ESPN’s NBA Finals Coverage To Include ‘Celebrating 75’ Alternate Broadcast, SkyCam and Above-The-Rim Cam Viewing Options

The 55-camera complement also includes two mirrorless SteadiCams, 17 super-slo-mo's, and multiple virtual overlay and AR-enabled cameras

ESPN tips off its 20th consecutive NBA Finals production tonight with Game 1 from the Chase Center in San Francisco. In addition to the primary broadcast on ABC, Game 1 will include an ESPN2 alternate presentation called NBA Finals: Celebrating 75 and fans stremaing on the ESPN App will also have SkyCam and Above The Rim Cam viewing options along with a pregame Layup Lines viewing option. It’s all part of ESPN’s largest NBA production of the years with 55 total cameras on hand for Game 1.

NBA Finals: Celebrating 75 Alternate Presentation

ESPN2’s NBA Finals: Celebrating 75 alternate presentation of Game 1 tonight will be hosted by Michael Eaves and emanate from ESPN’s Seaport District Studios in New York City. The broadcast will include special commentary, graphics, packages and footage of the NBA’s rich 75-year history.

New ESPN NBA analyst CJ McCollum will make his debut alongside veteran analyst Tim Legler. The team will provide insights on Game 1 and reflections on the NBA’s 75-year history. The trio will be joined by several special guests, including Naismith Basketball Hall of Famers Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Julius “Dr. J” Erving. NBA Finals: Celebrating 75 will also include content from ESPN Marketing’s NBA Finals Game 1 Watch Party, taking place atop the Seaport District Studios that night.

Covering the Action: Shallow Depth of Field SteadiCams, SkyCam Headline 55-Camera Arsenal

In terms of cameras, ESPN has rolled a total of 55, including 17 high frame rate super-slo-mo’s, two RF shallow depth of field mirrorless gimbal SteadiCams, and a 1080P Skycam system above the court. Multiple cameras, including the SkyCam have virtual overlay capabilities while several have also been enahnced with new AR graphics and optical tracking. ESPN’s production will also include live drone coverage with virtual overlay capability.

As for. on-air talent, Mike Breen calls the action on ABC along with analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson, with Lisa Salters reporting and officiating expert Steve Javie available from the NBA Replay Center. The trio of Breen, Van Gundy and Jackson will call their 14th NBA Finals together, expanding upon the record for the most in NBA history as a trio. Salters returns to the NBA Finals as sideline reporter for the second time, having previously held the role in 2006. Tim Corrigan, ESPN Vice President of Production, will continue to lead game production for the NBA Finals on ABC. Corrigan has been a part of all 20 of ESPN’s NBA Finals productions.

Studio Shows On-Site: First NBA Finals for New NBA Countdown, NBA Today Teams

NBA Countdown, ABC’s NBA Finals pregame show, will air 30 minutes prior to all games and will features several of ESPN’s highest-profile commentators, including Mike Greenberg, Stephen A. Smith, Curt Cowdy Media Award-winner Mike Wilbon and Jalen Rose with contributions from ESPN Senior NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski. The Game 1 edition of the show will include Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson joining the team live, on site.

NBA Today, ESPN’s weekday NBA show hosted by Malika Andrews, will travel to the NBA Finals for weekday shows. Andrews, ESPN NBA reporter and host, is joined by a team of analysts and writers, including former high-profile players such as Kendrick Perkins, Richard Jefferson, Vince Carter, current WNBA star Chiney Ogwumike and ESPN Senior Writer Zach Lowe. NBA Today made its debut at the start of the 2021-22 regular season and is making its first appearance at the NBA Finals.

Hoop Streams, ESPN’s digital NBA pregame show led by host and reporter Cassidy Hubbarth, will be courtside throughout the NBA Finals, starting 60 minutes before tipoff. Hoop Streams airs on ESPN’s Twitter, YouTube and Instagram platforms, as well as the ESPN App. Hubbarth will be joined by a cast of commentators, including Monica McNutt, Gary Striewski, David Jacoby, Christine Williamson, Richard Jefferson, Kendrick Perkins, Chiney Ogwumike, and more.

ESPN will offer its most comprehensive on-site NBA Finals coverage to date, with content appearing across platforms throughout the NBA Finals. On-site platforms include:

• SportsCenter;
• First Take;
• Pardon The Interruption;
• Jalen & Jacoby;
• ESPN social media: Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, SportsCenter on Snapchat, Facebook.

The NBA Finals will so be available in Spanish on ESPN Deportes. All NBA Finals content and programming is available to stream on the ESPN App.

Stay tuned to sportsvideo.org for more in-depth coverage of ESPN’s productions as the NBA Finals progress.