An NBC source said yesterday that Isiah Thomas will
"replace" analyst John Salley as part of the "NBA on NBC"
studio crew, according to Bob Raissman of the N.Y. DAILY
NEWS. Although NBC execs "wouldn't elaborate" on the
report, Raissman writes that "it was obvious" that "they
weren't happy" with Salley, who joined Hannah Storm and
Peter Vecsey in the studio. Raissman adds that Thomas'
shift "isn't surprising" since he "didn't light things up
behind the mike in his rookie year" as an game analyst. With
Thomas' move to the studio, NBC's No. 1 broadcast team will
pair Bob Costas and Doug Collins (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/24).
In Houston, David Barron writes that Thomas "could flourish"
in his new role because his "voice and demeanor seem to be
better suited for studio work" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 7/24).
PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE? The NBA yesterday
released its '98-99 schedule, as well as its national TV
broadcast slate. NBC and Turner will feature the Bulls 11
and 14 times, respectively, next season. NBC Sports Chair
Dick Ebersol said that even "if Michael [Jordan] doesn't
play for the Bulls next season, they'll still be a draw in
Chicago," while Turner Sports Senior VP Kevin O'Malley said
the schedule could be altered if "the Bulls change a lot."
O'Malley added that the Turner nets "have the flexibility to
make up" games lost due to the lockout (Rudy Martzke, USA
TODAY, 7/24). In Chicago, Michael Hirsley writes that the
broadcast schedule released yesterday "takes the optimistic
view that the Bulls will return a popular team to the
court." O'Malley, on the impact of Jordan's possible
retirement: "You'd certainly expect some negative impact.
... But the game rolls on" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/24).
