ESPN has been criticized by fans for a camera shot after the Oklahoma City Thunder’s win over the Indiana Pacers.
The network broadcast a huge Game 7 of the NBA Finals Sunday night.
TJ McConnell was left in tears after the Indiana Pacers’ Game 7 loss[/caption]
His mom tried to stop ESPN cameras filming[/caption]
It ended in jubilation for Oklahoma City as they ran out 103-91 winners.
The victory also sealed a 4-3 series win and the NBA championship.
But their joy was Indiana’s pain as the Pacers fell just shy of pulling off an upset.
Pacers players were left heartbroken by the narrow loss.
TJ McConnell was almost inconsolable after the game ended.
ESPN cameras showed him walking to the locker room in tears with his mom Shelly.
His mother tried to console him, and the cameraman seemed to catch most of the moment.
McConnell and his mom were followed down the tunnel by the camera operator.
After a few seconds, Shelly realized the presence of the camera behind her and tried to stop the filming.
Fans watching the game accused ESPN of being disrespectful for focusing on McConnell’s tears.
“I think it’s lowkey disrespectful they were recording this,” one said.
Another posted, “So disrespectful man.”
While a third said, “Kinda disrespectful to film that tbh.”
ESPN game the Game 7 showdown top billing on the network with blanket coverage.
But their production was criticized by some fans as “unwatchable.”
The Oklahoma City Thunder won Game 7 to clinch the NBA Championship[/caption]
One particular incident more than an hour out from the game during the countdown show proved unpopular.
Stephen A. Smith was joined on the NBA Countdown set by Malika Andrews, Bob Myers and Kendrick Perkins.
Smith took time to call out Perkins for annoying him while making a point.
And the First Take-style segment didn’t go down well with fans tuning in for the game.
Smith was also apparently cut off mid-rant by producers later in the broadcast as they went to commercial.
