September 8, 2010

NBA TV Caps Off Exciting NBA Off-Season with 2010 WNBA Conference Finals Action & 2010 FIBA World Championship Coverage

NBA TV Caps Off Exciting NBA Off-Season with 2010 WNBA Conference Finals Action & 2010 FIBA World Championship Coverage

Network Delivers Over 120 Live Games, including NBA Summer League, WNBA, and FIBA Men’s World Championship Action

NBA TV caps off one of the most captivating summers in basketball history with exclusive coverage of the 2010 WNBA Eastern Conference Finals presented by adidas and continued coverage of the 2010 FIBA Men’s World Championships. The network has provided more than 300 hours of basketball programming and will feature over 120 live basketball games during the NBA off-season.

The 2010 WNBA Eastern Conference Finals presented by adidas will start on Sunday, September 5 at 7:00 p.m (ET) when Cappie Pondexter and the New York Liberty host Angel McCoughtry and the Atlanta Dream in Game #1 of the series. The WNBA Eastern Conference Finals will continue on Tuesday, September 7 at 7:30 p.m. (ET) with NBA TV airing Game #2 of the series. Game #3 will air Thursday, September 9 at 7:30 p.m. (ET) if necessary. In addition, the network will air tonight’s Game #1 WNBA Western Conference Finals between the defending champion Phoenix Mercury and the Seattle Storm at 10 p.m. ET and a possible series deciding Game #3 on Wednesday, September 8 at 10 p.m. (ET).

NBA TV will continue to air live game coverage of the 2010 FIBA Men’s World Championship as well as encore presentations of the 2010 USA Men’s World Championship Team games featuring Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder), Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls) and Chauncey Billups (Denver Nuggets).The network will also air special editions of NBA TV studio show, GameTime featuring comprehensive coverage of the 2010 FIBA Men’s World Championship. Matt Winer, Marc Fein and Rick Kamla will anchor the networks coverage with analysis from Steve Smith, Dennis Scott, and Brent Barry as well as special in-studio guests.

Coverage this off-season included the NBA Draft, NBA Summer League, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame festivities, WNBA Playoffs, 2010 FIBA Men’s World Championships, and one of the most talked about NBA free agency periods in recent history.

  • NBA Free Agency/Decision 2010: NBA TV’s Free Agency coverage provided fans with in-depth analysis and special reports dedicated to the most talked about NBA free agency class in history. The network provided free-agency previews, breaking news updates at the top of every hour, push notifications through NBA Mobile’s GameTime app and the free agency tracker on NBA.com.

  • NBA Draft – NBA TV’s coverage of the 2010 NBA Draft included 12 hours of dedicated coverage including player interviews from Craig Sager on draft night and the EA Division Review Shows which featured former Nets coach Lawrence Frank, University of Kansas Men’s Basketball Head Coach Bill Self.
  • NBA Summer League – The network aired 59 live games including first round draft pick John Wall’s first four games as an NBA Player with the Washington Wizards.
  • 2010 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement – The network delivered week-long coverage (Aug. 9 – 13) of the 2010 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festivities including the live red-carpet show and enshrinement ceremony.
  • WNBA Playoffs –  NBA TV aired  41 live games of the 2010 WNBA Regular season and will air Eastern Conference Finals exclusively and is the home for the WNBA Playoffs Postgame Show.
  • 2010 FIBA Men’s World Championship –During the Men’s FIBA World Championship, NBA TV will air 20 live games plus re-airs of all Team USA games and featured special programming including a special episode of Real Training Camp and the Nike World Basketball Festival.

NBA TV PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE:

*All Times Eastern Standard; FIBA Championships listings will be updated as games are added

WNBA Eastern Conference Finals Schedule:

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
7:00 – 9:00 p.m WNBA ECF: Atlanta Dream @ New York Liberty, Game #1
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
7:30 – 9:30 pm WNBA ECF: New York Liberty @ Atlanta Dream, Game #2
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
7:30 – 9:30 p.m WNBA ECF: Atlanta Dream @ New York Liberty, Game #3*

*If Necessary

NBA Digital is the NBA’s extensive cross-platform portfolio of digital assets jointly managed by the NBA and Turner Sports. This robust offering includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAGUE.com and WNBA.com.

Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming.  With events airing on TBS and TNT, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, professional golf, PGATOUR.COM and PGA.com.  Turner Sports and the NBA also jointly manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAGUE.com and WNBA.com.

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NBA TV Tips Off Coverage of the WNBA Playoffs and the Men’s 2010 FIBA Championships

MEDIA ADVISORY

NBA TV Tips Off Coverage of the WNBA Playoffs and the Men’s 2010 FIBA Championships

NBA TV will provide first round coverage of the WNBA Playoffs as teams battle for a chance to advance in the post-season. On Wednesday, August 25 NBA TV will air Game #1 as Angel McCoughtry and the Atlanta Dream face Crystal Langhorne and the Washington Mystics at 7 p.m. (ET). On Thursday, August 26 at 7 p.m. (ET) Tamika Catchings and the Indiana Fever will head to the Big Apple to face Cappie Pondexter and the New York Liberty in Game #1 of the Eastern Conference match-up. On Monday, August 30 the San Antonio Silver Stars @ Phoenix Mercury face off at 7 p.m. (ET) in a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Semifinals. On Tuesday, August 31 at 10 p.m. (ET), the Los Angeles Sparks will meet the Western Conference top-seeded Seattle Storm for Game #3 of their battle to advance to the Western Conference Finals.

Following each Playoff game, NBATV will air an exclusive WNBA Playoffs Postgame Show hosted by Kyle Montgomery and featuring analysts Dennis Scott and LaChina Robinson in addition to various in studio guests including WNBA All-Star Chamique Holdsclaw that will highlight players, stories and news that develop during the Playoffs.

In addition, NBA TV will air the Men’s 2010 FIBA World Championship. The network will air 20 live games and a special Men’s 2010 FIBA World Championship GameTime with rotating hosts Matt Winer, Marc Fein and Rick Kamala and analysts Steve Smith, Brent Barry and special in-studio guests. This year’s FIBA World Championship will include Team USA’s Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder), Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls) and Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers) as they attempt to do something that no USA Team has done since 1994 and win Gold at the World Championships.  Team Spain will attempt to defend its 2009 title with help from Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzles) and Minnesota Timberwolves draft pick Ricky Rubio while Team Brazil’s roster includes Leandro Barbosa (Toronto Raptors), Anderson Varejao (Cleveland Cavaliers) & Tiago Splitter (San Antonio Spurs).

