Back In The Day There Was Bonus Coverage?

Da Realist:

Can you imagine both MJ and Magic playing important playoff games at the same time? here's proof from back in the day.



Waldini:

He wants his viewers to see every game now with as little competition as possible. I miss the old CBS and NBC days where the playoffs would kick off around noon on Sat and run straight into the evening times.

Gangsta D:

Remember when you'd come home from school and a game would already be on? Seems like a lifetime ago.

Da Realist:

Instead of waiting 5 days between games, why not try the ncaa format. Sell a package that would give the fans access to all the games. When Detroit is beating the snot out of Chicago, go to the alternate channel and watch the Lakers in Utah.

I understand how you don't want fans to miss these great players. I didn't get to see the Laker/Jazz game because Chicago/Detroit was shown in my region. But still...I also appreciate continuity. Teams like Chicago and Detroit developed a real hatred toward each other because they had to play every other day and sometimes consecutive days. injuries and conditioning mattered too. If someone sprained an ankle, it affected the next game. If a team was not in good condition, they wore down having to play that frequently.

Now...with 3-5 days in between games, the NBA has to rebuild the hype before each of the games. Injuries and fatigue are no longer as much of a factor. Those things made the playoffs special and unpredictable.

(Unfortunately, I remember everything about that weekend. My parents went somewhere and left me at my grandmother's. The Bulls and Pistons were tied at 1-1 and were going to play both sat and sun. I believed with all of my 11 year old heart that chicago had a chance with homecourt advantage. Alas, Detroit beat Chicago like a pinata both days. I was so depressed.) Read more!

You're Out Of Touch? Is The NBA Out Of Time?

Da Realist:

I can't explain to you how out of touch I am with NBA basketball this year. It's really sad. This is the first year in the last 6 that I did not order the NBA package. And i haven't really missed it. I may catch a game here or there, but for the most part I'll see the scores on sportscenter while i'm in the gym.

Gangsta D:

The old man returns once again:)

How can this year be the year you tune out? Forget about the east, the West is crazy this year. All the surprise teams, Chris Paul turning into isiah Thomas right before our eyes, the possible decline of the Spurs, the rise of Andrew Bynum(pre-knee subfluxation), the emergence of LaMarcus Aldridge. There's tons to get into this year. The NBA is fine, and if they would contract a couple teams, it would be off the hook.

Da Realist:

I'm ashamed of myself. 23 year old [Realist] would not recognize me. I...just...don't...feel the regular season anymore. I look back to 99 when I used to go to my boy's crib and watch those thursday night double headers until 1am. And then watch the after game show! Now...the reg season just doesn't mean that much to me anymore. I've lost my innocence.

Waldini:

You're not intrigued by the possibility of where Jason Kidd will land?!?! That's a joke.

The league really needs NY, Boston, Philly, Chicago, Detroit, and LA (Lakers not Clippers) to all be playing at least .500 ball or better to keep the fan's interest. Well at least 4 of them anyways. As great as the Hornets' or Blazers' story is this year is or how cool Chris Bosh's All Star campaign is, people don't care unless they play in the major markets.

Sucks b/c I like watching Chris Paul who;s about to become the first PG in nearly 15 years to average 20 pts, 10 asst for a season. And he prbly won't win MVP which is said considering a PG earlier this decade won it for averaging 15 and 12

Gangsta D:

Well 3 out of 6 ain't bad:)

Da Realist:

I don't know what it is because back in the day I used to watch all the games. But that may be because we didn't have that many options. Tues and Thurs on TBS and after January sundays on CBS. There are so many more options now. You almost need a Barkley vs Dominique to pull someone toward a regular season game. Duncan vs Lebron ain't doing it for me in January.

I do think the NBA has a problem on it's hands. If I don't care then you know the casual fan sure doesn't. This will never be considered, but maybe less is more. Cut a few of these teams to increase the talent level of the ones that are left. Who does chris paul play with? Who did isiah thomas play with? See the difference? Who does Kevin Durant play with? Who did Shawn Kemp play with? Just a thought.

