The Press Box 25 for 25: Brian Windhorst on the Future of NBA Reporting
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May 8, 2025 
Brian Windhorst, an ESPN basketball reporter known for his insights on NBA dynamics, joins the discussion to share his journey to ESPN and what aspiring journalists can learn from it. He delves into the challenges of modern reporting in an era dominated by aggregators and social media. Windhorst shares captivating stories from Gregg Popovich and reflects on how the NBA media landscape has transformed, affecting player and reporter relationships. He also discusses the future of basketball reporting and the importance of responsible storytelling.
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Car Broadcasts Add Authenticity
- When joining broadcast hits, reporters may choose calling in from cars to add authenticity and because it offers better soundproofing.
- Using cars allows a quiet space away from noisy home environments like those with children.
LeBron Named Son LeBron Jr.
- Brian Windhorst was the first to report LeBron's girlfriend was pregnant and shared how LeBron named his son LeBron James Jr. at age 19.
- LeBron initially insisted on the name, symbolizing his responsibility, but later his son is known as Bronny.
NBA's Architecture Limits Media Access
- Player availability for interviews has decreased drastically due to teams designing practice and media rooms to limit casual access.
- This physical and organizational distancing reduces storytelling depth and harms NBA media relations.