What's wrong with NBA ball?

[Cliff Huckable]

Great replies here. Can NBA ball get back to what it was - or to something watchable? I'm not dissing the playoffs, I mean in general.

72Twenty's post got me hungry for some real old-school ball. I'm gonna check Amazon for DVD's of NBA games from the 70's...*crosses fingers, hopes they exist*

[tromano]

this doesn't help the nba a bit. helps the spurs plenty.

Stoudemire, Diaw suspended for 1 game; Horry for 2.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns

I was just reading an article 2 days ago by Wilbon of the Wash post. He was pointing out how the spurs are the most boring and one of the lowest teams in the league in terms of TV ratings. the cynic in me says enforcing the suspensions now during the playoffs is part of the NBA trying to up the ante and make the series more theatrical and interesting.

[spook]

the cynic in me says enforcing the suspensions now during the playoffs is part of the NBA trying to up the ante and make the series more theatrical and interesting.

except that these suspension are a near death sentence for this series, which is by far the most entertaining.

between the refs and the nba, one need not work too hard to develop conspiracy theories (especially former blazer fans). that joey "hack" crawford was suspended from the playoffs for an apparent grudge against duncan makes this turn of events even more interesting.

the spurs may be "boring" (i don't agree--i appreciate relentless team execution and defense), but they are also generally perceived by the public to be good apples (compared to the "gangsta" issues noted earlier). i don't think the rest of the players necessarily see it that way (bowen, horry as dirty players, etc.). if you're the nba trying to rehabilitate an image, the spurs are not the worst you can do.

i've only seen a few games of this series, but at the end of a close game 3 nash was clearly hacked at least twice by bowen, resulting in turnovers and no fouls were called.

it's hard not to believe there are not desired outcomes in most bigtime for-profit sports. watching florida's run through the ncaa tourney raised similar sentiments. as did italy's win over australia in the world cup.

the good thing for the suns is that they still can find a way to win two games.

the bad thing is that a few phantom fouls can kill all hope.