SECAUCUS, NJ, June 2, 2003 - NBA TV -- the league's 24-hour television network -- will televise exclusive start-to-finish coverage of the NBA Finals 2003, highlighted by a special on-site pre-game show "NBA TV: Live at the Finals with Ahmad Rashad," hosted by Emmy-Award winning sportscaster Rashad. The show will air from 7-8:00PM/ET before each finals game. The finals tip off on Wednesday June 4th on ABC at 8:00PM/ET as the Eastern Conference Champion New Jersey Nets take on the Western Conference Champion San Antonio Spurs.

Rambis
Rashad will be joined during each show by current Laker assistant coach and former Laker player Kurt Rambis. The show will be NBA TV's first ever NBA Finals live on-site studio show, and will originate from an NBA TV set built within the concourse of both arenas. Live at the Finals with Ahmad Rashad will feature special guests including current and former NBA players, coaches and league officials. Rashad will take a look at each upcoming matchup and will provide fans with the most up-to-date information throughout the series.

"I'm thrilled about the endless possibilities this show will offer as we give fans the ultimate inside look at the finals," said Rashad. "As part of the NBA family for 13 years, I've had the exciting opportunity to deliver all the basketball news and action to NBA fans around the world. As we head into the 2003 NBA finals, I look forward to hosting this exclusive NBA finals access program."

"For fans craving the ultimate inside look at the NBA Finals from the comfort of their own home, NBA TV is the place to be," said Steve Herbst, Vice President of Series Programming and NBA TV. "With NBA TV's round-the-clock coverage of the finals, including this new on-site pre-game show, viewers will feel like they are right there in the middle of the action during what promises to be an exciting series."

NBA TV will begin its finals coverage today, Monday, June 2. Among the programming NBA TV will feature:

  • Special episodes of NBA TV Insiders, hosted by Spero Dedes from on-site, including special guests
  • Every press conference live from beginning to end
  • Live coverage of off-day media availability in its entirety
  • Exclusive comments and perspectives from players and coaches
  • Behind-the-scenes access throughout the series from both cities
  • Key highlights, up-to-the-minute stats, current box scores and expert analysis
  • The final three episodes of NBA TV: Real Playoffs 2003, a reality series which chronicled the lives of 16 NBA players - -one from each of the original 16 playoff teams. The Nets' Richard Jefferson and the Spurs' Malik Rose are the remaining "survivors." One will be crowned the champion by the last episode.
  • Special encore performances of each NBA Finals 2003 game throughout the series
  • Vintage NBA Finals games throughout the month of June
NBA TV analyst Bill Raftery, along with Andre Aldridge, will provide expert analysis throughout each game from the NBA TV studios in Secaucus, NJ. NBA TV host Mark Morgan will join Rashad, Rambis and Dedes on-site in both cities to conduct interviews and provide up-to-date reports throughout each day.

About NBA TV
Launched in 1999, NBA TV, the league's 24-hour television network, is the premier destination for fans around the globe for all things basketball and was the first network ever launched by a professional sports league.

NBA TV is the deepest resource for basketball, round the clock, seven days a week and features live NBA and WNBA games, a package of NBDL games, high-definition telecasts including a daily block of HD programming, original programs including NBA TV Insiders, Virtual G.M., NBA TV: Over Time and NBA TV: Hardwood Classics. NBA TV also features international basketball coverage including an 'International Game of the Week,' vintage NBA games, interactive talk shows and will soon have classic basketball-themed movies and TV shows from a library of hundreds, coaching and instructional programming, and additional content for basketball fans of all ages.

Featuring a state-of-the-art studio and full-service production facility at NBA Entertainment in Secaucus, NJ, NBA TV also provides real-time statistics, scores and news with live studio-based programming.