We don’t spend a lot of time talking about sports, or sports programming here on CB, but I just want to take a moment to point something out that I’m pretty excited about: The first game of the NBA Finals is tonight on ABC.
Now I live in Dallas, and am thus a totally biased Dallas Mavericks fan. But something really interesting is about to happen on your television tonight, so whether you like the Miami Heat or you’re totally disinterested in both teams and the NBA in general pay attention. For the first time since 1979, no matter which team wins the seven game series, the NBA Championship will be won by a team that's never won it before.
Think about that. More than three decades of the same old teams playing for the NBA Championship. This is a breath of fresh air, something different. No San Antonio, no Detroit Pistons, no dynasties. It’s about time the NBA gave us something new, and you have to believe that will be reflected in the ratings.
Unlike what’s happening in the NHL Stanley Cup Finals, where two teams from small markets that no one cares about are battling it out for the Cup, the NBA is blessed with two new teams from major markets. Two teams people are interested in. Two teams that play an exciting style of basketball.
If you haven’t been watching before, now might be the time to flip over to ABC and just peek in at what’s going on. So far, this has been one of the most exciting playoffs in the history of the NBA. The Mavericks played a series of incredible nail biters against San Antonio and Phoenix, which many have declared some of the most exciting games in televised basketball history. For the Miami Heat, getting to the Finals meant killing a goliath, knocking out Detroit even though they were a huge underdog.
And those were just the preliminary rounds.
I’m a total Mavericks homer, but even if you’re not a fan of either of the two teams playing in the finals tonight, the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks, if you’ve ever liked basketball at all, this just might be the time to watch.
The NBA Finals start at 8:00 tonight, broadcast live on ABC from the American Airlines Center. I’d say see you there, except I won’t. I’ll be sitting on my couch rooting for Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard, Devin Harris, and the rest of the Mavs to wear out Shaq. If you’re watching too, tell us what you think Game One in the comments section below.
My wild prediction? Mavs in 6.
