If Indiana beats Miami...

[JohnnySic]

...I dont see it, but how great would that be? Indiana vs San Antonio/Memphis final. Casual fans run away screaming. Stern hangs his head at the miniscule ratings and tredges into the sunset.

[DMAVS41]

...I dont see it, but how great would that be? Indiana vs San Antonio/Memphis final. Casual fans run away screaming. Stern hangs his head at the miniscule ratings and tredges into the sunset.

I don't think the Pacers can do it, but it would be hilariously awful for Stern to see SA/MEM vs the Pacers. Ouch...

I wouldn't bet much on it, but if we do see a Grizzlies vs Heat Finals...I like the Grizzlies to win the series.

Of course I wouldn't be surprised to see the Heat win with the greatness of Lebron and potentially Wade if he's healthier...but that Memphis team is literally built perfectly to beat the Heat. I really hope that is what we get to see.

[Trollsmasher]

Do you think Jeff would allow that?

There would no traffic.

[TheBigVeto]

...I dont see it, but how great would that be? Indiana vs San Antonio/Memphis final. Casual fans run away screaming. Stern hangs his head at the miniscule ratings and tredges into the sunset.

It would be one of the greatest things ever happened during Stern's reign. But I think he will do everything in his power to prevent that from happening.

[FLDFSU]

I don't think the Pacers can do it, but it would be hilariously awful for Stern to see SA/MEM vs the Pacers. Ouch...

I wouldn't bet much on it, but if we do see a Grizzlies vs Heat Finals...I like the Grizzlies to win the series.

Of course I wouldn't be surprised to see the Heat win with the greatness of Lebron and potentially Wade if he's healthier...but that Memphis team is literally built perfectly to beat the Heat. I really hope that is what we get to see.

Two weeks ago the Heat are the stackiest, stacked, stack team that ever was... Lebron has a supporting cast like no other...

This week? You like the Grizzlies (a team that has just been to its first conference finals ever) to win a series against the "most historical stacked team--relative to competition" that ever was...

:roll: :roll:

[inclinerator]

devin stern would cry

[305Baller]

It would be fine.

The world will go on.


:coleman:

[Scholar]

What if Stern allows it just so small market teams can never say Stern screwed them over?

[SamuraiSWISH]

They can, if it wasn't for the obvious post 2002 referee bias for promoting more marketable teams. Some of the calls in that Bulls / Heat series were so in favor of Miami it was a shock for the announcers to not even mention the blatant favoritism.

With that said, I think Indiana can win. But they'll have to overcome a probable motivated non coasting LeBron James, and like I said ... the refs. If this was the league pre 2002, they'd have a more legit shot.

Since 2002 the NBA at various times has had some very questionably won games due to extremely off officiating. When this was a sport, and not entertainment ... they'd have had a better chance. As it stands, even with Miami being injured and not hitting on all cylinders, it's still not likely to happen.

[305Baller]

What if Stern allows it just so small market teams can never say Stern screwed them over?

http://lakernation.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/dwight3.jpghttp://lakernation.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/dwight3.jpghttp://lakernation.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/dwight3.jpghttp://lakernation.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/dwight3.jpghttp://lakernation.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/dwight3.jpghttp://lakernation.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/dwight3.jpghttp://lakernation.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/dwight3.jpghttp://lakernation.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/dwight3.jpg

[arifgokcen]

Memphis/Pacers would be a brutal series.I am an avid basketball fan but even i wouldnt watch that series.A lot of ugly basketball no superstars no big story line

However pacers beating miami is always slim to none

[jzek]

IND vs SAS Finals would be a DISASTER for the NBA in terms of ratings. Stern and his refs will make sure that doesn't happen. NBA is a business after all...

[SamuraiSWISH]

The NBA in the early 2000s was an all-time low rating wise once MJ left. The NBA started pushing certain teams and/or players with favoritism officiating to keep league interest up. It's more than obvious. That's when it became entertainment, and not sport. Sad.

[tpols]

Honestly I hate even watching Miami games because its too obvious that thye refs wont ever allow them to lose early.. due to ratings.

I remember one time though in the 2011 finals, forget which game it was but it was in the middle of the series, obviously a very important game, and the refs straight turned on Lebron in the fourth. He went for a layup to tie or take the lead on a fast break and got called for a charge instead of an and one and the way he hung his head afterwards, its like one of his buddies stabbed him in the back lol.. and then Dallas scored on the next possesion to solidify the game.

