Should the NBA call more fouls on teams like the Spurs in the playoffs?

Question

Ok, the TV ratings for Game 2 of the Finals are in. The game drew a 5.0/9 share. That means that 5% of all the tv's in the country were watching teh game. This is the lowest ratings Finals game in 30 years!!!

Nobody is watching this series because it is like watching paint dry. The league allows teams more room for fouls, and to "let them play" in the playoffs. This allows "dirty" boring teams like San Antonio and Detroit to make it the Finals every year.

Should the league call more fouls, and keep the standard more like regular season in the playoffs, or should it continue "letting teams play". What do you think?

Answer 1

I believe they should let them play. Im from Australia, and i have been watching every game. I don't go for either teams, infact i don't go for any team in the NBA, i just basically love the sport in general. However i would like to say that, as much as i respect the Spurs and how much of a great championship team they are, it sometimes frustrates me to see some of their "dirty" acts. Before you say i don't understand the fundamentals of basketball, hence cannot see that they aren't "dirty", i do understand they are a GREAT team, with great talent, depth and chemistry, one of the best who get it done on both ends of the floor. However, it is the little things that frustrate me for example, Robert Horry's blatant flagrant foul on steve nash, Bruce Bowen on numerous occasions putting he's foot under the shooter forcing them to sprain their ankle and potentially their career, ginobli (although i consider him to be very talented and one of the best 6th man shooting guards) for over dramatising every thing he does, he would suit the sport of soccer diving. Also, did anybody see tony parkers drive in the fourth quarter, which was CLEARLY a travel. if they called the travel, it would have given cleveland a much BETTER chance of coming back. He's drive at the end was the iceing on the cake, even though it should have been called a travel. i don't understand how the NBA cannot see obvious travels, its just ridicolous, call it, make the game fair, and maybe, just maybe the competition within the league will become more competitive.

Answer 2

Your conclusion that the ratings are down because nobody wants to watch the series may be a hasty one. I think it may have more to do with market size between San Antonio and Cleveland. San Antonio is one of the smallest markets in the NBA, Cleveland isn't huge compared to them either. Compared with finals over the last few years and the teams that played in them where there was a large market team...Detroit, Miami, Los Angeles, etc.... It doesn't support your conclusion. San Antonio doesn't have a Huge fan following like these other markets and Lebron doesn't incite the kind of fandom that Michael Jordan did so not as many people are watching this year's finals.

You also seem to be making an assumption that the only reason that the Pistons or the Spurs are in the finals is because of the refs. This is also not a logical conclusion at all either, and sounds more like a frustrated fan who's team got beat. From past experience your more than likely a Suns fan. The Spurs and Pistons win in the regular Season too as well as the playoffs...but in your world it probably means that the refs were not making the calls during the games they won, right? They couldn't have talent on their teams, right? They couldn't have outcoached the other team, right? They couldn't have outhustled the other team on defense, right?

Oh..and since the Large Markerts didn't have teams in the finals I'm sure the "ratings" your so concerned about did take a hit with the last episode of the Sopranos ever!!

You need to wake up and stop blaming others for your own team's failures. Cheer for your own team and stop blaming "outside forces" for their losing. Your one step short of wearing tinfoil on your head and claiming it's all a consipiriacy.

Answer 3

I am personally surprised by the low ratings.

I know that Tim Duncan will not bring people to the tv set but I thought LeBron would from a curiosity standpoint. We saw good ratings with Kobe and Wade and Lebron is a similar type of player. Also there is no real competition (American Idol, Nascar or Soprano's) so I think there is somthing else at work here for such a severe falloff.

I do not think it is an issue of fouls.

I think the games are on too late. The actual game starts at 9pm est and I would imagine most east coast viewers are getting ready for bed and may not be emotionally engaged enough to make the decision to watch the games.

Also, maybe the average/casual fan knew that the finals would be non-competetive and just decided not to watch.

Answer 4

Your question is slightly biased, my guess is that you are a crybaby Suns fan. Too bad these boring teams are the teams that win because all of the "exciting teams" suck and dont play defense. You have to allow more room for fouls in the playoffs since that is the only time these overpaid players actually try hard. All of your stars, like Lebron last night, would have fouled out. If that happens, David Stern would be angry(he controls the refs and how close they call fouls) and the fans would have no stars to watch. All of the physical players like Bowen and Wallace plus, all the stars that constantly flop like Nash and Dirk would be fouled out of the game too. My team didn't make the playoffs this year so I have enjoyed sitting back and watching the Suns/Mavs fans and Spurs/Pistons fans argue and cry. Something to think about....

Answer 5

I think you don't know much about basketball. The Spurs are not a dirty team. They have the fewest personal fouls in the NBA. And they're not boring if you understand the fundamentals of basketball, which include a solid defense. If this series is boring, it's because Cleveland is playing like a bunch of middle school kids. You can hardly blame the Spurs for that. If you don't want to watch the rest of the finals, go read a book. Or practice your typing.

Answer 6

Calling more fouls will only slow the game down and make it even more boring. These are two great defensive teams, which should mean that there are enough fouls committed already...let them play.
This series is boring to viewers because everyone knows the Spurs are taking it. With early blowouts in both games, people were probably just changing the channel...I know I did.

Answer 7

Why is everyone so concerned with the ratings? Who cares, if you like the teams that are playing you will watch.

I don't have many East Coast friends that are willing to stay up until 11:30 at night to watch teams that aren't their team. If my team wasn't in the finals I wouldn't be watching at all, I would have better things to do with my time.

Has anyone considered this? Maybe it isn't the Spurs, but the lack of quality of the Eastern conference. They hyped LeBron, but frankly the Cavs aren't that exciting. This series is like watching the Spurs compete against the shadow of their former selves.

I am Spurs fan, but frankly I hope it ends in four, so that we can focus on Kevin Durant getting drafted!

They shouldn't call more fouls because then the 5% of TV's that are one will turn off.

BTW~ Are you a Suns fan?

Answer 8

First of all the Spurs aren't and have never been a dirty team. Just because all of the sports writers and the people on ESPN say they are doesn't mean they are. Everyone just wanted the "exciting" Suns to be in the Finals becuse we all knew that series was the real finals.

Answer 9

I take it that your team was probably eliminated early. Or was bounced out by the Spurs or Pistons.

Why punish the Spurs for being good. Its not their fault that they are so efficient that "exciting" teams like Phoenix, Dallas, Denver can't get past them.

Get over it. the Spurs will be around contending for the NBA Title as long as Duncan is around.

If you're bored, go watch American Idol or turn off your TV, that what the remote is for.

Answer 10

I say let the teams play, and I do believe games are called one sided but if you are a true champion you can overcome all. Spurs 2 Cavs 0 Yeah that pretty much says it all.