Why Watch the NBA Playoffs?

I do not like the NBA, it's a league I once called a circus and meant every word of it. However, like any self-respecting sports junkie, I follow it. Prior to the dress code, and some more attention on everyone's image, it really was tough to watch. However, like a true sports fan, I suck it up every spring and follow the NBA playoffs. There are bits of excitement as crowds come alive and the players actually seem to care.

This year, I'm going to watch, not because I love the players or the product, but there is no better time that a good circus. Now, without further ado, here are 10 reasons why you should watch the playoffs:

Reason #1

How far does Kobe have to take the Lakers? Seriously, when does the general public turn from "he's a wife-cheating ball-hog" to "I can't believe he wins games one of five." If this were any other player, wouldn't he be guaranteed the MVP? Kevin Garnett single-handedly got the T-Wolves in the playoffs year after year and he was given his due. I am not saying we should all Kobe, I am just curious to see if he could carry the Lakers over someone good and see if things change. Chances are the Lakers get smoked, but who doesn't like watching Kobe jack up shots in desperation to at least get a win?

Reason #2

Ladies and Gentlemen, the return of Ron Artest to the playoffs! Now, I know these chances are again slim, but in the most heated environment possible, can we really be sure nothing is going to happen with Mr. Artest? I'm thinking it's Game 5, things are going poorly for the Kings in an elimination and for the 500th time, Manu Ginobili drives wildly into the lane, and Ronnie just loses it and clothesline's him. You know this is possible, maybe not probable, but something worth keeping our eye on in what should be yet another boring series. Uh-oh, don't put your head in that lion's mouth!

Reason #3

Speaking of boring series, the new playoff format for the first round will destroy upsets waiting to happen. I know everyone and their dog have written at one point or another about how bad this seven-game idea is going to be, but let's review it anyway. Half the series will be either 4-0 or 4-1, which means we could have just handled this in a 50-gamer and saved everyone some time. Two series will six-gamers that are won by the "better team."

These are the series that might have been exciting if they were five-gamers that might have provided an upset or at least a game where the "better team" was facing elimination. I am thinking Miami versus Milwaukee and New Jersey versus any team were pretty good five-game series that just got ruined.

Finally, two series will go to seven games, but they would have gone to five anyway. So really, we are just pushing back one-game elimination games so far back that people will be bored of the first round and Dirk Nowitzki will be able to grow his hair out, or shave it, or whatever he's doing this year, I've lost track. By the way, Cleveland and Washington are going seven and so is Denver/L.A. Clippers (assuming matchups hold). So, maybe we save everyone's time and just play a three-game series for these teams and give the other six favorites a free pass to the next round.

Reason #4

Dick Bavetta and his band of renowned are back again. While other leagues have taken a run at the NBA's 15+ consecutive year-run for worst league-wide officiating, the favorite for 2006 is still the NBA, but for the first year in a while, it's up for grabs. Kudos to both the NFL and the results of the NHL's crackdown, for making it a conversation, though. So, after the NFL playoffs, the NBA has to do something, right? How can the NBA not have a hugely controversial call decide a big game or series? It has to happen, that's all I am saying. Here come the clowns out of the car!

Reason #5

It relates heavily to reason number four, but David Stern has got to do something to prevent Pistons/Spurs. This series has only happened once, but why does it feel like I have seen it every year? Am I the only one dreading this? ANY OTHER COMBINATION! PLEASE! Can we all chip in and make this happen? Nearly 300 million people in North America, one dollar per person, and we split $150 mil to each team to politely bow out.

So, something has to give, and I like Phoenix (more on this later). Phoenix is ready to do it, it's their time, Steve Nash only has so much time left. Their road is relatively paved to the conference finals. Really, all we'd need is one fixed series and that's a piece of cake for ol' D-Stern. Even Detroit/Phoenix I can live with. Unfortunately, I don't see any way Detroit doesn't represent the East. By the way, what does it say about a league when a team with no bench is currently listed in Vegas at less than 2-to-1 to win the championship because their competition in their half of the league is that poor? 37-3 at home, I will leave it at that.

Reason # 6

It's not the playoffs exactly, but we could have a four-way tie in the East at 41-41 and all the teams will make the playoffs! This is brutal, really it is. Jerry Sloan is not happy. People talk about the San Diego Padres last year, the seedings for the NBA/NHL playoffs because of the division winner getting a top-three seed, and even the CFL and their six of eight teams making the playoffs, but four teams at .500! This is at-best I am talking about here. At least Padres won their division. Listen, it's going to happen that the eighth team in a weaker conference will finish with a losing record. That's okay, there are 15 teams in the conference, so the math makes sense, but four?!

