ESPN's Draft coverage last night produced the net's fifth-best NBA Draft overnight on recordNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
ESPN and ESPN2 combined for a 2.6 overnight rating for Thursday night's NBA Draft coverage, down slightly from a 2.7 last year, but above a 2.4 rating in '16. The '18 telecast qualifies as ESPN's fifth-best NBA Draft overnight on record. There was less drama this year with top selections, and smaller TV markets up top (Phoenix, Sacramento, Atlanta). Last year, more popular NBA TV markets in Philadelphia, L.A. and Boston had the top three picks. On Twitter, the Knicks' selection of F Kevin Knox at No. 9 overall was the most-tweeted moment of the night, followed by the Cavaliers' selection of G Collin Sexton at No. 8 overall. The most-tweeted-about player during the Draft was G Luka Doncic, who was drafted No. 3 overall by the Hawks and then traded to the Mavericks. No. 14 overall pick Michael Porter Jr., who slid due to health concerns, was second on that list. Among tweets about the Draft, 76ers C Joel Embiid being critical of No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton was the most-retweeted tweet (Austin Karp, Assistant Managing Editor).
ROCKY FIRST OUTING: ESPN's Chauncey Billups made his debut on ESPN's main draft set on Thursday, and The Athletic's Richard Deitsch wrote, "Just my opinion: Chauncey Billups has been excellent tonight." But not everyone shared that sentiment. The Nashville Tennessean's Joe Rexrode wrote, "I enjoyed watching Chauncey Billups play way more than I enjoy listening to his player comparisons." Author Tommy Tomlinson: "Chauncey Billiups just compared Michael Porter Jr. to Kevin Durant and I’m just gonna go silently weep for a little bit." USA Today's Dan Wolken: "Wondering how many times Chauncey Billups has seen MPJ play." Thunder F Patrick Patterson noted Billups compared No. 4 overall pick Jaren Jackson Jr. to Knicks C Joakim Noah and wrote, "Come on Chauncey. Noah? What a horrible comparison." Meanwhile, many Twitter users pointed out that Billups' player comparisons seemed to be made along racial lines. Black Sports Online's Robert Littal: Bro Chauncey compared Grayson to BOB SURA!!!!! LMAO seriously I can think of several current non white players Grayson is like, BOB SURA really lol." Littal later added, "Wonder who Chauncey going to compare Mo Wagner to...Joe Kleine? LMAO" (TWITTER.com, 6/21).
ASKING ALL THE RIGHT QUESTIONS: ESPN's Maria Taylor also made her Draft debut, serving as the off-stage interviewer. Taylor in an email wrote, "My first experience was even better than I expected. The Draft itself is a beautiful event and as soon as you walk into the arena, you feel like you are entering an award show. The moment the players showed up at the green carpet you could feel their excitement, and it was fun to be a part of such a special moment in their lives. Usually I am there when they are focused at performing their best, so you don’t get to see them let cut loose and truly enjoy the moment. It was great to see the guys that I have had the privilege of covering in college taking the next step in their careers." She said her favorite part of the night was visiting with players and their families in the green room. Taylor said, "Spending time with the moms and dads who have spent years supporting and believing in their sons helped the players make it to this moment. So watching them get emotional or try to describe how it feels to be in the arena was very memorable. My favorite interviews were Collin Sexton -- because he made a case for LeBron to stay in Cleveland -- and Deandre Ayton because he spoke so lovingly about his family and native country, the Bahamas. Also Lonnie Walker, because we surprised him by having 'The Admiral' David Robinson there when he sat down for the interview. It was like talking to the legacy of the Spurs and the future of the Spurs at the same time." Meanwhile, check out what Taylor has planned for this weekend with Draft coverage behind her (THE DAILY).
COACH SPEAK: In Seattle, Percy Allen writes Washington men’s basketball coach Mike Hopkins, who was part of Yahoo's Draft coverage, was a "bubbling personality with loads of charm, humor and insights about the college game." Hopkins teamed with NBA reporter Chris Mannix, former Hawks GM Wes Wilcox and college basketball reporter Pete Thamel on set, while NBA reporter Shams Charania "provided updates on the selections and trades during the five-hour telecast." Hopkins displayed "extensive knowledge about many of the 60 players who were selected in the draft, but the former Syracuse assistant shined brightest when the conversations steered toward Pac-12 and ACC players" (SEATTLE TIMES, 6/22).