NBA TV PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE:

AUGUST 25 – AUGUST 27

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. WNBA Playoffs: Atlanta Dream @ Washington Mystics, Game #1
9:00– 9:30p.m WNBA Playoffs Postgame Show Kyle Montgomery, LaChina Robinson
THURSDAY, AUGUST 26
7:00 – 9:00 p.m WNBA Playoffs: Indiana Fever @ New York Liberty, Game #1
9:00 – 9:30 p.m WNBA Playoffs Postgame Show Kyle Montgomery, LaChina Robinson
FRIDAY, AUGUST 27
7:30 – 9:00  p.m WNBA Playoffs: Washington Mystics @ Atlanta Dream, Game #2
9:30 – 10:00 p.m WNBA Playoffs Postgame Show Kyle Montgomery, Chamique Holdsclaw
SATURDAY, AUGUST 28
9:00  – 11:00 a.m FIBA Championships: Greece vs. China
2:00 – 4:00 p.m FIBA Championships: France vs. Spain
9:00– 9:30 p.m Men’s FIBA GameTime Matt Winer, Steve Smith, Mike Woodson

AUGUST 29 – SEPTEMBER 1

SUNDAY, AUGUST 29
11:30 am –1:30 pm FIBA Championships: Puerto Rico vs. Greece
2:00 – 4:00 p.m. FIBA Championships: Spain vs. New Zealand
4:00 – 6:00 p.m. WNBA Playoffs: Atlanta Dreams @ Washington Mystics, Game #3*
6:00 – 6:30 p.m. WNBA Playoffs Postgame Show Marc Fein, Dennis Scott
10:00 – 10:30 p.m NBA Game Time Marc Fein, Dennis Scott
MONDAY, AUGUST 30
12:00 – 2:00 p.m. FIBA Championships: Austria vs. Germany
10:00 p.m  –12:00 a.m. WNBA Playoffs: San Antonio Silver Stars @ Phoenix Mercury, Game # 3*
12:00– 12:30 a.m NBA GameTime Kyle Montgomery, LaChina Robinson
TUESDAY, AUGUST 31
11:30 am –1:30 p.m. FIBA Championships: France vs. Canada
2:00 pm  – 4:00 p.m FIBA Championships: Spain vs. Lithuania
10:00 p.m – 12:00 a.m. WNBA Playoffs: Los Angeles Sparks @ Seattle Storm, Game #3*
12:00 – 12:30 a.m Men’s FIBA GameTime Matt Winer, Steve Smith
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
2:30  – 4:30 p.m. FIBA Championships: Brazil vs. Slovenia
7:30 – 10:30 p.m WNBA Playoffs: Indiana Fever @ New York Liberty
10:30– 11:00 p.m. Men’s FIBA GameTime Matt Winer, Steve Smith

*If necessary

NBA Digital is the NBA’s extensive cross-platform portfolio of digital assets jointly managed by the NBA and Turner Sports. This robust offering includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAGUE.com and WNBA.com.

Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming.  With events airing on TBS and TNT, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, professional golf, PGATOUR.COM and PGA.com.  Turner Sports and the NBA also jointly manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAGUE.com and WNBA.com.

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NBA TV to Broadcast 96 Live Games During 2010-11 Regular Season

NBA TV to Broadcast 96 Live Games During 2010-11 Regular Season

Network’s Comprehensive Coverage to Include Return of NBA TV’s Fan Night and

First Regular Season Games in Europe

NBA Digital announced today the 2010-11 NBA TV regular season game telecast schedule, which will feature 96 live games, the most of any network.  The schedule is highlighted by the return of Fan Night, where fans can vote on NBA.com for the games they want to see televised nationally on NBA TV every Tuesday night during the season.  Along with live games multiple days each week, NBA TV will air the NBA’s first regular season games in Europe on March 4-5 at 3 p.m. (ET), when the Toronto Raptors face the New Jersey Nets at London’s O2 Arena.

The season tips off on NBA TV on Saturday, Oct. 30 when All-Stars Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups and the Denver Nuggets visit seven-time All-Star Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets (8:30 p.m. ET).

NBA TV’s Fan Night studio team of host Ernie Johnson and analysts Chris Webber and Kevin McHale will return this season. Fan Night voting will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 26, to select the first match-up of the season to air on Election Night on Tuesday, Nov. 2.

In addition to NBA TV’s full slate of games, fans can also watch games on NBA Digital’s full suite of NBA LEAGUE PASS subscription products, including NBA LEAGUE PASS with up to 40 live NBA games on TV each week, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband for fans to watch games online and NBA LEAGUE PASS Mobile for on-the-go access on mobile devices. Products feature live and on demand out-of-market games, scores and stats. Early bird offers will be available prior to the start of the season on NBA.com.

Key match-ups on the NBA TV schedule this season include:

  • Opening Week: The network tips off the season on Saturday, Oct. 30, with the Nuggets @ Rockets (8:30 p.m. ET). Coverage will continue on Sunday, Oct. 31, with the Deron Williams-led Utah Jazz @ Oklahoma City Thunder (7 p.m. ET), which features reigning scoring champion Kevin Durant and emerging star Russell Westbrook. On Monday, Nov. 1, the Chicago Bulls, led by All-Star Derrick Rose and recently acquired Carlos Boozer, host the Portland Trail Blazers (8 p.m. ET) and Brandon Roy. The first Fan Night game will air on Tuesday, Nov. 2.
  • Nov. 7 – The Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics, led by All-Stars Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo — visit the Thunder (7 p.m. ET).

  • Dec. 18 – Southeast Division All-Star power trio Chris Bosh, reigning MVP LeBron James and Dwyane Wade travel from Miami to challenge John Wall, the top overall selection of the 2010 NBA Draft, and the Washington Wizards (7 p.m. ET).
  • Jan. 8 – A matchup between 2011 NBA championship contenders featuring the Bulls vs. the Celtics (8 p.m. ET).
  • Jan. 17: NBA TV will celebrate MLK Day when it presents the Sacramento Kings, led by 2009-10 T-Mobile NBA Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans, against the Atlanta Hawks, featuring All-Stars Al Horford and Joe Johnson (4 p.m. ET).
  • March 4-5 – NBA TV will air the NBA’s first regular season games in Europe at London’s O2 Arena with the Andrea Bargnani-led Toronto Raptors facing the New Jersey Nets, and their rising star Brook Lopez, making basketball history (3 p.m. ET).
  • March 19 – A match-up featuring the stars of the USA’s 2008 Olympics “Redeem Team” when Anthony, Billups and the Nuggets visit Bosh, James and Wade of the Miami Heat.

  • March 21 – Historic NBA rivals face off with the Celtics versus All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden (7:30 p.m. ET).

  • April 10: A rematch of the 2010 NBA Playoffs first round ensues with the Thunder @ Finals MVP Kobe Bryant and the two-time defending champion L.A. Lakers (6:30 p.m. ET).

Also appearing on NBA TV throughout the season are hosts Matt Winer, Ahmad Rashad, Rick Kamla, Marc Fein and Kyle Montgomery, analysts Brent Barry, Steve Smith and Dennis Scott and NBA Insider David Aldridge. In addition, TNT’s Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Steve Kerr, Reggie Miller, Mike Fratello and Cheryl Miller will all make select appearances on NBA TV throughout the season.
NBA Digital is the NBA’s extensive cross-platform portfolio of digital assets jointly managed by the NBA and Turner Sports. This robust offering includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAGUE.com and WNBA.com.

Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming. With events airing on TBS, TNT and truTV, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, professional golf, PGATOUR.COM and PGA.com. Turner Sports’ diverse portfolio also offers a collection of mobile Web sites and apps featuring NBA, NASCAR and professional golf content, along with Turner Sports’ first branded consumer product, SportsNOW. Turner Sports and the NBA also jointly manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAUGE.com and WNBA.com.

NBA TV 2010-2011 NBA REGULAR SEASON TELECAST SCHEDULE

Subject to change / All Times Eastern

Date Day Time (ET) Matchup
October
Oct. 30 Saturday 8:30 PM Denver Nuggets @ Houston Rockets
Oct. 31 Sunday 7:00 PM Utah Jazz @ Oklahoma City Thunder
November
Nov. 1 Monday 8:00 PM Portland Trailblazers @ Chicago Bulls
Nov. 2 Tuesday TBD Fan Night
Nov. 6 Saturday 9:00 PM Denver Nuggets @ Dallas Mavericks
Nov. 7 Sunday 7:00 PM Boston Celtics @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Nov. 8 Monday 7:00 PM San Antonio Spurs @ Charlotte Bobcats
Nov. 9 Tuesday TBD Fan Night
Nov. 13 Saturday 8:30 PM Golden State Warriors @ Milwaukee Bucks
Nov.14 Sunday 7:30 PM Houston Rockets @ New York Knicks
Nov. 15 Monday 7:00 PM Memphis Grizzlies @ Orlando Magic
Nov. 16 Tuesday TBD Fan Night
Nov. 20 Saturday 8:00 PM Dallas Mavericks @ Atlanta Hawks
Nov. 21 Sunday 6:00 PM New Orleans Hornets @ Sacramento Kings
Nov. 22 Monday 8:30 PM Orlando Magic @ San Antonio Spurs
Nov. 23 Tuesday TBD Fan Night
Nov. 27 Saturday 7:00 PM Orlando Magic @ Washington Wizards
Nov. 28 Sunday 7:00 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @ Houston Rockets
Nov. 29 Monday 8:30 PM Houston Rockets @ Dallas Mavericks
Nov. 30 Tuesday TBD Fan Night
December
Dec. 1 Wednesday 7:30 PM Portland Trailblazers @ Boston Celtics
10:30 PM San Antonio Spurs @ L.A. Clippers
Dec. 4 Saturday 8:30 PM Orlando Magic @ Milwaukee Bucks
Dec. 6 Monday 7:00 PM Atlanta Hawks @ Orlando Magic
Dec. 7 Tuesday TBD Fan Night
Dec. 11 Saturday 8:30 PM Utah Jazz @ Dallas Mavericks
Dec. 13 Monday 8:00 PM Indiana Pacers @ Chicago Bulls
Dec. 14 Tuesday TBD Fan Night
Dec. 18 Saturday 7:00 PM Miami Heat @ Washington Wizards
Dec. 19 Sunday 7:00 PM Phoenix Suns @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Dec. 20 Monday 7:30 PM Dallas Mavericks @ Miami Heat
Dec. 21 Tuesday TBD Fan Night
Dec. 22 Wednesday 7:00 PM Chicago Bulls @ Washington Wizards
Dec. 27 Monday 7:00 PM Detroit Pistons @ Charlotte Bobcats
Dec. 28 Tuesday TBD Fan Night
Dec. 29 Wednesday 10:30 PM Utah Jazz @ L.A. Clippers
January
Jan. 2 Sunday 9:00 PM Houston Rockets @ Portland Trailblazers
Jan. 3 Monday 8:00 PM Philadelphia 76ers @ New Orleans Hornets
Jan. 4 Tuesday TBD Fan Night
Jan. 8 Saturday 8:00 PM Boston Celtics @ Chicago Bulls
Jan. 9 Sunday 8:00 PM Cleveland Cavaliers @ Phoenix Suns
Jan. 10 Monday 7:30 PM Houston Rockets @ Boston Celtics
Jan. 11 Tuesday TBD Fan Night
Jan. 12 Wednesday 8:30 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @ Houston Rockets
Jan. 15 Saturday 8:00 PM Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls
Jan. 17 Monday 4:00 PM Sacramento Kings @ Atlanta Hawks
Jan. 18 Tuesday TBD Fan Night
Jan. 22 Saturday 7:30 PM Utah Jazz @ Philadelphia 76ers
Jan. 24 Monday 7:30 PM Washington Wizards @ New York Knicks
10:00 PM Sacramento Kings @ Portland Trailblazers
Jan. 25 Tuesday TBD Fan Night
Jan. 29 Saturday 8:30 PM Atlanta Hawks @ Dallas Mavericks
Jan. 31 Monday 7:00 PM Denver Nuggets @ New Jersey Nets
February
Feb. 1 Tuesday TBD Fan Night
Feb. 2 Wednesday 8:00 PM New Orleans Hornets @ Oklahoma City Thunder
10:30 PM Chicago Bulls @ L.A. Clippers
Feb. 5 Saturday 7:00 PM Atlanta Hawks @ Washington Wizards
Feb. 7 Monday 8:00 PM Minnesota Timberwolves @ New Orleans Hornets
10:30 PM Phoenix Suns @ Golden State Warriors
Feb. 8 Tuesday TBD Fan Night
Feb. 9 Wednesday 7:30 PM L.A. Clippers @ New York Knicks
10:30 PM Denver Nuggets @ Golden State Warriors
Feb. 12 Saturday 7:00 PM Charlotte Bobcats @ Atlanta Hawks
Feb. 14 Monday 7:00 PM San Antonio Spurs @ New Jersey Nets
Feb. 15 Tuesday TBD Fan Night
Feb. 22 Tuesday TBD Fan Night
Feb. 26 Saturday 8:30 PM Chicago Bulls @ Milwaukee Bucks
Feb. 28 Monday 9:00 PM Boston Celtics @ Utah Jazz
March
Mar. 1 Tuesday TBD Fan Night
Mar. 2 Wednesday 7:30 PM Phoenix Suns @ Boston Celtics
10:30 PM Houston Rockets @ L.A. Clippers
Mar. 4 Friday 3:00 PM Toronto Raptors vs. New Jersey Nets (London)
Mar. 5 Saturday 3:00 PM Toronto vs. New Jersey Nets (London)
Mar. 7 Monday 7:00 PM Portland Trailblazers @ Orlando Magic
Mar. 8 Tuesday TBD Fan Night
Mar. 9 Wednesday 8:00 PM New York Knicks @ Memphis Grizzlies
Mar. 11 Friday 8:00 PM Atlanta Hawks @ Chicago Bulls
Mar. 12 Saturday 8:30 PM L.A. Lakers @ Dallas Mavericks
Mar. 13 Sunday 6:00 PM Milwaukee Bucks @ Boston Celtics
Mar. 15 Tuesday TBD Fan Night
Mar. 17 Thursday 7:30 PM Memphis Grizzlies @ New York Knicks
Mar. 19 Saturday 7:30 PM Denver Nuggets @ Miami Heat
Mar. 21 Monday 7:30 PM Boston Celtics @ New York Knicks
Mar. 25 Friday 10:00 PM New Orleans Hornets @ Phoenix Suns
Mar. 26 Saturday 7:00 PM New York Knicks @ Charlotte Bobcats
Mar. 28 Monday 8:00 PM Philadelphia 76ers @ Chicago Bulls
Mar. 29 Tuesday TBD Fan Night
April
Apr. 2 Saturday 10:30 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @ L.A. Clippers
Apr. 3 Sunday 9:00 PM Dallas Mavericks @ Portland Trailblazers
Apr. 5 Tuesday TBD Fan Night
TBD Fan Night
Apr. 8 Friday 8:00 PM Phoenix Suns @ New  Orleans Hornets
Apr. 9 Saturday 8:30 PM Utah Jazz @ San Antonio Spurs
Apr. 10 Sunday 9:30 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @ L.A. Lakers
Apr. 11 Monday 7:00 PM Orlando Magic @ Philadelphia 76ers
10:00 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @ Sacramento Kings

