Ernie Johnson could barely get the words out.
The “Inside The NBA” race on TNT ended on Saturday evening after almost four decades as a league. The show will go to ESPN and ABC next season – and will keep Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley together, always doing most of Atlanta’s shows – but the last TNT signaling was emotional.
“I am proud to say for the last time:” Thank you for watching us. This is the NBA on TNT “,” said Johnson, before turning his back on the camera, placing his microphone on the desk and getting up from this set for the last time.
The NBA matches will not be broadcast on TNT from next season when the new League television package will undertake – a media rights agreement of 11 years worth at least $ 76 billion, which retains matches on ABC and ESPN, brings the League to NBC and begins a new relationship with Amazon Prime Video.
ABC will broadcast the NBA finalsThis means that the end of the Eastern Conference finals between Indiana and New York was the end of TNT’s race. Turner Sports acquired an NBA package for the first time in 1984 and the games had been on TNT since the launch of the network in 1988.
“Even if the name changes, the engine is still the same,” O’Neal said during the final broadcast. “And to this new network to which we come, we do not come (explained) around. … We take over, ok? I love you guys and I appreciate you guys.”
The time was not lost for the Indiana coach Rick Carlisle. His team was just won a place in the NBA final by beating New YorkAnd when his brief interview with Johnson during the trophy ceremony was over, Carlisle caught the microphone from the host’s hands.
“Congratulations to TNT for a fabulous and incredible race that is coming to an end,” said Carlisle in the tribute not. “We are all very sad about it.”
The names of countless broadcasters and past and current analysts were included in the many tributes offered on the air after the match, including Doug Collins, Hubie Brown, Dick Stockton, Cheryl Miller, Danny Ainge, John Thompson, Steve Kerr, Mike Frattelo, Marv Albert, Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Candaker and Crago Sager.
“Our hearts are full of gratitude,” said Kevin Harlan de TNT on the air, speaking to viewers. “No sadness, but gratitude and happiness for what was. It was an honor. It was a privilege. And I hope you all enjoyed it as much as us.”
Harlan knew the Play-by-Play call for the last match, with Reggie Miller, Stan Van Gundy and Allie Laforce on broadcasting.
“Think about my life. I’m very lucky,” said Miller. “I only know two things: 18 years old with a franchise in this building with the Indiana Pacers, and 19 years old with Turner.”
Many members of the TNT production team have obtained jobs with NBC and Amazon, said Johnson, due to their exemplary work at this stage. “The best production team of the company, I could add,” said Johnson.
And when he returned to the crew “inside the NBA” for the last time on TNT, the emotions were clear.
“It has just been a magnificent walk,” said Smith.
Barkley explained how he was going to sign with NBC at the start of his broadcasting career, then went to TNT.
“I just want to say thank you to the NBA,” said Barkley. “Each coach I had, each player I played with, for having given me this magnificent life that I had. I am so lucky and blessed. I am lucky and luck. And I want to thank TNT. Even if we will never say that TNT Sports, I would like to thank TNT for giving me a magnificent life.”
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba
