NBA cancels all media availability for the duration of the Lakers and Nets trip to China
The NBA consulted with players for the decision.
NBA News
Rockets’ PR staffer shuts down CNN reporter asking players about China, says “basketball questions only” (updated)
"Basketball questions only" was a bad look here.
Chinese government cancels all media availability for Lakers, Nets, and Adam Silver
Sponsors also pulled out, resulting in logos on the court being painted over.
President Trump blasts Steve Kerr and Gregg Popovich for muted comments on Hong Kong amidst NBA-China dispute
"I watched this guy, Steve Kerr, and he was like a little boy who was so scared to even be answering the question."
ESPN memo reportedly told shows to “avoid any political discussions about China and Hong Kong”
ESPN's focus on the basketball issues rather than the root of the Hong Kong protests appears to be by management's design.
China stops broadcasting NBA preseason games in latest fallout from Daryl Morey’s pro-Hong Kong protest tweet
Morey's tweet has now led to NBA pre-season games being pulled off Chinese TV.
The Starters are joining The Athletic for a daily “No Dunks” podcast outside the paywall, can still strike a separate deal for video...
No Dunks will be carried on the The Free Agents feed the group launched this summer. There may be bonus interviews, mailbags or other extra content behind The Athletic's paywall, but the base daily podcast will be free.
John Hollinger returns to media at The Athletic after seven years in the Memphis front office
Hollinger left ESPN for the Grizzlies in 2012.
G League rules experiment will limit free throws to one attempt in an effort to reduce game length
The league is looking to reduce game times under two hours.
Skip Bayless blames LeBron James for his lack of sleep, but his obsession with James and his 2 a.m. wakeups are better culprits
It's not James telling Bayless to get up at 2 a.m. every day and run for an hour before heading to work.
Zach Lowe reportedly agrees to multi-year extension with ESPN
It looks like Lowe has again decided to stick with ESPN despite interest from other companies.
HBO’s Showtime Lakers series casts Quincy Isaiah, Solomon Hughes as Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
The Adam McKay-helmed pilot also features John C. Reilly as Jerry Buss.
ESPN releases trailer for ten-part “The Last Dance” docuseries on Michael Jordan and the ’97-’98 Chicago Bulls
The ten-part series will premiere sometime in 2020.
Cleveland Cavaliers, Fox Sports Ohio play-by-play man Fred McLeod dies suddenly at 67
Prior to his Cavs work, McLeod was the voice of the Pistons for 22 seasons.
ESPN is reportedly negotiating a buyout with Michelle Beadle, and may wind up reducing NBA Countdown overall
In addition to Countdown personnel changes, the show may wind up being less prominent overall, with The Jump potentially replacing it ahead of Saturday games.
