TNT will not use a play-by-play man on Thunder-Warriors Thursday

TNT will take a shot at something new on Thursday with its broadcast of Thunder-Warriors.

The game will be called by Chris Webber, Steve Kerr and Reggie Miller. The astute mind may perhaps note that none of those three men do play-by-play. That will be something the network tests out during the Thursday, 10:30 p.m. ET broadcast.

The idea essentially came from a simple desire to switch it up between Turner Sports COO Lenny Daniels and Senior VP Craig Barry. “Lenny and I are always talking that television has always been done the same way for the last 40 or 50 years,” Barry said. “Why not just have a team captain and have three guys who know the game inside and out? They are all charismatic, they are all capable of carrying a show, so why not just have them talk basketball?” Whether or not viewers actually like the telecast will determine if you see it again.

The idea, while new to basketball, is not one that hasn’t been tried before in another sport. During the early 2000’s, ESPN tested out something called NHL Rules telecasts. It was more interactive and based on teaching the game, but it was also a telecast without a play-by-play man. Analysts Barry Melrose, Darren Pang, Bill Clement and Brian Engblom would talk hockey and answer viewer questions and explain some of the more complex aspects of hockey.

Kerr will act as, more or less, the person running the show for this broadcast. Regardless of whether or not it is successful, It will certainly be something to listen in on when you might not have originally this Thursday.