Just goes to show how much refs can turn the tides.

[All Net]

I don't think the Pacers can do it, but it would be hilariously awful for Stern to see SA/MEM vs the Pacers. Ouch...

I wouldn't bet much on it, but if we do see a Grizzlies vs Heat Finals...I like the Grizzlies to win the series.

Of course I wouldn't be surprised to see the Heat win with the greatness of Lebron and potentially Wade if he's healthier...but that Memphis team is literally built perfectly to beat the Heat. I really hope that is what we get to see.

Grizzles simply don't have enough shooters to spread the floor to beat Miami...the Heat would just pack the paint and kill them on the perimeter. Least Spurs have the offensive options on the perimeter.

[FLDFSU]

IND vs SAS Finals would be a DISASTER for the NBA in terms of ratings. Stern and his refs will make sure that doesn't happen. NBA is a business after all...

Just like they made sure it was BYN vs NYC and LA vs LA...Oh wait.

The top ten NBA markets have all been eliminated by the conference finals.

Man stern sucks at this rigging thing.

[FLDFSU]

Honestly I hate even watching Miami games because its too obvious that thye refs wont ever allow them to lose early.. due to ratings.

I remember one time though in the 2011 finals, forget which game it was but it was in the middle of the series, obviously a very important game, and the refs straight turned on Lebron in the fourth. He went for a layup to tie or take the lead on a fast break and got called for a charge instead of an and one and the way he hung his head afterwards, its like one of his buddies stabbed him in the back lol.. and then Dallas scored on the next possesion to solidify the game.

Just goes to show how much refs can turn the tides.

So your example of the NBA rigging it for MIA is an example of the NBA not rigging it for MIA :wtf:

And you would think that the refs could at give us more free throws vs CHI if they are going to rig it on our behalf.

Oh and look what teams have attempted the least amount of free throws that was alive as of yesterday:

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/stats/teamsort/NBA/T-FTPCT/postseason?&_1:col_1=12

[poido123]

Just like they made sure it was BYN vs NYC and LA vs LA...Oh wait.

The top ten NBA markets have all been eliminated by the conference finals.

Man stern sucks at this rigging thing.

Miami and Lebron is the NBA's biggest money ticket. You don't seem to get that.
Lebron having success plus all the people who hate Lebron and the Heat and want to see them lose, creates alot of interest and money to be made...

I think you only interpret what suits your bias.

[HoopsFanNumero1]

Miami and Lebron is the NBA's biggest money ticket. You don't seem to get that.
Lebron having success plus all the people who hate Lebron and the Heat and want to see them lose, creates alot of interest and money to be made...

I think you only interpret what suits your bias.

That describes you pretty well too, actually.

[poido123]

That describes you pretty well too, actually.

How is my statement bias?

What is hard to understand that the Heat are big business for the NBA? Are you also that naive...

[tpols]

So your example of the NBA rigging it for MIA is an example of the NBA not rigging it for MIA :wtf:

And you would think that the refs could at give us more free throws vs CHI if they are going to rig it on our behalf.

Oh and look what teams have attempted the least amount of free throws that was alive as of yesterday:

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/stats/teamsort/NBA/T-FTPCT/postseason?&_1:col_1=12
Nah I'm just describing how ref's can turn the tides any which way with their calls.

Stern doesn't care if heat lose in the finals.. That actually means the series was somewhat competitive and watchable. And it's over after that.

Before the finals though? Before the biggest draw of the season? That's gotta be something good. Indy Memphis would be like the nba stock market crashing.

[FLDFSU]

Miami and Lebron is the NBA's biggest money ticket. You don't seem to get that.
Lebron having success plus all the people who hate Lebron and the Heat and want to see them lose, creates alot of interest and money to be made...

I think you only interpret what suits your bias.

So why not NYC vs MIA?

Why is Stern giving IND 28 more free throws in an elimination game for NYC?

[HoopsFanNumero1]

How is my statement bias?

What is hard to understand that the Heat are big business for the NBA? Are you also that naive...

I was just speaking in general. I remember when you said Jordan didn't really get superstar calls :lol

[FLDFSU]

How is my statement bias?

What is hard to understand that the Heat are big business for the NBA? Are you also that naive...


I gather that SAS and MEM is big business too? Surely NYC vs MIA would not be as big business as MIA vs IND.

