or


[10/03/13 - 02:58 PM]
NBA TV's Critically Acclaimed "Open Court" to Premiere Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. ET
"Open Court" will be hosted by Ernie Johnson with a combination of analysts.
[via press release from NBA TV]

NBA TV's Critically Acclaimed "Open Court" to Premiere Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. ET

Panelists to Feature Host Ernie Johnson & Hall of Famers Charles Barkley, Isiah Thomas, Julius Erving & Dominique Wilkins, NBA Champions Steve Kerr, Kenny Smith, Steve Smith & Brent Barry, Seven-Time NBA All-Stars Grant Hill & Tracy McGrady & Former 3-Point Record Holder Dennis Scott

First Episode Includes Thomas Calling Karl Malone's Free Throw Shooting the "Weak Link" for Jazz; Discusses 1991 Playoff Walk Off & More

Returning for its third consecutive season, NBA TV's critically acclaimed Open Court will tip off Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. ET with the first of four episodes airing each Tuesday throughout the month. The show will once again feature a cast of NBA greats including a mix of TNT and NBA TV analysts and special guests sharing their personal accounts of some of the league's top moments and storylines.

Open Court will be hosted by Ernie Johnson with a combination of analysts including Hall of Famers Charles Barkley, Thomas, Julius Erving & Dominique Wilkins; NBA Champions Steve Kerr, Kenny Smith, Steve Smith & Brent Barry; Seven-Time NBA All-Stars Grant Hill & Tracy McGrady; and former three-point record holder Dennis Scott.

The first show of the season will reflect on the dynasties and dramatic moments of the 1990s. During the episode, Thomas pinpoints Karl Malone and his free throw shooting as the "weak link" in the Utah Jazz's inability to win a championship. He also reveals the events which led to the Pistons walking off the court during the final seconds of the Eastern Conference Finals against Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in 1991.

The panel also expands on Chicago's focus and drive to win six championships within the decade, as well as the physical play of teams such as the Pistons and New York Knicks, the perimeter play of the Houston Rockets and Seattle Supersonics, and the start of another dynasty, the San Antonio Spurs, in 1999.

Excerpts from the season premiere of Open Court:

Thomas on Karl Malone and the Jazz not getting over the hump: "I thought they had everything that it took to win a championship. I thought they had the system. I thought they had the players, the toughness, defensive-minded and everything... but I always thought [Karl] Malone really was the weak link because he's wasn't a good foul shooter. Had he been a good foul shooter, they would've beat Chicago. I think they would've beat you [directed at Kenny Smith, a former member of the Rockets].

Thomas on what led to the Pistons walking off the court in the final seconds of the 1991 playoffs: "Before the Bulls swept us in '91, I remember clearly, [Michael] Jordan and Phil Jackson, and everyone, because they swept us in Detroit, and they went on a day, day-and-a-half tirade about how we were bad for the game, we were bad people, how Laimbeer was a thug... in our town, they were getting ready to win, they were up 3-0. And then they had this press conference just totally disrespecting us as champions. They went on to sweep us and the decision was made, you know, to just walk off."

Kenny Smith on the Pistons and culture: "The Pistons were respected, but it was kind of like you were the first rap culture that embraced it and said, 'No, I'm cool with that and actually going to use that.' So for everyone it was a shock. We all grew up in the Dr. J-era, the gentlemen of the game. And you guys said, 'No, [we might] look like gentlemen, but we ain't gentlemen."

Steve Kerr on the drive of the Bulls dynasty: "Well, I got there the second part of the three-peat, so the original kind of push came when the Bulls beat Isiah's Pistons, which they had been trying to do for years and couldn't get over the hump. I think Isiah touched on it. Phil Jackson's presence on the sidelines, the installment of the triangle, helping to kind of balance the offense, and to keep Jordan moving around, that was all huge."

