Finally, the NBA is down to the last 4 teams. We have in the West, The Spurs vs. the Lakers. And in the East, it's the Pistons vs. the Celtics.
Message to David Stern: Do whatever you have to do to get Boston and L.A. in the Finals. Pay whomever you need to to. Break whomever's kneecaps you need to. For the NBA to get any type of significant TV coverage other than game nights, you need this matchup. And if you've seen the ratings for the NBA Finals the last few years, you really need this matchup.
Boston and L.A. give us that classic East versus West matchup. Two major markets on opposite sides of the country. And just think of all the marketing and TV opportunities for this matchup. Get Lakers and Celtics players from the 80's to do spot TV promos, and even make them available for some color commentary on TV. People who don't give a hoot about the NBA might watch just because it's the Lakers and Celtics.
And then there are the players. Kobe vs KG, Ray, and Paul. The quotes will just come spewing. Unfortunately, for Kobe, he is the only top-bill star on the Lakers. The Celtics have ... 2. But both teams have enough quotable star talent to make it interesting. I'd love to see Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher step up and say some things that Sam Cassell and Paul Pierce could respond to.
To once again be part of the American sports conversation, the NBA needs this.
Thoughts?
Andy?
1 comment:
Two things. First, the NBA finals are on?! I kid. But seriously, this truth is ratings are up 14% on last year's finals. Unfortunately, that's still an average 2.4 in the ratings. Not good. So, the NBA could use a little more pop in the Finals.
Second, they'll probably get it. This year is one of those rare years (for any sport) when the two best teams are in big cities. So while LA-BOS would make for a great matchup on the hardwood, Stern probably doesn't have to break too many knees to make it happen.
Compare this to NHL's finals pitting Detroit vs Pittsburgh, not exactly big cities. Saving the NHL though is the fact Detroit is the Yankees of the NHL, people who can barely spell NHL will watch. Besides, who would want to watch Kings vs Islanders? Ugh.
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