ESPN’s Cassidy Hubbarth has some late nights working for the Worldwide Leader's NBA team. As host of ESPN2's "NBA Tonight" at 1:00am ET, the 30-year-old Hubbarth and her production crew are always looking for ways to bring viewers new perspectives and highlights after a full night of games. The Chicago native and Northwestern grad also hosts the network's "NBA Coast to Coast" show, while making appearances on "SportsCenter" from time to time. As the '14-15 season gets underway, Hubbarth took some time to chat about her love of the NBA (and passion for the Bulls), which NBA talking heads she admires outside the walls of ESPN and the importance of using social media for today's media personalities.
Q: What is it that draws you to work on NBA coverage?
Hubbarth: I grew up in the Jordan era. So, the NBA was my first true love when it came to becoming a sports fan. It was just easy to fall in love with the Bulls and Jordan and Pippen. Actually my favorite player on the Bulls was, weirdly enough, Ron Harper. And we were that family growing up where you could hear my mom screaming from down the block during all six championship runs. So I fell in love with the NBA during that time. That’s also when it became a really big star-driven league, and it was so easy to identify people and get captured by personalities in the NBA, which I think is a huge reason for its popularity.
Q: Would you consider yourself a prolific tweeter? Is Twitter a must for today’s media personalities?
Hubbarth: I don’t know about prolific. I try. I definitely pick it up during the NBA season. The NBA has an incredible presence on social media and it is integral in how I do my job on “NBA Tonight” and “Coast to Coast.” Not only am I following and watching all the games, but I’m following my Twitter feed to keep tabs on big plays, big storylines, fashion. Little things that can make our show better that, in a night where there are 14 games and we have to do a 40-minute show -- which is like packing 10 pounds of sugar in a five-pound bag -- what’s going to be the most visual and most fun content we can give our viewers at 1:00am or 2:00am that they didn’t see while watching the games. So social media does that. And, it helps us get personalities out of the analysts on a fun play. Say for instance Swaggy P -- Nick Young -- is celebrating on a three-pointer, but he misses it. I can see that on Twitter and start developing an idea of how we can present that on TV. I really view Twitter as a resource for content on the show. The producer and I work hand in hand on how we want to stack the show and what kind of content we want to use. Let’s show them something that they didn’t see -- like a Bucks game. So social media is great for that -- and as a way to cultivate viewers.
Q: Length of games and length of the season seem to be among the hot topics these days. Is either something that can or should be shortened?
Hubbarth: I don’t understand how a 44-minute game would really help. You still have to play 82 games. I don't think it's about shorter games and your star players playing more. I think it’s about waking up and going to shoot-around and traveling for back-to-back games. And it’s a lot of games. But that’s how it’s always been. I don’t think that there is a good argument for either to be shortened. Just because you’re getting paid more means you should work less? I guess that’s everyone’s goal -- get paid more to work less. They can try to argue that point, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. And then, how can you make the argument for a shorter season, and then go play for a national team? It’s a tricky argument to make.
Q: Outside of ESPN, what NBA media personalities do you admire?
Hubbarth: Well, you cannot say enough about the (TNT) “Inside the NBA” guys. They know how to be entertaining, elevate their talent and also elevate the game in an interesting and fun way. This is not rocket science. It’s basketball. And it’s really fun and it’s an exciting time in the NBA, and they just really do that by not just focusing on the stars or big names, but showcasing lesser-known players in fun ways. I just love that. Charles Barkley is always entertaining to listen to, on anything and everything. He has that power where he can say anything and get away with it, which I think everyone in media strives for, but nobody can attain.