Reason #7

Charles Barkley. I don't need much more than the name. What a group on TNT. No circus comparison necessary, this speaks for itself. Super enjoyable. The only situation where I want half-time to last longer is when Charles Barkley is involved.

Reason #8

The Phoenix Suns. This is our only chance to save the NBA. Phoenix has got to make the Finals and whether they get beat by Detroit or not, they are the only thing entertaining about the actual game of NBA basketball that happens prior to the last 60 seconds. Regular season MVP is cool, but, as a Canadian, I am really looking for a Steve Nash, NBA Finals MVP. This team probably could have been in the Finals last year, but injuries derailed them. Let's hope this won't be a factor this year. They have been great with or without Amare Stoudemire.

Reason #9

You didn't think I would go a whole column without mentioning the debut of King James in the playoffs. Come on, LeBron! Let's see you do it! Seriously, LeBron James in the playoffs is reason enough to tune in. Dwayne Wade has shown he can do it in the playoffs and we're all looking forward to seeing him get at it again. Carmelo Anthony has been clutch frequently in his career to this point. This is LeBron's first chance to do a Magic/Michael/Larry-type playoff thing and while his team may be in trouble come the second round, I am ready and willing to suspend reality for this season and hope LeBron does something special.

The playoffs are where the big boys come to play, regardless of age and experience. I am not asking for a championship, but let's at least see something special in round one at least. He gets his first shot at importance. Will he be like MJ or T-Mac? We shall see starting this week.

Reason #10

Two words: Chris Kaman. Maybe if they win a series and since he's in L.A. somebody will offer to help that guy out with his look. Sweet lord, man, you are scaring the children. I have no real basketball point here, but if in two weeks time you watched Kaman and it didn't invoke some uncomfortable feeling inside you, then I think you may have a problem.

Comments and Conversation

April 18, 2006

Max:

Dude, if you don’t like the NBA Playoffs, don’t watch it. I love the league, I think the players are great, and I’m didn’t crap my pants in fear just because they wore throwback jerseys and baggy pants. Anyway, I agree with you on a lot of the reasons to watch, except for one thing: you forgot to mention the MLB umps in your referee point. After Game 2 of the ALCS last year, I think they deserve a mention.

April 19, 2006

Big Moe:

Yo matt, chris kaman scares children and also thier parents and the neighbors too actually…
hahahahaha
what about the nets Big three, and thier constant attempts to harras alonzo mourning, i’m looking forward to that in the east Semifinals

April 20, 2006

Rascy13:

If you don’t want the Spurs and the Pistons to play each other again, fine, but don’t take the Spurs out of it. Personallly, I love watching them play, even though I HATE Detroit.

April 20, 2006

Joe Nobly:

Spurs/Pistons would be great. Spurs/Anybody would be great. The NBA doesn’t have the sense to promote their best teams. The best should be on TV all the time. Last year’s Spurs playoffs had real drama but the NBA had them on cable instead of broadcast TV, so few people got a chance to get into the story. The Spurs play a great style of basketball. Intensive defense style has plenty of action and tension, much more than run and gun does.

April 22, 2006

Matt Russell:

Thanks everyone for leaving a comment… though I think some may have taken it a little too seriously and missed the point. As a whole I dont think the NBA playoffs are boring, just the regular season. Unlike the NHL, or MLB or NFL, there is no race… what team didn’t get in that could have made a legitimate run? Zzzzzzzz. Right now there are too many teams IN that can’t make a legitimate run and you can isolate a few series and even a few games that can decide the playoffs and that rest is pretty predictable. This was just something for those who are about to get into it, those who share my general opinion/habits toward the league.
Next, how many people did you hear say last month, “I love NCAAs way more than the NBA Playoffs”. It was everywhere, it is every year. The point of this was, to the sports fan who has become more of a casual NBA follower because of recent circus-like incidents (Two words: Trail Blazers) or quotes (Latrell), there is some interesting stuff here to follow.
Yes, maybe the diehard basketball fan can appreciate Pistons-Spurs AGAIN, but the fact remains ratings were brutal and people weren’t interested the first 3 times the Spurs were in the Finals. As a casual fan, we want Dallas-Detroit or Phoenix-Miami, thats a fact.
Oh, and no one’s crapping their pants if I wear a throwback to work either, but I would look like a jackass and so do they.
Oh again, the umps totally sucked last year, thanks for the reminder, when I was writing I may have been limiting judgement to 2006. Still, a good call.
Thanks everyone.

