NBA Playoff Thread

Anyone hear what Phil Jackson said when the sideline reporter was interviewing Chris Rock? They seemed surprised at his behavior.

 

No, I'm not really much of a basketball fan. Not when there are other options. Handful of players and teams I might watch, if I'm not saturated in hockey or something else. I used to cover the league many years ago, but in the last 10-15 years it's become one giant garbage heap. Couldn't pay me to cover an NBA game these days.

 

What has happened in the last 10-15 years to make it a garbage heap?

The game is far better than it was 10 years ago.

So you're a sports journalist in a struggling economy and you would refuse to cover an NBA game, that makes a lot of sense.

 

Thank God for people like you.

 

Can't express how much I dislike the 2-3-2 format.

Also, is there anything more reactionary than the tone of reporting that comes after the first game of the NBA Finals? You listen and read stuff the last two days and you'd think the Lakers were the baddest dudes on the planet and the C's will be lucky to avoid the sweep if they don't completely change their style of play.

Oy. Celtics win Game 2 -- a very real possibility -- and all the sudden because of the stupid 2-3-2 format, they have a huge advantage.

 

Phillip is 47-0 when he wins Game 1. It's in the bag.

 

Ha! If you believe that, I've got a "Washington Nationals, 2010 World Series Champion" idea I want to sell you.

 

It's pretty understood that the Lakers are going to win this series.

 

They seem to have learned from their poor play in 2008. They do look vastly different, I'll say that much.

And I disagree with the person who said the game is better today. It has more stars, but I think the game was played at a higher level 10 years ago. I'll watch basketball whenever, wherever, but it has lost something, which is why it's easily a distant No. 3 to the big three sports despite legitimate star power.

 

Well hell. If you say so, call 'em up. I'm sure they'll just call the series now and hand the trophy to the Lakers. I'm sure Boston won't mind.

Good call.

 

You liked watching 76-70 games?

 

I will say that the league has bounced back a little from a low point in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Most of the people in it I don't respect, so why would I waste my time watching them when there are other better things I can follow?