An Inside The NBA And TNT Alum Is Joining NBC Sports, And This Is A Great Pick-Up

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Starting fall, the landscape of professional basketball coverage will undergo a notable change. Following the cancellation of “Inside the NBA”, the show is slated to be broadcasted on ESPN as part of an unprecedented agreement, effective from the 2025-2026 season. Additionally, fans can anticipate the resurrection of the beloved “NBA on NBC” broadcasts. As the Peacock network readies itself for this transition, it has recruited a former Inside and TNT employee for its commentary team. In my opinion, this is an excellent addition to their team.

NBC has announced that sports analyst and ex-basketball player Jamal Crawford has joined their team. Starting from October, when NBC’s basketball coverage begins, Crawford will take on the role of lead game commentator. This hiring follows Crawford’s announcement on social media earlier this year that he was available for television opportunities. The beloved athlete-turned-broadcaster is expected to cover one or more games a week, and after securing the position, he issued a statement expressing his excitement about the new role.

I’m overjoyed to become part of the NBC Sports team and their fresh NBA broadcast package. As a kid, I used to mimic the game highlights shown on their classic NBA coverage, so it’s an immense honor to now be part of the upcoming broadcast crew that will introduce a new generation to basketball. NBC Sports’ production quality is consistently excellent, and I can hardly wait for basketball enthusiasts to witness what exciting content we have planned for this new chapter in basketball broadcasting.

A reliable shooting guard, Jamal Crawford, was selected eighth overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2000 NBA Draft, a pick that was traded to the Chicago Bulls on draft night. Throughout his career, Crawford played for multiple basketball teams such as the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Los Angeles Clippers. Known as a consistent long-range shooter who could deliver clutch shots when needed, this experienced player formally hung up his jersey in 2022. Interestingly, Crawford had already embarked on his broadcasting career before retiring, in 2021.

More on Inside the NBA

As a follower, I’m sharing that, just like Charles Barkley himself, I’m unsure about my future with Inside the NBA following the recent ESPN deal. There’s one key aspect I’m still holding out for before making any decisions.

Even though I didn’t catch his games through NBA League Pass, seeing him on TNT during the 2022-2023 season was a delight. He offered insightful commentary on Inside the NBA, and he ably filled in for the main show when required. Originating from Seattle, this sports analyst is exceptionally intelligent, and his insights were a valuable addition to my viewing experience. I must admit that NBC is lucky to have him as part of their team.

The appearance of the “NBA on NBC” sign again was an unanticipated positive outcome from the network adjustments that happened after the broadcast rights for the league expired. It seemed like these changes might mean the end of “Inside the NBA”. However, TNT’s agreement with ESPN guarantees that the show will continue for the next ten years. This opens up various opportunities, such as team-ups among personalities like Charles Barkley and Stephen A. Smith on air.

I really like Inside, but I must admit that I’m quite eager to find out what NBA on NBC has in store when it comes back this fall, with its classic music. The fact that Jamal Crawford is now part of the broadcast team adds another incentive for me to tune in. We’ll see how things develop in October.

As a devoted basketball enthusiast, I’m excited to share that for those who wish to immerse themselves in NBC’s NBA coverage, you can livestream games on Mondays by subscribing to Peacock. Moreover, both Peacock and its sister network will broadcast regional doubleheaders with national coverage on Tuesdays.

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2025-01-15 04:37