Better Playoffs NBA or NHL
Friday, May 22nd, 2009
There are no other sports that go head to head like the NHL and NBA. No other sports of the major four go head to head with the playoffs. This means for many sports fans that they have to choose between the two sports every night. Both sports have dealt with their fare share of distractions in recent years.
The NBA had to deal with the Tim Donaghy scandal with the betting. Think how this got swept under the rug so quickly. The sport had their playoffs determined by a ref who was cheating to get teams to win. Then nobody notices because the officiating is so bad in the NBA.
In the NHL they lost a complete season just a couple years ago because of a lockout. Then there are too many teams in the sport. Come on we have two teams in Florida and one in Phoenix. Not the hot beds of hockey. How crazy would it be to get rid of those teams? I’m sure only 5 people would care. The owners would jump at the buyout opportunity. Also with the NHL it becomes difficult to find the games on TV. Who knows where the channel versus is? Also if you want to see all of the games you need to buy an $80 package. They can’t get viewers but now they are going to charge for the few to watch the games. Good call NHL.
Besides of all the negativity both sports have endured these playoffs have been great for both sports. In the NBA we are looking to see a King crowned with Lebron. The old stables Kobe and Peirce have not gone to the wayside yet. Also the Nuggets and Carmelo have been the surprise and look dangerous in ever.
In hockey the drama for the last two weeks had to be Crosby vs. Ovechkin. Unfortunately for the NHL it happened in the Semi Finals and not in the Finals of the conference or for the cup. This series though made its way to the front of national TV. Both stars having hat tricks and with multiple overtimes giving a series for the viewers to remember. The problem then is what’s left. Is there any matchup to get people to keep watching?
Nobody can argue against the competiveness of the NHL playoffs. It seems almost every series goes seven games. Home ice never matters until game seven. The crowds are loud and into the game.
In NBA the level of skill is second to none. When the refs let them play we get great physical and skilled basketball. In the NBA stars are made in the playoffs like no other sport.
If the debate was just about ratings the NBA would win hands down. Too many people are on both sides of the fence to give in that way. No matter what you choose you are going to be entertained during the game. For me if two game sevens are going to be on I’m off to the hardwood.
Author information: I'm a Sagittarius, born under the year of the Dragon (Chinese Calender), dog lover, food buff, and a tech geek. Read more from this author
