A Great First Round: NBA Playoffs
Bleacher Talk
May 7, 2006
The first round of the NBA Playoffs isn't over yet, but it has turned out to be one of the best in a long time. It has filled the sports pages with more than a just dose of game results, highlighted by competitive and exciting games, controversy and breakthroughs. Over-all, it sure looks like the NBA's wish of making its consumers know the league as more than just a of bunch games is clicking.
Traditionally, the first round is supposed to be the “easy” phase of the playoffs where the higher seeded teams go through the motion of disposing of the title pretenders. But this hasn't happened at all. The balance in competition among the teams in the playoffs has stood out that all series (except one) have turned out to be tough battles. Only the Dallas-Memphis 4-0 series followed the norm as all others were relatively close and competitive.
The main reason why the first round isn't over is because the round's most exciting and closest clash isn't over yet. The Phoenix Suns and LA Lakers play in a no-tomorrow Game 7 today (Sunday morning in the Philippines) in a series that is already a novel all by itself with all its drama and soap opera script that beats all those reality TV shows.
Although the other series ended via 4-2 or 4-1 routes, the favorites had to go through some scary moments before pulling out the crucial wins the get through. Nobody expected Miami and San Antonio to be tied against their rivals 2-2, after fours games. The Bulls proved that they could match up well against the Heat and scored convincing wins in Games 3 and 4 after being down, 0-2. The Kings who weren't given much of a chance to take even a game from defending champs San Antonio,but they couldn't let their fans down, also taking both games at home. On a milder note, Milwaukee took a game from the Detroit after almost all analysts predicted a 4-0 sweep for the Pistons.
The first round will also be remembered for major league breakthroughs that deserve praise. The Cleveland Cavaliers finally made it to the playoffs after a long, long wait, and they weren't satisfied with just making it. They made sure that this would not a be short-lived playoff experience, winning their first round showdown against the Washington Wizards. On a personal / personnel note, Lebron James has finally taken his team to the playoffs after a frustrating two years that included a legitimate shot at the playoffs last season.
And who could forget the Los Angeles Clippers? LA will also be known to the NBA fan as Laker land, but its Staples Center roommates have come out bigger this year, cruising past Denver 4-1. Both Cleveland and the Clippers have always been known to be the league's doormats who make it a tradition to always take an early summer break. But it sure looks like they've had too many of these and are willing to delay their summer vacations. Of the two, the Clippers may have a better shot at making it past the second round if it meets the Lakers. The Cavaliers have a much much tougher foe in Detroit for their second round match-up.
This first round isn't going away without the usual controversy that stimulates a lot of “talk.” But nothing beats this. How about all the talk that the league would rather see a first-ever LA-LA series? Ridiculous though it may sound, but there is loose talk that the NBA, from a business perspective, is better off with a Lakers-Clippers series over a Clippers-Suns showdown. Some are asking if this is why Raja Bell was suspended for Game 6? Is this why Kobe is getting away with his elbowing and trash talking?
I must admit though that a historic Clippers-Lakers match-up would be one for the books, but that's taking it a bit too far. The Lakers have won three games so far due to hard work and by following a superb game plan authored by Phil Jackson. On the hand, the Suns have responded with great poise, forcing a Game 7 (that wasn't expected by the NBA?). It's hard to believe all these talk, but this is what the NBA is all about. More talk about this will lead to more interest, ergo more curiosity, higher viewership and ratings, and of course revenues.
After an 82-game regular season, the NBA has switched to high gear with the playoffs. Fans are now following the games more closely than before and I'm sure they aren't coming out of it empty-handed. And this is only the first round! Up next are Miami-New Jersey and Detroit-Cleveland in the East. The West will feature Dallas-San Antonio and LA-Phoenix or LA. I can only drool at that the second round has in store for us.
**
Time-out: Happy birthday to Sonnette Reroma-Yabut, Ed Malatag and Victor Gutierrez! >>> You can reach me at bleachertalk@yahoo.com.
