Traina Thoughts: ABC’s Presidential Approach

Jimmy Traina 

SI’s Jimmy Traina covers the world of sports media, pop culture, viral clips and more Monday through Friday in his “Traina Thoughts” column.  

How ABC Plans to Approach Donald Trump’s Appearance at NBA Finals

 Kirby Lee/Imagn Images

1. There is a buzz, a feeling, a vibe in New York like no other I can remember for Game 3 of the NBA Finals tonight.

The intensity has been taken to another level because of measures that are being put in place at Madison Square Garden thanks to Donald Trump attending the game.

What is ABC/ESPN’s plan on how to handle the President’s appearance with its coverage before and during the Spurs-Knicks game?

As for Inside the NBA, which will air before the game, Charles Barkley told me Monday morning, “If they show him, we’ve probably got to acknowledge it. I have no idea what they’re gonna do, to be honest with you. If they show him, we probably have to address it.”

Would Barkley, who has never been afraid to speak his mind, share his feelings on the President during the pregame show?

“I would never disrespect the President of the United States,” Barkley told me. “I would never do that. I’m not a fan of Trump. Like I said, I would never disrespect the President, so I’m hoping that ESPN or TNT would not put me in a position for that to happen.”

When I spoke to Barkley, he wasn’t nearly as interested in talking about the President as he was Knicks fans.

“I think this is going to be one of the craziest things we’ve ever been part of in my entire life,” Barkley said. “I think these people in New York are gonna be so excited. I’m not even worried about the President. I’m just worried about the whole New York thing to be honest with you. I think these people are gonna go crazy.

“I’m excited to see the Knicks in these two games because I think they’re gonna sweep them, but I think it’s gonna be amazing to be there, but crazy to be there also. I’m terrified and excited at the same time.”

As for ABC’s game coverage, an ESPN source told me ABC will show Trump and document his appearance at the game, as is always the case when he attends a sporting event, but that the focus will remain on what’s taking place on the court.

2. Nobody will be rooting harder for the Spurs tonight than ABC/ESPN. The network desperately needs length from this series, especially after the Knicks swept the Cavs in the Eastern Conference finals.

Game 1 drew 17 million viewers last Wednesday. If San Antonio can come back and make this a six- or seven-game series, ABC could get close to 25 million viewers for those games.

A Knicks win tonight, though, means the series could conclude Wednesday night in a New York sweep.

3. ESPN will offer an alt-cast for tonight’s Spurs-Knicks game featuring Pat McAfee and his crew.

This has absolutely nothing to do with McAfee, but I can’t think of a worse sport for an alt-cast than basketball. Baseball and football are great for alt-cast. Basketball? Not so much. There’s no downtime. A basketball telecast is about 90% play-by-play. I’m not sure how the crew on an alt-cast will have time or opportunity to cook. But if you are a McAfee fan, you will find out tonight if you choose to tune in.

4. Kevin Love likes to get high and watch old NBA videos on YouTube. The level of his highness determines which videos he consumes.

5. This Reds security guard has to be the biggest party pooper ever.

6. The latest episode of SI Media With Jimmy Traina features an interview with Sports Business Journal media reporter Austin Karp.

Karp talks about the NBA and ABC being set up for big ratings with the Spurs and Knicks in the Finals, the trio of Mike Breen, Richard Jefferson and Tim Legler calling their first NBA Finals together and the Inside the NBA crew of Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal working the NBA Finals pregame, halftime and postgame studio shows for the first time.

In addition, Karp discusses Pat McAfee being ESPN’s top star, the buzz surrounding the World Cup, a big problem with college football’s playoff schedule, whether Fox could lose the World Series and/or the NFL, the current debacle at 60 Minutes and much more.

Following Karp, Sal Licata from SNY TV and The Sal Licata Show joins me for our weekly “Traina Thoughts” segment. This week’s topics include: the NBA Finals, my recent interview with Marv Albert, Sal getting a message from a Howard Stern Show wack packer, a fun rankings game, Sal’s lack of Bon Jovi knowledge and more.

You can listen to the SI Media With Jimmy Traina podcast below or on Apple and Spotify.

7. RANDOM VIDEO OF THE DAY: With a big basketball game taking place at MSG tonight, I was trying to come up with something along those lines for this part of the column and then it hit me: “IN DE FACE!”

 

Be sure to catch up on past editions of Traina Thoughts and check out the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast hosted by Jimmy Traina on Apple, Spotify or Google. You can also follow Jimmy on X and Instagram.

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Be sure to catch up on past editions of Traina Thoughts and check out the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast hosted by Jimmy Traina on Apple, Spotify or Google. You can also follow Jimmy on X and Instagram.

 

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Published by RJ Hamster

I was born on 6 August 1956 in San Francisco, California to Janet and (the late) Richard Hovis. I grew up in Santa Monica, California where I attended elementary, junior high school, and high school (graduating in 1974), in addition to involvement in sports and recreation (Little League +, the Boy’s Club ++). Further, it was in elementary school – St. Augustine’s By-the -Sea Parish School that I found, and made the choice to truly journey with God. I attended Arizona State University from 1974 to 1977 – seeking to become an architect, however, I was not accepted, and, as such, I graduated with a Liberal Arts degree. Upon graduation from Arizona State University, I attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and studied City and Regional Planning at the Master’s level. I successfully completed one (1) year in a two (2) year program – I did not complete the Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning – due to personal reasons. I returned to Santa Monica where I started (October 1979) my career as graphic designer with Exxon Company, USA. I spent five years with Exxon Company, USA. While working with Exxon Company, USA I was accepted into architectural school – Sci-Arc in Southern California, however, I did not attend preferring to stay with Exxon.. In 1982 I married Laura Flosi and in April 1983 we had our one and only child – Lauren Alain Hovis – a gift from God. We moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1984 from Los Angeles, where I went to work as a graphic designer with Kitchell CEM (from 1985 -1987). From 1987 – 1995 I was an independent contractor, and a registered representative in mortgage finance, financial management, graphic design, and drafting. Further, I attended the University of Phoenix and successfully obtained a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in 1982. I was also a member of the Scottsdale Jaycees, where I became very involved in community events and projects. In 1994, I accepted a cartography position with the Defense Mapping Agency in Reston, Virginia. As such, I relocated from Phoenix to Reston. In 1998, I was accepted and worked as a Visual Information Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2002, I worked as a Support Officer until my retirement (due to a need for shoulder surgery) in September 2018. Away from my Federal Government service, I have been involved in various organizations and activities in Northern Virginia. In November of 2011, I married Rebecca Ouellette in Santa Monica, California. I reside in San Tan Valley, AZ with my two hamster - Jess and Timothy, our fish, our lizard - RJ Lizard., and our cats - Pearl and Grey. As to hobbies, I enjoy playing sports, attending sporting events, mentoring individuals from financial management to hamsters, building models, photography, travel, multimedia design, managing partner for RJ Hamster, and jazz – smooth jazz to a samba or a bossa nova. Love and God Bless, Peter – aka RJ Hamster Jo hi

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