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NBA TV and NBA.com to Deliver Week Long Coverage of the 2010 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festivities

NBA TV and NBA.com to Deliver Week Long Coverage of the

2010 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festivities

Network to Present Exclusive Features Including Special on Scottie Pippen, In-Depth Profile on Karl Malone and

Live Presentation of the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

NBA TV and NBA.com will provide exclusive coverage of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement festivities in Springfield, Mass., beginning Monday, Aug. 9, and culminating with the induction ceremony on Friday, Aug. 13 at 6:00 p.m ET.

NBA TV will air special programming each day to honor the inductees leading up to its live presentation of the Hall of Fame induction ceremony with in-depth features on Chicago Bulls great Scottie Pippen and Utah Jazz legend Karl Malone, archived footage, historical games, and specials produced by NBA Entertainment.

The greatly-anticipated 2010 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony will feature the induction of Pippen, Malone, WNBA pioneer Cynthia Cooper, Los Angeles Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss, high school coaching legend Bob Hurley Sr., Brazilian basketball great, the late Maciel “Ubiratan” Pereira, and the 1992 and 1960 U.S. Men’s Gold Medal Winning Olympic Teams, as well as the late Dennis Johnson of the Boston Celtics and the late Gus Johnson of the Baltimore Bullets.  Members of the 1992 and 1960 U.S. Men’s Olympic teams scheduled to attend the Enshrinement include: Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, Michael Jordan, Christian Laettner, Karl Malone, Chris Mullin, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson and John Stockton from the 1992 Dream Team and Walt Bellamy, Jerry Lucas, Oscar Robertson and Jerry West from the 1960 team.

NBA TV and NBA.com’s line-up of Hall of Fame coverage includes:

§         Monday, Aug. 9 at 7:00 p.m ET: NBA TV will air a special featuring six-time NBA champion, seven-time NBA All-Star and Bulls great Scottie Pippen.

§         Monday, Aug. 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET: NBA TV will profile legendary Jazz power forward, two-time NBA MVP and member of the 1992 and 1996 US Men’s Olympic team (Dream Team) Karl Malone.

§         Thursday, Aug. 12 at 7:00 p.m. ET: NBA.com will stream live the Special Awards Ceremony featuring Curt Gowdy Media Award winner Joe Tait, the longtime radio voice of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Jackie MacMullan, the first female recipient to receive the Gowdy Media Award, along with legendary coach Don Meyer, who will be honored with the John Bunn Award, the Hall’s highest honor other than enshrinement. The ceremonies will honor Sacramento Kings center Samuel Dalembert of Haiti, Hall of Fame Coach Jim Boeheim of Syracuse University and Alfreda Harris, a community leader from Massachusetts, co-recipients of Mannie Jackson’s Basketball Human Spirit Award presented by CSX.

§         Friday, Aug. 13 at 10:00 a.m. ET: NBA.com will stream live the Inductee News Conference on Friday, Aug. 13 featuring exclusive interviews with the honorees and the many special guests attending the ceremonies, including Hall of Famers, former NBA players and coaches.

§         Friday, Aug. 13 at 6:00 p.m ET: Hosted by Matt Winer with reporters David Aldridge and Rick Kamla, NBA TV’s exclusive coverage will feature the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony for the Class of 2010. Prior to the ceremony, the network will present its Red Carpet Show showcasing the arrivals of the inductees and their special guests as well as interviews with Hall of Famers and attendees. NBA TV’s Ahmad Rashad will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

NBA.com will also honor the impressive careers of the Hall of Fame inductees with a special Hall of Fame page available at www.nba.com/halloffame/2010. The page will include inductee profiles, photo galleries and extensive video packages highlighting the honorees’ storied careers.  NBA.com writer Scott Howard Cooper will be on-site covering the event.  In addition, the site will post the inductees’ speeches immediately following the ceremony, to highlight the great moments and many achievements of each inductee.

NBA Digital is the NBA’s extensive cross-platform of digital assets jointly managed by the NBA and Turner Sports. This robust offering includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAGUE.com, and WNBA.com.

Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming. With events airing on TBS, TNT and truTV, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, professional golf, PGATOUR.COM and PGA.com. Turner Sports’ diverse portfolio also offers a collection of mobile Web sites and apps featuring NBA, NASCAR and professional golf content, along with Turner Sports’ first branded consumer product, SportsNOW. Turner Sports and the NBA also jointly manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAUGE.com and WNBA.com.

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Notes from NBA TV’s Coverage of the NBA Tip-Off ’10 Schedule Announcement- Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Notes from NBA TV’s Coverage of the NBA Tip-Off ’10 Schedule Announcement

– Tuesday, August 3, 2010

NBA TIP OFF ’10 PRESENTED BY KIA MOTORS

DATE GAME NETWORK TIME (ET)
10/26 Miami Heat @ Boston Celtics TNT 7:30 p.m.
10/26 Houston Rockets @ L.A. Lakers TNT 10:30 p.m.
10/27 Chicago Bulls @ Oklahoma City Thunder ESPN 8 p.m.
10/27 Portland Trail Blazers @ L.A. Clippers ESPN 10:30 p.m.
10/28 Washington Wizards @ Orlando Magic TNT 8 p.m.
10/28 Phoenix Suns @ Utah Jazz TNT 10:30 p.m.
10/29 Orlando Magic @ Miami Heat ESPN 8 p.m.
10/29 L.A. Lakers @ Phoenix Suns ESPN 10:30 p.m.
10/30 Denver Nuggets @ Houston Rockets NBA TV 8:30 p.m.
10/31 Utah Jazz @ Oklahoma City Thunder NBA TV 7 p.m.
11/1 Portland Trail Blazers @ Chicago Bulls NBA TV 8 p.m.
11/2 Philadelphia 76ers @ Washington Wizards NBA TV 7 p.m.

