Mike Breen says ESPN firings of longtime partners Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy ‘hard to come to grips with’

Mike Breen has known as 15 NBA Finals alongside Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson. The 2 NBA legends gave perception on technique, recreation expertise and extra as Breen sat within the play-by-play seat. 

However Van Gundy and Jackson are out after heavy layoffs at ESPN, and Breen couldn’t be extra disenchanted.

“It’s unhappy as a result of we actually thought we had one thing particular, and that’s going to be the thought going ahead is that we had been capable of do it lots longer than anyone ever did,” Breen advised the New York Post in regards to the firings of Van Gundy and Jackson. 

“It’s one thing we’ll all treasure, however we simply want it was just a little bit longer.

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ESPN commentators Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy and Mike Breen speak earlier than Sport 5 of the 2023 NBA Finals between the Miami Warmth and the Denver Nuggets June 12, 2023, at Ball Enviornment in Denver, Colo.  (Joe Murphy/NBAE through Getty Photographs)

“You don’t count on it as a result of it was such an important crew. And to have it fully damaged up was a shock.”

NBA followers know Breen’s voice properly, because the Basketball Corridor of Famer’s signature “Bang!” has highlighted a few of the recreation’s greatest moments through the years. Van Gundy and Jackson have been constants by his facet at heart courtroom, with Van Gundy serving two years longer than Jackson’s 15. Jackson was head coach of the Golden State Warriors throughout his two years earlier than getting into the sales space. 

When Breen was the radio voice for the New York Knicks within the ‘90s, Van Gundy was an assistant coach with the crew whereas Jackson was the Knicks’ level guard. It’s a relationship that spans a long time, one which goes far past the career. 

ESPN play-by-play sports activities commentator Mike Breen previous to a recreation between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers on the Wells Fargo Heart Feb. 25, 2023, in Philadelphia.  (Mitchell Leff/Getty Photographs)

“They had been the dream companions,” Breen mentioned. “All of the accomplishments had been due to what we did collectively. I actually do really feel personally any success I had was as a result of I had these two guys subsequent to me. They simply supplied the whole lot you’d need in analysts. They’re good. They’re humorous. They’re educated about their sport. They’re opinionated. They love their sport however are usually not afraid to criticize. They simply had just a little little bit of the whole lot.

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“The opposite a part of it’s the private half, and that’s harder. Now, we’re going to be mates till the day we die.”

ESPN is anticipated to offer Breen two new companions — Doris Burke, who might be promoted from her sideline reporter duties throughout the Finals, and Doc Rivers, who was simply fired because the Philadelphia 76ers’ head coach, in response to the Put up. 

Mike Breen earlier than Sport 3 of the 2023 Western Convention semifinals between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers Could 6, 2023, at Crypto.Com Enviornment in Los Angeles. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE through Getty Photographs)

If Burke is promoted, she would change into the primary girl calling the NBA Finals. 

Rivers has worn a headset earlier than, calling the NBA Finals with Al Michaels in 2004. 

Breen should transfer on with out his two brothers within the sales space, however their time collectively won’t ever be forgotten.

“I look as much as each of them as a result of not simply their skills as broadcasters, however the type of males they’re. I simply really feel so privileged to have that point,” Breen mentioned of Van Gundy and Jackson.

Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy and Mike Breen speak throughout Sport 5 of the 2023 NBA Finals between the Miami Warmth and Denver Nuggets June 12, 2023, on the Ball Enviornment in Denver, Colo.  (David Dow/NBAE through Getty Photographs)

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“I’ve all the time mentioned that I’m so honored to name the Finals yearly, however what made it so particular for me is I acquired to name it with these two. And seeing it come to an finish, it’s arduous to come back to grips with.”