May 7, 2006
The first round of the NBA Playoffs isn't over yet, but it has turned out to be one of the best in a long time. It has filled the sports pages with more than a just dose of game results, highlighted by competitive and exciting games, controversy and breakthroughs. Over-all, it sure looks like the NBA's wish of making its consumers know the league as more than just a of bunch games is clicking.
Traditionally, the first round is supposed to be the “easy” phase of the playoffs where the higher seeded teams go through the motion of disposing of the title pretenders. But this hasn't happened at all. The balance in competition among the teams in the playoffs has stood out that all series (except one) have turned out to be tough battles. Only the Dallas-Memphis 4-0 series followed the norm as all others were relatively close and competitive.
The main reason why the first round isn't over is because the round's most exciting and closest clash isn't over yet. The Phoenix Suns and LA Lakers play in a no-tomorrow Game 7 today (Sunday morning in the Philippines) in a series that is already a novel all by itself with all its drama and soap opera script that beats all those reality TV shows.
Although the other series ended via 4-2 or 4-1 routes, the favorites had to go through some scary moments before pulling out the crucial wins the get through. Nobody expected Miami and San Antonio to be tied against their rivals 2-2, after fours games. The Bulls proved that they could match up well against the Heat and scored convincing wins in Games 3 and 4 after being down, 0-2. The Kings who weren't given much of a chance to take even a game from defending champs San Antonio,but they couldn't let their fans down, also taking both games at home. On a milder note, Milwaukee took a game from the Detroit after almost all analysts predicted a 4-0 sweep for the Pistons.
The first round will also be remembered for major league breakthroughs that deserve praise. The Cleveland Cavaliers finally made it to the playoffs after a long, long wait, and they weren't satisfied with just making it. They made sure that this would not a be short-lived playoff experience, winning their first round showdown against the Washington Wizards. On a personal / personnel note, Lebron James has finally taken his team to the playoffs after a frustrating two years that included a legitimate shot at the playoffs last season.
And who could forget the Los Angeles Clippers? LA will also be known to the NBA fan as Laker land, but its Staples Center roommates have come out bigger this year, cruising past Denver 4-1. Both Cleveland and the Clippers have always been known to be the league's doormats who make it a tradition to always take an early summer break. But it sure looks like they've had too many of these and are willing to delay their summer vacations. Of the two, the Clippers may have a better shot at making it past the second round if it meets the Lakers. The Cavaliers have a much much tougher foe in Detroit for their second round match-up.
This first round isn't going away without the usual controversy that stimulates a lot of “talk.” But nothing beats this. How about all the talk that the league would rather see a first-ever LA-LA series? Ridiculous though it may sound, but there is loose talk that the NBA, from a business perspective, is better off with a Lakers-Clippers series over a Clippers-Suns showdown. Some are asking if this is why Raja Bell was suspended for Game 6? Is this why Kobe is getting away with his elbowing and trash talking?
I must admit though that a historic Clippers-Lakers match-up would be one for the books, but that's taking it a bit too far. The Lakers have won three games so far due to hard work and by following a superb game plan authored by Phil Jackson. On the hand, the Suns have responded with great poise, forcing a Game 7 (that wasn't expected by the NBA?). It's hard to believe all these talk, but this is what the NBA is all about. More talk about this will lead to more interest, ergo more curiosity, higher viewership and ratings, and of course revenues.
After an 82-game regular season, the NBA has switched to high gear with the playoffs. Fans are now following the games more closely than before and I'm sure they aren't coming out of it empty-handed. And this is only the first round! Up next are Miami-New Jersey and Detroit-Cleveland in the East. The West will feature Dallas-San Antonio and LA-Phoenix or LA. I can only drool at that the second round has in store for us.
**
Time-out: Happy birthday to Sonnette Reroma-Yabut, Ed Malatag and Victor Gutierrez! >>> You can reach me at bleachertalk@yahoo.com.
Comments