ESPN will present unique behind-the-scenes coverage capturing a day in the life of an NBA franchise as the Charlotte Bobcats prepare to take the court against the Orlando Magic Friday, Dec. 14. In addition to increased access within the game coverage, ESPN's all-access pass will include a running live blog from TrueHoop's Henry Abbott, an interview with Bobcats GM Rod Higgins on Chad Ford's NBA Dish podcast,
and chats with the Bobcats' Gerald Wallace on ESPN.com and Walter Herrmann on ESPNdeportes.com. Friday's coverage begins with interviews during ESPN Radio's Mike & Mike in the Morning up to and including the event telecast at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
"We are working with the NBA and the Charlotte Bobcats to provide a new level of access for NBA fans," said John Skipper, ESPN executive vice president, content. "Throughout the day Friday and during the game that night we will bring fans closer to the organization, the team, their preparation and, most important, the action in the game across a variety of ESPN services."
Access will include:
• Bobcats head coach Sam Vincent, Orlando Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy and a select player miked for sound during the game
• In-game interviews with Vincent and Van Gundy
• Day-long insider access into coaches meetings, film review and team shootaround
• Interviews with players and team personnel throughout the day
ESPN will capture the behind-the-scenes content across a variety of platforms:
Game Production
• ESPN will televise the game at 8 p.m., with a high-definition presentation available via ESPN HD. Dan Shulman will call the game with analyst Hubie Brown and reporter Doris Burke
• ESPN360.com and ESPN Mobile TV will simulcast the game, with ESPN360.com archiving the contest for up to 24 hours
• Kia NBA Shootaround, with host Mark Jones and analysts Bill Walton and Michael Wilbon, will provide a one-hour preview at 7 p.m. from the Bristol, Conn., studio
• Host Matt Winer and analysts Stephen A. Smith and Jalen Rose will contribute content from Charlotte throughout the day, including segments within Kia NBA Shootaround.
Pre-Game Production
• Content within ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNEWS studio programming (i.e. SportsCenter, First Take, Jim Rome is Burning, Around the Horn, Pardon The Interruption and more)
• Behind-the-scenes footage of Charlotte's Adam Morrison rehabbing from injury
• Tour of the arena by Bobcats rookie Jared Dudley
• Interviews during ESPN Radio shows, beginning with Mike & Mike in the Morning (6-10 a.m.)
• ESPN Radio's The Stephen A. Smith Show originating from Charlotte
• ESPN.com chats with Bobcats personnel, on-site blogging throughout the day by TrueHoop's Henry Abbott, in-depth team scouting reports by David Thorpe, NBA Dish podcast interview with Bobcats GM Rod Higgins by Chad Ford,
and archived video of game-related content airing on ESPN networks throughout the day.