Inside NBA Western Conference Finals: Watch InsightCast, ESPN’s newest way of reimagining the game
Avatar shot charts, virtual 3D replays, immersive replay analysis and a detailed statistical look at dunks are just a few offerings of tonight's Game 2 Timberwolves-Thunder alt-cast on ESPNEWS
ESPN has been pushing the media industry forward through its compelling storytelling and innovative use of technology since our inception.
The latest example of reimagining how games are watched is through our NBA Western Conference Finals: InsightCast.
The InsightCast is an in-depth, data-driven exploration of the NBA Western Conference Finals, featuring expert statistical analysis and compelling visuals. Production elements include avatar shot charts, virtual 3D replays, immersive replay analysis and a detailed statistical look at dunks.
The alt-cast debuted for Game 1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves versus Oklahoma City Thunder series and will continue for Games 2 and 3 on ESPNEWS and 4 on ESPN2. Game 2 is tonight at 8:30 ET.
Ryan Ruocco, Tim Legler and Kirk Goldsberry serve as the broadcast team for InsightCast, which emanates from Bristol. Tim Corrigan (SVP, Sports Production), Phil Orlins (VP, Production), Laurie Privitera (producer), Thomas Kintner (coordinating producer) and Billy Proctor (director) are overseeing production.
Tim Legler's virtual reality "fingers" help the storytelling. (ESPN)
Your InsightCast hosts are ready to tell NBA stories in innovative ways. (ESPN)
ESPN VP, Production, Phil Orlins (center) monitors the alt-cast. (Jon McLeod/ESPN)
The InsightCast team huddles. (Jon McLeod/ESPN)“There’s so much data that comes out of these NBA buildings on a nightly basis,” Corrigan said during a recent media conference call. “It can turn into stats, analysis and all sorts of things. The idea of insight and getting deeper into the game as an alternate telecast was something that was appealing to us.”
InsightCast continues ESPN’s tradition of innovative alt-casts, following recent examples like Dunk the Halls, The Simpsons Funday Football, NHL Big City Greens, and Sunday Night Baseball: StatCast Edition. At its core, the initiative reflects ESPN’s commitment to exploring the vast possibilities that data can offer.
“As it continues to get better and better every day, we are entering a world where you can see things from any position, anytime, any angle, at any speed,” Orlins said. “I think that advancement is really necessary.”
For more information on ESPN’s 2025 NBA Western Conference Finals coverage, visit the NBA press kit on ESPNPressRoom.com
