NBA finals: Is anybody paying close attention?

[VF21]

I got into a bit of a heated discussion - short-lived but interesting - with a member of the local media at the pre-draft workouts on Friday. Seems our newest Kings reporter is a Laker fan. (Go figure...)

Anyway, I was mentioning my disappointment with the coverage of the NBA finals this year and how toadying the commentators were in favor of the Lakers. At some point I also brought up that I didn't think a lot of Laker fans in attendance were there to see the Lakers play the Magic and that they were most likely disappointed because it wasnt Kobe-Lebron going against each other. I actually mentioned I wasn't sure all that many Laker fans would even recognize or appreciate the games of Hedo, Rashard Lewis, etc. I was rebuffed with the comment that Laker fans are very knowledgeable and he would know because he grew up in LA.

Having experienced the knowledge and class of Laker fans up close and personal to the point where I will no longer attend Laker games in Arco, let alone travel to Staples, I let the discussion die but have to wonder more than ever why the Bee would opt for an obvious Laker fan to cover the Kings. Are there NO journalists in the entire Sacramento area who could do the job as well? My guess? Oh yeah, I'm sure there are but why pick one of them when you can have Laker bias right from the start. And yes, that's cynical.

Okay, I digressed just a bit...sorry.

This isn't about a Laker fan. My original intent - to which I shall now return - was to get an indication from all of you about how many are even watching the finals at this point...

And, of course there's a poll.

 

[hoopsfan]

Poll?? What poll??

 

[VF21]

Um, it's there now. Sorry, hoopsie. And you do know, of course, that when I make stereotypical comments about Laker fans I am NOT taling about you, or Gargamel, or a couple of the other fans who have become regulars around here.

 

[hoopsfan]

Um, it's there now. Sorry, hoopsie. And you do know, of course, that when I make stereotypical comments about Laker fans I am NOT taling about you, or Gargamel, or a couple of the other fans who have become regulars around here.

Yeah, I know, I don't take it personal. I've lived here long enough...There are jerk fans of every team, but I try not to be one of them.

My mom was getting razzed in San Antonio yesterday, but even a white haired old lady put the guy in his place! Some stranger at Denny's started going at it with her...she shut him down and shut him up. You go mom!

 

[hoopsfan]

Unfortunately...unless the game is on the weekend, I'm at work and unable to watch. Sometimes I try to stay up to catch the replay at midnight.....

 

[Merdiesel]

"I watch until I cannot stand the bias any longer."


awe.. did you make that for me?

 

[Rookie]

Yes I enjoy the NBA finals.

 

[Spike]

Not watching at all. Not because the Lakers are in the finals, but because I don't think it'll be pretty. Lakers in 5 was my original guess, but they may not even make it that far unless Orlando plays out of their gourd for the next 4/5 games.
I would have watched a Kobe/Lebron matchup because the announcers would be able to drool over both players instead of putting Kobe on his current pedestal. That, and I live on the east coast. It's much too late for me. I'm old.

 

[Jerryaki]

i watch it because basketball is basketball, and i'll have many weeks ahead to not watch basketball.

i didn't really notice the bias too much until it was mentioned on here. instead, i spend the game trying to think about what completely useless nugget the announcers will drop on viewers before they say it, things like "they're going to get the ball into hedo's hands for the final possessions, because he's a terrific playmaker for the magic." um, thanks.

but last night i did notice the bias a little more, which culminated when bryant stepped out of bounds but still made the corner three. JVG: "that was the absolute best turnover I've ever seen!!!!" sheesh.

 

[sloter]

There should be an option: Yes, but only cause I hate the Lakers and will root for any team playing against them.

 

[AriesMar27]

its not kobe-lebron or my wish of a lebron-carmelo nba finals but its been okay. if orlando can win game 4 then it might get interesting with one more game in orlando for game 5. but orlando has to win game 4 to make this series worth watching. the lakers have no pressure on their side.

 

[Warhawk]

if orlando can win game 4 then it might get interesting with one more game in orlando for game 5. but orlando has to win game 4 to make this series worth watching. the lakers have no pressure on their side.

Eh, I don't know about that. Nobody has really been giving the Magic a chance to win - but if the lakers go from 2-0 to 2-2, I think they will be feeling pressure and the Magic will be feeling confident about their chances.

 

[TheFifthMookie]

I chose "watch until the bias ruins it" or something like that, but truth be told, I haven't watched a single second of the finals.

The following is how I feel about the finals and does not have a bunch of facts to back it up:

1. The Lakers are in the finals.
2. I expected announcer bias because of #1 above, reading this thread tells me I was right.
3. I expect a number of 'questionable calls' to go the Lakers way. blame Tim Donahey or 2002 or whatever, I doubt the authenticity of NBA officiating.
4. The magic have not won 3 games and are looking to win the championship yet. I'll watch a laker elimination game.

 

[kupman]

Here is my write-in vote:

I watch the last 3-5 minutes of the game if I do not have anything better to do.

I mean, what is the point of watching the first 2 hours of these games anyway? The games are not usually decided in the first 3 1/2 quarters. It typically comes down to the last few minutes of the game when we are all treated to blown calls, reviews that take 5- 10 min (when it should only take about 15 sec), players and coaches pi**ing and moaning about every call and each team using all the time-outs that they have been hoarding since half-time. The final 5 minutes takes about 30-45 minutes to play and that is about all I can stand.

/rant

 

[hrdboild]

I'm trying to watch, but I get routinely disgusted with what I'm seeing to the point where I need to take a break. I have a hard time watching the Lakers play in general. It's been particularly bad in the Finals. Orlando shot terribly in game 1 and the commentators (Jeff Van Gundy included) did nothing but praise the Lakers as if they were the reason Orlando missed a dozen open three point shots. I saw three consective (blatant) bad calls in a row in the third quarter of game 2. Even though Orlando won game 3, it still felt like a Laker lovefest on TV. And it took about 15 minutes to play the last .5 seconds of the game. Excruciating. I would have loved it if Denver and Orlando both made it -- two teams who've never won a game in the finals before. But I'll keep tuning in to watch Orlando as much as I can stand it.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

I am watching about half the time. Didn't really see an option that fits for me so I abstained in voting. I love sports and will watch the most competitive thing on. If its a blow out I tune out, close games I am there. Really disappointed that the NHL and NBA have decided to run their finals head to head. Should be getting a live final game every day instead I am forced to choose.

I am glad its not Kobe-LeBron, the ridiculous hype and Nike commercials had me rooting for an Orlando-Denver finals.