Jazz 105, Mavericks 87
Much as the Jazz have done during the KJZZ and DirecTV feud, I'm making my own public service announcement, encouraging blog readers to call the NBA office in New York today at 212-407-8000 and raise a couple of issues.
--For starters, why does the NBA accommodate TNT by allowing games to start at 8:30 p.m. locally? Even worse, why does the NBA allow TNT to delay tipoff of those games until 8:50 or later if the first game of their Thursday night doubleheader is running long?
With the Jazz typically playing 7 p.m. home games, Thursday's TNT game tipped off when the Jazz normally would be starting the fourth quarter. It ended well after Leno and about halfway through Conan, far too late for anyone who has to get up in the morning.
--Then I would ask why the NBA schedules teams to play in a late TNT doubleheader, then play the second game of a back-to-back set on the road the next night. The Jazz's flight to Sacramento didn't take off until 12:36 a.m., according to FlightAware.com.
They're not due into Sacramento until after 1 a.m. and won't get to their hotel until probably around 2. I accept that back-to-backs are a part of NBA life, but no team should have to play on the road the night after they play late just for the sake of television.
Please refer to this as the Siler edict, as I hope it will change at some point in my beat writing career. A team can play at a normal time on the road, followed by a late home game in the back-to-back, but the deck is hugely stacked against teams the other way around.
--Most importantly, tell them that you're sick of reading crummy stories in the newspaper and Internet because of these late television games. Deron Williams talked at 11:47 p.m. Thursday - - he was receiving treatment forever - - and my deadline is 11:50.
So guess whose quotes you won't be seeing in the paper even though he had 34 points and 12 assists against Dallas? These games kill us when it comes to providing any kind of perspective, whether it's in a game story, blog, column, whatever.
I'm interested to know what you hear back.
--Ross Siler
--For starters, why does the NBA accommodate TNT by allowing games to start at 8:30 p.m. locally? Even worse, why does the NBA allow TNT to delay tipoff of those games until 8:50 or later if the first game of their Thursday night doubleheader is running long?
With the Jazz typically playing 7 p.m. home games, Thursday's TNT game tipped off when the Jazz normally would be starting the fourth quarter. It ended well after Leno and about halfway through Conan, far too late for anyone who has to get up in the morning.
--Then I would ask why the NBA schedules teams to play in a late TNT doubleheader, then play the second game of a back-to-back set on the road the next night. The Jazz's flight to Sacramento didn't take off until 12:36 a.m., according to FlightAware.com.
They're not due into Sacramento until after 1 a.m. and won't get to their hotel until probably around 2. I accept that back-to-backs are a part of NBA life, but no team should have to play on the road the night after they play late just for the sake of television.
Please refer to this as the Siler edict, as I hope it will change at some point in my beat writing career. A team can play at a normal time on the road, followed by a late home game in the back-to-back, but the deck is hugely stacked against teams the other way around.
--Most importantly, tell them that you're sick of reading crummy stories in the newspaper and Internet because of these late television games. Deron Williams talked at 11:47 p.m. Thursday - - he was receiving treatment forever - - and my deadline is 11:50.
So guess whose quotes you won't be seeing in the paper even though he had 34 points and 12 assists against Dallas? These games kill us when it comes to providing any kind of perspective, whether it's in a game story, blog, column, whatever.
I'm interested to know what you hear back.
--Ross Siler
1:17 AM
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6 Comments:
Ross,
You think you have it bad... try being a fan of west coast basketball on the east coast. The game didn't start until 10:50 for me.
I'm in the same boat as Thom. I fell asleep on the couch as soon as the game ended. Ended up sleeping and was late to work. I guess that's the price you pay as an East-coast jazz fan.
"sleeping in" is what I meant.
I still have season tickets, but I don't playoff tickets anymore. Too many of the games start at 8:40 or later.
Ross:
How about posting some e-mail address for the NBA to lodge our complaints?
Jazzaholic
Also, give us some e-mail addresses to complain about other NBA policies or officiating.
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