April 25, 2006

Jeff Pohlmeyer:

I’ve got a reason not to watch the NBA playoffs…it’s not really a sport. The NBA being associated with the game of basketball is insulting, because all it is is a circus. It’s entertainment, about as high quality as professional wrestling. So in response to your calling yourself a self-respecting sports junkie, I’d say you’re wrong. No self-respecting sports fan would be able to sit down and watch this embarrassment of a league.

April 25, 2006

Marc James:

Wow, Jeff. I like college hoops better, but the NBA isn’t THAT bad … and it’s quite good during the playoffs. Man, did David Stern beat you as a child? What hatred!

April 27, 2006

Gravity:

Matt you’ve cracked me up, While reading your story (and enjoying it very much) I am watching the Leakers / Suns game. What a pile of crap this officiating was. Although normal, and I have become used to Stern’s game plan of manipulating / fixing games it still is fun to watch what magic gets performed to achieve success. I have been on the band wagon since the early 1990’s when I noticed patterns of fouls and outcomes.Yes I am a little slow but I do catch up. It is all about the $ yes the muny , just follow the muny. The league needs market share which= cash, does anybody really think that the bucks or N.O./ Ok city the blazers etc or any other small market teams have any chance of winning anything? Fatchance bucko. I know you are thinking alright smarty pants u so smart how come San Antonio is favored and “Helped” out? Think about it ,who is on that team? Lots of foreign players (who are good and VERY popular in their home countries) from europe/south america etc. Yes follow the muny boys and girls the NBA has pissed off most of the US fans (look at the empty seats all year long in most arenas) the US is saturated and stagnat, the growth is in the foreign markets.
I have watched in amazment now for several years officials bait and hassle certain players ( hi Rasheed ) to try and have a little fun. You didn’t mention Steve Javie one of the worst baiters and liars out there, he even has tossed out several brodcasters from games for pointing out his short comings, what a head case. How about Joey Crawford, had a hell of a time tonight just trying to keep Kobie the sex nut winning , poor Joey can’t remember what a charge or a block is from minute to minute, (Kobie laying out nash in the final moments then seconds later Odom blows over another player, yeah I didn’t see any foul either. LOL) How about Jake O’Donnel being forced to retire several years ago after losing his cool with Clyde Drexler and tossing him trying and successfully fixing a game . Lied and had to resign when audio tape appeared and disputed all of his report. Too bad Jake. Funny you mention Dickie Bavetta , truly one of the better senses of humor for the NBA but you are correct on the DARKSIDE , I named Dick the hitman about 4-5 years ago when I noticed he seems to appear at important games. Dick truly is the lead in Sterno’s fairytales ,seems to be able to take the heat and keep it together better than than Javie , Nies or most of the others, Salvatore, Nunez SR/Jr and most of the others are just to stupid or reactionary to carry out the plan very well. Bavetta is really the key. Think I am full of it? Start watching and paying attention to calls and teams and crews. Serious patterns are there and obvious. Needless to say I won’t spend a nickle on the Nba and can’t believe anybody would pay those prices to watch fixed games. Iam not alone watched a lot of empty seats on TV from some very good teams this year. The really sad fact is now the NFL has started to work the same magic in the last few years, only became wide open with this years superbowl for most people. Ask the Kings , Mavericks , Blazers ,Magic among many others if they have been burned over in favor of more popular / bigger market share teams. Does anyone not think the Maloofs got screwed 2 years in a row in order to get the Lakers on tv for the next round?
Iam waiting for the day when Elliott Spitzer US ATTY for New York wakes up and realizes that a company in his jurisdiction has conspired and manipulated the theft of BILLIONS of dollars from consumers in the diguse of sport. The NBA is a complete Fraud. Ponzi has nothing on the NBA.
Last but not least they admit it. All of their copyrights are NBA ENTERTAINMENT , this is not a sport it is entertainment . Kinda like the WWF I guess.

April 27, 2006

dmoney:

watch the nba for Dwyane Wade duh hes the best player in the league i mean check out his swaggeer he could be better then Kobe Bryant jus tha miami heat is a good team the lakers suck!! i mean really Kobe dont even have assist why? because hes too cocky

April 27, 2006

Rascy13:

Kobe and the Lakers suck, but Dwayne isn’t the BEST. I’d go Duncan or James over him anyday.

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