HOLIDAY NATIONAL TELEVISION GAMES

DATE GAME NETWORK TIME (ET)
12/25 Chicago Bulls @ New York Knicks ESPN 12 p.m.
12/25 Boston Celtics @ Orlando Magic ABC 2:30 p.m.
12/25 Miami Heat @ L.A. Lakers ABC 5 p.m.
12/25 Denver Nuggets @ Oklahoma City Thunder ESPN 8 p.m.
12/25 Portland Trail Blazers @ Golden State Warriors ESPN 10:30 p.m.
1/17 Chicago Bulls @ Memphis Grizzlies ESPN 1 p.m.
1/17 Sacramento Kings @ Atlanta Hawks NBA TV 4 p.m.
1/17 Orlando Magic @ Boston Celtics TNT 8 p.m.
1/17 Oklahoma City Thunder @ L.A. Lakers TNT 10:30 p.m.

****    ****    ****    ****

NBA Tip-Off ’10 Schedule Announcement

Rick Kamla, Chris Webber and Craig Sager

Webber on Shaquille O’Neal potentially signing with the Boston Celtics: “(O’Neal) could easily start on 20 (other) teams but if he wants to come off the bench, it’ll be easier on his body.  He won’t have to get hurt during the season like he has over the past four or five years.  It’s a veteran team and when I got to play with a veteran team like the Pistons, they knew how to treat you different than the (younger) teams that got beat up for no reason.  He’s going to be able to see his trainers and he won’t have to practice a lot.  If he goes into the playoffs playing strong and maybe has an agreement with them to start then, you never know.”

Webber on the Miami Heat: “This is the first pre-celebration team that I’ve ever seen but (Chris Bosh, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade) have already shown their commitment to winning by taking less money.  They left $50 million on the table between the three guys and if you are that gung-ho about giving up that money, you’ll be that gung-ho about leaving their egos at the door.  I do think that because Dwyane and LeBron play the same sort of position, at times it will be clashing because both of those guys need the ball in their hands.”

TNT analyst Kenny Smith joined the NBA TV studio show via satellite

Smith on Oklahoma City Thunder guard Kevin Durant: “I think (Durant) is going to be the best basketball player on the planet.  I think he offers that much to the game.  It showed in the Lakers (playoff) series last year.  He is capable of taking his team to seven games and they pushed the Lakers harder than anybody in the Playoffs.  Kevin Durant is in the mix.  I think LeBron James is numero uno but Kevin Durant is in the passenger seat.”

Smith on teams playing on Christmas Day: “(As a player), you love the marquee games.  You love that everybody is at home but you.  It feels like a playoff atmosphere because when you turn on the television, there’s no one but you on the game.  That’s why most players look forward to NBA on TNT Thursdays.  There’s no one else playing on Thursday nights so you can’t go watch another game.  If you want to watch basketball, you have to watch TNT and you have to watch them on Christmas Day.  No one wants to pass that up.  Those (Christmas) presents are going to be there and it actually might cost you less on Christmas Day because you don’t have to buy as many gifts.”

Smith on the Heat being a favorite to win the NBA Championship: “I don’t think that you can buy a championship but I think (the Heat) put themselves in position where they are in the showroom to actually get (an NBA Championship).  They have assembled talent that we haven’t seen together at one time in terms of those three guys being so highly rated in this era.  This is an opportunity of a lifetime for those three players and not for one year.  They are talking about an eight to nine year run when every year; they are going to be talked about as winning it every single year.”

TNT analyst Steve Kerr joined the NBA TV studio show via satellite

Kerr on the league being in a point guard era: “It’s really incredible to watch.  You’ve got some of the older guys like Steve Nash who is still lighting it up and dominating games.  You’ve got Derrick Rose and I can’t wait to see John Wall with the Wizards and of course Deron Williams, Chris Paul.  There’s an unbelievable line of point guards now.  It’s definitely a point guard era that we’re in right now.”

Kerr on the Chicago Bulls being the most well-rounded team in the Eastern Conference: “I actually think that (the Bulls) are the most well-rounded team in the East (Conference).  Obviously, Miami has the most talent but when you look at Chicago’s mix, they’ve got two unbelievable frontcourt defenders with (Joakim) Noah and Taj Gibson, they’ve got the great point guard play of Derrick Rose and now you’ve got the low-post scoring that Chicago has been lacking for years with (Carlos) Boozer.  I just really like that mix.  They’ve done a nice job of quietly putting some pieces in there on the wings with Kyle Korver and (Ronnie) Brewer.  They’ve got a really deep mix of players and I think they are going to be really good.”

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TNT, NBA TV Unveil Opening Week, MLK Day Schedules

TNT, NBA TV Unveil Opening Week, MLK Day Schedules;

TNT’s Opening Night to Feature New-Look Miami Heat vs.

Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets @ L.A. Lakers

NBA TV to Air Three Consecutive Nights of Games to Tip Off Coverage

TNT will tip off one of the most highly anticipated NBA seasons as part of NBA on TNT Premiere Week Presented by AutoTrader.com on Tuesday, Oct. 26, with the debut of Miami’s triumvirate of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh as the Heat visits the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics and their All-Star trio of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo (7:30 p.m. ET).  The second game of TNT’s exclusive doubleheader will feature the two-time defending champion L.A. Lakers and Finals MVP Kobe Bryant (10:30 p.m. ET) hosting returning seven-time NBA All-Star center Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets. TNT will televise the Lakers’ ring ceremony prior to tip off.  TNT and NBA TV announced their exclusive opening week match-ups and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day games during NBA TV’s NBA Schedule Selection Special this evening.

NBA on TNT Premiere Week Presented by AutoTrader.com continues on TNT with another doubleheader on Thursday, Oct. 28, at 8 p.m. (ET), beginning with two-time defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard and perennial Eastern Conference power Orlando Magic hosting the Washington Wizards in the debut of John Wall, the league’s number one overall draft pick in 2010.  The game will be the first to be played in the new Amway Center in Orlando. The second game of the doubleheader will highlight a battle of two of the league’s best point guards as Deron Williams and the Utah Jazz host Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns at 10:30 p.m. (ET).  

NBA TV will take the court for the 2010-11 season with four consecutive nights of exciting match-ups, beginning Saturday, Oct. 30, with All-Stars Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups leading the Denver Nuggets against the Rockets (8:30 p.m. ET). The network’s coverage will continue on Sunday, Oct. 31, with the Jazz visiting NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder (7 p.m. ET). On Monday, Nov. 1, Derrick Rose, recently acquired Carlos Boozer and the Chicago Bulls host Brandon Roy and the Portland Trail Blazers (8 p.m. ET). NBA TV’s Fan Night voting will begin on Oct. 26 to select the first Fan Night match-up of the season to air on Tuesday, Nov. 2.

