The play's the thing, but more so the drama
By Diego Vasquez
Nov 1, 2005
Yes, last year’s NBA Finals were a bust, the second-lowest rated in history, and the league’s been in a roil over the institution of a dress code.
But there are several reasons why this season could actually provide some entertainment, and it starts with the combustible reunion of Los Angeles coach Phil Jackson and thorn-in-the-butt Kobe Bryant, whom Jackson ripped in a book published last season. There’s also the soap opera of San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker’s courtship of “Desperate Housewives” star Eva Langoria. How long will that last?
Oh, and the actual basketball games. They should be good too.
The new season tips off tonight on TNT at 8 p.m. with the defending world champion San Antonio Spurs at home against the young and fun-to-watch Denver Nuggets. The Spurs play an ultimate team game, which is good for them but bad for ratings. Last year’s NBA Finals averaged an 8.2 average household rating, and three of the four lowest-rated Finals ever came when the Spurs took the NBA title.
Game two of TNT’s season-opening doubleheader features the Dallas Mavericks at the Phoenix Suns. If you like offense, this game’s for you. The Suns were the highest-scoring team in the league last year, and the Mavs’ Dirk Nowitzki was the league’s fourth-leading scorer.
The night kicks off at 7 p.m. with the season preview special “NBA Tip-off 2005.” TNT regulars Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley welcome now-retired Reggie Miller for their 2005 predictions, plus features on Spurs and international star Manu Ginobili and the New Orleans Hornets’ Hurricane Katrina-induced move to Oklahoma City.
http://medialifemagazine.com/artman/publish/article_1003.asp
By Diego Vasquez
Nov 1, 2005
Yes, last year’s NBA Finals were a bust, the second-lowest rated in history, and the league’s been in a roil over the institution of a dress code.
But there are several reasons why this season could actually provide some entertainment, and it starts with the combustible reunion of Los Angeles coach Phil Jackson and thorn-in-the-butt Kobe Bryant, whom Jackson ripped in a book published last season. There’s also the soap opera of San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker’s courtship of “Desperate Housewives” star Eva Langoria. How long will that last?
Oh, and the actual basketball games. They should be good too.
The new season tips off tonight on TNT at 8 p.m. with the defending world champion San Antonio Spurs at home against the young and fun-to-watch Denver Nuggets. The Spurs play an ultimate team game, which is good for them but bad for ratings. Last year’s NBA Finals averaged an 8.2 average household rating, and three of the four lowest-rated Finals ever came when the Spurs took the NBA title.
Game two of TNT’s season-opening doubleheader features the Dallas Mavericks at the Phoenix Suns. If you like offense, this game’s for you. The Suns were the highest-scoring team in the league last year, and the Mavs’ Dirk Nowitzki was the league’s fourth-leading scorer.
The night kicks off at 7 p.m. with the season preview special “NBA Tip-off 2005.” TNT regulars Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley welcome now-retired Reggie Miller for their 2005 predictions, plus features on Spurs and international star Manu Ginobili and the New Orleans Hornets’ Hurricane Katrina-induced move to Oklahoma City.
http://medialifemagazine.com/artman/publish/article_1003.asp
