Okay, so check out my previous posting about United 93 if you have not done so already. But after you've read that, come back here because I have some important stuff to talk about.
Namely, the NBA Playoffs.
Okay, now I know that LA fans are still spasming in glee over what transpired yesterday, on national TV, in the Lakers vs. Suns game. But I have to say, even though I am kind of over the whole thing, that game still left a very bitter taste in my mouth that has still not completely gone away. Why? Because I am a lifelong NBA fan, don't get me wrong - I love this game, indeed. But the NBA, more so than many other sports, has always been a marketing machine that takes great pains to protect its stars, because the NBA has never really been built around TEAMS, but around the promotion of its superstars. And whenever the NBA does become dominated by rather bland teams, like the Pistons and Spurs, overlord David Stern gets antsy, because ratings go down and interest dwindles. Sure, sure, it's "good for the game" to have teams big on fundamentals in the top spots, but is it good for the NBA? Where's all the kids walking around with Rip Hamilton or Manu Ginobli jerseys? Yeah, it doesn't happen. So okay, I'm not saying the NBA is RIGGED, I'm just saying the same thing that I and numerous other fans have been saying for YEARS: The NBA goes out of its way to "help" various stars take the spotlight. And lo and behold, this year we have top All-Star vote-grabbers Vince Carter and Kobe Bryant back in the playoffs, and hey look, there's old standby Phil Jackson magically back with the Lakers. We have Lebron making his post-season debut. We have a marquee matchup in the two top MVP candidates, Kobe and Steve Nash, going at it in the first round.
Yeah, David Stern was a happy man come playoff time.
So a familiar feeling of anger came over me yesterday, as I watched Steve Nash fouled and calling for T.O., and yet receiving a jump ball call from the refs, who were inconsistent the entire night. And I watched a lot of NBA coverage yesterday, and you know how many replays I saw of this botched call? Practically ZERO. And suddenly every analyst, even those who don't usually hesitate to criticize the refs, are simply saying that the Suns had some "unfortunate" calls.
WTF?
Look, all I'm saying is that the NBA protects its marquee stars and its marquee teams. The Suns without Amare are no longer a marquee team, but the underdog Lakers, heading into a possible Lakers / Clippers series, have now shot through the marquee roof. The NBA is frothing at the mouth over a Lakers / Clips series - everyone in LA will be watchign anf national curiosity will surely be piqued. Or, let me put it this way - Suns vs. Clippers = somewhat boring prelude to either team getting swept in the conference finals. Lakers vs. Clippers = bigtime mid-card feud. Now I personally have no desire to see these teams do battle, as it will be pretty much one big excuse for even more self-congratulation here in LA. No, this is not the Suns year, but I just want to see the better team win this series, without crazy finishes that have the air of being manufactured by the refs.
The fact is that the "steal" from Nash at the end of regulation had none of the grace of say the classic Larry Bird steal against the Pistons in the 80's. No, it was a bunch of guys swarming the ball and getting away with it. And that jump ball call? Same thing. All I know is it reminds me of various Jordan plays in the latter part of his career, when he was so protected in the playoffs that he could get away with practically any foul. It reminds me of Shaq when there was practically no consensus on when to call him for an offensive foul. It reminds me of the infamous Milwaukee-Philly series from a few years back when EVERY call went against the Bucks, and then-poster-boy Allen Iverson and his Sixers inexplicably ended up going to the Finals.
So Lakers fans, bask in your moment of glory. You are the Yankees of basketball, and your moments of glory come often - so to most of the NBA fanbase it's just another reason to despise the Lakers. As for me, I will be rooting for The Suns to take this series, to REALLY defy the odds, because lord knows every NBA suit is against them.
Otherwise, this has been a surprisingly sweet playoffs, with major upsets looming from the Bulls, Kings, and hey, even Milwaukee won one against Detroit. And don't get me wrong, I have no desire to see Spurs vs. Pistons Part 3, so I'm all for some new blood going all the way.
OTHER NBA THOUGHTS:
- Okay, who's idea of a joke is it to have former All-Star Jalen Rose doing these sideline reports for TNT? Nothing against the guy, but he has the most droning, monotone voice I've ever heard and listening to him justifies the invention of the Mute button.
- How funny is Bill Walton? "The crowd rises as one!" I credit the man with being one of the main influences in speaking-style, he is so freaking hilarious.
- I wonder what happened between Payton and Wade? Miami had better get their act together, or they are going to fall victim to da Bulls like it's 1998.
- What's funnier than Charles Barkley's head superimposed on some fat white guy's dancing body and singing "Peanut Butter Jelly Time?" Bwahahaha ...
