A Direct Look at NBA's League Pass
2/26/04
I’m a NBA Hoops junkie. I’ve been watching NBA basketball for work for the last 10 seasons, first as a researcher, then highlight coordinator and producer for TNT’s coverage of “Inside the NBA”. This season, I decided to purchase the NBA League Pass to further quench my thirst for the taste of NBA action at home during off-days. Here are my thoughts regarding the best $179 I’ve ever spent.
RENT THE DVD
29. Chicago Bulls: Nothing really appealing about this team. Scottie Pippen’s done. The Young Studs (Curry, Chandler and Crawford) are duds. Listening to Johnny “Red” Kerr complain about no-calls and bad calls can be really annoying.
28. Washington Wizards: Gilbert Arenas made this team watchable earlier in the season (reason being fantasy hoops interest), but now they are unbearable and lack team chemistry. Ironically, Michael Jordan’s two former teams (Bulls & Wizards) are now the NBA’s worst eyesores.
27. Atlanta Hawks: Biases aside (I live in Atlanta, so I’m force-fed this team). No crowds at home. Only reason to watch would be to see how this team blows another 4th quarter lead.
26. Phoenix Suns: Would have been a top 12 team at the beginning of the season. Now no Steph and the Suns have set for 2003-04. “The Matrix” Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire are the only reasons to tune in.
25. Miami Heat: The tandem of Eric Reid and Mike Fratello are a couple of positives for these broadcasts. Mostly low scoring games and those empty yellow seats at home are huge negatives when watching the Heat. Let’s face it; nobody wants the Heat to make the playoffs, despite blossoming rookie Dwyane Wade and a rejuvenated Lamar Odom.
24. Portland Trail Blazers: Like Atlanta, always fun to watch them self-destruct in crunch time. Best graphic package in the league. Lefty Zach Randolph’s development into a 20/10 player has been the team's lone bright spot. “Snapper” Steve Jones still sharp in analyst role???
23. Golden State Warriors: I like watching Jason Richardson and Mike Dunleavy, but their games haven’t developed as much as one would expect. Over the past couple of years, I’ve grown to appreciate Nick Van Exel’s game because of his acrobatic shots and delivering in crunch time. He just needs to be on a winning squad to flourish. Golden State is not the answer. Eric Musselman may blow up at any time.
22. Seattle Supersonics: Ray Allen used to be one of those players who made scoring look so easy. He still has his moments, but he’s not as fluid as past years. The big guys are bad TV. Rashard Lewis doesn’t want to be explosive every night. He’s become Antoine Walker without the assists. Sonics miss Gary Payton.
21. Utah Jazz: Everyone used to hate watching the Jazz during the Stockton/Malone era, but I always begged to differ. This season, I expected them to be the worst team in the league, but I was wrong. Watching Jerry Sloan’s system with different complimentary players has been a pleasant surprise. Sloan has the team playing hard, and Andrei Kirilenko all-around game has been a Russian treat. Team misses the high energy of Matt Harpring. Play by play man Hot Rod Hundley calling his 30th season with Jazz.
20. Los Angeles Clippers: A favorite late-night treat. Play by play man Ralph Lawler’s rule “Lawler’s Law” -- first team to 100 points usually wins -- a staple of Clippers broadcasts. Another team to watch to witness them blow 4th quarter leads. Quentin Richardson, Corey Maggette and Elton Brand are exciting young players to watch develop. The Clippers are like the scene in “Stripes”, when Bill Murray’s girlfriend complains about listening to Tito Puente albums, and Murray replies “When Tito Puente dies, you’ll say ‘I’ve been listening to him for years. I think he’s fabulous’.” When the LA Clippers become good -- if ever -- people will jump on the bandwagon. Don’t waste your time with the Clips when they are on the road though, they are horrible.
