Huge Loss for the NBA?

[tornado]

The Orlando Magic go up 3 games to 1 against the Cavaliers, and are on the verge of winning the series to advance to the NBA finals.
How big of a loss, both in ratings and in $$ would this be if the NBA's most popular player isn't in the Finals?
It'll be even bigger if Denver can knock out Kobe & the Lakers.

[bigdaddystuck]

The NBA still has playoffs? And they started already? Hmmmm

[tornado]

yea-- and I don't watch a lot of NBA but the playoffs have been fun to watch mainly due to the emergence of some interesting and talented guys that a lot of people had never heard of before.
Most know Carmelo Anthony & Dwight Howard, but really key contributions to their teams from Chris "Birdman" Andersen, Courtney Lee, Rashard Lewis, Rafer Alston..have troubled the gurus who all wanted so much to see the Kobe/LeBron matchup that it was already the main topic of conversation on the talking head-shows weeks ago...

[egib52]

However, what they really want is a huge comeback from the Cavs before they win an exciting game 7 to make it to the Finals...the refs probably already have their marching orders to ensure the Cavs get back in this series with it headed back to Cleveland

[tornado]

I expected to see the evidence of that in the two series involving the Celtics, and it didn't see it overwhelming...I was willing to acutlly give 'em the benefit of the doubt.

[BradleyBrave]

Magic v Nuggets...watch David Stern squirm...I love it. We'll see what tricks the officials have up their sleeves to make these two series go 7 games.

[Out of Balance]

However, what they really want is a huge comeback from the Cavs before they win an exciting game 7 to make it to the Finals...the refs probably already have their marching orders to ensure the Cavs get back in this series with it headed back to Cleveland

I would totally be surprised if you were wrong! I hate the NBA but did watch a little last night, looked more liked pro wrestling to me! If thats BB I will kiss some1's ___ Never Mind, Forget

[tornado]

anyone with comments on last night's NBA Finals game?

we could endlessly debate whether the officials helped to decide the game, but one thing for sure,
at least FOUR separate calls near the end of regulation helped the Lakers avoid a loss.
The charging call on Turkoglu and three fouls on the other end that sent the Lakers (Kobe) to the line were all shown in slo-mo replay, and every one was a phantom call that even the announcers failed to see...asw ell as other observers.

I see I am not the only one who feels this way...

"Kobe goes to the hoop, gets cleanly blocked by Howard, another foul. The
refs have done their job to officially neuter basketball. If a guy goes to the
hoop at any point in the fourth quarter, it seems like he'll end up on the free
throw line.
Next, a weak offensive foul call on Hedo, then a foul on a Kobe jumpshot.
There have now been foul calls on five straight possessions. Unbelievable
and unacceptable. All the calls have been questionable."

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/194643-lakers-magic-game-two-running-diary

[Chico]

yea-- and I don't watch a lot of NBA but the playoffs have been fun to watch mainly due to the emergence of some interesting and talented guys that a lot of people had never heard of before.
Most know Carmelo Anthony & Dwight Howard, but really key contributions to their teams from Chris "Birdman" Andersen, Courtney Lee, Rashard Lewis, Rafer Alston..have troubled the gurus who all wanted so much to see the Kobe/LeBron matchup that it was already the main topic of conversation on the talking head-shows weeks ago...

Haven't watched much NBA since the Hawk retired and pictures like these sure won't get me to watch again.

[houstontxbrave]

anyone with comments on last night's NBA Finals game?

we could endlessly debate whether the officials helped to decide the game, but one thing for sure,
at least FOUR separate calls near the end of regulation helped the Lakers avoid a loss.
The charging call on Turkoglu and three fouls on the other end that sent the Lakers (Kobe) to the line were all shown in slo-mo replay, and every one was a phantom call that even the announcers failed to see...asw ell as other observers.

I see I am not the only one who feels this way...

"Kobe goes to the hoop, gets cleanly blocked by Howard, another foul. The
refs have done their job to officially neuter basketball. If a guy goes to the
hoop at any point in the fourth quarter, it seems like he'll end up on the free
throw line.
Next, a weak offensive foul call on Hedo, then a foul on a Kobe jumpshot.
There have now been foul calls on five straight possessions. Unbelievable
and unacceptable. All the calls have been questionable."
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...-running-diary

This type of BS has been going on forever, when you say it is acceptable to give calls to the "superstar" its then pretty much equal to WWF.

I only watched the last 5 minutes but that is enough for me this season. The call on Pietrus on the drive by Bryant where there was no contact and Howard blocked the shot, then the foul on Turkkulo where Bryant fell down were both jokes. But I turned it off after seeing Bryant blocked from behind, cleanly, then jumping around crying like a child. Enough is enough.

[BuAlum03]

Yeah, last night was pretty bogus. You expect to see calls missed both ways; the refs are human, even at the highest level. but to see the lakers get consistently bailed out is pretty frustrating. and the Magic still had a chance to win on a brilliant lob play for Lee.

[tornado]

I wish for C-Lee's sake that he'd have made that gamewinning shot...
he'd have become a household name quickly!

[Chico]

Why get upset over calls on drives to the basket? When was the last time anyone saw a travel call on a drive to the basket in the NBA? At least that shouldn't be a questionable call, it's always obvious.

[lefty]

I wish for C-Lee's sake that he'd have made that gamewinning shot...
he'd have become a household name quickly!

I wish he would have made at least one of those two layups in the last minute

[houstontxbrave]

Why get upset over calls on drives to the basket? When was the last time anyone saw a travel call on a drive to the basket in the NBA? At least that shouldn't be a questionable call, it's always obvious.

In the overtime, LA inbounded the ball to Fisher who took 4-5 steps then sent a pass to Odom. LeBron James can go from the top of the key to the rim without a dribble. The NBA does not care, its a show and people pay huge amounts of money for the show.

What drives me crazy even further is how players flat out do not dribble the ball, they actually carry it anytime they want. No one is required to control a dribble, by dribbling the top of the ball. Guys make cross-overs by essentially running with it and dribbling only after picking it up from either below the ball or from the side of the ball.

And going to the rim it is ok for Bryant to lead with his shoulder but anyone else its an offensive foul.