NBA Finals 2014: Why TNT has lapped ESPN in coverage

Photo from Wikimedia

Now that the conference finals are over, TNT has closed up shop and now ESPN/ABC will have insufferable coverage for the next month. It's already missed.

By now, it's obvious how much better the TNT studio is compared to ESPN. The firm hosting by Ernie Johnson along with great analysis by Kenny "The Jet" Smith, uncensored insight from Charles Barkley, and entertainment relief from Shaq has perfect chemistry in NBA coverage. Sure, it doesn't mesh that well when Turner Sports picks up NCAA Basketball coverage, but it's at its height during the playoffs.

They roll with coverage nightly until ESPN/ABC picks it up over the weekend, and the sheer contrast can easily be seen in studio coverage, announcing crews, and just overall feel. TNT knows how to keep things fresh, fun, and enjoyable.

ESPN is an absolute mess of a studio show that can't keep continuity because they can't find a crew that works. At least there's a host this year, and Sage Steele is probably the best part of the entire crew. Pairing up Bill Simmons and Jalen Rose as best buds is close to nauseating. Simmons has degressed in his second year on the set and should put more focus on Grantland where he shines.

It's actually better in terms of content without Michael Wilbon or Magic Johnson, but the chemistry is way off. It doesn't feel like anything is fun when watching ESPN's studio or game coverage. It's all serious business, LeBron James, hard takes, LeBron James, LeBron James, "BANG!", LeBron James, Halftime music video, promoting the newest cell phone, LeBron James, "MAMA THERE GOES THAT MAN," LeBron James, LeBron James.

ESPN coverage is so bad they have to bring in Jimmy Kimmel for the first half hour on ABC just to keep it entertaining, because the studio can't do an hour-long show before the biggest games of the season.

TNT does spit out advertising just as much, but it doesn't feel forced or manufactured as ESPN. The worst part of their coverage is probably Kevin Hart getting too much airtime. The best part of ESPN is Jeff Van Gundy, but he's basically Shaq in the booth -- entertainment relief.

From end to end, TNT coverage not only beats, but laps ESPN coverage in every way. Those that follow hockey know that they can find premier coverage of their sport without even glancing at the four-letter network. The NBA product may also improve if even more coverage was found on NBATV and TNT, perhaps if Turner Sports ever got the whole NBA package themselves.

No, it'll never happen, because the money ESPN reels in can't be passed up. But maybe TNT can just take over the ESPN studio for the Finals.

It could be worse though. I wouldn't put it past the four-letter suits to smack in a little First Take with Jimmy Kimmel, and we may be a year from that if they can't find a studio show that works. That, and LeBron going to the Lakers, would really make stop watching the NBA for good and becoming a full-time NHL fan.