By now I'm sure that the heads of TNT and NBC are wondering, "Why is nobody watching the NBA?" Their strategy seems flawless. The teams from the biggest markets, and with the most marketable stars, get the most games. The former especially applies to NBC. Every Sunday, you're guaranteed to see either the Knicks, the Lakers, or the Jazz. On cable, you'll either get the Knicks, Lakers, Spurs, Raptors, Blazers, Jazz, or Kings. Most of these teams have big stars, or are from big cities, so why are the ratings down 30 percent? The answer is, these teams are good, but are just not much fun to watch. The Blazers and Spurs are two very good teams; so why don't they draw ratings when they play each other? Its simeple: NO ONE OUTSIDE OF SAN ANTONIO OR PORTLAND ENJOYS WATCHING A DEFENSE ORIENTED CLUNK FEST! It is not fun to watch a team grab a thrilling 81-80 win, unless you are a die hard basketball fan. The common fan doesn't care about the New York-Miami rivalry. They don't enjoy watching a team beat each other up to a 86-83 final. That isn't fun basketball. Also, common fans don't enjoy seeing the exact same teams play every other day. Last week, TNT ran Sacramento games two days in a row. THERE ARE 29 TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE, NOT 4! Most of the teams average large amounts of points, but they also play great defense. Defense is not fun to watch. The Lakers average 102 ppg, but often get in slow paced defensive battles with other playoff contenders. In other words, STOP SHOWING US THE BEST DEFENSIVE TEAMS EVERY NIGHT. Lets see a few more Milwaukie-Dallas matchups. These teams score 100 and give up 97. Instead of the final being 84-79, its somewhere around 110-107. Lets see a Houston-Seattle matchup. These teams average around 100 and give up points in the mid 90s. Final scores are usually in the 100s. Fans enjoy seeing the ball go through the hoop much more than a 24 second violation. The only time defense is fun to watch is when you are rooting for a particular team. Offense, however, is always enjoyable. So, NBC, TNT, listen up! THE RATINGS ARE GOING TO KEEP GOING DOWN UNTIL YOU START SHOWING THE TEAMS THAT SCORE A LOT, AND PLAY CRAPPY DEFENSE. The Knicks have to be the worst team I have ever had to watch. Their offense is stagnant and boring. Every game is like that second quarter of the Rockets-Spurs matchup. They are a decent team, but painful to the eyes. The ratings are going to keep going down for as long as the Knicks are on every night. Thankyou, and that is my rant of the day. ------------------ This message has been brought to you by the "Hard-dose-of-reality" Virus. [This message has been edited by ZRB (edited March 18, 2001).]
Do you not agree? I couldn't believe it when TNT ran two Kings games in a row... ------------------ This message has been brought to you by the "Hard-dose-of-reality" Virus.
the kings are one of the most entertaining teams in the league to watch!!!!! i just wish theyd let jwill do all that fancy stuff. ------------------ http://members.fortunecity.com/omar369
They are fun to watch, but two games in a row seems insulting for other teams in the league that are also fun to watch. I can't believe the NBA still hasn't put another Rocket game on national TV. It doesn't really matter to me, but I just like it when they get exposure. ------------------ This message has been brought to you by the "Hard-dose-of-reality" Virus.
