

Colin Cowherd, host of ESPN Radio’s The Herd: 31-21, “The better defense beats the better offense and what in the world is Arizona even doing here?”

Todd McShay, NFL Draft analyst and Director of College Scouting for ESPN Scouts Inc.: 27-24, “The Cardinals are a scary team right now. They’re coaching staff is familiar with the Steelers’ version of the 3-4 defense, quarterback Kurt Warner can pick up the blitz effectively and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is the ultimate pass-catching weapon. However, the Steelers will take away Arizona’s run game and eventually will find a way to get pressure on Warner. On the other side of the ball, Willie Parker will be the difference, as he provides much-needed balance for the Steelers’ offense.”

Ron Jaworski, Monday Night Football and NFL Matchup analyst: 21-20, “I like the matchup of Heath Miller and Adrian Wilson in man-to-man coverage. Miller will be the difference maker.”

Erik Kuselias, ESPN Radio host: 20-13, “Like my dad always said: Don’t confuse what you WANT to happen with what WILL happen.”

Chris Mortensen, NFL senior analyst: 27-23, “I admit I have waffled on the winner. In the end, Big Ben finds a way.”

Skip Bayless, First Take and 1st and 10 commentator: 27-17, “This is the NFL’s best defense vs. the worst defense ever to make it to a Super Bowl. Pittsburgh’s defense will be antidote enough for Arizona’s explosive offense, and Pittsburgh’s average offense will feel like it’s at a picnic after dealing with such a brutal schedule, including Baltimore three times.”

Jay Crawford, First Take and 1st and 10 co-host: 20-10, “Pittsburgh’s defense doesn’t completely shutdown Warner and Fitzgerald but they do enough to win.”

Scott Van Pelt, SportsCenter anchor: 30-20, “I think Arizona will score some…I don’t think they will win though.”

Russell Baxter, NFL research coordinator: 40-23, “Pittsburgh’s ability to win games on both offense and defense is the key and while Arizona has been very opportunistic throughout the playoffs, they must get takeaways to slow down an offense, which is something you can’t count on every game. The Steelers’ defense has been consistent throughout the season (they could come up with a defensive score and a safety here) will ultimately be the difference in the second half.”

Jemele Hill, ESPN.com Page 2 writer and 1st and 10 commentator: 27-23, “This is not a comfortable pick for me. Arizona reminds me a lot of how last year’s Giants transformed. And the most dangerous team is always the one with the least expectations. But I just can’t see them bettering Pittsburgh’s defense.”

Mike Golic, NFL Live analyst and co-host of ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning: 31-21, “I’m going with the Steelers. I just think overall they are the better team.”

Mike Greenberg, co-host of ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning and SportsCenter anchor: 27-15, “The Steelers defense is one of the greatest of all time and they will prove it one more time by shutting down a very good, but not great, Arizona offense.”

Steve Levy, SportsCenter anchor: 31-24, “The Cardinals have the best looking helmet in the NFL, but it’s not good enough to beat the best defense in the NFL. Two weeks between games gives the Steelers playmakers the advantage.”

Tom Jackson, Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown analyst: 21-17, “Because defense wins championships!”

Trey Wingo, NFL Live and NFL PrimeTime host: 28-20, “The Steelers pressure will do what no one has been able to do all post-season – get to Kurt Warner.”

Trent Dilfer, NFL Live analyst: 33-18, “The Steelers jump to an early lead and put their offense in the short-field position all day long.”

Marcellus Wiley, NFL Live analyst: 37-14, “They have the best defense and when you start to name all of the weapons on offense like Parker, Holmes and Roethlisberger, it’s just too much, so they win the game in the big fashion.”

Mike Tirico, Monday Night Football play by play commentator: 26-20, “The Steelers running game will control the second half and bring the team a sixth championship.”

PICKING CARDINALS:

Keyshawn Johnson, Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown analyst: 31-17, “Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley is in a groove calling the right play at the right time. He’ll make the right adjustments against the Pittsburgh D.”

Mark Schlereth, ESPN NFL Live and NFL PrimeTime analyst and three-time Super Bowl champion: 27-24, “Ken Whisenhunt’s familiarity with the Pittsburgh defensive personnel allows Kurt Warner to have a big day through the air.”

Cris Carter, Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown analyst: 23-20, “Larry Fitzgerald is in what great athletes consider “the Zone!” Fantastic finish to what has been a very unusual year.”

Sal Paolantonio, Correspondent: 27-21, “This is a bad matchup for the Steelers’ defense. Kurt Warner’s quick release will diffuse the effectiveness of the Steelers zone blitz. And Larry Fitzgerald’s constant pre-snap motion, speed and leaping ability will occupy the attention of Troy Polamalu, who then won’t able to attack the line of scrimmage with the same ferocity.”

Emmitt Smith, Monday Night Countdown analyst and three-time Super Bowl champion: 34-28, “I’m going with an upset. The ‘difference makers’ for this ball club are the reason for the win and they are: Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Coach Ken Whisenhunt and Kurt Warner.”

Steve Young, Monday Night Countdown analyst and three-time Super Bowl champion: 35-31, “Kurt Warner cements his place in Canton, Ohio. He’ll be remembered as one of the best all-time greatest quarterbacks in playoff history.”