Gangsta D:

Expansion kills everything. Did we really need to add two Canadian teams in the 90's? Did Charlotte really need another team after running the old one out? Contraction would be a great move, will never happen, but it would be a good idea. Imagine how deep teams would be. 2nd units would be more inclined to maintain the intensity of the 1st unit.

Da Realist:

Considering one of those Canadian teams moved to Memphis, the answer is no :-)

Contraction may boost the NBA's popularity back to early 90's level. In a few years, the NFL would pull out of the christmas day game altogether.

Great idea, but like you said, it will never happen. Money isn't generated on the quality of the teams or even fan interest because the ESPN cut the check already. Regardless of who watches or doesn't, the NBA is paid. The only thing ratings increase is ESPN's bottom line.

Read more!

I'm Smart Mikey! I Want Some Respect!!

Gangsta D

Why is everyone on the Spurs treating Nash like Fredo? Dude is getting PUNKED, for real. I know he's Canadian, but did Horry have to cross check nash into the scorer's table? The Spurs have won this series. I thought they'd do it in five, but it's definitely a wrap in six. Diaw and Stat will get suspended for game 5. The Suns will be preoccupied with trying to show how hard they can be, and the Spurs will crucify them. Why does this remind me of Pistons/Bulls in the 80's? lol

Da Realist:

rules are rules, but the nba will shoot itself in the foot if it suspends diaw and amare. there isn't a whole lot to like about the nba these days, but this series is one of them. at some point, common sense should out-weigh the rules. besides, if the nba wants this thing to go 7 (and it does), phoenix needs all the help they can get.

Gangsta D:

But how will Stern talk his way out of it. he'd have to come out say that he doesn't want to hurt the competitive balance of the series. It would be a heckuva precedent. Then next time someone comes off the bench in a meaningless game, they'd point to this incident. He'd be opening himself up to ALOT of criticism. We'll see what happens though.

Da Realist:

that's what happens when you create a culture that adheres to the letter of the law instead of the spirit of the law. it was an overreaction to the heat-knicks brawl in '99. you can't have these guys play with their emotion on their sleeve for 2 and a half hours every other night, but somehow divorce themselves from this and remember not to leave their seat when a fight breaks out.

it is a possibility to have the instinct to "break up" the fight. by the time you remember the "don't leave the bench" rule, you've already broken it.

Gangsta D:

I agree. I think the rule is stupid to be so black and white. But, Stern has a lot of explaining to do if they aren't suspended. I assume Stat, diaw, and horry will be suspended. It's not fair, but I don't think he has any choice less he wants his integrity called into question. Of course, he could say they were going to the scorer's table to check in. But, that doesn't hold much traction. The Suns' assistant coaches have kept this from being a 7 game classic:)

Da Realist:

It's as if D wrote this...

Is it fair? No. Is it right? Absolutely. The NBA doesn't have much choice but to suspend Horry, Stoudemire and Diaw for Game 5.

and I wrote this...

Your move, NBA. Are you going to suspend Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw for leaving the bench after Robert Horry checked Steve Nash into the scorer's table? Or, in an unlikely fit of common sense, are you going to assess the situation reasonably and throw down some show-trial fines and be done with it?

Gangsta D:

I would agree with Keown, except that Stern has NEVER been flexible. It's always been cut and dry. He'd open up a serious can of worms.

Da Realist:

well, he didn't suspend baron davis for his elbow or bruce bowen for his knee so maybe there's hope.

Gangsta D:

Just saw this:

David Stern has an interesting dilemna on his hands. If he suspends Amare and Diaw, the Suns will have no shot and the series will be over. After viewing this evidence, will he now suspend Duncan, too? Or will he suspend just Horry?

That makes things real interesting. Does he suspend all three or let all three walk? Now, I don't have a clue. My gut says he has to follow the rules, or change them next year.

Da Realist:

wonder what jamele hill would say to this...

Gangsta D:

I don't know. But I can't wait to hear what Stern has to say:)

Da Realist:

no way stern suspends duncan. this may let amare and diaw off the hook, but there is no way he suspends duncan. Read more!