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wildturkey
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Several stories out there so you can google them yourself. But Wilbon and Magic are out of ESPN's NBA Countdown. Wilbon's role is being scaled back so he can do PTI in person more (ratings dip when he's away). Magic Johnson is leaving ESPN all together to tend to his numerous other ventures. The new lineup hasn't been announced but its believed to be Bill Simmons, Jalen Rose, Doug Collins, and Doris Burke.
I can say this is a good move. Magic is a great guy and I've seen him in other roles where he's funny and engaging but he's downright awful as a TV analyst. His knowledge and personality just don't translate in that role. You can visually see him thinking before he speaks and it just makes things awkward. It almost makes me think that he speaks in slang a lot in real life so he has to catch himself and try something else on camera. Regardless, its bad and he usually offers little more than "This team gonna have to play hard to win the game" or other useless bits of info.
Wilbon wasn't much better imo and that's surprising since he's good on PTI. He stumbled a lot in traditional hosting duties, making awkward reads and transitions to new segments or commercials. It just didn't look natural for him to drive a conversation in a studio manner.
Collins was fantastic as a in game commentator in his previous TV stint so maybe he'll work well in studio. As for Burke, I hope she takes on the role of a more traditional host. One of the things that really bothered me with ESPN's show was just how bad Wilbon and sometimes Rose were at that stuff. It makes you appreciate guys like Ernie Johnson that much more.
I can say this is a good move. Magic is a great guy and I've seen him in other roles where he's funny and engaging but he's downright awful as a TV analyst. His knowledge and personality just don't translate in that role. You can visually see him thinking before he speaks and it just makes things awkward. It almost makes me think that he speaks in slang a lot in real life so he has to catch himself and try something else on camera. Regardless, its bad and he usually offers little more than "This team gonna have to play hard to win the game" or other useless bits of info.
Wilbon wasn't much better imo and that's surprising since he's good on PTI. He stumbled a lot in traditional hosting duties, making awkward reads and transitions to new segments or commercials. It just didn't look natural for him to drive a conversation in a studio manner.
Collins was fantastic as a in game commentator in his previous TV stint so maybe he'll work well in studio. As for Burke, I hope she takes on the role of a more traditional host. One of the things that really bothered me with ESPN's show was just how bad Wilbon and sometimes Rose were at that stuff. It makes you appreciate guys like Ernie Johnson that much more.