There's a certain free agent NBA coach and announcer who will be highly sought after by both ESPN and Turner should he decide to return to broadcasting.  With Turner's NBA coverage coming to an end at the conclusion of the Eastern Conference Finals, former 76ers head coach Doug Collins will be joining ESPN for some very part-time duty as Bristol announced he will co-host an episode of Mike & Mike after Game 3 of the Finals next Wednesday.

This isn't just a former coach hopping on with a network and doing some moonlighting analyst work as we've often seen in the college and professional ranks.  Collins isn't someone just dabbling in television - he's widely regarded as one of the best in sports when he steps behind the microphone.  Could this be the beginning of ESPN reaching out to Collins?

Turner's depth is pretty well established.  Marv Albert and Steve Kerr are the top pairing with Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller as the second team.  Sure, Collins could go back and work with Harlan and Miller, but the true opportunity may exist at ESPN where Jeff Van Gundy's name is being mentioned for coaching vacancies like the Clippers.  Even if JVG stays, Collins could form a 3 man team with Mike Breen, work with an up and coming NBA voice like Dave Pasch, or add some needed strength to ESPN's studio show.

When asked about potential long term interest in Collins, ESPN said through a network spokesperson to AA, "We are focused on our coverage of the Finals. After the season, as we always do, we will look at potential opportunities to make our team better. Doug is a tremendous talent."

Should Collins return to television on a full-time basis, a future partnership between ESPN and Collins certainly makes sense for both parties.

It doesn't look like the major networks will stop employing former pro athletes in studio-type roles anytime soon, but at least they're continuing to ramp up efforts to train them. 

For the seventh straight year, the National Football League will host a "broadcast boot camp" at NFL Films in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, June 17-20, with James Brown of CBS headlining the hosts for this year's event. 

Here's what we have here on this latest piece of television greatness from the live daytime SportsCenter...

1) Jay Crawford calling Stephen A. Smith "the mayor of South Beach"
2) Stephen A. Smith saying he's a fan of Bieber's.
3) Stephen A. dispensing fashion advice to the Biebs.
4) One of the creepiest photoshops you'll ever see.
5) Stephen A. complimenting his own sense of style

The only thing missing is Stephen A. Smith talking about how he knows Justin Bieber personally and is a close, personal friend.

Tuesday, June 4

Texas Rangers @ Boston Red Sox (MLBN 7PM) Local Broadcast [Alt: Indians @ Yankees]
Chicago Cubs @ Los Angeles Angels (WGNA 10PM) Len Kasper, Jim Deshaises

Wednesday, June 5

Miami Marlins @ Philadelphia Phillies (MLBN 1PM) Local Broadcast [Alt: Indians @ Yankees]
Chicago White Sox @ Seattle Mariners (WGNA 3:30PM) Ken Harrelson, Steve Stone
Texas Rangers @ Boston Red Sox (ESPN2 7PM) Karl Ravech, Curt Schilling

Thursday, June 6

Baltimore Orioles @ Houston Astros (MLBN 2PM) Local Broadcast [Alt: Rays @ Tigers - 1PM]

Friday, June 7

Pittsburgh Pirates @ Chicago Cubs (WGNA 2:10PM) Len Kasper, Jim Deshaises
St. Louis Cardinals @ Cincinnati Reds (MLBN 7PM) Matt Vasgersian, Tom Verducci [Alt: Indians @ Tigers]

Saturday, June 8

Minnesota Twins @ Washington Nationals (MLBN 4PM) Local Broadcast [Alt: Indians @ Tigers]
Oakland Athletics @ Chicago White Sox (WGNA 4PM) Ken Harrelson, Steve Stone
Los Angeles Angels @ Boston Red Sox (FOX 7:15PM) Joe Buck, Tim McCarver
St. Louis Cardinals @ Cincinnati Reds (FOX 7:15PM) Tom Brennaman, Tom Verducci
Philadelphia Phillies @ Milwaukee Brewers (FOX 7:15PM) Kenny Albert, Eric Karros
San Diego Padres @ Colorado Rockies (FOX 7:15PM) Drew Goodman, Mitch Williams
Houston Astros @ Kansas City Royals (FOX 7:15PM) Justin Kutcher, Rex Hudler

Sunday, June 9

Los Angeles Angels @ Boston Red Sox (TBS 1:30PM) TBA
Pittsburgh Pirates @ Chicago Cubs (WGNA 2:10PM) Len Kasper, Jim Deshaises
St. Louis Cardinals @ Cincinnati Reds (ESPN 8PM) Dan Shulman, Orel Hershiser, John Kruk  

H/T Sammy!