The Rockets are one of, if not the most, exciting teams in the league. You may be thinking I'm just saying that because I'm a biassed Rockets fan, but it's the truth. Even the Kings have dissapointed on National TV, like when they got annhialated by the Bucks. That being said, they are a team that deserves TV appearances. Teams that don't are the knicks, Utah, and Toronto. Other teams don't deserve spot either, but I won't mention them. For all the excitement Vince Carter has in him, the guy just isn't doing as many spectacular things this year, and the rest of the Raptors aren't worth watching. I saw him play the Knicks a couple of nights ago and the guy was horrid. He actually hit the shotclock on one shot. That was how out of control he was. People complain about Cat, but Vince takes the cake as far as bad shots go. I really don't know why the Rockets don't have more TV spots. Maybe our crowd doesn't present the atmosphere the NBA is trying to maket. Aside from the Spurs game, and the crowd was awesome, out crowd is not exactly something to brag about. Anybody else got any reasons why we don't have more TV appearances? ------------------
I am so sick - no, you do not understand - SO sick of hearing Marv Albert pronounce "KOBEE (pause) BRIE-yant" over and over and over and over. And "Shuh-quille Oh-Neal," right after he does one of his usual/boring-as-hell dunks. He cries out in excitement if Shaq happens to make a damn free-throw. And he does all this in his horribly annoying scratchy voice. Lord I despise him. Today in the Laker-Magic game, which I watched to see if they mentioned the Rocks after beating the Spurs, during halftime there was a feature on the Jailblazers and Spuds and they had this whole huge thing about the Spurs being the hottest team in the league. The Peter Vescey says quickly, "EVEN though they lost to Houston last night, they still..." They talked about the phucking top teams in the west ready for the playoffs and not about the tight race FOR the playoffs. Who cares what seed the top teams get? I just care who makes it. I mean, the 7th and 8th seeds could very well determine the fate of the West's elite. N-B-C: Nothing-But-Crap ------------------ Watch Cat's Corner every Sunday night on Fox 26 news at 9! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ROCKETS!
If they don't like the home crowd, they should show some Rockets away games. ------------------ This message has been brought to you by the "Hard-dose-of-reality" Virus.
You're right. I guess they never thought the rockets would be this good. ------------------ [This message has been edited by tacoma park legend (edited March 18, 2001).]
I understand why they originally thought the Rockets wouldn't be this good, but the Nuggets started with no games on National TV, and they gained 2. The Rockets started with one, and have gained none. ------------------ This message has been brought to you by the "Hard-dose-of-reality" Virus.
NBC does suck. I have pretty much stopped watching the games they play because it is the same damn teams over and over. I don't understand why orlando keeps getting air time. Did anyone notice the stat they gave today? Magic: 0-10 on national tv. That is not exciting me to watch. (even though I did because I like T-Mac) Give me one reason the raptors are on national tv: Vince Carter. why should the rox be on national tv: Steve Francis. Both are exciting and high-flying. Plus the exciting playoff push in the west. what is up with not playing that??? ------------------ Poopy!
In defense of the media focus on the top teams, if the Rockets were #1, I wouldn't care about who was fighting to squeeze in the last seeds except in terms of who they might end up playing. You're right that the fight for the lower seeds is as interesting and relevant as the fight for the top seeds, but just because we don't care about the top seeds doesn't mean the rest of the country doesn't/shouldn't care. I can't stand Marv Albert either. Maybe it's just my conservative side or my emotions, but I wish he didn't get his job back after that whole (rape?) incident. Stuff and people like that really piss me off. ------------------
Ya know ZRB, I said I would speak up when I find somehting of yours I agree with. And what you say is true: As a television event, defense basketball sux. I would rather see the offensive explosions as television fare. Good post. I just hope he reads this. ------------------ Behad Sergeant at Arms of the Clutch BBS
IMO, the biggest problem is the players themselves. No matter what anyone says people watch the NBA to see a particular player play and secondly to see a good game. The character of the players just hasn't been established yet. I know I loved watching Larry vs Magic or Larry vs Dr J and the old school matchups. Eventually it became transitioned to Isiah vs magic and Isiah vs MJ. After that MJ took on the best of the NBA (Drexler, CB4, etc) and the battle of the big men (Dream vs Shaq and Dream vs Patrick). Now there are some really good players and the NBA tries to promote it's young stars, but I for one could care less if I ever see Vince Carter play. I see all his hi-lites every day on sportscenter but he plays on a crappy team. Tehre are some of these players now like Shaq who are marketable but they just don't peek my interest like the older guys. They had character and maybe it has to do with Shaq being so big that you expect him to dominate. Sorry about the ranting, but just my $.02
maybe they should just forget airing basketball games altogether and make a longer/cooler version of that nike commercial where everyone is dribbling. ------------------ http://members.fortunecity.com/omar369
I remember reading somewhere (and I think it was a recent SI) that they are making a longer version of that commercial. Lemme dig it out and I will post it. ------------------ Poopy!
Well, I have been given a second chance. So, thanks. I'm glad you agree. ------------------ Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon is the greatest player in the history of basketball. If you disagree, you are not a Rocket fan.
