Anthony Edwards might’ve just delivered the wake-up call ESPN desperately needed—and he did it with a three-pointer so loud, even the Korean announcers went crazy. While Minnesota fans were busy throwing a party inside the Target Center after the Timberwolves demolished the Thunder 143-101 in Game 3, a different kind of noise was building online. This time, it wasn’t about Ant’s dunk package or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s vanishing act—it was about how painfully dull ESPN’s broadcast sounded in the middle of an electrifying game.

Basketball Twitter, Reddit, and even your group chat’s one guy who still wears a Rasheed Wallace Pistons jersey suddenly had one thing in common: a shared plea for ESPN’s Doris Burke and crew to bring more juice—or at least pretend they’re watching the same fireworks show we are. Let’s be real—Game 3 was an Anthony Edwards highlight reel wrapped in a playoff shellacking. The man dropped 30 points, nine boards, and six assists in just three quarters. Five of his buckets were from downtown, including one that had the Korean commentary booth sounding like they were witnessing the second coming of Steph Curry crossed with Jordan Game 6.

Meanwhile, over at ESPN’s broadcast, things were quieter than Julius Randle in a playoff huddle. Doris Burke, known for her polished and steady tone, delivered the moment like she was describing the final move in a chess match. Don’t get it twisted—Doris has been a trailblazer in the league’s media landscape. She knows her X’s and O’s better than half the front offices in the NBA. But let’s just say… energy levels were more “February Pelicans vs Hornets” than “Western Conference Finals blowout.”

And that’s when the internet spoke.

Fan Reactions: Doris Burke needs to learn a thing or two

“Man…the NBA on ESPN crew is so much worse than TNT. Not just pre-game and post-game. Play-by-play and color commentary are so much worse too.” This isn’t just petty TNT nostalgia—it’s a full-blown custody battle over the soul of playoff basketball. Ever since ESPN secured the lion’s share of NBA rights in the post-TNT era, fans have been longing for the chemistry of Barkley, Shaq, Kenny, and Ernie. Those guys talk hoops like they’re at a cookout. ESPN? More like a corporate seminar on proper pivot foot etiquette. What fans want is laughter, edge, and analysis that feels like it came from someone who’s seen a zone defense outside of a PowerPoint presentation.

“@espn game is literally unwatchable with Doris Burke on commentary, get her the f– k out.” Doris Burke is the ultimate paradox. She’s highly respected, universally praised in league circles, and has broken barriers like it’s her day job. But fans say her style, especially in these heated playoff games, is more suited for explaining pick-and-roll mechanics at a coaching clinic than calling a 35-foot Ant Edwards nuke. She’s calm when fans want chaos. And when Edwards turns into young MJ with a side of Dame Time, it’s jarring to hear the moment delivered like someone just discovered a coupon code.

“@heydb said she wanted to see Minnesota win in the pregame. I thought it was just pandering to the home viewers. Nope, her commentary is insufferable and has been all series. ESPN used to be the Worldwide Leader in Sports. She doesn’t fit that.” ESPN’s glory days came with booming voices, strong opinions, and zero fear of ruffling feathers. But these days, many feel it’s all too sanitized. The comment here touches a nerve—fans crave neutrality, or at the very least, consistency. When a broadcaster appears to be rooting mid-game, it throws off the balance. And when that’s paired with a delivery style that lacks flair? You get what many fans call “Walmart NBA Finals.”

“Thanks for the insightful commentary. Let me try. The Knicks are down 2-0. Did I do that right?” Sarcasm, yes. But also a cry for help. This is what happens when fans feel like they’re not getting added value from commentators. It’s not just about stating the score—it’s about breaking down why Jalen Brunson is struggling, why the Knicks’ defense can’t handle Haliburton, and what lineups are killing them. Fans want that classic Mike Breen “BANG!” energy mixed with some Jeff Van Gundy basketball nerd-talk—just maybe with fewer rants about league rule changes every 45 seconds.

So, where does this leave ESPN? The network is still a giant in the sports world, no doubt. But their NBA coverage is in the middle of what can only be called a personality drought. The old-school “just-the-facts” model doesn’t hold up when fans are used to TNT’s wild banter, Charles Barkley’s roast sessions, and Shaq accidentally revealing inside info between bites of chicken fingers. And the thing is, it wasn’t always like this. ESPN gave us Stuart Scott’s poetic swag, Dick Vitale’s high-octane madness, and even Stephen A. Smith’s meme-worthy hot takes (which, say what you want, kept people watching). Now? Many fans say the soul’s missing.

This isn’t about piling on Doris Burke—it’s about acknowledging the gap between what ESPN thinks fans want and what actually resonates. As the playoffs roll on, viewers are begging for broadcasts that treat big moments like they’re, well, big. Whether that means revamping the on-air crew, adding more analysts who’ve actually battled through playoff wars, or just letting commentators get a little louder, it’s time for ESPN to adapt—or risk becoming background noise in the loudest season of the year.

Until then, we’ll be watching highlights on mute—with the Korean feed on loop.