I mean could you think of the poor ratings that NYC would provide with a chance to go to the finals by defeating the player that spurn them for their historical rivals Miami.

Stern is a genius! :bowdown:

[FLDFSU]

Nah I'm just describing how ref's can turn the tides any which way with their calls.

Stern doesn't care if heat lose in the finals.. That actually means the series was somewhat competitive and watchable. And it's over after that.

Before the finals though? Before the biggest draw of the season? That's gotta be something good. Indy Memphis would be like the nba stock market crashing.

Pray tell, why does the Heat and NYC average more fouls committed than IND and SAS?

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/stats/teamsort/NBA/T-PFAVG/postseason/?&_1:col_1=4

[Kiddlovesnets]

People saying Stern wouldnt allow it to happen are clueless. Stern does not have much time left, he doesnt give a shit of the NBA ratings nowadays. It wont surprise me if Stern allows it to happen at the end of his career just to show the fans that hes unbiased.
:rolleyes:

[laview]

I might be the only one...but I would like to see the playoff being best out of 3...making series like this more interesting; more possibility.

[LikeABosh]

Stern wouldn't even show up to a Finals game is Indiana and Memphis met

[seanclayton]

Lowest rating in NBA history.

[chazzy]

If Stern was really rigging things for ratings, he wouldn't have allowed the Knicks to lose that game 7.

[Smoke117]

I'm an avid basketball fan and I would rather see Miami vs the Spurs. The Pacers are just an inferior team compared to those two. I guess I don't see Lebron or wade and have to say...no...they can't be in the finals for it to be good basketball? Am I ****ing idiot? They are GREAT BASKETBALL PLAYERS. I want to see the best teams with the best basketball players play each other...how ****ing odd of me?!

[OldSkoolball#52]

...I dont see it, but how great would that be? Indiana vs San Antonio/Memphis final. Casual fans run away screaming. Stern hangs his head at the miniscule ratings and tredges into the sunset.


Despite the fact that people continue to refuse to believe it, the new CBA was designed to increase the odds of this sort of thing happening.

People who think the NBA tries to "force" big markets toward the finals clearly have not been paying attention.

[Goldrush25]

Why would that be great? Who wants to see a bunch of second tier players? We watch the NBA to see stars.

But the OP is a classic example of how anarchists think. NBA is enjoying a boom of popularity yet someone doesn't want to see it happen.

[tpols]

Despite the fact that people continue to refuse to believe it, the new CBA was designed to increase the odds of this sort of thing happening.

People who think the NBA tries to "force" big markets toward the finals clearly have not been paying attention.
Miami isn't a big market.. Indy actually might even be bigger.

It's not about markets or teams, it's about pushing players and the teams they're on indirectly benefit.

[Kingwillball]

Lebron is the face of the nba right now so Pacers will not be given benefit of doubt on the calls. I would love to see Lebron get revenge on Spurs and would be even sweeter if Heat swept them like what Spurs did to Lebrins Cavs. Now the tables have turned however.

[PrettyCool]

I'm an avid basketball fan and I would rather see Miami vs the Spurs. The Pacers are just an inferior team compared to those two. I guess I don't see Lebron or wade and have to say...no...they can't be in the finals for it to be good basketball? Am I ****ing idiot? They are GREAT BASKETBALL PLAYERS. I want to see the best teams with the best basketball players play each other...how ****ing odd of me?!

That's why there's the playoffs. You act like a selection committee decides who plays in the finals.

[kamil]

Lebron is the face of the nba right now so Pacers will not be given benefit of doubt on the calls. I would love to see Lebron get revenge on Spurs and would be even sweeter if Heat swept them like what Spurs did to Lebrins Cavs. Now the tables have turned however.

Remembering LeBron* getting swept brings me great happiness.

[Sakkreth]

Two weeks ago the Heat are the stackiest, stacked, stack team that ever was... Lebron has a supporting cast like no other...

This week? You like the Grizzlies (a team that has just been to its first conference finals ever) to win a series against the "most historical stacked team--relative to competition" that ever was...

:roll: :roll:

Yeah LeBron sucks, Wade sucks, but heat are the most stacked team ever, Bosh must be the goat :bowdown:

[plowking]

...I dont see it, but how great would that be? Indiana vs San Antonio/Memphis final. Casual fans run away screaming. Stern hangs his head at the miniscule ratings and tredges into the sunset.

What happened to the Celtics champ?

