NBA Countdown

United States

ESPN

NBA Countdown serves as the primer for game telecasts on both ABC and ESPN. It features a less-scripted format, highlighted by a lively round-table discussion and debate of the top story lines around the league. Seats at the table are reserved for host Sage Steele and analysts Doug Collins and Jalen Rose. The latter two impart wisdom based on many years of combined playing and coaching experience. Doris Burke contributes analysis on the program's Wednesday editions.

NBA Draft

The NBA Draft is an annual event dating back to 1947 in which the teams from the National Basketball Association can draft players who are eligible and wish to join the league. These are typically college basketball players, but international players are also eligible to be drafted. College players who have finished their four-year college eligibility are automatically eligible for selection, while the underclassmen have to declare their eligibility and give up their remaining college eligibility. International players who are at least 22 years old are automatically eligible for selection, while the players younger than 22 have to declare their eligibility. Players who are not automatically eligible but have declared their eligibility are often called "early-entrants" or "early-entry candidates". The draft usually takes place near the end of June, during the NBA offseason.

NBA Awards

The NBA Awards is an annual special event that honors the best players in the National Basketball Association.

NBA Tonight

ESPN2

NBA Tonight is a highlights, news and information show -- regularly airing late night on ESPN2 -- is predominantly hosted by Cassidy Hubbarth. A rotating roster of analysts includes Tim Legler, Bruce Bowen, Antonio Davis, P.J. Carlesimo and George Karl, who break down all the action, comment on league business and discuss who's hot and who's not.

NBA Finals

The NBA Finals is the annual championship series of the National Basketball Association. The Eastern and Western conference champions play a best-of-seven game series to determine the league champion. The winners of the Finals are awarded the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy, which replaced the Walter A.

Inside the NBA

Inside the NBA is the postgame show for NBA on TNT broadcasts. The program features host Ernie Johnson with analysts Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal. Occasionally, Johnson, Smith, Barkley, and O'Neal are joined by analysts Chris Webber and Grant Hill. The show has won nine Emmy Awards, Ernie has won three as a studio host and Charles Barkley has won two as a studio analyst.

NBA All-Star Game

The NBA All-Star Game is a basketball exhibition game hosted annually by the National Basketball Association (NBA), matching the league's star players from the Eastern Conference against their counterparts from the Western Conference. Each conference team consists of 12 players, making it 24 in total. It is the featured event of NBA All-Star Weekend. NBA All-Star Weekend is a three-day event which goes from Friday to Sunday. The All-Star game was first staged at the Boston Garden on March 2, 1951. The starting line-up for each squad is selected by a fan ballot, while the reserves are chosen by a vote among the head coaches from each squad's respective conference. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own players. If a selected player is injured and cannot participate, the NBA commissioner selects a replacement. The head coach of the team with the best record in each conference is chosen to lead their respective conference in the All-Star Game, with a prohibition against repeat appearances. Known as the "Riley Rule", it was created after perennially successful Los Angeles Lakers head coach Pat Riley earned the right to coach the Western Conference team eight times in nine seasons between 1982 and 1990. The coach of the team with the next best record serves instead.

NBA On TNT

NBA On TNT, hosted by Ernie Johnson and analysts Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith ready viewers for NBA action before TNT's Thursday night doubleheaders (and other select telecasts). Guest analysts also are featured from time to time, including Chris Webber and Kevin McHale!

NBA on TNT

Each week, TNT features the biggest superstars in the hottest hoops matchups and TNT's Emmy® award-winning studio show--hosted by Ernie Johnson, with analysts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith--brings the in-depth game analysis.

NBA: The Jump

As part of her return to ESPN2 on Feb. 1, Rachel Nichols will host a new, daily program focused on the NBA that will debut Thursday, Feb. 18, when NBA games resume following the All-Star break. NBA: The Jump will air on ESPN at 3:30 p.m. ET Monday-Friday. The fast-paced, half-hour program will originate from ESPN's Los Angeles studios and will include regular appearances by current and former NBA players, as well as ESPN analysts, reporters and insiders. The show will be produced by ESPN senior coordinating producer Kevin Wildes and coordinating producer Richelle Markazene.

NBA TV Shows