The Effects of Milwaukee

Almost a week later, and the Milwaukee Bucks gave the NBA a shot in the arm. Being down two games to the Phoenix Suns, they won the next four en route to a championship for the first time since 1971. Back then, it was the young sensation, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar leading the way. Here, it was Giannis Antetokounmpo and other starters playing defense and making shots count. Here's what helped the league.

First is the two teams. Small market ones, yes, but ones that hadn't seen a Finals. No Warriors, no LeBron James team. Excitement can occur for ones that never sniffed a championship or had, but haven't been at one for as long as Milwaukee did. How about the fact that these weren't super teams, either. Unknowns or stars accompany the guys like Antetokounmpo and Chris Paul. Anyone could play a factor.

The games having an underdog mentality. Milwaukee being down two games, the audience wants to see the "heroes" rise up to the challenge. In doing so, they fixed what was problematic and rebounded to get the championship. A lot of energy to stay in that fight. Phoenix lost some of that mojo after Game 2.  They were in close games, but had didn't take advantage of opportunities late or let Milwaukee crawl back into a game. In the history of Arizona sports, it unfortunately continues a thing where the state has yet to see a championship outside of the Diamondbacks World Series in 2001.

Ratings helped, but not good enough. Compared to last year, these are a big improvement, getting around eight to nearly ten million viewers.  Almost averaging ten million for the whole series. It doesn't come close to reaching 2019. Many factors have played a role. People getting tired of James. The Warriors making it to five straight Finals, winning three. Politics over the last two seasons, especially all the social justice stuff last year. I'd argue players speaking before thinking on social media. Adam Silver not understanding why his league is suffering. The NBA burnt its audience out.

I think this 2021-22 season is going to be an even bigger test. Does Milwaukee winning it bring forth a group of fans to return to watching it? Will Silver keep close eye on what his players do? There's more questions that have to be asked as there is a lot at stake for the NBA. Early prediction, I believe they will see a small improvement, but not by a lot. It all depends on the direction they want to go and any controversies that occur. They can't airball any mistakes.

Too Much Bron?

You could look at this in many ways. Ratings for the NBA Finals first game was not good. Step up above the Conference Finals, but still nothing the league should be proud of. Less than eight million viewers. You could point out multiple things. Obviously, September into October, there's other sports going on regularly. The political aspect doesn't help. But I have a theory of my own. The oversaturation of LeBron James and the LA Lakers probably sweeping.

With James, I think most people are tired of seeing him in the Finals. I don't know what it was like in the 60s with Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics, but they weren't as big a problem compared to James. James is also a very divisive person. Like any mega star, has his fans and haters. But he also doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut. Any other year, it would be a win for the NBA because people want to see him win or lose. Haters will want to see another failed championship attempt. Losing six Finals in your career is not something to be proud of compared to Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. I'm sure criticism could be said for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but his Laker teams were able to rebound and get Finals wins.

I think that's the other part of my theory. If it were Lakers vs. Celtics, or Toronto, I think there'd be a more competitive Finals. Miami has a great team, but with the performance in game 1, it leaves a lot of questions. Heading into the season, Los Angeles was said to be one of the favorites to win a championship this year. You see more of these type of games, it will be a turn off for the NBA. Some of the MLB favorites will be more of a ratings grab as the baseball playoffs go on. There's a time to watch LA sports, but this may be like it was back in 2010.

Whatever the case, this is going to be something the NBA will look at when they negotiate deals with networks. They were struggling earlier in the year, but the complications make it even more harder. Adam Silver should anticipate some lost revenue and start looking to fix things that will help his bottom line. And I believe it will start with not giving players and teams all this freedom. Ratings do dictate a lot of things for a sport.

2019 NBA Finals Thoughts/Aftermath

When I thought my prediction of the NBA Finals, I figured it would be a tough series for the Warriors, but enough for them to get a fourth championship in five years. I was wrong, as probably more than many, too. First championship in Toronto since the 1993 Blue Jays in baseball. The Raptors owe it to the guys they brought over like Kawhi Leonard and Serge Ibaka to compliment Kyle Lowry and the bench.

If I'm the Raptors, I'm doing anything to keep Leonard on the team. He is too important of a tool for them. But they also need to not let the championship get the best of them. They have a good chance to repeat, but the Celtics and Sixers are teams that could play the role of upset next year.

