It’s the NBA off-season and teams are already making huge changes to their roster. Not only the teams but NBA media houses are also undergoing major changes in their roster, most notably ESPN. Despite being owned by The Walt Disney Company, which has a net worth of $157.53 billion, ESPN has fired 20 well-known voices in the past few weeks. During this time, veteran NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith has faced the brunt of NBA fans and other media personalities.

After all, he has a high salary. Days after their mass layoffs, it seems like ESPN is ready to add some firepower to their team with the addition of a title-winning coach.

Stephen A. Smith set to have some tough competition next season

Veteran NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith and his popular show ‘First Take’ have topped television ratings for quite some time now. Interestingly, this was used as a defense by Smith when he addressed all his critics a few days ago.

Days after ESPN laid off 20 commentators and analysts, there is a huge new update about ESPN’s next signing. It is former Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers. 

The 2008 NBA title-winning coach is a respected name in the basketball world. After all, he has been in the game for over two decades.

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“Nothing is imminent now, but hearing there’s a good chance that Doc Rivers and Doris Burke join Mike Breen on ESPN’s top NBA broadcast team next season”, wrote Boston beat writer Chad Finn on Twitter.

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Having been named coach of the month on multiple occasions and the Coach of The Year in 2000, Rivers brings a lot to ESPN if the deal goes through. This might pose a challenge to Smith’s top spot in the ratings.

Smith was sympathetic to Rivers’ situation a few months ago

The 76ers blew a 3-1 lead over the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals during the 2023 NBA Playoffs. As a result, Rivers lost his job.

Talking on First Take with JJ Reddick, Smith said, “I said immediately that they cursed Doc Rivers’ job. I didn’t want it to happen, but I had anticipated it and its really, really, unfortunate.”

Unlike some other coaches who lost their jobs and found new teams shortly after, Rivers hasn’t clarified his future. However, it seems like a career in ESPN is what lies ahead of him.

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What are your thoughts on Doc Rivers’ news? Let us know in the comments below.