About NBA TV

NBA TV is a part of NBA Digital, the NBA's extensive cross-platform portfolio of digital assets jointly-managed by the NBA and Turner Sports including NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAGUE.com, and WNBA.com





  [october 2013]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)




[09/30/16 - 04:27 PM]
VH1's "Black Ink Crew: Chicago" Returns for Season Two on Monday, October 3rd at 9PM ET/PT
Returning to VH1's Monday night lineup, the first season ranked as one of cable's Top 10 reality shows.
[09/30/16 - 02:30 PM]
Gordon Ramsay's "The F Word" to Air Live in 2017 on FOX
Based on his hit U.K. series of the same name, each distinctive and fast-paced hour will combine good food and good cooking with Ramsay's passion, energy and humor into a one-of-a-kind live series.
[09/30/16 - 01:47 PM]
Damon Gupton Joins the Cast of "Criminal Minds"
Gupton will play Special Agent Stephen Walker from the Behavioral Analysis Program which is the counterintelligence division of the FBI.
[09/30/16 - 01:08 PM]
TV One Joins Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Action Network for the 2016 Triumph Awards Airing Sunday, Oct. 2 at 7 P.M. ET
Actress and advocate Tichina Arnold returned to host this year's broadcast, filmed on Sunday, September 18 at the historic Tabernacle in Atlanta.
[09/30/16 - 11:05 AM]
John Legend Guest Stars in Season Two of WGN America's Hit Series "Underground"
Legend, who also serves as executive producer on the gripping series, will portray iconic abolitionist, orator and author Frederick Douglass.
[09/30/16 - 10:48 AM]
A New Batch of Talented Bakers Aim to "Sleigh" the Competition on New Season of "Holiday Baking Championship"
The new season kicks off Sunday, November 6 at 9:00/8:00c on Food Network.
[09/30/16 - 10:11 AM]
Video: Showtime(R) Releases a New "Twin Peaks" Teaser Featuring Acclaimed Composer Angelo Badalamenti
Badalamenti will return as composer for the new series, which will premiere on Showtime in 2017, on-air, on demand and over the internet.
[09/30/16 - 09:27 AM]
Olivia Williams and Harry Lloyd Join JK Simmons in Starz & MRC's Spy Thriller "Counterpart"
Plus: Academy Award(R) nominee Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game, Passengers) will direct the first episode.
[09/30/16 - 08:57 AM]
Thursday's Broadcast Ratings: "Grey's Anatomy" Tops Viewers, Demos for ABC
The Alphabet's mainstay and NBC's "The Blacklist" are the only series to post year-to-year gains among adults 18-49.
[09/30/16 - 08:38 AM]
Centuries-Old Homes Return to Their Former Glory in DIY Network's "Restoring Charleston"
Premiering on Wednesday, October 5, the series follows Trent Fasnacht and his team as they tear out old additions and rotten materials to recreate homes as the first builder intended.
[09/30/16 - 08:13 AM]
Video: Netflix's "The Ranch Part 2" Trailer Is Here
The series returns with 10 new episodes Friday, October 7, everywhere where Netflix is available.
[09/30/16 - 08:00 AM]
"Snowfall" Ordered to Series on FX
Production on the 10-episode first season will begin in October and debut on FX in 2017.
[09/30/16 - 07:32 AM]
Supermodel Naomi Campbell to Be Featured in a Recurring Role on FOX's New Series, "Star"
Campbell will play the role of "Rose Spencer," the beautiful, wealthy and cultivated London-born mother of "Alexandra."
[09/30/16 - 03:43 AM]
SundanceTV Announces New Six Part Series "Liar" from Two Brothers Pictures Starring Joanne Froggatt and Ioan Gruffudd
"Liar" tells the story of a night that changes the lives of Laura Newell (Joanne Froggatt) and Andrew Ellis (Ioan Gruffudd) forever.
[09/29/16 - 01:47 PM]
Actress Monica Potter Renovates Her Childhood Home in New HGTV Series "Welcome Back Potter"
Premiering on Tuesday, October 11, the series follows Monica, her mom, Nancy, and three outspoken sisters, Jessica, Brigette and Kerry, as they tackle the massive whole-home renovation.