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The cast is expected to stay together. With O’Neal signing a long-term extension paying him more than $15 million a year, the Beatles of Basketball TV are all under contract. All four will remain TNT employees, but they’re all expected to report for duty when the show is licensed to ESPN. The show will continue to be produced in the same Atlanta studio with the same behind-the-scenes crew. The only difference is that the set will bear ESPN branding rather than the TNT logo.
Ever since ESPN made its historic trade for TNT Sports’ Inside the NBA, questions have lingered about whether one or more of the current cast will jump ship before next season. But here’s some good news for fans: ESPN boss Jimmy Pitaro expects the Beatles of basketball to stay together when TNT licenses their iconic show to ESPN next season. “I have not heard any false notes. My understanding is we’re keeping the band together,” Pitaro told Front Office Sports during a press briefing last week.
Kevin Durant, Ray Lewis, and Pharrell Williams are part of a group teaming up to revitalize a Baltimore arena that has hosted everyone from NBA teams to the Beatles. CFG Bank Arena — originally the Baltimore Civic Center and most recently Royal Farms Arena — received its new name Tuesday at a ceremony featuring Williams and Lewis as it prepares to reopen next year.
Nick Kosmider: The Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the former home of the Blazers and venue for tonight’s game, hosted the Beatles on their U.S. Tour in 1965. So I asked Malone his favorite Beatles song: “I’m more of a Led Zeppelin guy.”
Josh Lewenberg: Is Nurse disappointed or relieved that Steph/Draymond aren't playing? "Probably neither. Somewhere in the middle of those 2. We've just gotta play the game... I guess I would be disappointed for our fans that wanna see those guys... they're the Beatles of the NBA."
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Even with the blowouts, TNT is posting some impressive ratings. Through three games, the cable network’s telecasts of the Western Conference Finals have averaged eight million viewers. That’s up 30 percent from TNT’s coverage of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals (Cavaliers-Celtics), and an 18 percent boost over the 2017 Western Finals (Warriors-Spurs). Sunday’s game was the weekend’s top-rated sports program across all of television — broadcast and cable. The solid ratings, claims Albert, are testament to the NBA’s ever-growing popularity. “It’s probably the greatest it’s ever been,” says the Hall of Fame broadcaster who has been associated with the NBA for nearly 50 years. “For me, it really started with the Dream Team at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. Those guys were mobbed everywhere they went. They were like the Beatles. Now, you’re seeing the European influx (of players). The game is probably more global than any other sport. … And the league is filled with recognizable stars. Look at how many NBA players show up in TV commercials these days. You don’t see all that many baseball players in the commercials.”
And so began a two-year-long mentorship which included, among other things, many screenings of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly films, and listening to Beatles music. “Everything he saw–everything in the world–was a library to him,” said Bryant at Summit LA17, an ideas festival, this past Saturday. “Everything was an opportunity to get better.” Jackson was reportedly inspired by everything from the way a tree moved in the wind to how a child interacted with his mother. “That is the biggest lesson I took away.”
Cuban said it was too late to make a video board tribute — he wanted to — but he did request the American Airlines Center play as many Prince songs as possible. So far in pregame, there’s been a solid playlist with “Little Red Corvette,” “I Would Die 4 U,” and “When Doves Cry.” They also included “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” which is by the Beatles, but Prince performed it in 2011 alongside Tom Petty, Steve Winwood and Jeff Lynne. His guitar solo was absolutely breathtaking.
A Beatles tribute band will provide the entertainment at next year’s San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame ceremony. But given the class of 2016’s makeup, a band from Cole High School might be a better fit. Shaquille O’Neal, one of the most dominant big men in NBA history, headlines the inductees, and he’ll be joined by the Cole Cougars team he powered to the 1989 Class 3A state basketball championship.
Heat owner Mickey Arison was walking around shmoozing with the crowd, so I asked him what he thought of Battier’s karaoke. He was hesitant to answer questions until I assured him they would not be basketball related. Then he spoke enthusiastically. “I always like when Shane sings the Love Boat theme,” he said. “It always makes me happy.” He added, “I love Motown and I love the Beatles.” I asked Arison if who he would like to have perform at half time of a Heat game, if he could pick anyone. He told me: “I wish we could bring John Lennon back from the dead.”
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Though Lopez knows there’s a downside to being a budding superhunk. There’s a potential for British-invasion, teen girl pandemonium breaking out in ever city RoLo travels to. Despite the dangers, Lopez says it’s his duty to give the world as much Lopez as they can handle, for the sake of humanity. “In the end, the Beatles went down in history, didn’t they?,” said Lopez. “I think the four men of the Beatles are an apt comparison for one Robin Lopez.”
DETAILS: What kind of music do you like? Mikhail Prokhorov: Every year, I travel to Ibiza, and I go to nightclubs occasionally, and there I like house and techno. I grew up on the music of the seventies and eighties and even going back to the sixties—the Beatles, mainly. I also like Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple.
Minneapolis born and raised, White is the most unique talent in this year's draft. He is a gifted 6-8 forward who tantalizes NBA scouts with ball-handling and passing skills befitting a point guard; perplexes them with his youthful decisions and medically diagnosed angst; and intrigues them with a perspective beyond his 21 years. When somebody in Chicago asked if the bushy beard he sprouted since completing his first and only season at Iowa State is an homage to Oklahoma City Thunder player James Harden, White answered it is inspired by his ... favorite Beatle? "John Lennon," he said. "Philosophically and inspirationally, I connect with him."
Kevin Love: This summer, the most eye-opening trip was to China. I went there for a series of signings and appearances for my shoe company. Ultimately, the trip amounted to about five days with a nonstop schedule spread among Beijing, Nanjing, Changsha, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. At each stop, I was exposed to how much the sport has grown in China. After the reaction only a few of us got, I can only imagine that if a group of immensely popular players were to do a tour there, it would mirror the attention the Beatles had when they would roll into town. The popularity of our sport and the players is tremendous. For patriotic purposes, I’d like to think the Redeem Team’s success at the 2008 Beijing Olympics had a lot to do with this. I heard that there are more NBA fans in China than there are people in the United States. I was taken aback by that, but after witnessing the crowds that met us in each city, it was easier to believe. It is a true testament to our sport, and I was proud to be representing the sport of basketball and my country.
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