Star-free finals are hurting NBA?

[Sazar]

http://money.cnn.com/2005/06/10/commentary/column_sportsbiz/sportsbiz/index.htm?cnn=yes

I have been reading this the whole week since Miami went out to the Pistons. That ratings are low because of blah-blah-blah reason.

I put it to the media, the ESPN's and NBA.com's and others that the fault is their own.

I am fortunate enough to live in a city where the Mavs, Rockets and Spurs are all within a couple of hours driving distance and I get to watch the games. Therefore I know the players in the teams.

I also take the time to learn the teams and the players, even the role players and the benchwarmers.

The media pays far too much attention to a few "stars" like James and Kobe and co. Players like Ben Wallace, Rip Hamilton, Tim Duncan and Ginobli simply are not given teh air time that others are.

Duncan especially, while he garners all the MVP's and titles and the respect, simply is not considered very news-worthy otherwise.

He dominates the paint like few others in his position and he wills his team to win on both ends of the floor. The only other player of his calibre is Shaq, but while Shaq is more dominant inside, Duncan has a better range and is currently more atheletic.

If the NBA didn't put all its eggs in one basket these past 2 seasons (Lebron james) than perhaps more people might be interested in the product.

Its like going to the movies. Do you watch something you have never heard anything about or do you watch something you have seen ad's for, even if the ads look ridiculous?

Marketing dropped the ball and the media played upto it. And unfortunately ABC has to suffer. Them and the pistons and spurs, both good teams who deserve to be where they are.

Star-free finals, IMO, are not hurting the NBA. There are plenty of stars there. What is hurting the NBA is their own bone-headed marketing. Shoot yourself in the foot and reap the rewards.

[stncttr908]

I've heard about everyone's side on this, but that's what happens when the NBA markets their players before their game, as you've said.

[Zelda_fan]

To be honest I don't like Duncan's game that much, and to be honest I'm not paying much attention to the finals becasue they are pretty boring. Sure Duncan can get in the paint and toss it in or dish it off, but that's all he does. His game has no finesse. I mean, his game works, don't get me wrong, but he just lacks the passion that players like MJ and Lebron have to just take over and completely dominate a game.

I was actually hoping the Suns would have made it to the finals because I really enjoy watching them play. Would have been a much more interesting series IMHO.

The reason why the media give so much attention to stars like Lebron is becaue it is just fun to watch them play, and mark my words Lebron will have a MVP and a ring in a few years. He is only 2 years out of HS into the nba cut hit a bit of slack :). Duncan's game (while it works) is just straight up boring.

[stncttr908]

It's boring, yes, but it gets the job done. In the end, winning is everything.

[Sazar]

To be honest I don't like Duncan's game that much, and to be honest I'm not paying much attention to the finals becasue they are pretty boring. Sure Duncan can get in the paint and toss it in or dish it off, but that's all he does. His game has no finesse. I mean, his game works, don't get me wrong, but he just lacks the passion that players like MJ and Lebron have to just take over and completely dominate a game.

He's quieter than either of those guys or Kobe or Shaq or others who love winning (bird, magic and co) BUT he can play and he does have a heck of a lot of passion.

He has not won MVP's because he doesn't have talent, it is because he makes his team so much better and unlike others he doesn't have to have a big mouth to do it.

He can take over and completely dominate a game and has done so many times. He can defend and score and dish and rebound. Thats a pretty complete package.

I was actually hoping the Suns would have made it to the finals because I really enjoy watching them play. Would have been a much more interesting series IMHO.

If the Suns were able to defend they would be there. You don't win a title by just running down the court faster than the other team and not doing jack all on the other side.

Interesting series woulda been Miami, Suns. But neither team was able to get it done. I had my money on Miami but it was not to be this season.

The reason why the media give so much attention to stars like Lebron is becaue it is just fun to watch them play, and mark my words Lebron will have a MVP and a ring in a few years. He is only 2 years out of HS into the nba cut hit a bit of slack :). Duncan's game (while it works) is just straight up boring.

Dwayne is just as entertaining if not more. He has hit more game winning shots, he has had bigger games, he has carried his team more so than Lebron. Only 2 years out of HS is good and what not but he can't win. Not even with the talent he has had.

Lebron will win an MVP over others because he is on tv all the time at the moment, not because he is better than everyone else. If Kobe had been healthy all season and had a center anywhere near as good as Z, he would have had same or better stats across the board. Dwayne had close to the same stats as well.

Duncan is able to dominate and plays the game the way its supposed to be. Lebron has a lot of talent but he first has to start winning. MJ didn't have this much fanfare till he won a coupla titles with his heroics.

The media perpetuates the myth that Duncan is boring. Just like it perpetuates the myth that Lebron is the greatest player ever.

There have been some incredible straight from h.s. players before, some who put up better numbers than Lebron has so far but they are not even mentioned.

I dunno. I guess its just frustrating to see other incredibly gifted players not get any credit, see all kinds of free hype being heaped on a single brilliant player and then bitching and moaning about not enough coverage or interest by the very people who bungled it all up to start with.

[UDawg]

I love defence so these finals have entertained me a great deal. I don't like mindless offence that so much of the public wants to see.

[OWA]

This was the final I wanted so I'm happy with it.

I love Tim Duncan's game and attitude. In this day and time, it's refreshing to see one of the best players in the league with a team-first attitude and not just trying to always keep the attention on himself.