ESPN's Paul Pierce has drawn headlines during the NBA playoffs for his "pitiful takes ... and worse predictions," but "people are paying attention" to what he is saying on the net's "Countdown" show, according to Jacob Feldman of SI.com. Pierce drew headlines -- and remains an object of derision in Milwaukee -- for saying the Bucks-Celtics series was "over" after the Celtics' 22-point Game 1 win. The Bucks won the next four games. TNT's Charles Barkley "remains the king of blogbait, capable of igniting news cycles with a single chirp," but Pierce on three separate occasions has "briefly eclipsed him in online interest according to Google Trends data." That verifies that Pierce "is becoming a TV thing. Feldman: "Maybe that thing is a joke sometimes. But the joke plays." Two years after retiring, Pierce has shown he is "capable of generating waves and getting away with mistakes." The fact that he "seems to believe everything he’s saying only helps." His takes "provide some reliable surprise for a 'Countdown' show that has morphed multiple times this decade" (SI.com, 5/15).
VOICE OF PASSION: UPROXX.com's Robby Kalland profiled ESPN's Cassidy Hubbarth and noted her "authentic passion for the NBA is immediately apparent and a big part of what has led to her rapid rise on ESPN’s NBA coverage." Hubbarth has "become a staple of NBA broadcasts, and that passion and connection with the NBA audience helps her stand out." She is "as active on NBA Twitter as anyone in the TV industry" (UPROXX.com, 5/14).
MORE AIR TIME: ESPN's daily NBA show "The Jump" is increasing its on-site NBA Finals presence this year with the addition of a primetime show on game days. "The Jump" will continue to air live in its regular afternoon timeslot -- 3:00-4:00pm ET on ESPN -- and also will now air from 8:00-8:30pm on ESPN prior to weekday NBA Finals games. Rachel Nichols will also host special 7:00pm editions of "SportsCenter" on-site at the Western Conference Finals, starting with Trail Blazers-Warriors Game 2. Nichols will be joined by a rotating cast of commentators from "The Jump," including Scottie Pippen (in Portland), Tracy McGrady, Brian Windhorst, Nick Friedell, Richard Jefferson and several surprise guests (ESPN).