TNT also announced the lineup for the network’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day coverage on Monday, Jan. 17, featuring two rematches from the 2010 NBA Playoffs. The doubleheader tips off with an Eastern Conference Finals rematch featuring the Magic at Celtics at 8 p.m. (ET), followed by a Western Conference first round rematch between the Thunder and Lakers in Los Angeles at 10:30 p.m. (ET). In addition, NBA TV will celebrate MLK Day when it presents the Sacramento Kings led by 2009-10 NBA Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans against Atlanta Hawks featuring All-Stars Al Horford and Joe Johnson at 4 p.m. (ET).

NBA.com will exclusively announce the full 2010-11 regular season schedule on Tuesday, Aug. 10.

TNT, one of cable’s top-rated networks, is television’s destination for drama.  Available in 99.6 million households, the network is home to such original series as the acclaimed and highly popular detective drama The Closer, starring Kyra Sedgwick; Men of a Certain Age, with Ray Romano, Andre Braugher and Scott Bakula; HawthoRNe, with Jada Pinkett Smith; Leverage, starring Timothy Hutton; and Dark Blue, starring Dylan McDermott; the upcoming Rizzoli & Isles, starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander; Memphis Beat, with Jason Lee; Southland, from Emmy®-winning producer John Wells (ER); and Saving Grace, starring Holly Hunter.  TNT also presents such powerful dramas as Bones, CSI: NY and Numb3rs; broadcast premiere movies; compelling primetime specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards®; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR and the NBA.  The NCAA men’s basketball tournament will appear on TNT beginning in 2011.  TNT is available in high-definition.

Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming. With events airing on TBS, TNT and truTV, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, professional golf, PGATOUR.COM and PGA.com. Turner Sports’ diverse portfolio also offers a collection of mobile Web sites and apps featuring NBA, NASCAR and professional golf content, along with Turner Sports’ first branded consumer product, SportsNOW. Turner Sports and the NBA also jointly manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAUGE.com and WNBA.com.

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NBA TV to Feature USA Basketball Real Training Camp Live on Tuesday, July 20

NBA TV to Feature USA Basketball Real Training Camp Live on Tuesday, July 20

For the first time, NBA TV will air live USA Basketball Real Training Camp on the first full day of the USA Basketball Men’s National Team practice as it prepares for the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey later this summer.

On Tuesday, July 20 from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET, fans will get an exclusive first look and listen as USA Basketball Men’s National Team Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski and his staff prepare the returning players, including Denver Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups, Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo, Oklahoma City Thunder forward/guard Kevin Durant, Philadelphia 76ers forward Andre Iguodala, and New York Knicks forward Amar’e Stoudemire, as well as new additions to the team, like Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans, the 2010 NBA Rookie of the Year, for the upcoming World Championship taking place Aug. 28 – Sept. 12.

Throughout the practice, NBA TV host Rick Kamla and analysts Mike Fratello and Dennis Scott will break down the team dynamic and potential match-ups as well as interview top players and coaches. NBA.com will feature highlights and live blog updates of the mini-camp from NBA.com writer John Schumann.

NBA Digital is the NBA’s extensive cross-platform portfolio of digital assets jointly managed by the NBA and Turner Sports. This robust offering includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAGUE.com and WNBA.com.

Turner Sports, Inc., a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming.  With events airing on TBS, TNT and truTV, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, professional golf, PGATOUR.COM and PGA.com.  Turner Sports and the NBA also jointly manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAGUE.com and WNBA.com.

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NBA TV Interviews Miami Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstr

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra sat down with NBA TV’s Joel Meyers and Kevin McHale tonight during coverage of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Spoelstra on finding players to fill out the Heat’s roster: “Chemistry is going to play a big part of what we’re trying to do and we’ve got to find players that want to be part of our culture.  Not every player fits our culture.  Obviously, there are exciting things going on and I think we’ll have plenty of opportunities to find players to fill out the roster.  We’ll start with Summer League right here but even some veterans will be willing to sacrafice like the three guys (Chris Bosh, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade) did to be part of something big.”

Spoelstra on the type of players the Heat are looking for: “In general, the type of culture players that we are looking for are defensive-minded, energy, high motor-type guys.  We need a little more depth at the point guard position and probably up front.  But we like shot-blockers and I like active guys back there who can erase some mistakes at the rim and can create a lot of opportunities with offensive rebounds.  But just with a high motor and activity.”

Please click on the link below for a video clip of the interview posted on NBA.com:

Erik Spoelstra interview on NBA TV

Notes from NBA TV’s Coverage of Decision 2010-Thursday, July 8, 2010

Notes from NBA TV’s Coverage of Decision 2010–Thursday, July 8, 2010

****    ****    ****    ****

NBA TV Decision 2010

Vince Cellini, Lawrence Frank, Chris Webber & Eric Snow

Free Agent LeBron James announces his decision to play for the Miami Heat

Snow on LeBron’s decision to play with the Miami Heat: “The decision doesn’t make me feel excited. He doesn’t give me anything to look forward to because I would have wanted him to go somewhere where he could play against Miami.”

Frank on the potential for the Heat to win championships: “These guys know that in order to win everyone has to make huge sacrifices. There are going to be a lot of doubters saying they can’t win. The question now is how they are going to fill the rest of their roster. There are still some question marks.”

Snow on filling up the remaining Miami Heat roster: “Every guy that is making the minimum is trying to go to Miami.  So they are going to get good guys that will play for the minimum. Now that he is there, filling out the roster is going to be easy.”

Webber on Miami Heat President Pat Riley’s influence on LeBron James’ decision: “I would like to think he did this for (Miami Heat President) Pat Riley. Knowing Pat Riley, the little that I do, I can see how you are convinced to go with a winner like that who is disciplined in every aspect of the game. I bet Pat Riley had just a bit of influence on his decision.”

Snow on LeBron James wanting to win championships: “They will win multiple championships and that will be great but Dwyane Wade will always have one more than him.”

Webber on LeBron James starting a new era of basketball: “I’m never mentioning him and (Michael) Jordan in the same sentence ever again. There is no more discussion; Kobe (Bryant) is the last heir to Jordan. I think LeBron is starting a new era of basketball that is not led by a dominate two guard. Magic (Johnson) and Michael Cooper, Magic and Byron Scott, it’s not that type of thing. I mean who would be MVP if they (LeBron James and Dwyane Wade) both average 18 points?”

Snow on the new team dynamic of the Miami Heat: “I think they will make it work because of the talent there. Having a guy like Chris Bosh because of his style of play and because he is big and can really spread the court. They are going to make it work.”

