The NBA Finals Media Day – usually a time for X’s and O’s, maybe some light trash talk. But this year? Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle flipped the script. Before anyone could even ask about Game 1 against OKC, Carlisle, completely unprompted, launched into a fiery, passionate defense of ESPN’s Doris Burke. Carlisle’s move was a seriously classy, and very loud, show of support.
Rick Carlisle, a man who’s been around the NBA block more than a few times, didn’t hide his frustration over the timing and nature of the reports surrounding Doris Burke’s job security on ESPN’s lead broadcast team—especially with her set to call the NBA Finals. “I saw the things that were leaked yesterday about Doris Burke, and I just want to say a couple things. She has changed the game for women in broadcasting,” Carlisle said with conviction. He then got personal, adding, “I have a daughter who just turned 21… Doris is a great example of courage and putting herself out there.” He slammed the timing of the leak as “so sad,” calling it “really unnecessary before such a celebrated event.”
So, what’s all this “scrutiny” about, anyway? Well, the buzz really kicked into overdrive following a detailed report by Andrew Marchand of The Athletic. Marchand, citing sources, revealed that while Mike Breen is locked in, “Burke’s spot is not guaranteed for next season.” The report suggests that “ESPN executives will debate what is next… with one discussion likely centering around if they feel Burke is better on a two-person team as opposed to the three-person team.”
Marchand also noted that some feel Burke “hasn’t seemed to mesh as well with Breen. He doesn’t outright ignore what she says, but they rarely build on each other’s comments.” That perceived lack of chemistry, coupled with some of Burke’s on-air comments during these playoffs – like calling OKC’s MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a “free-throw merchant” – has fueled speculation about her future on the A-team.
(This is a developing story…)
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