TV STUFF:
FOX SUNDAY NIGHT QUICK REVIEWS:
KING OF THE HILL: Best Show of the Night. Very funny episode - I love Bobby and Joseph's oblivious conversations about being cool. This show always picks up on obscure but rising trends, and does a great job of satirizing them. This week the target was hippie panhandlers, and it really was a funny look at this weird subculture, which of course goes against everything Hank Hill stands for. "I hate those jeans more than life itself, but since you paid for them I can't say anything." LOL. My grade: A
THE SIMPSONS: Decent idea for an episode, and actually, this was probably the best-plotted ep in a while, though some of the humor did fall flat. Overall, this was a pretty decent ep and it was nice to see the focus on Bart and Lisa and their classmates for a change. Nice Milhouse humor, which is always appreciated. My grade: B
FAMILY GUY: Somewhat of an improvement over the last few weeks of awfulness, but still not that great. Mostly lame, unfunny cutaways this week, and the gay marriage plot was preachy and not very good satire - the whole thing had a played-out feel to it. As per usual, some funny moments, but stil la shadow of the Family Guy of old. My grade: C
OTHER TV STUFF:
- Just want to point out yet again how amazing VERONICA MARS is. Last week's ep was an A+ quality installment, with just so much amazing characterization that it makes me hurt to think about how great it was. Aside from the phenom that is 24, Mars has been head and shoulders the best show on TV this season, and it has only gotten better as it heads into the home stretch. The stuff between Logan and Veronica last week was just so well done, the mystery of the bus crash continues to grow more and more compelling as the layers of the tapestry unfold, and the writing and dialogue continues to be top notch. And seriously, Kristen Bell has really stood out lately as an actress - just showing a ton of range and just kind of reclaiming the show that for a while had come to be domianted by its supporting characters. Check out Veronica, I'm telling you.
- Haven't had a chance yet to watch last week's SMALLVILLE or OC. Stay tuned, as Smallville definitely seemed promising.
- Can't wait to check out a few of the upcoming NBC pilots which I should hopefully get to see in the next few weeks. It should be no surprise that my most anticipated offerings from my network are Heroes and Andy Barker, P.I. Let's hope they are good!
OTHER STUFF:
- Had a fun weekend. Aside from the mind-trip that was United 93, also paid my frist ever visit to the LA Improv, where I saw a bunch of cool comedians, the most prominent of which was Air America host Mark Merron, whose neurotic-Jewish-intellectual brand of humor was pretty hilarious.
- 24! Yes! Tonight, it's: JACK BAUER ON A PLANE! Daaaamn!
- Still plugging away at the job. Not much I will / can report though. Man, with sumemr coming around though I long for the days of summer vacation!
- On that note, it's back to work. Check out my previously posted United 93 review, and also take note of my first-ever use of pictures in the blog! I know, i know, it's a big step. Cya.
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4 comments:
I didnt see united 93 but you did a good job of recapping it. I have to object about the statement of the Lakers being the Yankees of Basketball. The Yankees go over the salary cap every year to get the best of the best which in the past few years hasnt worked out for them. The Lakers have a very young team and just the fact that they got to the playoffs is a giant step in itself. Other than Kobe being highly paid I'm sure the rest of the players dont make nearly that much. George Steinbrener is an evil man who will destroy anything in his path to win, Dr. Buss has taken on players who at the begining of the season were very questionable, but have proven themselves and stepped up their game.
Well I don't think it's the Lakers' organization that I'm critiquing so much as the NBA itself, which will do whatever it takes to protect its big stars and big franchises, even if it means biased officiating. The NBA has always considered the Lakers a key franchise, and you can bet that a lot of the top brass was devastated when they didn't make the playoffs last year after a dismal season, that STILL inexcplicably had a Lakers' game televised nationally seemingly every week. The NBA never gets behind the teams with the most talent or the best records per se - instead the marketing machine does whatever it takes to promote big-money, big-market players and teams at the expense of a healthy and well-rounded league. Witness players like Michael Redd and Gilbert Arenas and even the once-hyped Ray Allen dwindling in obscurity simply due to being on small market teams. Last year Kobe and the Shaq-less Lakers were pushed as being THE story of the NBA season (judging fro mthe amount of TV coverage they received), when in fact their record did not warrant such treatment. This year, the NBA is back on the Kobe ass-kissing fest (um, wasn't he tried for rape? this is what passes for an NBA superstar these days?), and senses ratings with Lakers - Clips ... therefore the NBA puts its muscle behind this match-up, which is just unfair when that results in poor officiating.
Amen on the Suns-Lakers game 4 non-calls.
Don't forget James Jones' jersey being pulled from behind at the end of regulation.
What about Lebron's game winning "travel"?
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Hey man thanks for the comment -- yeah you know the NBA can't be happy that "King" James seems poised for playoff defeat early on. But I can't get as excited about the refs favoring LeBron, as most of my NBA-related disdain is currently reserved for the Lakers.
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