For the Warriors, next year is going to be rough. An ACL injury from Klay Thompson, the Achilles issues with Kevin Durant. Several players calling it quits for their careers. You may not see them in the Finals next year. Stephen Curry's inability to make go ahead field goals has become a factor (he hasn't made one at all) Overall, it's a mess. The move to San Francisco for their new arena is not going to be kind and disappointment will be something they have to endure. More than likely, Thompson and Durant won't play the 2019-20 season. ACL injuries are typically year round issues and Achilles ones depends, but it's not a simple couple months recovery.

With the recent trades in Los Angeles and the supposed issues in Houston, there could be a change in the Western Conference. And the East will have a variety of teams that can compete for the Finals. Next year should be interesting.

Pushing Sports Health Limits

A thing with the New York Yankees is that because of the success so far this season, they haven't panicked on trying to get some of their players back. If only that mentality worked with other sports. I understand how big of a deal the NBA Finals is for Durant, but with a torn Achilles, I'm not sure if he plays next year. If not that, then at least for a good chunk of the next season.

This push to have players play through pain is not anything new in any sport. Football players barrel through it week in and week out. Minor nics and cuts are in that and hockey. Physicality for hockey always leads to ice tubs and therapy. But tweaking your leg is not something to take lightly. Yes, it's the playoffs. Yes, the Warriors have a chance to win it all. But Durant might have ruined his career for good. He may not ever be the same again. He still has a lot of basketball left if he thinks he can do more.

Durant changes how the NBA looks, as many others are taking notice. Whether he was going to stay with Golden State or go to the Knicks or some other team, nobody knows. I'm not sure if signing him for the 2019-20 season is even worth it. Speaking of Golden State, someone on the medical staff is going to get fired. And fans need to understand that health is not something that a player can magically recover overnight.

I'm not sure if the Warriors win the series. But whatever happens, the offseason is going to be interesting for the league and the team.

Shove It, Basketball!

I've had some time to reflect on what happened at Oracle Friday night. What happened was not necessary. Kyle Lowry getting shoved and insulted by Warriors minority owner Mark Stevens in Game 4 was not acceptable. I think the punishment fits the crime for the most part. A year ban from Warriors games and a 500 thousand dollar fine is fair. Maybe a tidbit harsh, but nothing that needs to added further.

What I don't get is some players insistence to punish Stevens even more. If he did more than the insults and shove, I would see a reason to have a more severe punishment. But it does raise concerns over player safety. Give Lowry credit, though. Unlike Russell Westbrook at times during his career, he didn't act like a cry baby and didn't let Stevens get into his head. This will be one of the uglier stains on a bad Finals for the Warriors unless they win the next three, which I seriously doubt they will.

Adam Silver should not be bullied by LeBron James and a few of the other players. He set the punishment. Let it be. There's no need to escalate it into something worse.

2019 NBA Finals Prediction

Another year, another appearance for the Golden State Warriors. With some injuries, they might not have a huge advantage over the Toronto Raptors. Depending on DeMarcus Cousins and Kevin Durant, how the healthy players play will determine how long they are in the finals. I think we're going to see a six game series and another championship for the Warriors.

If Toronto has any chance, it rests on Kawhi Leonard. He has been the x factor to this team. Add in Serge Ibaka and Kyle Lowry to the starters and it's a good trio to fear. The jitters will be in these guys considering the franchise has never gotten that far into the playoffs. First time playing in June. If they can limit and stress out Curry and Thompson, they could make the series interesting.

Prediction: Warriors in six, but don't assume Toronto will give up easily.

Can Anyone Stop the Warriors? 2019 Edition

The odds of the Golden State Warriors getting into the Finals for a fifth straight year will make many happy and some frustrated. With no LeBron James, no Boston, and no Philadelphia, they could punch their ticket easily next month. But is there anyone that can stop them? I'm not sure if there is one.

Portland might have CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard, but you need more than that to get past them. Unless Stephen Curry's brother Seth spills some secrets, it's a tough buy to say that the team can get past the Warriors. They haven't been to a Finals since 1992. It could make them hungry, but if they can group together and fix problems in previous series, they could fight for the title.

Even with Serge Ibaka and Kawhi Leonard, Toronto has never been to a Finals ever. Most playoff runs ended in first or second round eliminations. Their buzzer beater against the 76ers will be one for the ages and another accolade to Leonard. They are in the top ten in scoring on both sides. Cleaning up the defense a little bit will be needed. That and being calm without having the spotlight get to them.

