Both NBC And Amazon Actually Talking About Real Basketball During Their NBA Coverage Has ESPN's Ass Directly On The Hot Seat

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I think it's pretty much universally agreed upon that when the new season arrived, NBA on NBC absolutely crushed its coverage. Everything about it was top-notch and really what basketball fans have been craving for. Nostalgia, an awesome presentation, actual basketball talk, a great broadcast crew, some MJ mixed in, everything about it was refreshing as hell considering the chokehold someone like ESPN had in terms of NBA coverage. 

Well, last night was Amazon Prime's turn to show the world how they're going to approach basketball coverage, and overall, I had the same feeling as I did watching the new NBC coverage. As a basketball fan, this is exactly the type of shit I want to see

Do I want to hear a living basketball legend in Steve Nash not only talk basketball, but show us in a cool and innovative way? You bet your ass I do! This is what I never understand when people say Xs and Os and talking about actual basketball is boring and not what people want. I dunno, sorry you don't like basketball I guess? Personally, I think when watching basketball games it's actually pretty interesting to hear some of the best to ever do it talk about what I'm seeing and explain things to the casual fan in a digestible and fun manner. Call me crazy, but wouldn't we all agree that is EXACTLY how you grow the game and what NBA coverage should be? That's how you promote the sport and bring in new fans. No hot takes. No bringing down current players or style. No bullshit just to go viral. No hyperbolic debates for the millionth time.

Actual. Basketball. Talk.

At first, I was nervous about all these new networks and how they might impact things, but so far? Everything about it has been awesome. It has ESPN's ass directly in the hot seat. Now that there are other options out there for fans, it's going to force ESPN to hopefully also stop screwing around and improve their coverage as well. 

We're starting to see that with Tim Legler's coaches' corner series, which most certainly is not an accident

and in the end, this new competition is making everyone better, which only benefits us as basketball fans. It kind of makes you mad that things shifted so far the other way, because there's no reason this kind of stuff couldn't have been happening this whole time. Tim Legler has been at ESPN forever. Instead, they've decided to shove all the Stephen A bullshit down our throats for years. But now that there's actual competition in the space and that competition is taking a more basketball-oriented approach, we're slowly starting to see a shift and I for one, could not be happier about it. 

In terms of Prime's coverage, I loved their combo. Blake Griffin/Steve Nash/Dirk/Haslem/Taylor Rooks feels like a great mix that's only going to get better over time. If this is where they are now on Day 1, I can only imagine everyone will feel more comfortable and things will hit their stride as we get deeper into the season. All I ask of both NBC and Amazon is that they don't change a thing. Stay the course with this direction, find ways to tweak it and improve it if needed, but the foundation is there.

This, is what basketball fans want. This, what what the NBA deserves in terms of TV coverage. Teach us shit, give real informed opinions, make it fun etc. So far, we're off to a great start.