Every year we hear how they're going to dominate, and how all their signings are gold from you.

:roll: :roll: :roll:

You're actually the only delusional Celtics poster on the board.

[Sharmer]

...I dont see it, but how great would that be? Indiana vs San Antonio/Memphis final. Casual fans run away screaming. Stern hangs his head at the miniscule ratings and tredges into the sunset.

Memphis V Indiana final, couldn't imagine a more boring final.

[arifgokcen]

Memphis V Indiana final, couldn't imagine a more boring final.
more like a boxing match.

[I<3NBA]

The NBA in the early 2000s was an all-time low rating wise once MJ left. The NBA started pushing certain teams and/or players with favoritism officiating to keep league interest up. It's more than obvious. That's when it became entertainment, and not sport. Sad.
so that explains Kobe's rings...

NBA in 2000s = WWE. got it.

[miller-time]

If Stern was really rigging things for ratings, he wouldn't have allowed the Knicks to lose that game 7.

No matter what happens people are always going to think Stern had a part in it. Except somehow I don't see why he would want any of these West terms in the finals?

[R.I.P.]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z657Q1NcNF8

Round 2: Ian Mahinmi vs. LeBron James. :pimp:

[pegasus]

What's more exciting? Watching the most stacked team of all time lose a series in the ECF, or watch them play in the finals? I guess watching them lose in the finals would be fine too, but I'd be totally OK with the Pacers in the finals as it would mean that we already had a very entertaining series with an incredibly satisfying result prior to that.

Stern WON'T allow it though. In his mind, the state of Indiana does not even exist.

[HoopsFanNumero1]

Remembering LeBron* getting swept brings me great happiness.

Then you have a pretty sad life.

[Goldrush25]

Stern WON'T allow it though. In his mind, the state of Indiana does not even exist.


Indiana's own fans don't come to the games. If there is an agenda against them then it's justified.

Of course I'm just humoring you tin-foil hat types.

[pegasus]

Indiana's own fans don't come to the games. If there is an agenda against them then it's justified.

Of course I'm just humoring you tin-foil hat types.
I'm not saying Miami can only win because of Stern. Some of the games might be close, but Miami should easily beat the Pacers in a best-of-7 series.

I'm only saying that if there is any resistance from the Pacers, Stern and his giraffes will be there to crush them. If you can't see that happening (or if you haven't seen it happen before), it's because you don't need a hat of any sort because your head is buried in sand.

[red1]

I'm not saying Miami can only win because of Stern. Some of the games might be close, but Miami should easily beat the Pacers in a best-of-7 series.

I'm only saying that if there is any resistance from the Pacers, Stern and his giraffes will be there to crush them. If you can't see that happening (or if you haven't seen it happen before), it's because you don't need a hat of any sort because your head is buried in sand.
zebra =/= giraffe

[pegasus]

zebra =/= giraffe
Haha, good catch.:lol

[FLDFSU]

I'm not saying Miami can only win because of Stern. Some of the games might be close, but Miami should easily beat the Pacers in a best-of-7 series.

I'm only saying that if there is any resistance from the Pacers, Stern and his giraffes will be there to crush them. If you can't see that happening (or if you haven't seen it happen before), it's because you don't need a hat of any sort because your head is buried in sand.

Yet if the Heat wins each game by 50, you will be here to tell us how Stern rigged if for the Heat. The Pacers could be out there literally throwing the game because they want to start their vacation early and you will say, "if it wasn't for Stern, Miami would have lost every game this series."

[dh144498]

if it does happen, which it won't because of how stacked the Heat is, then Lebron's legacy is forever tainted. Lechoke will finally be back again and be known as a mental midget, cannot even make it outta the East with the most stacked team of all time. Would drop out of the top 50 players of all time.

[Goldrush25]

I'm not saying Miami can only win because of Stern. Some of the games might be close, but Miami should easily beat the Pacers in a best-of-7 series.

I'm only saying that if there is any resistance from the Pacers, Stern and his giraffes will be there to crush them. If you can't see that happening (or if you haven't seen it happen before), it's because you don't need a hat of any sort because your head is buried in sand.

So you're saying teams with superstars get the benefit of the doubt? Welcome to major professional sports. It's not a phenomena unique to Miami though. Kobe and the Lakers get it. Durant gets it. MJ got it.

[InspiredLebowski]

The two Indy/Memphis games this year were outstanding games for anyone over 15.