There are four major television events this weekend: the NBA Finals, the NHL Finals, the Belmont Stakes and Lewis vs. Tyson.

Due to the magnitude of tomorrow night's heavyweight fight between Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis, usual competitors HBO and Showtime are teaming up to televise the proceedings on pay-per-view. Because the networks could only use two announcers apiece, that leaves George Foreman out of the mix. Jim Lampley and James Brown will represent HBO, and Bobby Cycz and Jim Gray will hold the flag for Showtime.

Speaking of Showtime, Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Lakers and Nets is at 9 tonight, and Game 3 is at 8:30 p.m. Sunday on NBC.

As you may have noticed Wednesday night, this year's regular studio host Ahmad Rashad was pushed aside for Bob Costas. Dick Ebersol, chairman of NBC Sports & Olympics, made the call stating, "We want to go off the same way we came on the air with the NBA 12 years ago - with both Marv Albert and Bob Costas."

Costas was the host of "The NBA on NBC" for six years and was the No. 1 play-by-play man when Albert had his legal problems. Rashad's reduced role is offering pre-game contributions with Pat Croce ("I don't feel great.")

This is NBC's last hurrah with the NBA. ABC and ESPN take over the rights next year and TNT will also continue to broadcast games. So will it be "YES" or no for Albert to return to NBC? In a conference call, he said there will be an announcement next week.

The Stanley Cup finals move from ESPN to ABC. Game 3 between Detroit and Carolina airs at 8 p.m. tomorrow. Gary Thorne and Bill Clement work their 17th consecutive finals.

War Emblem goes for the Triple Crown at 6 p.m. tomorrow on NBC.

Look who's talking

Fox Sports Net, which already is on my bad side for putting Tom Arnold on the air every night, has managed to top itself by adding two of the most obnoxious former NFL players for its NFL show - Michael Irvin and Tony Siragusa.

They'll replace Jay Mohr, who moved over to ESPN, and Boomer Esiason, who switched to "The NFL Today" on CBS. Billy Ray Smith, Deacon Jones and Marv Levy were given the boot by FSN. They can start a support group with Jerry Glanville, Nick Buoniconti, Len Dawson and Randy Cross, who were also left without jobs this season.

There are two chances to avoid "The NFL Show" - Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Classic bike race

The annual "First Union Liberty Classic" airs on WPVI Sunday beginning at 9 a.m. Gary Papa hosts, with Scott Palmer Jack Brayboy and Karen Rogers out and about. WPVI meteorologist Cecily Tynan will ride in the race with a camera and microphone.

Laura Nachman covers television and radio sports for the Courier Times. Write her in care of the Courier Times, 8400 Route 13, Levittown, PA 19057, fax 215-949-4177 or e-mail [email protected].

Friday, June 7, 2002