Doris Burke Reflects on Her Career at ESPN and the Upcoming NBA Cup
During her illustrious 30-year career at ESPN, Doris Burke has pretty much seen it all.
This Friday, however, she will take on something new — the NBA’s first-ever in-season tournament.
Leading ESPN’s NBA Coverage
ESPN announced in August that Burke would join Mike Breen and Doc Rivers to form ESPN and ABC’s top NBA broadcast crew.
“As our team begins this journey, I feel very fortunate to be working alongside Mike Breen and Doc Rivers. Mike is as good as anyone who has ever done it in terms of play-by-play skills, and he brings the best out of a variety of color analysts. Doc, already, has proven to be so engaging and interesting. What it means in the broader context, I don’t know. I think we are all just committed to growing and working to have a great telecast every game,” Burke says.
The NBA Cup
This year, in addition to leading ESPN’s regular-season NBA coverage, Burke and her team will also announce the NBA’s inaugural NBA Cup. The first-ever in-season tournament.
“There’s a bit of the unknown as it relates to the tournament. So, for us, I think it’s exciting. What I know for sure is that NBA players, at their core, are competitors. And, as this event unfolds and we get closer to the games in Las Vegas, with both a championship cup and financial remuneration at stake, the intensity will rise,” Burke explains.
What Makes ESPN So Special?
After 30 years covering basketball at ESPN, Burke knows what makes the network so special.
“What makes ESPN so special: the people. It is a place filled with passionate, hardworking, highly competent individuals who care deeply about the product. I feel very fortunate to be surrounded by pros.”
The NBA in-season tournament will top off on Friday. I can’t wait!