Read between the lines....this is what the NBA is basically saying, "We know that the NBA hasn't been the same since these two retired. We remember the good ole days just like all of you. For 15 years we have wallowed in mediocrity, thugism, tattoos, highlight-reel dunks, and street cred and have seen our ratings fall almost as low as the NHLs. But LOOK EVERYONE, that is no longer the case. It's BOSTON vs. LOS ANGELES again. It's MAGIC vs. LARRY. Come back mid 30s guy. Come back white America. Come back casual NBA fan. We are back. The rivalry is back. And so are our ratings."
Somehow, someway the NBA has gotten exactly what it needed when it needed it the most.
Somehow, someway Kevin Garnett got traded to the Celtics for a few scrubs and some chowder(ironic that Kevin McHale is the Tiberwolves GM and his buddy and Boston teammate, Danny Ainge, is the Celtics GM. Here's McHale getting a free round of golf and probably more from his buddy Ainge).
Somehow, someway all star Pau Gasol got traded to the Lakers for the biggest scrub in the NBA and a signed picture of Diane Cannon. (ironic that one of the greatest Lakers of all time, Jerry West, happened to be the Grizzlies GM and was there presenting the Western Conference Finals trophy to Mitch Kupchak as if to say, "Here Mitch. I got you what I promised. Wink, wink.")
Anyway, I digress. Let's just sit back and enjoy the return of the NBA and not worry about how or why it happened. I'll be watching on Thursday night just like millions of other Americans.
The ratings will be the highest they've been in (let me guess)........15 years????
ps Lakers in 6.
2 comments:
Dro, I'm glad you brought up the point of white America. I personally believe that racism has hurt the NBA the most. However misunderstood the players may or may not be, with the tatooes, the rap music, and the ocassional public mishap (shootings, stabbings, rape, you get the idea), white America is terrified of today's black NBA players. Its like the little old white lady that clutches her purse a little closer when she walks past a black guy. The days of 4 white guys running down the court with one brother are over and have been since The Celtic's last Finals appearance. My point is that it doesn't matter if its the Celtics and Lakers again in the Finals. The face of the NBA is not what it was 15 years ago, it doesn't matter what teams they shuffle into the Championship. The NBA will continue to struggle, until the return of the short shorts and (American)white players that can take over a game by hitting long-range and 3-point jump shots at will:) Whether we want to admit it or not racism is still alive and well, people just show it a little differently.
Nice Call dro. I just went and got the mail.....on the cover of SI--you'll never guess?! (actually you already did)
Magic and Larry Bird. Classic.
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