Bill Simmons, Jalen Rose Join NBA Countdown

After a false start, ESPN has finalized their ESPN/ABC KIA NBA Countdown show by adding Bill Simmons and Jalen Rose, the network formally announced on Thursday.

Originally, Simmons was reportedly going to join Stan Van Gundy on the show, but when FishbowlLA contacted ESPN last month, they were unable to confirm the news. The former Orlando Magic head coach explained last week the reason why he didn’t get the job had to do with NBA commissioner David Stern, who reportedly nixed the idea.

Rose, the former NBA star, passed the Stern test and will join his Grantland boss along with Michael Wilbon and Magic Johnson.

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