Stuart Scott, SportsCenter anchor: 27-24, “The Cardinals win in the first overtime game in Super Bowl history.”

-30-

ESPN Deportes to Offer Exclusive Coverage of all 39 Games of the 2009 World Baseball Classic

January 29, 2009 By admin

ESPN Deportes to Offer Exclusive Coverage of all 39 Games of the 2009 World Baseball Classic

Network Acquires Exclusive Rights to Remaining 16 Games

ESPN Deportes, the Spanish-language home of baseball in the U.S., will present coverage of all 39 games of the 2009 World Baseball Classic. The network, which under a previously announced deal secured rights to 23 games of the event, secured exclusive Spanish-language rights for the remaining 16 games, it was announced today.

“This agreement clearly underscores ESPN Deportes’ leadership and commitment to offering first-class sporting events to the Hispanic sports fans and advertisers in the U.S.,” said Eric Conrad, director, programming and acquisitions, ESPN Deportes. “The World Baseball Classic represents national pride, honor, and glory and we’re thrilled to once again be the exclusive Spanish-language platform showcasing these world class baseball players as they proudly represent their home countries.”

World Baseball Classic coverage highlights include:

Spanish-language telecasts of all 39 games on ESPN Deportes beginning March 5;
Special editions of Beisbol Esta Noche will keep fans up to date on the latest results, news and expert analysis throughout the tournament;
Exclusive Spanish-language coverage on ESPN Deportes Radio, highlighted with coverage of the semifinals and final;
Extensive ESPNdeportes.com content featuring highlights, news and information.
33 games available on ESPN Deportes in Puerto Rico.

World Baseball Classic coverage on ESPN’s English-language platforms will include:

ESPN and ESPN2 combining to televise 23 games in the U.S. beginning March 5;
The semifinals – Saturday, March 21, and Sunday, March 22 – and final, Monday, March 23, from Dodger Stadium;
All ESPN and ESPN2 telecasts simulcast via ESPN360.com and ESPN Mobile TV;
23 games (ESPN, ESPN2 telecasts) available in Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

ESPN International will televise up to 39 games in Africa, Australia, Europe (via NASN, which will become ESPN America on Feb. 1), Latin America, the Middle East and New Zealand.

Baseball on ESPN Deportes

ESPN Deportes is the only Spanish-language network in the U.S. that offers coverage of baseball all-year-round. The network features exclusive coverage of MLB Sunday Night Baseball, as well as winter baseball from the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Mexico, culminating with exclusive coverage of the Caribbean Series. In addition to live baseball programming, ESPN Deportes is the only Spanish-language network that offers a weekly baseball news and highlights program, Beisbol Esta Noche, all-year-round. In 2008, ESPN Deportes acquired the rights to air Rumbo a las Grandes Ligas, a one-hour documentary that takes an intimate portrayal of one of baseball’s most heralded breeding grounds, the Dominican Republic, and a close examination of the country’s special brand of baseball. Through the eyes of local kids playing with peddles to the perspective of the major league starts, Rumbo a las Grandes Ligas shows a side of the game that few have ever seen before. Rumbo a las Grandes Ligas is a story that will take viewers through the poverty, opportunity, pressure and success that touches the lives of the people that are trying to make it big. Dominican-born major leaguers interviewed for Rumbo a las Grandes Ligas include Boston Red Sox David Ortiz. ESPN Deportes airs more than 320 baseball-related programming hours annually.

About World Baseball Classic, Inc.

World Baseball Classic, Inc. is a company created at the direction of Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) to operate the World Baseball Classic tournament. The tournament, which is sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation (IBAF), is supported by MLB, the MLBPA, Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), their respective players associations and other leagues and players from around the world.

About the World Baseball Classic

The World Baseball Classic is the premier international baseball tournament, sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation, and features the best players in the world competing for their home countries and territories. In March 2006, 486 players – 235 of them from MLB organizations – representing 16 teams from across the globe competed in the inaugural event. More than 740,000 fans from 48 states and 15 countries attended games – 16 of which sold out – and millions more watched on TV as Team Japan was crowned the first-ever World Baseball Classic Champion. Broadcast by 48 media outlets in 10 languages to 205 countries and territories around the world, the inaugural tournament had 50 official sponsors and 21 official licensees. Media members representing 25 different nations attended the 39 games in seven host venues across three countries/territories. The next tournament will be held in March 2009 and will again feature 16 of the greatest baseball-playing nations in the world. The tournament will be held every four years thereafter, with plans in place to expand the participant field beginning in 2013.

ESPN’s 20th Season of MLB Coverage

Entering its 20^th season of MLB coverage, ESPN is the home of the Sunday Night Baseball franchise – the only exclusive, national game of the week – along with the 2009 World Baseball Classic, the State Farm Home Run Derby, weekly Monday and Wednesday Night Baseball telecasts, and Baseball Tonight. ESPN Radio continues to exclusively broadcast Sunday night games, along with select games throughout the season, MLB All-Star festivities and every postseason game through the World Series. ESPN Deportes televises all Sunday Night Baseball games and will present all 39 World Baseball Classic games. ESPN networks televised the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006.

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