ONE MAN CIRCUS ACT (SIEGFREID WITHOUT ROY)
19. Toronto Raptors: They’re Miami with Vince Carter. “Half-Man, Half-Amazing, Half-a-Season” still worth watching because you never know when he’ll want to show his skills and something special occurs, but he always seems passive and disinterested to provide the entertainment. Vince seems to only show up when he’s not the main focus; playing against LeBron, AI , Lakers, etc…
18. Orlando Magic: T-Mac worth watching…everybody else, BAH.
17. Boston Celtics: Paul Pierce -- he’s good, but he needs help. Tommy Heinsohn’s Heroes is an enduring part of the telecasts and his rants about the officials make for good TV as well. Mike Gorman (play by play) is solid.
16. Philadelphia 76ers: I would still pay to see Allen Iverson play. He plays hard every night and his talents mesmerized all who would watch him among the giants of the league. But he doesn’t do his voodoo with such frequency anymore. The pounding has taken a toll on him. This team is also missing Larry Brown and his grinding leadership. They are heading south in the standings. Enjoy games when Dei Lyman is working the sidelines on Comcast. If Sixers get rid of AI, they will be worse off than the Sonics without GP.
THE EASTERN BLOC
15. New Orleans Hornets: A boring good team. Baron Davis is a bulldog in a 6’3” frame. Jamal Mashburn is a steady pro and his fade away is the best in the biz at the moment. Everyone else just role players, including All-Star Jamaal Magloire.
14. Milwaukee Bucks: Something good is brewing in Milwaukee. Michael Redd is an All-Star. T.J. Ford is Michael Adams without a funky jump shot and Desmond Mason is a high-flying circus. Telecasts were usually pretty dull in the past, but the fans are now appreciating the hard work the Bucks show behind Coach Terry Porter. Toni Kukoc and Keith Van Horn now on the same team (insert tissue-soft joke here).
13. Indiana Pacers: It’s still a pleasure to watch the professionalism and gunmanship of Reggie Miller. I’d love to play pickup with Reggie just once. Can you imagine finding him for each game point and watching him drill the game-winner? He’ll need to supply more game-winning memories this postseason because I can’t seem to trust Jermaine O’Neal in crunch time. He does post numbers though. Ron Artest may be the only player to watch because of his hustle and defensive-mentality. I like the broadcast team of Al Albert and Quinn Buckner.
12. Detroit Pistons: Checking out Ben Wallace’s hair used to be a sport; now it’s just a hobby. I enjoyed watching guards Chauncey Billups and Rip Hamilton when they are on fire. The pickup of Rasheed Wallace will be intriguing. Isn’t he a taller, more defensive-minded version of rookie Carmelo Anthony, who they passed over in last year’s draft? Even if Darko Milicic turns into a better version of Vlade Divac, Piston faithful will always regret June 26th, 2003.
11. New Jersey Nets: Jason Kidd running the floor with Richard Jefferson and Kerry Kittles on the wings and Kenyon Martin as the trailer has to be the NBA’s most dangerous fast break. I’d have them higher, but Continental Airlines Arena crowds lack sizzle and I miss Bill Raftery on the mic.
IT’S NOT TV. IT’S THE NBA.
10. Houston Rockets: You need to check in early during Rockets broadcast for the nightly Calvin Murphy outfit. Bill Worrell (play by play) is solid; he’s been doing it for years. The Rockets are now Yao Ming’s team, sorry Steve Francis. Yao’s starting to prove why he was the #1 pick in 2002 and when he dominates the inside, he’s fun to watch. Franchise and Cuttino Mobley also make strange bedfellows for new coach Jeff Van Gundy. Van Gundy’s expressions after turnovers on the bench are priceless.
9. San Antonio Spurs: They are like Duke. They play good team defense, everybody does their roles and Tim Duncan is the best player in the league. They just win. When I play hoops, there’s no better feeling than hitting a 15-foot bank shot on the break. Something I picked up while watching Tim Duncan the last seven-plus seasons. Manu Ginobili does some pretty wild things, both good and bad. Tony Parker can be clutch during the final five minutes, but it’s Duncan’s squad. I also enjoy Dick Stockton’s veteran voice on Spurs telecasts. It takes me back to the CBS-NBA heydays.
