The "NBA on TNT" honored Kobe Bryant last night at Staples Center "during an hour-long special" that opened with Bryant's "voice, over a photo montage of his memorable basketball moments," according to Jeff Zillgitt of USA TODAY. Beyonce's song, "Heaven," was "played in the background, and the lyrics, 'Heaven couldn't wait for you' began." Turner's Ernie Johnson was joined by Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Dwyane Wade during the special, and Johnson "directed the conversation like the pro that he is, making sure the show had the right tone and asking the questions that provided compelling answers" (USA TODAY, 1/29). In Chicago, Phil Rosenthal writes it was "extraordinary television, standing out even amid a stretch of 50-some hours that found so many smooth-as-glass broadcasters choking back grief while discussing Bryant." TNT's special programming "found so much feeling left to wring out and played like a public wake" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/29). In DC, Des Bieler writes there was a "poignant power in the sight of O'Neal and his colleagues seated on stools at midcourt in an otherwise empty arena where Bryant had so many of his magical moments" (WASHINGTON POST, 1/29). AWFUL ANNOUNCING's Andrew Bucholtz wrote the special was a "remarkable hour of television, and one that showed how much Bryant touched each of these people" (AWFULANNOUNCING.com, 1/28). In Miami, Barry Jackson writes these were "sad and surreal circumstances" for Wade to begin his broadcasting career with, and he "handled the moment with poise and grace, offering from-the-heart insight" (MIAMI HERALD, 1/29).
TWITTER REAX: The Athletic's Richard Deitsch tweeted, "I've written for many years on Inside The NBA. It is, for me, the greatest studio show of all-time. And of everything that show has done, I believe their finest moments have come when it is not about the play on the court. As we have seen once again tonight." MASN's Dan Kolko: "The @NBAonTNT and 'Inside the NBA' crew handled tonight's Kobe special perfectly, in my opinion. Let the people who knew Kobe just talk. Let them share their stories. Let them show their emotions. Let them cry. Let them grieve. It was raw, it was moving. It was so well done." Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman: "Listening to giants of the sports world talk about Kobe is one of the most riveting things I've ever seen on television." Bleacher Report's Tyler Conway: "TNT just went a full half hour without commercials to honor Kobe and give everyone a chance to speak without restriction. Whoever made that call...it was perfect." Dolphins assistant coach Gerald Alexander: "What I saw on TNT 2nite has been beautiful" (TWITTER.com, 1/28).
RISING TO THE OCCASION: In Boston, Chad Finn writes Monday's edition of ESPN's "The Jump" -- a show that "consistently captures the fun zeitgeist of the NBA -- was exceptional." Host Rachel Nichols was joined by Richard Jefferson, David Fizdale and Ice Cube in the studio, while Tracy McGrady and Jerry West "checked in via video." The tone of the show "felt like being at a wake among particularly articulate and thoughtful friends" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/29).
GOING INSIDE ESPN'S COVERAGE: THE ATHLETIC's Deitsch talked to ESPN's Michael Eaves, who anchored ESPN2's coverage of Bryant's death on Sunday. He said, "In the immediacy, it was all about providing as much accurate information as possible. It was basic journalism 101: who, what, when, where, why. As our coverage continued, it was also about getting reactions from those who knew him personally and covered him professionally. His death needed perspective beyond the facts." Eaves also said he was glad to be working alongside Zubin Mehenti, who he described as being "rock steady in that anchor chair." Eaves: "I knew our communication at the desk would be flawless. We were giving each other hand signals and swapping out questions with guests in real time" (THEATHLETIC.com, 1/29).
FORCED TO MAKE A QUICK PIVOT: The GLOBE & MAIL's Simon Houpt writes Sportsnet GM/News & Digital Content Jon Coleman "had to scramble" in the wake of Bryant's death. On Sunday, Coleman was on vacation, while back at the net's HQ, a "skeleton staff was working what was expected to be a quiet Sunday." Coleman told his head of digital to get reporters writing stories, but said, "We're not posting anything until we know." At 3:15pm ET, having "confirmed the reports with its own sources, the network tweeted out the news." Rival net TSN "tweeted it at 3:10." While Sportsnet staff "called their roster of NBA insiders trying to confirm the news," network schedulers "corralled whichever staff could get to the studio quickly." Coleman said of the staff's effort, "Tremendous credit to them and everybody involved. Not one person hesitated. Everybody dropped what they're doing, understanding the magnitude of this" (GLOBE & MAIL, 1/29).
GIVEN CLEARANCE: TMZ Founder Harvey Levin said that the outlet "had the OK from 'Kobe's people' to break news of the helicopter crash that killed the NBA legend." In N.Y., Tamar Lapin noted law enforcement "slammed the tabloid news website for publishing the story about Kobe Bryant's death before authorities had notified family members of the victims." Levin, in an interview with L.A.-based KNX-AM, "defended his site." He said, "We were told very clearly that (Vanessa Bryant) had been notified." When asked about the families of other victims being notified, Levin said, "That is a fair point." Levin: "We were dealing with (law enforcement) for an hour before we published the story and they said 'go for it'" (N.Y. POST, 1/29).
