Inside the NBA (ESPN) vs. Amazon vs. NBC

FrodoBaggins · Post #1 » by **FrodoBaggins** » Sun Nov 9, 2025 11:54 am

Which halftime and postgame studio show are you liking the most so far? I'm really enjoying Amazon's team of Rooks, Haslem, Nash, Griffin, & Nowitzki. It's refreshing to hear from guys who actually watch the games and played in recent history. Inside the NBA is always going to be fun for its antics between the cast, but you get the feeling they stopped caring a long time ago.

NBC, I don't like. I'm not feeling the Melo-McGrady-Vince combo.

HotRocks34 · Post #2 » by **HotRocks34** » Sun Nov 9, 2025 12:01 pm

Amazon Prime is fantastic. That's my go-to now. Reminds me of the old days of just basketball talk, no screaming and no "what does this mean for LeBron's legacy" goofiness.

After watching Prime I can't really watch ESPN anymore. My tolerance was already low but now it's basically zero.

I haven't watched NBC enough to form an opinion yet.

doogie_hauser · Post #3 » by **doogie_hauser** » Sun Nov 9, 2025 1:24 pm

Prime have been surprisingly great, with the best, most insightful and interesting talking heads panel.

NBC stan for the fantastic music and best commentary team.

Ita amazing how much more enjoyable and refreshing the new networks and streamers have been over the extremely toxic and negative TNT and ESPN crews.

Its nice to hear from experts who actually love the game and constantly try praise the current players and stars, rather than constantly trying to tear them down (a major failing with TNT and ESPN (to a degree) )

zeebneeb · Post #4 » by **zeebneeb** » Sun Nov 9, 2025 1:26 pm

Everyone already knew how bad ESPN games have been. Horrendous production values. Lack of game knowledge. Terrible talking heads. You name it.

NBC, and Prime have made ESPN look even worse. Exposed really. Ill always have a soft spot for inside, but past that, NBC-PRIME----------------
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ESPN.

Ssj16 · Post #5 » by **Ssj16** » Sun Nov 9, 2025 1:27 pm

I've only watched a little of Prime, but I'm impressed by their production and I get what the hype is about.

Shaka_Zulu · Post #6 » by **Shaka_Zulu** » Sun Nov 9, 2025 1:37 pm

Yeah Amazon prime show is lowkey and new, but its great. Just straight hoops talk, no showbussiness fuss or fluff, analysing the games in positive and normal way. They go through the X and Os and share genuine basketball knowledge. Its already well liked by the players they interview.

I just have to learn the shows name, not write Amazon prime nba, but Amazon prime nightcap lol

Post #7 » by **og15** » Sun Nov 9, 2025 9:38 pm

Watch on YouTube

Post #8 » by **Duke4life831** » Sun Nov 9, 2025 11:49 pm

Ive only seen clips of Prime's show. But from what Ive seen, not crazy its damn good. Dirk, Blake, and Haslem are 3 guys that know the game, love the game, watch the game and love to talk about the game. And throw in Blake has always been super charismatic and entertaining.

I feel like the issue with ESPN for at least 10+ years has been them clearly trying to copy Inside the NBA. That format is lightening in a bottle, you cant replicate that. Ernie is as good as it gets and Chuck is as entertaining as it gets. Those two guys dont just grow on trees. You dont tune into them for a hardcore breakdown of current basketball, you tune into it because theyre just so damn entertaining.

And the thing is, I feel like ESPN has just been trying that formula over and over again. No hardcore discussion on the actual game, just try and find as many big names as you can and throw them out there and hope its entertaining. Its never worked for them.

Amazon on the other hand went a completely different route. More focused on actual basketball talk, its great hearing Dirk and Haslem talk basketball. And again Blake is similar, but he also brings a level of charisma and entertainment.

Its funny that ESPN has failed over and over again for years. While Amazon hits it out of the park their very first try haha.

MrBigShot · Post #9 » by **MrBigShot** » Sun Nov 9, 2025 11:57 pm

Prime nailed it getting Dirk, Blake and Nash on the crew.

Lockdown504090 · Post #10 » by **Lockdown504090** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 12:13 am

HotRocks34 wrote:Amazon Prime is fantastic. That's my go-to now. Reminds me of the old days of just basketball talk, no screaming and no "what does this mean for LeBron's legacy" goofiness.

After watching Prime I can't really watch ESPN anymore. My tolerance was already low but now it's basically zero.

I haven't watched NBC enough to form an opinion yet.

I think the problem for espn is also that they cant really go back either. We might be tired of their shock jocking, but their audience is trained on it and doesnt seem to be interested in the other side.

Watch on YouTube

the difference in content type and and performance is telling.

look at prime, with 10 percent of ESPN on NBA's subscribers, and the quality. They broke down the heat offense with 5 analysts on the floor and 2 guys on the damn team at the 7:20 mark

Watch on YouTube

NYPiston · Post #11 » by **NYPiston** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 12:31 am

It's always Inside the NBA for me. I thought they were running on fumes a bit on TNT the last few years, possibly due to an uncertain future, but they seem refreshed/rejuvenated this season and it's been good content.

phanman · Post #12 » by **phanman** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 3:33 am

I think the game is in a great spot right now in regards to the broadcast. Each network has a superb in-game crew and I think the addition of Inside the NBA has made ESPN tolerable for their pre-game, half time and post game content. The decision to replace Legler with Doris was genius and I just love the chemistry he has with RJ and Mike and NBC with Tirico and Prime with Eagle they play-by-play guys are top-tier across the board.

Chuck Everett · Post #13 » by **Chuck Everett** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 3:46 am

When the games go off, I pretty much turn off the TV. I will watch them more come playoff time, I think.

Mr.Raptorsingh · Post #14 » by **Mr.Raptorsingh** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 4:00 am

Gotta go with Inside

ForeverTFC · Post #15 » by **ForeverTFC** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 4:08 am

Prime has been good though I think they would benefit from someone with a little more personality, probably to replace Haslem. Haven't watched NBA post game yet.

Ckay · Post #16 » by **Ckay** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 4:10 am

Let’s see what Jokic thinks.

ForeverTFC · Post #17 » by **ForeverTFC** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 4:11 am

phanman wrote:I think the game is in a great spot right now in regards to the broadcast. Each network has a superb in-game crew and I think the addition of Inside the NBA has made ESPN tolerable for their pre-game, half time and post game content. The decision to replace Legler with Doris was genius and I just love the chemistry he has with RJ and Mike and NBC with Tirico and Prime with Eagle they play-by-play guys are top-tier across the board.

Legler is the best color guy on TV and I'm glad ESPN finally came around to it.

Buckeye-NBAFan · Post #18 » by **Buckeye-NBAFan** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 4:21 am

og15 wrote:

Watch on YouTube

Host: UD, when did you know it was time to retire?

Haslem: 2015

LockoutSeason · Post #19 » by **LockoutSeason** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 2:59 pm

I’m not even a huge fan of Inside the NBA, but putting them on ESPN was the right move.

ESPN’s pre/post centered around Stephen A was unwatchable. The less Stephen A the better.

Optms · Post #20 » by **Optms** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 3:32 pm

Slight edge to NBC. Loving the Vince, T-Mac, Melo dou.

Amazon crew is amazing though. Tough call.

Chuck, Ernie, Shaq and Kenny are great too but I'd rather hear from the newer stars as far as in game analysis. They are so far removed from the modern game that they don't really understand how the game has become like the Amazon and NBC crew.