Leonard is the X factor for Toronto. Giannis Antetokounmpo is that case for Milwaukee. A big scoring team and not giving up many points either could make them a huge underdog if they advance. They are a bit better than the Warriors in a few categories, but numbers may not mean much if they can't keep up. I do believe that it will be a Milwaukee-Golden State Finals.

Closing up this blog, health will need to be something the Warriors have to keep eye on. Kevin Durant may miss quite a bit of time depending on how bad his injury is. DeMarcus Cousins could return, but how much he can help them will be another factor. Whatever the case, it won't be as mundane as it has been the last two years for the Finals.

Ultimate Warriors

For the NBA, the script was already in the hands of the Golden State Warriors. It was clear what was going to happen, and it did. They won the Finals in convincing fashion against the Cleveland Cavaliers. This is their third in four years and they were able to do this on the road as well, something other teams struggled to do.

The shake up in the winter said a lot about the Cavs. Getting rid of a number of their players was the tip of the iceberg. How they were able to advance to the Finals is beyond me. They also squandered their opportunity to at least win a game. However, JR Smith's blunder at the end of regulation in Game 1 will be looked at as one of the biggest goofs of all time. It also gave the Warriors the edge which culminated into a win to begin the series.

With the champions, it's through the use of all their developed stars. Stephen Curry was back to being in true form after battling injuries. Kevin Durant was always the X factor for them this year, delivering strong moments and claiming another MVP award. Klay Thompson is the guy you don't think of, but he's the underrated player that pops up whenever the team needs a boost of confidence. Of course, Draymond Green is that physical type of player that isn't afraid to go for the ball. Whether that leads to fouls/technicals is another story. Add in a decent bench, and this adds more to Steve Kerr's early legacy so far.

So what happens? Some things might happen behind the scenes for the Warriors. I see someone getting ousted. In Cleveland, there is speculation LeBron James could go somewhere else. If he does, the Eastern Conference will be a lot different no matter what team he picks. Next year could be Boston or Toronto's shot to make the Finals. The Cavs would have to really start developing players if they don't want a repeat of 2010 through 14.

These Warriors are mighty and strong. Their dynasty has gotten much stronger and will be remembered for years to come.

Unwatchable Playoffs

When the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship aired this year, it got a big jolt in ratings. The reason for the increase may not be a huge surprise. It's because UConn was not in it. A team that had blown out teams for who knows how long eliminated in the Final Four gave viewers a chance to watch something exciting. While no doubt the NBA will see a Part III to the Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, you have to wonder when enough is enough of these teams.

With the way the playoffs have been this year, many will wonder if the sport is not exciting in terms of non-Finals games. Certainly, the Warriors game against the Spurs in the first game of the West Conference Finals, had all sorts of drama. Then the next game was a blowout and as of now, Golden State is one game away from going back to the Finals. Cleveland annihilated the Boston Celtics in game 2, winning by 44 points. Both teams have big superstars who have huge presences on TV, social media, etc. It's not just the Warriors and Cavs. There has to be at least one superstar on a team, even if said team is bad.

For ESPN and ABC, they have benefited a whole lot since the 2008 Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. I think it helps that the Finals haven't been sweeps and that a number of them have gone six to seven games. The amount of drama and storylines to these teams and players really gives them that ratings increase. Their biggest prior to last year was Game 7 of the 2010 Finals between the Lakers and Celtics with 28 million watching the Lakers get their championship. They might as well enjoy this because eventually, some of these players are going to be on other teams, retire or do something else.

That being said, people do get tired of seeing the same teams in the playoffs every year. I don't think that's a problem with the Warriors yet, but it could be soon. Regardless of your team, people will get tired of San Antonio, Houston, Boston. The list goes on. People were probably tired of the Lakers before they got bad the last three to four years. For the NFL, people are probably tired of Green Bay and New England constantly being the playoffs. I don't think MLB has the problem as much today, but with Atlanta, the New York Yankees, Boston, and St. Louis back then, it's not a pretty sight.

Some viewers might watch the Finals if they have ignored the playoffs. It's a matter of games being close, and so far, it hasn't been that way. This stuff becomes predictable and it leads to viewership not being strong before the championship series. No doubt, this years Finals will be huge. It's going to get the NBA a lot of money and ratings. How far this will go, I give it at least six games. As I just said, the league should enjoy this for now. I don't think we will ever see this again for a long time. Last thing anyone wants to see is something like the 60s Celtics teams.