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By: Keith Dobkowski
The NBA took a huge hit last year in the ratings as two sound
teams that lacked star power played out a wonderful final. Most
of the NBA playoff games failed to pull in a million households.
The mixture of the two biggest markets, LA and New York, being
shut out, as well as three of the NBA’s biggest stars, Lebron
James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett, watched the playoffs from
home, all had a major influence on the lack of draw in 2005.
Entering this season, the NBA may still face a Knicks, Lakers,
Kobe and KG free postseason, but the league is crossing its
fingers and hoping that a rivalry will keep the TV’s on and boost
the ratings that have suffered in the Post-Jordan era.
For the first time in his NBA career, Yao Ming will enter a season
well rested and solid. Yao has put on weight and has not had
the same off-season requirements in his native China. With a
stronger lower body, Yao should be able to contribute for all 82
games, and more so, be able to be an inside presence in the post
in the playoffs.
In the East, Shaquille O’neal has a reloaded team with more
offense and more experience. The additions of Gary Payton and
Antoine Walker should alleviate some of the regular season
pressure and minutes required of Shaq and thus leave Shaq
healthier and better rested for a playoff run.
The possibility of a Yao v. Shaq finals has the collective NBA’s
mouths watering. The NBA has thrived when the mixture of
superstars and rivalries have grabbed the nation and put every
fan on a side. While it was the Celtics and Lakers in both the 60s
and 80s that brought the league to the forefront – the forefront
being the coveted number two spot behind the NFL (see the
current argument between Nascar and MLB to further
understand) – the NBA hopes that a Houston/Miami rivalry will
bring the league back.
From a marketing standpoint, the ability to push the two biggest
stars and names in the game, as well as the international appeal,
would surely catapult the league to places it has not reached in
the post-Jordan era.
Furthermore, the basketball purest will be happy as well as two
of the best players in the game, Tracy McGrady and Dwyane
Wade would battle up and down the court for 48 minutes.
Most experts have picked both the Heat and the Rockets to finish
second in their respective leagues and we see it no different
here. The East is three-teams deep with the Pistons still having
the best team, albeit led by a new coach. The Indiana Pacers
should challenge as well but it is anyone’s guess as to what Ron
Artest will do. Thus the Heat must choose whether Shaq should
rest and be fresh for the playoffs or if the number one seed is as
important as that rest. Our thoughts are that a fresh Shaq in the
playoffs is the way to go.
As for the West, it is deeper, but not at the very top. There are
the World Champion Spurs and then everyone else. The Spurs
have added bench scoring in Nick Van Exel and Michael Finley,
which should only separate them further from the pack.
2006 will be great and even greater if we the fans are given a
new rivalry.
Published Sports
Writer
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