NBA Insider David Aldridge joins the NBA TV Crew from Las Vegas, NV

Aldridge on what is next for the Cleveland Cavaliers: “I don’t see a way out or a viable plan B after you lose a guy like LeBron James. Maybe they can do a sign and trade and get four players. What do you build around? Who do you build around? All of those guys were brought to that team because they were complementary pieces to LeBron. They are all good basketball players but their best skill was how they played with LeBron or off LeBron and now that they don’t have that center and that hub, I don’t see a way out.”

Aldridge on Miami Heat President Pat Riley selling LeBron James on joining the Heat: “I didn’t know he was going to get LeBron (James) and (Dwyane) Wade but I knew he was going to get someone. I say this all the time: (TNT’s) Kera Sedgwick is not the Closer, Pat Riley is the closer. With cap room, Pat Riley always gets someone pretty good. Their chance to win multiple championships in years to come sold them in the end. I also don’t think the Olympic relationship can be talked about enough. I think the experience that those young men had playing on that team brought them together in a way we really didn’t realize.”

NBA on TNT analyst Reggie Miller joins the NBA TV crew via satellite from Los Angeles, CA

Miller on LeBron James’ decision to play for the Miami Heat: “I’m on both sides of the fence here. You are speaking to a guy that spent 18 years for one organization. I would have loved to see LeBron James stay in a small market. Not everyone can play for a New York (Knicks), Chicago (Bulls) or Miami (Heat). When you have a true superstar playing for a small market, it means so much. When you play in a small market, fans live and die by everything you do.  To me, him going down to Miami and jumping on the bandwagon of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh that’s great, that is going to be good basketball to see. But personally I would love to have seen him win a championship and stay in Cleveland.”

Miller on the impact this will have on the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise: “I’m wondering where (Cleveland Cavaliers owner) Dan Gilbert and the rest of the Cavaliers organization goes from here. They had the best record in the league the last two seasons and they were never able to get out of the Eastern Conference. If I’m LeBron I’m frustrated from that standpoint but for the organization what else can they do. I think their campaign was great but it is frustrating. Three or four championships in Miami are equivalent to one in Cleveland because they are a starving franchise city and they would have appreciated it more if the King(LeBron James)  would have stayed.”

Miller on being in a similar situation when making his decision to stay with the Indiana Pacers: “If you listen to LeBron he says it is not about the money but about winning championships and winning rings. That I get. There is one thing on my resume that I will never have same as Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, John Stockton those guys are superstar players without rings. This is LeBron’s eighth season coming up and he doesn’t have any jewelry so I understand him wanting to go somewhere else and win a championship. It is not guaranteed. To me it is all about the pieces that they surround these three superstars with. They are not going to have a ton of money to go out and get players so the supporting players are going to have to sacrifice. The Miami Heat are the “it’ ticket now with these three guys so they will find players. To me it is the supporting cast that they surround them with that will determine if they will be championship caliber.”

Miller on how LeBron’s decision will affect his legacy:  “He is the best player in the league, can we put him now in the same category of Michael Jordan, who never left Chicago, Larry Bird, who never left Boston or Magic Johnson who has four or five rings in the same breath – no. If he would have stayed in Cleveland and won one championship built around him we would have put him on Mt. Rushmore. It’s great, I get it. I can’t wait to call games in Miami and watch these three play. But now you are going into a situation where Dwyane Wade already has one championship. He is the Derek Jeter down there. LeBron is the Alex Rodriguez. It is still Dwyane’s team. Between LeBron James and Dwyane Wade one of those guys has to sacrifice and to me it will have to be LeBron James because it is Dwyane Wade’s team.”

NBA on TNT Analyst Charles Barkley joins the NBA TV crew via phone from Ontario Canada

Barkley on what this decision says about LeBron James: “The Miami Heat are in a great situation right now, they have three great players. I was disappointed,  I wanted Lebron to stay in Cleveland. I don’t blame the guy but I think it will be a lot more important and significant to win a championship in Cleveland then it would be in Miami (if he wins it.)”

Barkley on the most important criteria in making a decision of this caliber: “In fairness, if I was 25 I would try to win it by myself. I would make sure that I was the guy on the team. We just started giving Kobe Bryant credit the last two years. That was that stigma that he couldn’t win it without Shaquille O’Neal and you see we have elevated him because he has won the last two without him. LeBron (James) will never be the guy. I wish he would have tried to win it by himself as ‘the guy’.”

Barkley on LeBron James’ legacy taking a hit: “The analogy I use is that until Kobe (Bryant) won that championship last year without Shaquille O’Neal we never gave him credit. This definitely hurts Lebron. When you are 25 you shouldn’t be trying to piggy back on other people. It would have been a lot more significant to win a championship in Cleveland and not to piggyback on Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.”

NBA TV analyst Kevin McHale joins the NBA TV crew via phone from Las Vegas, NV

McHale on the anticipation surrounding LeBron James’ announcement: “It was too much. It ends up being an hour special and it just seemed to drag on. It had the feel of a reality show to me. I understand it is a big decision and sports are big in the United Sates but it seemed to go on and on. I think they had a plan to make it big and fun and instead it was big and cumbersome. LeBron didn’t look very comfortable making that decision tonight.”

McHale on how players in the league will respond to LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh together on the Miami Heat: They are going to come after them hard but that is what makes you better. When you are able to win a championship or put together an All-Star type team like that, other teams come at you hard. What will happen is (Dwyane) Wade, (Chris) Bosh, LeBron (James) will all be better players by the time the Playoffs start because other teams will try to knock them down a notch.  They are going to press them hard but they better bring their game because (Dwyane) Wade, (Chris) Bosh and (LeBron) James are good.”

McHale on LeBron James’ decision to join the Miami Heat: “It surprised me a little bit. I just thought he was going to Chicago (Bulls) with (Carlos) Boozer Derrick Rose, (Joakim) Noah; I kind of thought that would be a place for him. Then again, I thought he was going to stay in Cleveland. I thought it was going to be hard for him to leave.”

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NBA Digital Heads to Las Vegas for the Remainder of 2010 NBA Summer League on NBA TV and NBA.com

NBA Digital Heads to Las Vegas for the Remainder of 2010 NBA Summer League on NBA TV and NBA.com

NBA Digital continues its extensive Summer League coverage with NBA TV and NBA.com airing 39 live game broadcasts starting Friday, July 9 and continuing through Sunday, July 18 in Las Vegas at the Thomas & Mack Center and the COX Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

The NBA TV crew of Matt Winer, Rick Kamla, Joel Myers and Chad Andrus will call play by play alongside analysts Kevin McHale, Chris Webber, Brent Barry, Steve Smith, Mike Fratello and Dennis Scott. In addition to the live games, NBA TV will offer live daily studio programming with NBA GameTime. Host Kyle Montgomery, Vince Cellini, analyst Eric Snow and special in-studio guests will highlight players, stories and news that develop this summer.