8. New York Knicks: The Knicks would have been last (29th) prior to Isiah Thomas’ arrival. Now, Stephon Marbury back home and Madison Square Garden is rockin’. Knick fans are rapid, but no home team gets turned off so quickly and boo faster than Knicks fans. I always like the smoothness of Allan Houston’s game. He was great when his shot was falling, but injuries have taken their toll. Marv Albert and Mike Breen may be the best two play by play guys in the NBA, and how can you not like the vocabulary-creating musings of Clyde Frazier? Doug Collins now on MSG as well from time to time, he’s the best in the biz.
7. Memphis Grizzlies: The Hubie Brown factor equates for this high ranking. You have to love a team that goes 10-deep in the rotation. They always have a play out of the timeouts, usually for an easy bucket or lay up. Jason Williams now a controlling point-guard, yet can still add a bit of flare from time to time. Pau Gasol is beginning to show a toughness to become the go-to guy. The NBA should let Hubie do one of those “1,000 reasons to love this game” by himself.
6. Denver Nuggets: Basically added six players to have turned this team around. It’s not all Carmelo Anthony, although let’s face it, he’s pretty good and a pleasure to watch. Newcomers Andre Miller, 3-point champ Voshon Lenard, Jon Barry, Earl Boykins and a healthy Marcus Camby should have the Nuggets in the promise land, the playoffs. Their announcers are homers, but Carmelo will again prove that March and April will be his time of the year.
MUST SEE TV
5. LA Lakers: They have failed to live up to their pre-season hype, mainly due to an aging, injury-prone team. Shaq and Kobe are starting to regain form and are experienced enough to know to be ready in May. Gary Payton and Karl Malone still show flashes of their Hall of Fame careers. I miss the departed Chick Hearn. Paul Sutherland and Stu Lantz at least ignore being homers, which is good because this team is usually the favorite and it’s fun to root against the favorite.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: I’m a life-long Cavs fan born in Ohio, and the development of this team has been enjoyable to watch. It’s now must-see TV in the Ohio area and throughout the league. LeBron James has exceeded all expectations and is Jordan-like because you need to watch the whole game just so you don’t miss anything. Carlos Boozer’s maturation, Eric Williams’ leadership, Z’s awkwardness and Dajuan Wagner’s shooting-mentality (a pass to teammates can be cause for celebration at times) have all become positives for the Cavs. Michael Reghi and Matt Guokas are reliable pros that add insight calling the game.
3. Dallas Mavericks: There isn’t a better home atmosphere than American Airlines Arena. The place is jumpin’ and Mavs games are the “IT” thing to do in Big D during the winter and spring. Every time Dirk Nowitzki shoots, you expect the shot to fall. If the Energizer bunny were a hoop player, it would be Steve Nash. Michael Finley, Antoine Walker and Antawn Jamison all put the ball in the hoop. The Mavs also play little defense, so games are high scoring. The Mavs would be an average team back in the 1980’s, but the high scoring act for 2003-04 makes them title contenders. Finally, the reactions of owner Mark Cuban behind the Mavs bench add to viewers’ pleasure.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Does anyone show up every night like Kevin Garnett? He’s like Bruce Springsteen in concert; always puts on a good show. The MVP of Fantasy Hoops league for 2003-04. KG may be underpaid at $24 Million this season. Now with Sam Cassell always hitting clutch shots and Latrell Sprewell running the floor, the Wolves now possess the talent to move past the first round of the NBA playoffs. I miss the cutaway shots of Gov. Jesse Ventura, who frequently attended games in years past.
1. Sacramento Kings: There is no better team to watch offensively than the Kings. The ball movement, player movement, picks and passing in the set offense always seems to lead to open looks. Peja Stojakovic may be the league’s worst interview, but he’s one of my top 5 players to watch on the court. I thoroughly enjoy his effort and marksmanship from long range. Add Vlade Divac and Brad Miller passing from the center position, Doug Christie antics, Mike Bibby coming off the pick and Bobby Jackson off the bench, and you have beauty at the eye of the beholder. Even during blowouts, they are fun to watch because that’s Gerald Wallace’s time to shine. Add Chris Webber’s toughness and 15 foot jumper into the mix and he will add enjoyment to Kings’ telecasts. Finally, 10 pm Eastern Start times for home games allow you a reasonable (12:30am) bedtime in the East.
Greg Pike is a producer for Turner Sports.
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