Jared Greenberg interviews OKC Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after a Thunder win.
Jared Greenberg, the NBA TV host and NBA on TNT reporter was featured in this month’s Reddit AMA. Check out some of the best responses below.
Question: This season has been so exciting with the parity and younger teams having a chance. What’s been your favorite underrated storyline so far?
Answer: For sure. I think a really cool common theme with a lot of these younger teams is how committed they are to playing defense. From OKC, the best defensive team in the league, to Cleveland and Houston, these guys can all guard.
Did you model yourself after anybody, such as local team coverage broadcasters? As in, any idols starting up, someone you were trying to copy or take notes from?
I have been really fortunate to have several people who I not only consider role models in this business but also who have become really close friends. When I was 15 years old, I met Ian Eagle, and I said to him, “One day, I am going to do what you do.” I was a little surprised that he didn’t run away from me and get a restraining order (haha!), but Ian has been an invaluable resource for me over the last 25 years, and now it’s amazing that I actually get to work with him on TNT games! And I would say I pretty much look up to all of our announcers at TNT: Ernie Johnson, Kevin Harlan, Brian Anderson, etc. They all are so cool and great people to model my career off of.
What is a memorable, funny thing you’ve seen from the sidelines that we fans don’t get to witness on TV?
Maybe it’s just the stuff that goes on before the tip when players are warming up. So many teams have come up with funny rituals that they do before each game. Also, the stuff that goes on during timeouts can be funny when they are doing contests in the area. I wish I could watch more of the really cool halftime shows that go on at every game, but I am usually in the back of the arena fixing my hair and redoing my make-up (kidding!) – getting ready for the second half.
What player/team do you think has the most to prove in the last few games of the regular season?
I am really curious to see what happens in the East 3-6 race. On the one hand, it wouldn’t be good if the Knicks fall out of the third spot, but on the other hand, if you’re a Knicks fan, I would think you would feel comfortable no matter who you face in the 1st round, and it would be sooooo much better for Knicks to face Cleveland in the second round rather than Boston! Beyond the Knicks in that race, as you all know, the Bucks got handed really tough news the other day. So, I am watching them closely to see how they handle playing without Dame. I hope he can get back on the court soon!
And it goes without saying, the West is OUT! OF! CONTROL! Other than OKC running away with the top spot, every seed is up for grabs and is going to make for an awesome last 3 weeks!
What player from a playoff-hopeful team do you think has the chance to become a playoff “hero”?
I have a few, starting with the obvious: SGA! I think he is poised to have a MONSTER postseason run. Can Donovan Mitchell carry the adjustments he has made to his game in the regular season into the playoffs? I think he can! Maybe a sneaky name to watch is Cade Cunningham – the dude has been ballin’, and the Pistons could be a hard out for whoever they play.
What was your favorite interview? Which player’s personality is the most different when he’s off-camera vs on-camera?
Interviewing players is one of my favorite parts of my job, and I pride myself on not asking generic or “fluff” questions. And I think players respect that. It’s hard to say anyone who isn’t cool, on or off camera. But the guy whose name always jumps to the top when thinking of the most memorable interviews is Steph Curry. I’ve never come across a more high-profile athlete or celebrity who is as down-to-earth as Steph.
How would you like to see NBA CrunchTime expanded in the future? I would love for the NBA to lean into it more and factor it in when making the schedule.
WINNER FOR MY FAVORITE QUESTION!!!! LET’S GET CRUNNNCHYYYYY!!!!! HAHA. CrunchTime is seriously my passion project. I would LOVE to do the show more often. But the show is at its BEST when we have several games going on simultaneously, which allows us to bounce around from game to game. We have several shows lined up for the last few weeks of the regular season, starting with tomorrow night! We will also be live during the final day of the regular season when all 30 teams are in action. It’s one of the best days of the year!
What has been your favorite game that you’ve been a part of in your broadcast career?
Oh man, good question, but a tough one. I’ve been really fortunate to cover a lot of really cool games during my 14 seasons at TNT Sports. I think the one that will remain with me for the rest of my life is Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, the Cavs comeback was unreal! Also, being in the NBA Bubble was a surreal experience, and all of those games were played at such a high level. And I’ll also throw in there, Game 7 of the second round of the 2021 playoffs between the Bucks and the Nets. KD’s size-17 shoe kept Brooklyn from going to the Conference Finals, and eventually, the Bucks went on to win the title. It was a chaotic situation at Barclays Center that night. I can’t help myself from continuing to think back on how the landscape of the NBA might have changed if Brooklyn won that night rather than the Bucks.
How do you feel about the current state of discourse in the NBA media about the game of basketball, the players, and the things that make the sport so great? How do you think it can be improved?
I hear you. I think that, overall, the people who cover the NBA (ME INCLUDED) love the game as much as the fans for whom we are providing content. I am serious when I say this – there isn’t a single broadcast that I go into that I don’t consciously think about: “What do the viewers and fans at home care most about?” If I wasn’t covering this game, you better believe I would be on my couch watching the game, just like everyone!
Most chaotic player interaction?
One time, I got two complete sentences out of Kawhi [Leonard], and I couldn’t believe it! Haha. Kawhi is actually really cool to talk to, as unselfish as it comes in the NBA. He loves talking about his teammates, but he usually only says a few words when you ask a question about him.
How much insider scoop do those around the NBA circle (even though they’re not in the front office or the team) have that the average fan doesn’t?
There is a lot of chatter that goes on – in and around – NBA circles. I think the most important thing you can do as a reporter is check your sources and always ask yourself, “Why is this information getting out, and where is it coming from? Does this person supplying the info have an agenda?” But overall, there is a lot of information that gets shared by players, coaches, front office personnel, agents, etc.
What were your first thoughts when Luka got traded to LA?
NO FREAKING WAY!!!! My wife was so annoyed with me that night b/c I laid up all night in bed watching TV and on my phone. I couldn’t sleep and wanted to talk to her about it – I couldn’t believe that she was able to sleep – LUKA WAS JUST TRADED!!! HAHA!
hi Jared. please go on NoDunks. i need to hear the Jared Greenberg song one more time
I AGREE!!! Anytime they ask, I will be there! Jared Greenberg, JA-RED GREENBERG!!!!!!
What are your thoughts on the discourse surrounding SGA being falsely accused of being a free-throw merchant?
This one is wild to me. Sometimes, I wonder if people come up with this stuff just because they need something to complain about. Does anyone actually watch SGA? The dude is more aggressive than anyone, certainly any guard, at getting into the lane and embraces contact. People complain about teams taking too many threes, and yet we are gonna go after a guy who constantly drives, looking for tough baskets??? SGA’s game is special and needs to be appreciated. I’ll also say this, take a look at the numbers as a whole – while SGA is getting to the line (b/c he is always driving to the basket) the rest of the team is not reaping the rewards. As of the other night, OKC was 27th in the NBA in free throw attempts per game and 29th in Free throw differential per game.
One of the biggest criticisms of media guys is that they don’t actually watch the games and simply follow narratives. How much basketball do you watch in a week and how do you keep up with some of the less exciting or competitive teams?
Well, don’t throw me in that group. Like I said earlier, I pride myself on being a fan of the NBA. If I didn’t have this job I would still be on my couch watching games. I wish you could ask my wife and dog how much basketball they are forced to watch, haha! If I am not hosting a show in our studio or at a game, I am watching games. As a matter of fact, I would love to see if the NBA can pull up my league pass account – I would put my usage rate up against anyone else in the world! 😉
