Knicks-Nets gets 4-generation alternate broadcast on ESPN2
A preview of the scoreboard graphics to be used in the NBA75 Celebration Game on April 6 between the Nets and Knicks on ESPN2. Top left: 1960s (first quarter); top right: 1970s (second quarter); bottom left: 1980s (third quarter); bottom right: 1990s (fourth quarter). Credit: ESPN Images
Want to see first-hand what an NBA broadcast looked like from the 1960s? Maybe you miss hearing "Roundball Rock" as you flipped to a game on NBC in the 1990s? Next week's NBA75 Celebration Game between the Nets and Knicks has you more than covered.
Wednesday's game at Madison Square Garden will have a special alternate broadcast on ESPN2 featuring the look, feel and sounds of decades past, ESPN announced Thursday.
Each quarter will honor a different decade of the NBA's television history.
- The first quarter will feature the style of 1960s broadcasts on ABC (complete with a black-and-white filter).
- The second quarter will pay homage to the 1970s broadcasts on CBS.
- The third quarter will be stylized after the 1980s games on CBS.
- The fourth quarter will be inspired by the 1990s telecasts on NBC.
Each decade will have custom graphics per era, including starting lineups, standings, stats, team logos, venue information and even copyright language. There also will be classic network theme songs in each broadcast, and music from each era will be used during highlights and when coming in and out of commercial breaks.
“We’re taking fans on a journey through the evolution of this vibrant, culturally impactful league while also pairing the content with the iconic performers of today," ESPN vice president of production Tim Corrigan said in a statement. "We’re excited to pay homage to the networks that paved the way for what we have been doing for the past two decades at ESPN. Regardless of age or era, if you love basketball, there is something for you in this broadcast.”
The broadcast also will feature several special guests both on-site and remotely, including members of the NBA75 player list and Hall of Fame coaches and broadcasters.
ESPN/ABC's NBA Finals broadcast team of Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson and Lisa Salters will call the special broadcast. Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Hubie Brown, celebrating his 50th season in professional basketball, also will join the telecast.
ESPN will air the traditional game broadcast, with Ryan Ruocco providing play-by-play, Brown as the analyst and Cassidy Hubbarth reporting.
Nick Klopsis is Newsday.com's sports editor. He often can be found studying NFL and college football film for his latest draft breakdown.
