Rockets v Orlando 1995 was the highest rated finals?

Shaq vs Dream

 

may not be the highest rated finals, it said "since" the '95 Finals, which is possibly the highest in 20-25 years. I find it hard to believe it was the highest, where we've had Lakers/Celtics twice in the past 4 finals.

I think the casual fan was interested in the underdog it was for the Rockets and actually had a chance of beating the Magic. I know the Knicks with the 8th seed made it to the finals, but most knew they didn't have a shot vs. the Spurs.

 

I think you misread the quote. It looks like that quote is implying the Bulls-Portland series was higher rated than the Orlando-Houston series, but the Orlando-Houston series was the highest rated since 1995. Regardless, that quote is not saying the Houston-Orlando 95 finals was the highest rated ever.

 

Shaq vs Hakeem was huge in the build up.... of course, Shaq was no big deal for the talent level Hakeem was capable of.

 

95 was amazing
so many stars, jordan, dream, malone, stockton, barkley, kj, shaq, penny, ewing, reggie, robinson, rodman ,etc

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1995.html


League Playoffs
Finals (4-0): Houston Rockets over Orlando Magic

Eastern Conference Finals (4-3): Orlando Magic over Indiana Pacers
Western Conference Finals (4-2): Houston Rockets over San Antonio Spurs

Eastern Conference Semifinals (4-3): Indiana Pacers over New York Knickerbockers
Eastern Conference Semifinals (4-2): Orlando Magic over Chicago Bulls
Western Conference Semifinals (4-3): Houston Rockets over Phoenix Suns
Western Conference Semifinals (4-2): San Antonio Spurs over Los Angeles Lakers

Eastern Conference First Round (3-1): Chicago Bulls over Charlotte Hornets
Eastern Conference First Round (3-0): Indiana Pacers over Atlanta Hawks
Eastern Conference First Round (3-1): New York Knickerbockers over Cleveland Cavaliers
Eastern Conference First Round (3-1): Orlando Magic over Boston Celtics
Western Conference First Round (3-2): Houston Rockets over Utah Jazz
Western Conference First Round (3-1): Los Angeles Lakers over Seattle SuperSonics
Western Conference First Round (3-0): Phoenix Suns over Portland Trail Blazers
Western Conference First Round (3-0): San Antonio Spurs over Denver Nuggets

 

Keep in mind that the 90s was basically the peak of NBA popularity. So it doesn't surprise me if the 95 finals was higher rated than the Lakers/Celtics matchup in recent years.

That said, I can't possibly believe the 95 finals could possibly be rated higher than the 96 finals. That one had the 72-win Bulls with Micheal Jordan's first true comeback. If I had to guess the highest rated finals in the past 15 years, that would be the one.

 

According to this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association_Nielsen_ratings#Record_highs

the 1998 Finals (Bulls/Jazz) was the highest rated NBA Finals since the mid-70's.

 

hehe wikipedia

 

I think he meant the highest non jordan final.

 

Yeah...Here is a more accurate Source concerning Finals Ratings.

Here is a graph provided in said site:



Link above has more detailed information.


Spurs vs Cavs Finals was hilariously bad.

 

This might also provide a little context...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994–95_Major_League_Baseball_strike