by J. MesaÂ
I really love this time of year! Between the NBA and NHL Playoffs coming to a head, the MLB season in full swing and the WNBA just tipping off, there is a lot of action – even enough to hold my attention, ‘til at least July, when I start to lose myself in all things pigskin.
Exciting, exciting – I’m talking the Stanley Cup Finals. Each home team has held serve and as a result, the NHL has delivered the two most exciting words in sports: FREE BEER! Oh no, wait a second, I meant GAME 7. Got your attention though, didn’t I?
These star-studded Finals have been a real treat to watch for even the most fair-weather hockey fans, myself included. By the time this bloggy goes up, we will have crowned a champion. Whether it’s the Pittsburgh Penguins rallying against all odds and taking the cup from Detroit on their ice, or the Red Menace steamrolling their way to their second consecutive NHL crown, the real winner here is the NHL itself, and other leagues should take notice. Namely, the NBA.
Yes you, NBA, with all your swagger, trash talking and obnoxious puppets, I think the NHL has provided the better product and that after all, is entertainment. What the NBA should learn from the NHL is better scheduling. I love this every-other-day format. The NHL doesn’t let their fans have time to forget what happened in the previous game before they are on to the next contest. The NBA postseason, on the other hand, is too long. It’s not the number of games, but calendar length. Why not run a game every other day, and then take a few days off before the start of the next series? Keep the audience’s attention and keep striking while the iron is hot.
Some other notes from around the NBA: