ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel said of the Warriors-Cavaliers NBA Finals: "This is the first time in history that the first two games of a Finals series went into overtime. The Cavaliers won their first NBA Finals game ever in Game 2. LeBron has been impossible to stop. He had 39 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists despite the fact that he got hacked so badly that both China and North Korea had to deny responsibility.” Kimmel noted singer Rihanna was at Game 1 and Warriors Owner Joe Lacob “decided to upgrade her seats. He sent his kids to sit in Rihanna's seats so that she could sit at centercourt next to him. He didn't realize Rihanna would be loudly cheering for LeBron James, so much so that he got uncomfortable and had to move to another seat. How uncomfortable could he have been? She's cheering. It's a basketball game. Rihanna broke into my house in the middle of the night, I had no problem with it. In fact, I'm trying to get her to come back” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live Game Night,” ABC, 6/9).
Last night’s edition of ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live Game Night” featured a segment from “one of the more cherished rituals” of the NBA Finals, the postgame press conference. The show sent staffer Guillermo to cover the NBA Finals (“Jimmy Kimmel Live Game Night,” ABC, 6/9).
More Kimmel said, “As Americans, basketball is an important part of our lives. Without basketball, think of all the ridiculous looking shoes we wouldn’t have. … When a NBA Final Series is tied at one game apiece, the winner of Game 3 goes on to win the title 84% of the time, according to a group of mathematicians who never touched a basketball. … LeBron told reporters in addition to the usual things that usually motivate him, he has a secret motivation to win this time around and he wouldn’t tell anyone which is enticing. What could that motivation be? Maybe he’s pregnant? I hate to start rumors but that’s probably it” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 6/9).
NBC’s Jimmy Fallon said, “I want to say happy birthday to Kanye West, who turned 38 years old yesterday. To celebrate, Kim Kardashian rented out the entire Staples Center so he and his friends could play basketball. Complete with real refs, announcers and an empty Staples arena. So just like a real Lakers game. … NBC Sports announced yesterday that it reached a 12-year TV deal to carry multiple golf tournaments, including the Open and the Senior Open Championship, which explains NBC’s new jingle.” The broadcast then played NBC’s three chime jingle, replacing the final chime with a “shhhh” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 6/9).
