Here we go…elimination time in the League.
by Colin Powers
Playoff basketball is here at long last. There is still some seeding to be decided, and Chicago and Toronto still must battle it out to determine who receives the initial burst of King James’ fury, but we are just about passed the time of conjecture and ready for the second season to begin. In m
y reckoning, it’s the best time of the year, and barring the potential lockout looming after the 2011 season, the League could not be any more compelling and healthy. TNT, about to commence the 40 games in 40 nights celebration (actually a projected 43 games), has seen their ratings explode in recent years, jumping up 19 percent in 2009′s record-breaking Playoff telecasts. Game 7 between Chi-Town and Boston was the most watched 1st round game in Cable TV history. This year’s festivities tip with a triple-header on Sunday.
In conjunction with NBA TV (airing six live games of their own) and NBA.com, coverage of the Playoffs is now close to limitless, with an assortment of previews, post-game shows, interviews, press conferences, podcasts, streaming highlights, and written columns detailing what is sure to be an epic couple of months. TNT will also have exclusive coverage of the Western Conference Finals. If there is anything better than Marv and Kevin Harlan announcing the last few minutes of fierce, post-season contest, I don’t know what it is (although props of course must be given to the legend Gus Johnson). Chuck, the Jet, Doug Collins, CWebb, Reggie, Kevin McHale, and Ernie will be in their usual chairs throughout; you know it’s almost summer time when the ‘Gone fishin’ segment starts up on the late night broadcast.
Also, for the tech savvy amongst you with them Blackberrys, Androids, and iPhones, you can listen to live play-by-play audio as well as have access to updated series recaps and highlights for a one-time purchase of $2.99. Similar programming is available for free on the IPad. Check out nba.com for the details.
By far the best comment of yesterday’s conference call with Charles, Kevin McHale, and Doug Collins came from Barkley (who else) in discussing the aging Boston Celtics, their season long venture to get healthy and rediscover the mojo of 2008, and getting older as a basketball player in general. As Sir Charles put it, ‘their age is taking its toll…The Celtics went for it, they won a championship, and now they’re just an older team…I joke about it on the air: older people die, they don’t get healthy. I used to say to myself, I knew I sucked, but I wanted to have one more good year and then I’m gonna retire. And you know what? I just kept on suckin’ and I had to retire.’
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