Among the young stars expected to compete will be 2010 NBA number one overall draft pick John Wall. Other top selections from this year’s draft that are expected to play include Wesley Johnson, the fourth selection by the Minnesota Timberwolves and DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings (fifth overall).  Sophomore standouts that are expected to play include Sacramento Kings guard Omir Casspi and Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson.

Fans will also have the opportunity to watch every game live on NBA.com through the NBA SUMMER LEAGUE BROADBAND.  NBA SUMMER LEAGUE BROADBAND is a subscription service offering fans a full slate of live NBA Summer League game webcasts via nba.com/summerleaguebroadband.  The complete package will be $14.95 for access to all summer league games on a live basis, as well as on a video-on-demand basis for up to one week following the conclusion of the league’s final game. A late season package will also be available beginning July 15, for $9.95.

NBA TV SUMMER LEAGUE PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE:

JULY 9 – JULY  11

FRIDAY, JUL. 9
8 – 10 a.m Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers Rick Kamla,  Marc Fein, Steve Smith, Dennis Scott
10 a.m – 12 p.m Philadelphia 76ers vs. Utah Jazz
12 – 2 p.m New Jersey Nets vs. Boston Celtics
2 – 4 p.m Charlotte Bobcats vs. Orlando Magic
4 – 6 p.m Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks (Las Vegas) Matt Winer, Joel Myers, Kevin McHale, Brent Barry, David Aldridge
6 – 8 p.m Houston Rockets vs. Phoenix Suns
8 – 10 p.m Detroit Pistons vs. Los Angeles Lakers
10 p.m – 12 a.m Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Hornets
12 – 12:30 a.m. NBA GameTime Vince Cellini, Eric Snow
12:30 – 1 a.m NBA GameTime Vince Cellini, Eric Snow
1 – 3 a.m NBA Summer League (Las Vegas)
SATURDAY, JUL.10
4 – 6 p.m Toronto Raptors vs. Phoenix Suns Joel Myers, Matt Winer, Brent Barry, Kevin McHale, David Aldridge
6 – 8 p.m Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets
8 – 10 p.m Detroit Pistons vs. Golden State Warriors
10 p.m – 12 a.m Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets
12– 12:30 a.m NBA GameTime Kyle Montgomery
12:30 – 1 a.m NBA GameTime Kyle Montgomery
SUNDAY, JUL. 11
4 – 6 p.m New York Knicks vs. Denver Nuggets Joel Myers, Matt Winer, Brent Barry, Kevin McHale, David Aldridge
6 – 8 p.m Portland Trail Blazers vs. Houston Rockets
8 – 10 p.m Washington Wizards vs. Golden State Warriors
10 p.m – 12 a.m Miami Heat vs. New Orleans Hornets
12 – 12:30 a.m NBA GameTime Kyle Montgomery
12:30 – 1 a.m NBA GameTime Kyle Montgomery

JULY 12 – JULY 18

NBA TV  SCHEDULE (all times ET): Jul. 12 – Jul. 18
MONDAY, JUL. 12
4 – 6 p.m Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks Joel Myers, Matt Winer, Rick Kamla, Steve Smith, Brent Barry, Kevin McHale, David Aldridge
6 – 8 p.m Sacramento Kings vs. Detroit Pistons
8 – 10 p.m Dallas Mavericks vs. Milwaukee Bucks
10 p.m – 12 a.m Washington Wizards vs. Los Angeles Clippers
12 – 12:30 a.m NBA GameTime Vince Cellini
12:30 – 1 a.m NBA GameTime Vince Cellini
TUESDAY, JUL. 13
4 – 6 p.m Denver Nuggets vs. Chicago Bulls Joel Myers, Rick Kamla, Matt Winer, Chris Webber, Steve Smith, David Aldridge
6- 8 p.m Cleveland Cavaliers vs. D-League
8 – 10 p.m Milwaukee Bucks vs. Memphis Grizzlies
10 p.m – 12 a.m Portland Trail Blazers vs. New Orleans Hornets
12 – 12:30 a.m NBA GameTime Vince Cellini
12:30 – 1 a.m NBA GameTime Vince Cellini
WEDNESDAY, JUL. 14
4 – 6 p.m. Denver Nuggets vs. Houston Rockets Matt Winer, Joel Myers, Rick Kamla, Steve Smith, Chris Webber, Kyle Montgomery
6  – 8 p.m New York Knicks vs. Toronto Raptors
8 – 10 p.m Los Angeles Clippers vs. Chicago Bulls
10 p.m – 12 a.m Sacramento Kings vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
12 – 12:30 a.m NBA GameTime Vince Cellini
12:30 – 1 a.m NBA GameTime Vince Cellini
THURSDAY, JUL. 15
4 – 6 p.m Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs Matt Winer, Rick Kamla, Chad Andrus, Eric Snow, Chris Webber, Dennis Scott, Kyle Montgomery
6 – 8 p.m Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns
8 – 10 p.m Washington Wizards vs. Dallas Mavericks
10 p.m – 12 a.m Los Angeles Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers
12 – 12 :30 a.m NBA GameTime Vince Cellini
12:30 – 1 a.m NBA GameTime Vince Cellini
FRIDAY, JUL. 16
4 – 6 p.m Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks Rick Kamla, Joel Myers, Chad Andrus, Mike Fratello, Eric Snow, Dennis Scott, Kyle Montgomery
6 – 8 p.m Toronto Raptors vs. Sacramento Kings
8 – 10 p.m Washington Wizards vs. New Orleans Hornets
10 p.m – 12 a.m Memphis Grizzles vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
12 – 12:30 a.m NBA GameTime Vince Cellini
12:30 – 1 a.m NBA GameTime Vince Cellini
SATURDAY, JUL. 17
4 – 6 p.m New York Knicks vs. Washington Wizards Joel Myers, Rick Kamla, Chad Andrus, Mike Fratello, Eric Snow, Dennis Scott, Kyle Montgomery
6 – 8 p.m Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
8 – 10 p.m Los Angeles Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs
10 p.m – 12 a.m Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Portland Trail Blazers
12- 12:30 a.m NBA GameTime Vince Cellini
12:30 – 1 a.m NBA GameTime Vince Cellini
SUNDAY, JUL. 18
4 – 6 p.m Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Milwaukee Bucks Rick Kamla, Joel Myers, Chad Andrus, Eric Snow, Mike Fratello, Dennis Scott, Kyle Montgomery
6 – 8 p.m Chicago Bulls vs. Portland Trail Blazers
8 – 10 p.m Dallas Mavericks vs. Sacramento Kings
10 p.m – 10:30 a.m NBA GameTime Vince Cellini
10:30 – 11 p.m NBA GameTime Vince Cellini

NBA Digital is the NBA’s extensive cross-platform portfolio of digital assets jointly managed by the NBA and Turner Sports. This robust offering includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAGUE.com and WNBA.com.

Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming.  With events airing on TBS and TNT, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, professional golf, PGATOUR.COM and PGA.com.  Turner Sports and the NBA also jointly manage NBA Digital,