Will there be a renewed interest Basketball? Could we perhaps see a ratings boost on tv and more people just overally interested in basketball? I don't see why not. The style of play is changing thanks in part to the Europeans and influx of other nations joining the NBA and adding an element of basketball that has been missing for the great part of the last 5 years or so. Maybe more team play, less selfishness, less one on one. Better defense. I'm excited for basketball.
Yes, I DO think that the NBA is going to regain more interest than it has had the last several years. But, however, I don't think that the hockey lockout has anything to do with it. The NHL is a joke of a league and I would be surprised if a significant amount of people actually miss it. Hockey dosen't have much of a following in the US anymore, proof being that last year's NHL Stanley Cup Finals losing in the ratings to normal programming on other networks. I remember hearing that even repeats of Spoungebob topped the NHL Finals in the ratings head-to-head. The reason I do think that the NBA is in for more interest this year and the years to follow is because I think that the public in general is finally almost done mourning the loss of the 3 superstars that everybody loved. Michael, Magic, and Larry have been gone for long enough where people can start learning about the NBA's new elite star players. The NBA has it's loyal fans, like all of us for example. But, in order for the general public to want to follow what is going on in the league, they need a story to follow. They need to know and like certain players. They need to know and hate certain players. I think that guys like KG, Duncan, Kobe, Shaq, and Lebron are knocking on the door to becoming the next MJ, Magic, and Larry's of the NBA. Guys like these have shown that they are something special and that they deserve the kind of national attention that the others got in their time. I honestly do expect that basketball will gain attention and close the gap back up between the NBA and the NFL/MLB.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NikeAir8:</div><div class="quote_post">Yes, but lets hope the NBA doesnt get in a lockout itself</div> Don't ever say that again. That's scary.
If I'm correct, the NHL and the NHLPA were at a dispute over salary cap or something like that, I'm not totally sure. But, I'm not sure if you guys realize, but, hockey is far and away the lowest rated pro sport most times. A couple years ago it was getting ratings around the 1.5 mark, which is sad. So, in all actuality, it really didn't detract that much interest from the NBA. And please, never speak of another lockout ever again, that would be terrible.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">If I'm correct, the NHL and the NHLPA were at a dispute over salary cap or something like that, I'm not totally sure. But, I'm not sure if you guys realize, but, hockey is far and away the lowest rated pro sport most times. A couple years ago it was getting ratings around the 1.5 mark, which is sad. So, in all actuality, it really didn't detract that much interest from the NBA. And please, never speak of another lockout ever again, that would be terrible.</div> spot on. the nba wont gain that much more of anything with the nhl locked out because the nhl is gets such low ratings in the states. it MAY help the raptors in toronto since the leafs are like gospel up here, but other then that, the nba does well enough without the help of an NHL lockout, and i just dont see that doing much for bball anyways and your right...the owners want to put in a salary cap, but the players association is against that. there are more issues, but that seems to be the primary, and neither side seems to be very flexible on the issue. both are claiming its the other sides fault that nothing is getting accomplished. its almost childish. basically it looks like the nhlpa wont agree to a new CBA unless salary cap is taken off the table =
I am definitely watching more basketball now that hockey is gone. Although I think the Lakers breakup might have something to do with my renew interest in the NBA as well.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">If I'm correct, the NHL and the NHLPA were at a dispute over salary cap or something like that, I'm not totally sure. But, I'm not sure if you guys realize, but, hockey is far and away the lowest rated pro sport most times. A couple years ago it was getting ratings around the 1.5 mark, which is sad. So, in all actuality, it really didn't detract that much interest from the NBA. And please, never speak of another lockout ever again, that would be terrible.</div> Correct, but it might spark interest from fans that were really only hockey fans. If the NBA can get maybe 100,000 new fans that were only hockey fans. I say that is improvement. And no more stories on ESPN or sports talk radio about hockey. All time will be decitcated to basketball.
I've been getting sick and tired of Hockey for a while now.It's too bad that the NHL season looks like it's been wasted,but at least the NBA Will continue to dominate as the premier Winter sport..here in the USA anyways.
It's funny, I don't even realize the NHL is gone. And I'm from Philly a city with a great hockey tradition. But there is a bunch of playoff band-wagners in Philly, including me, lol.
I'm loving it that the NHL is gone because I was hoping that the NBA would get more attention on some Canadian sports channels (for example, Sportsnet). Instead, on Sportsnet, they bring news/highlights of curling mathc, then some next Olympic athelte getting arrested before they show 2 quick highlights of a Lakers game and a really quick one of the Jazz playing. That is it. No analysis. Just the final score and a couple of pictures of layups. Sheesh. Howevr, this is not true for all Canadian sports channels. RSN seems to be the one can't seem to hop off hockey's you-know-what and thinks that all Canadians love hockey. It is true that the majority of Toronto-ians love hockey but there is almost as much that love and follow basketball. I'm talking about in Toronto, not in Canada overall. I think it's a disgrace to put curling infront of basketball. I have yet to meet a Canadian who actually watches curling. Also, RSN has this stupid thing where they keep saying "LOCKOUT: DAY 55" etc etc....every single day. And they try to cover even anything reportly close to it. I remember when the NBA lockut was going on, it got 3 minutes of coverage at most and they moved on to hocket highlights. On this stupid channel, they show 3 minutes worth of Raptors highlights then switch to hockey again. They show AHL highlights before they show basketball. Somebody needs to be fired at that place. Seriously. I hate RSN, I think all you Cndns feel me. The Score is much much better. I only watch RSN because they offer the most Raptors games, howver, I choose never to watch thier morning highlights again. Anyways, I think hockey being gone effects Canada somewhat but not U.S.A. As soon as the Raptors won 3 in a row, everyone had been buzzing about them winning and suddenly people seemed interested again. I'm surprised the attendence for the last 2 games at the ACC were so low though.
All I can say is: Thank God! .. Hopegully, Curling is next. Am I the only one that thinks this sport (I don't consider it one) is a complete joke and waste of time for viewers and players? ..
Hockey's out because the owners and player's union couldn't compromise on a salary cap. Same thing that'll happen to the NBA when the collective bargaining agreement goes out if they don't watch out. A lockout absolutely will kill a sport. That's why the NHL might as well not exist in America. Canada's in mourning though.
I think the NBA will regain interest due to all the spicy storylines but hockey will have nothing to do with it...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Purple Fever:</div><div class="quote_post">All I can say is: Thank God! .. Hopegully, Curling is next. Am I the only one that thinks this sport (I don't consider it one) is a complete joke and waste of time for viewers and players? ..</div> It is a sport for professional janitors, and it is to be treated with respect. How could they show curling over basketball?!?
Without Hockey,The NBA Has got my attention.Now i'm just focusing at the current moment,Football,than Basketball...Once March comes around,it'll be Baseball that will take up my devotion in the sports world. Till than,lets just enjoy the Only winter sport in the USA,and that's the NBA.
