This made its way around the web yesterday, but we wanted to bring it to you this Friday afternoon in case you missed it. After Syracuse lost to UConn 66-58 Wednesday night, ‘Cuse coach Jim Boeheim did his duty and participated in what was likely the last thing on earth he felt like doing after a tough loss: He stood and answered questions from the media.

Jimmy B is a pro though; he knows it’s part of the gig. That is until ESPN’s Andy Katz asked a question. Read More »

Last night Twitter was all about the latest installment from ESPN’s 30 for 30 series, “Broke” that aired in prime time. The documentary focused on professional athletes who managed to lose all of the money they earned playing professional sports due to things like gambling, real estate, poor advice, bad “friends,” and more. Antoine Walker was one of the stars of the show because he basically lost his money in every imaginable way, blowing through a reported $110 million fortune. [Related: See the largest collection of Antoine Walker memorabilia in the world.]

As part of the promotion for doc, ‘Toine agreed to talk to Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless about how he lost all of that money. It’s hard for him to accurately explain it (and harder for the rest of the world to understand it), but here’s the video: Read More »

There’s a certain rhythmic balance in broadcasting, incisive commentary maneuvering inside and out of the nuts and bolts play-by-play. I used to turn the sound off on my television and time the radio broadcast for Knicks games to match the on-screen action. Radio play-by-play, by necessity, replaces the visual and harps on detail, something that’s lost on television. At times it’s cumbersome and overwhelming, like some overzealous auctioneer. What’s earned in detail is lost in jumbled basketball jargon. Who’s where? Who passed to whom? Wait, what? Less is more, as they say. I eventually abandoned my plight only because the nailing down the timing between television and radio was predictably difficult. I guess I got more satisfaction out of accomplishing the feat than the intended purpose of the whole exercise in the first place. Read More »

Free agency is scatterbrained. Take Jeremy Lin, who might definitely could or could not be a Knick next year, depending on the non-guarantee guarantee that other teams could/will not offer him a backloaded deal, or something. See? Read More »

Oof. This was bad. Mark Cuban went on ESPN’s First Take this morning to debate Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless in what promised to be some lively conversation. Cuban is a noted basketball statistician, always plugged in to his team’s goings on and keenly aware of the minutiae of basketball. Stephen A. and Skip, meanwhile, enjoy loud-mouthed blabbering and sweeping generalizations backed up by raised voices as opposed to undeniable fact. Well, Cuban had no reservations eviscerating Skip, reminding him that no one cares what he has to say, ever. This was brutal. I’d tell you more, but you just have to watch the video. Read More »

ESPN recently released an ad centered around the idea of what it would be like to be named Michael Jordan. And no, no one is talking about the basketball player. The ad is called “It’s Not Crazy, It’s Sports” and throws out different scenarios. What if your name was Michael Jordan and you ordered delivery? Or checked in at the doctor’s? Or were getting picked up at the airport? Honestly, I had never thought of this – it would suck to be a perennial disappointment to almost everyone you met. Read More »

Watching Jay Williams address the completely enrapt New Hampton Prep basketball team late Sunday night at the Hoophall Classic, it was clear he was firmly in his element. Basketball has obviously always been a big part of Williams’ life, but you could make a case he’s never been quite as immersed as he is now.

As an ESPN college basketball analyst, Williams splits his time between calling games and working on studio shows, while also commentating for the network’s rapidly expanding interest in high school ball. The latter assignment gives him the opportunity to take part in one of his favorite pastimes: mentoring young athletes. There isn’t a player on any level that doesn’t have the utmost respect for the former No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft, and he commonly takes time to pull players aside and offer a few words of wisdom. Read More »

I think this text from my boy says it all: “31 years in existence and we FINALLY got an indoor court. So nice to have somewhere to hoop.” Look for an ESPN vs. Dime showdown coming to a court near you. Read More »

Former NBA assist machine and current ESPN NBA analyst Mark Jackson has been named the new head coach of the Golden State Warriors.

Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Jackson’s deal is a guaranteed three-year contract worth upwards of $6 million. We will have more info and analysis on Jackson’s hiring in tomorrow’s SMACK.

Yesterday at ESPN, a few production assistants were attempting some trick shots outside during their lunch break. Little did they know, future Hall of Famer Chris Mullin was going to walk by and show ‘em how it’s done. Off the wall, one bounce, nothing but net.

Read More »