Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving prefer to gripe.
With the media winds swirling round them, the 2 (as of now Nets) superstars can’t complain about their lack of nationwide TV appearances this season. The nationwide sked was made whereas they had been — very publicly — maintaining their Brooklyn future up within the air.
That’s why Brooklyn’s nationwide TV appearances have gone from 26 final season to 13 for 2022-23. That’s why matchups with the Lakers and Warriors have at present been relegated to NBA TV quite than TNT, ESPN or ABC. That’s why the Nets should not enjoying on the NBA’s Christmas TV spectacular. Later within the season, the NBA’s TV companions may have some flexibility to make modifications. Yet by early in 2023, can anybody assure Durant or Irving will nonetheless be with the Nets?
Or as The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor lately wrote: “Brooklyn is defined by uncertainty.”
Those phrases needs to be ingrained within the heads of anybody overlaying — or considering — the Nets circus. Especially when it begins travelling from metropolis to metropolis. This current, so-called truce agreed to by Durant, after “peace” talks in Los Angeles with Nets brass and a press release by Sean Marks (the GM he tried to oust), isn’t definitely worth the paper it was written on.
Does anybody actually assume both Durant or Irving is prone to throw within the towel after not getting their manner? After all, they’re The Real Nets of Brooklyn. One assembly, and one assertion is just not going to cease this compelling actuality present. The Nets are the NBA’s No. 1 story. The L.A. assembly, and the “partnership” declaration, simply retains of us speaking basketball within the canine days of August.
That’s a great factor for the NBA. And not such a great factor for Major League Baseball.
Some of the reactions are uncommon. Like Stephen A. Smith definitively declaring Nets proprietor Joe Tsai a conquering hero for carrying the homeowners’ water by not caving into Durant’s calls for and making The Sensitive One adhere to his contract. Let’s see how lengthy that lasts?
There are a couple of upcoming RNOB episodes to look ahead too. Like when coaching camp opens and the media tweets out movies of Durant, Marks and Steve Nash’s (Durant needed him fired too) physique language. How excessive will the discomfort stage be? Then, there will probably be inquiries to Durant concerning the performances of Nash and Marks. What will Durant’s spin be?
Will he say this was all nearly enterprise, commerce negotiations? Or will Durant hearth a preemptive strike on Twitter earlier than camp opens?
Then, what occurs if the Nets get off slowly within the common season? On YES, the TV dwelling of the Nets, will Sarah Kustok and Ian (The Bird) Eagle analyze how the offseason static might have affected what’s occurring on the courtroom? Will they analyze Nash’s teaching (they didn’t get into it a lot final season) and remind fixated eyeballs how Durant needed him fired?
Or will they go away it to viewers to determine issues out and take care of uncertainty?
KAY’S VACATION DAYS
The Free World can breathe a sigh of reduction. Michael Kay will return to his ESPN-98.7 present on Sept. 6. There’s little question the primary subject of dialogue will probably be himself — Michael Kay.
Kay, additionally YES’ voice of the Yankees, is on the tail finish of a 10-week trip from his radio present, leaving it within the succesful mouths of Don La Greca and Peter Rosenberg. Now, Kay is miffed about rumors suggesting there have been causes apart from a trip for his extended absence from TMKS. By now, the thin-skinned one ought to know rumors (on Twitter he referred to as them “conspiracy theories”) include the territory.
Nonetheless, there was a primary technique that would have alleviated what Kay perceives as an issue. The fits, whether or not they be from ESPN or Good Karma Brands, ought to have insisted that Kay’s departure-for-vacation and return dates be introduced on his radio present. That’s what Mike (Sports Pope) Francesa did on WFAN when he principally took the summer time off. Giving listeners a heads-up by asserting Big Head’s trip dates would have stored his plans within the open, short-circuiting the rumors Kay is now so delicate about.
Kay was nonetheless working Yankees video games on YES, so the unwashed lots knew there have been no well being points. He additionally appeared on SiriusXM doing a phase with Christopher (Mad Dog) Russo on the similar time TMKS was airing on 98.7. He should have forgot he was competing along with his personal present.
While Kay is contractually entitled to a certain quantity of trip days, the continuity (a important factor of discuss radio) of the present was severely disrupted.
Not a great factor. Especially for a radio present scrambling to rebound within the rankings division.
ESPN’S JUGGLING ACT
Last winter’s MLB labor dispute, which disrupted spring coaching and delayed the beginning of the common season, continues to have an effect.
ESPN is confronted with an actual dilemma that ought to not occur once more. The all-new Wild Card sequence (4 better of three opening spherical sequence) will start Friday, Oct. 7 quite than in mid-week. On Saturday, Oct. 8, ESPN is trying to carry 4 MLB playoff video games on its linear platforms.
How ESPN can juggle these baseball playoff video games with essentially the most formidable faculty soccer schedule on TV goes to be a monumental problem.
LOW BLOW, NORMAN
Norman Julius Esiason doesn’t assume a lot of ESPN’s NFL broadcast workforce of Steve Levy, Louis Riddick and Dan Orlovsky. The trio labored final Monday’s Falcons-Jets exhibition tilt.
Esiason’s FAN accomplice, Gregg Giannotti, introduced the “best” out of Norman by saying the Jets “didn’t play anyone” within the nationally televised recreation.
”ESPN didn’t play anybody both,” Esiason, who additionally works in CBS Sports’ NFL pregame studio, fired again.
Wonder what brought on NJE to ship such a gratuitous shot? Did he tune in considering he was really going to see Joe Buck/Troy Aikman working the sport?
Or was Esiason simply being imply.
AROUND THE DIAL
Unlike lots of his fellow Gasbags, Christopher (Mad Dog) Russo didn’t present a soft-landing spot for YES, or its Remote Broadcaster Pau lO’Neill. On his SXM yakkfest, Dog ranted, calling O’Neill “selfish” for not getting the COVID-19 shot required by YES administration. He additionally hammered the community for bending its guidelines to accommodate The Warrior. ”They ought to have advised him to take a hike and are available again and see us while you get the shot,” Russo mentioned. … Special second on ESPN-98.7 when Don La Greca went at it with Buddha from the Bronx, an everyday caller. Buddha took subject with DLG injecting some actuality into the legacy of George M. Steinbrenner. Electric radio. … The versatile Dan Graca has moved into the 7 p.m.-10 p.m. slot on ESPN-98.7. Management turned down his request for a 10-week trip … RIP Len Dawson. After he was fired from his job at NBC Sports, the Chiefs Hall of Famer advised me: ”They [the suits] by no means advised me I used to be doing something improper till they fired me.” Right then I knew I used to be overlaying a depressing enterprise.
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DUDE OF THE WEEK: DENNIS ECKERSLEY
The Red Sox TV analyst could also be retiring at season’s finish however he’s nonetheless bringing the warmth within the sales space. Eckersley is truthful, insightful and unafraid to criticize. Vintage Eck final week when he referred to as the Pirates “a hodgepodge of nothingness.”
DWEEB OF THE WEEK: SCOTT FROST
There isn’t any group of sports activities figures extra out of contact than main faculty soccer coaches. Nebraska’s Frost confirmed his lack of concern and consciousness when bragging that his O-line are tossing their cookies 15-20 occasions per follow session. Ugh!
DOUBLE TALK
What Sean Marks mentioned: “We have agreed to move forward with our partnership.”
What Sean Marks meant to say: “Kevin [Durant], this is what happens when you try to get me fired.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com