Mike Breen says ESPN firings of longtime partners Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy 'hard to come to grips with'

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Mike Breen has called 15 NBA Finals alongside Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson. The two NBA legends gave insight on strategy, game experience and more as Breen sat in the play-by-play seat. 

But Van Gundy and Jackson are out after heavy layoffs at ESPN, and Breen couldn’t be more disappointed.

"It’s sad because we really thought we had something special, and that’s going to be the thought going forward is that we were able to do it a lot longer than anybody ever did," Breen told the New York Post about the firings of Van Gundy and Jackson. 

"It’s something we’ll all treasure, but we just wish it was a little bit longer.

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ESPN commentators Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy and Mike Breen talk before Game 5 of the 2023 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets June 12, 2023, at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo.  (Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

"You don’t expect it because it was such a great team. And to have it completely broken up was a surprise."

NBA fans know Breen’s voice well, as the Basketball Hall of Famer’s signature "Bang!" has highlighted some of the game’s best moments over the years. Van Gundy and Jackson have been constants by his side at center court, with Van Gundy serving two years longer than Jackson’s 15. Jackson was head coach of the Golden State Warriors during his two years before entering the booth. 

When Breen was the radio voice for the New York Knicks in the ‘90s, Van Gundy was an assistant coach with the team while Jackson was the Knicks' point guard. It’s a relationship that spans decades, one that goes far beyond the profession. 

ESPN play-by-play