NBA

[MalkinIsMyHomeboy]

the finals will be more competitive if you give both teams (mainly cleveland) extra time to heal. this break is a good thing.

for competitiveness, yes. For fan interest, no. The average fan will forget about the NBA finals, especially with the Cup finals starting much sooner.

No one cares about the NHL, so that's not a factor.

if the Rags end up in the finals (either West team would do, though I guess the Blackhawks would be a bigger draw) the ratings for the NHL finals would be really big.

looking at this wikipedia article, the Blackhawks finals have been the two highest rated in the last 9 years so I guess they'd be better for the NHL.

of course if Tampa makes the finals the rating will probably drop significantly.

Looks like the NBA finals ratings hover around 9-10, so I think if the Rags/Hawks have a 7 game, close series they could do some damage to the NBA finals ratings.

[willeyeam]

Non-NBA related but since we're on the topic.. I think a Ducks-Bolts series would be a lot of fun (Hawks/Bolts too but I'm tired if them being in the finals), but a Hawks-Rags series would definitely be huge for ratings.

[dodint]

the finals will be more competitive if you give both teams (mainly cleveland) extra time to heal. this break is a good thing.

for competitiveness, yes. For fan interest, no. The average fan will forget about the NBA finals, especially with the Cup finals starting much sooner.

tell me more about this overlapping audience

I 'd.

[NAN]

I'm rooting for Cleveland.

[Troy Loney]

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/ron- ... 1506010050

It is a fascinating dilemma for Pittsburgh sports fans. You have been raised from day one to hate all things Cleveland, especially its sports teams and fans, who are more like you than you care to believe because of their passion, loyalty and knowledge. But we don’t have an NBA team here.

That is most definitely not a fascinating dilemma.

[count2infinity]

I imagine it much to be like Clevelander when it comes to hockey. Most I know don't care or are actually Pens fans. I imagine with Columbus, many are making the switch, but really when it comes to NBA, I don't see much hate from this community for the Cavs.

[columbia]

Raised from day 1 to hate all things Cleveland is silly. Pirates fans don't care about the Tribe and no one under 30 can remember the Browns as a legitimate rival.

[Troy Loney]

I imagine it much to be like Clevelander when it comes to hockey. Most I know don't care or are actually Pens fans. I imagine with Columbus, many are making the switch, but really when it comes to NBA, I don't see much hate from this community for the Cavs.

The Browns are too insignificant to care about, so there's no way a non-existing hatred would matriculate to the Cavs.

[count2infinity]

True... I will tell you this though. Browns fans still absolutely hate the Steelers.

[Freddy Rumsen]

Amy Gill
‏@amygillsports
The '83 Sixers were the last team to win a NBA title that didn't have a player who has been on a roster w/ Shaq.

[shafnutz05]

Amy Gill
‏@amygillsports
The '83 Sixers were the last team to win a NBA title that didn't have a player who has been on a roster w/ Shaq.

A lot of sports factoids are meh, but I find that absolutely mind-boggling if true.

[LITT]

Six degrees of the diesel

[dodint]

I don't hate Cleveland, I feel sorry for them. Which is probably worse.

I loathe Baltimore, though.

[shafnutz05]

For the first time in a long time, I'm actually looking forward to the NBA Finals. A lot of compelling story lines, and a refreshing change from the usual teams that have been up there over the last decade. I'd be OK with GS or Cleveland winning, but pulling for GS. Mainly because of Steph Curry and lol Cleveland.

[MalkinIsMyHomeboy]

Game doesn't start until 9 ughhhh

[MalkinIsMyHomeboy]

These are really fun teams to watch play.


Both have great defense, both have great shooting, both have top tier ballhandlers (Curry and Kyrie) and obviously Lebron is Lebron

[shafnutz05]

These are really fun teams to watch play.


Both have great defense, both have great shooting, both have top tier ballhandlers (Curry and Kyrie) and obviously Lebron is Lebron

Yup. Definitely the most fun to watch Finals in years

[MalkinIsMyHomeboy]

Cave are starting to devolve to Lebron iso-ing every possession. That's not how you're gonna win

[columbia]

You'd think that the NHL could grok allowing the best players to perform at their best.

[MalkinIsMyHomeboy]

Holy crap, what a block by Kyrie

[shafnutz05]

Great basketball

[LITT]

These are really fun teams to watch play.


Both have great defense, both have great shooting, both have top tier ballhandlers (Curry and Kyrie) and obviously Lebron is Lebron

Yup. Definitely the most fun to watch Finals in years

How many finals have you watched in the last couple of years

[willeyeam]

These are really fun teams to watch play.


Both have great defense, both have great shooting, both have top tier ballhandlers (Curry and Kyrie) and obviously Lebron is Lebron

Yup. Definitely the most fun to watch Finals in years

How many finals have you watched in the last couple of years

The Heat/Spurs was the best in a long long time

[shafnutz05]

How many finals have you watched in the last couple of years

The last three or four, dating back to Lakers-Celtics I believe

As I said, in terms of "fresh blood" being in the big show, the storylines, etc. Ulf is right, the 2013 series was pretty awesome/exciting. Just didn't do much for me in terms of interest in the outcome.

But if you were trying to make a point that I know nothing about basketball, go for it

[Troy Loney]

Pistons-Lakers was the last finals that I watched.

That was an awesome finals.