When I grew up watching the Dallas Mavericks, every game mattered. In the years of "The 3 J's", every game mattered. In the Shawn Bradley era, every game mattered. Why? Because the Mavericks were really awful. Making the playoffs meant something, because I had never seen them make the playoffs.
Nowadays, things are rosy in Mavs land with banners a-rising and rings a-shining. As a fan, I got my championship. So why am I still hungry? Because for the first time in more than a decade, these early season NBA games have some meaning. Every game matters.
The Mavericks are not awful now. In fact, I think they will put up a magnificent playoff run again this year. The first challenge is going to be making the playoffs, which is a little bit harder this year due to the compacted schedule and newfound parity in the western conference.
For years, we've seen the Mavericks cruise to the playoffs. Seeing them finally win the title last year was spectacular, and i'm forever thankful that I saw a Dallas Maverick championship in my lifetime. That being said, I spent the 90's living and dying with George McCloud and Eric Strickland 3-point attempts, the thought that Khalid Reeves might actually be the real deal, and the poor attempts at blocking out by Loren Meyer. I needed the Mavericks to win, because I'd never seen them win before.
Once they turned into a solid franchise and had been in the playoffs for a couple years, I became bored by the first two or three months of the regular season.
In this NBA world, where half the league makes the playoffs, it's embarassing to not make the playoffs.
This is where Major League Baseball gets it right. Four teams from each league make the tournament. It actually means something to make the playoffs in baseball, whereas in the NBA the experience lacks punch after a few trips.
This year is different, though. I've found myself intrigued on a nightly basis. Normally after 25 games, I'd still be in casual observing mode. This year i'm locked in to every single game. I'm not of the opinion that the Mavericks will actually fool around and miss the playoffs, but for the first time in years it is a distinct possibility -- and I can't help but think the NBA is benefiting from this newfound parity.
The shorter schedule has lowered the quality of play on the court, but the tradeoff has given us a league where almost everyone has a chance. It sounds moronic, but in the western conference only New Orleans can totally be deemed "out of it". I'm not saying I think Sacramento or Golden State will make a run, but for now they are right around 5 games out of the final playoff spot in the west. As I write this breakdown, the 2-8 seeds are seperated by only 2.5 games.
How are the masses reacting? Quite well, actually.
According to a study done by Henry Abbott of the ESPN Blog TrueHoop, viewership of the NBA is outrageous.
ESPN is up 23%
TNT is up 50%
NBA TV is up 66%
NBA on Regional Cable Sports Networks are up 12%
Local over-the-airwaves broadcasts are up 36%
If we were talking about a tiny upswing in viewership, I'd brush it off as a coincidence, but these are some massive increases through the first 25 games of the regular season.
The overall NBA average attendance is up, though not by much, but that is no doubt a positive thing. The main thing you worry about when dealing with a lockout is a loss of portions of the fanbase. It appears that's not a problem with the NBA -- in fact, they are gaining an audience.
I would imagine the hardcore NBA fans, or fans that consider the NBA their favorite sport don't like the shorter season and the lower quality of play that comes with it. I completely understand that, but as a guy who considers the NBA my third favorite sport, I'm loving it.
Are you watching more NBA than usual this year? Are you enjoying the NBA more than usual this year? I know I am.
Kevin Turner is a renaissance man at Sports Radio 1310 The Ticket. He can be seen from far away due to his outstanding afro. He can be found on twitter at @kt1310 or on email at krt1310@gmail.com