In the latest example of strange celebrity bedfellows is the story of one famous NFL head coach who is a huge fan of one famous made-for-TV judge.  49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh is an admirer of one Judge Judy and Monday's episode featured Harbaugh and his dad Jack in attendance.  Harbaugh compared the NFL Combine to an appearance on Judge Judy and that quote was even included in a promo for the show in the Bay Area.  Via CBS San Francisco...

In the wake of our recent articles, 5 NBA Announcers Who Deserve More Airtime, 5 NHL Announcers Who Deserve More Airtime, and NFL on Fox adding SNY's Kevin Burkhardt to its Lineup, it's time to take a look at five announcers who could be in network television broadcast booths calling NFL games in the future. Most have experience calling NFL games on the local level while others have called college football. No matter, these men are deserving to take the next step to call nationally televised games on Sundays.

The list is in alphabetical order.

Players from around Major League Baseball were asked in a recent poll to name their favorite non-sports TV program. Which did they say was their favorite? If you read the title of this article you probably already know the answer, but the majority of players chose A&E's Duck Dynasty as their top TV show to watch. 

Of the players polled, 28% sided with the Robertson family. Are you surprised? You shouldn't be. The ratings for Duck Dynasty have been through the roof. The final episode in their third season drew 9.6 million viewers. If you're unfamiliar with the program, give it a shot and try not to laugh at Uncle Si. He's like an older, more senile version of Kramer.

All Times Eastern

College Football
College Football Live -- ESPN, 3:30 p.m.

College Softball
Women's College World Series, Oklahoma City, OK
Championship Series
Game 2: Oklahoma vs. Tennessee -- ESPN, 8 p.m.

WCWS Pregame -- ESPNU, 7:30 p.m.
WCWS Postgame -- ESPNU, 10:30 p.m.

After the Miami Heat defeated the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, TNT signed off with their NBA coverage for the 2012-2013 season.  I have to be honest with you, I fell asleep watching Inside the NBA tonight (must have been the Bieber fatigue) and woke up at this exact moment.  The crew in their "Gone Fishin" gear and Shaquille O'Neal nearly falling off the set with a fishing pole yelling "I'VE GOT A CHUCK WHALE ON THE LINE!"

Somehow, in that moment and with zero context all of this - Shaquille O'Neal being helped up by production assistants, Ernie Johnson shaking his head at the absurdity of it, Kenny Smith yelling "GET THAT ON A T-SHIRT, and Charles Barkley smiling and clapping -  seemed quite normal and acceptable.

That in a nutshell is the artistic brilliance of Inside the NBA.

H/T hoopgifs

The above pic of Justin Bieber attending Monday night's Pacers-Heat Game 7 in a leather shirt, gold chains, indoor shades, and Miami Heat hat quickly went viral.  And is that lip gloss?  Hey, at least give the kid credit for appearing to escape the clutches of Keyshawn Johnson for a night.  The Biebs (with his bodyguard standing behind him, presumably blocking the view of actual fans in attendance) represents all the negative stereotypes about the Heat and their fans.  Namely, Heat fans are all frontrunners.  And the Biebs may be the biggest of all.  This single pic will actually drive more fans to the Spurs for the NBA Finals than Tim Duncan helping elderly ladies across the street, doing his taxes, or whatever it is he actually does.

Why, it was in ALL THE WAY BACK IN NOVEMBER Justin Bieber claimed in an interview with ESPN's Playbook that he's been a lifelong Lakers fan.  When asked who his favorite team and player was, Bieber pledged his allegiance to the Lakers and said this:

"I love the Lakers, so I have to go with Kobe [Bryant]. He has unbelievable natural talent and he works harder than just about anyone in the league."

And here we thought LeBron James was the worst in shameless Heat frontrunners!  Somewhat normal looking teenage Justin, we hardly knew ye...

(Pic via Jimmy Traina)