Some curious decisions
Two quick things before heading over to the Jazz's shootaround on Wednesday morning ...
No. 1: I though the NBA's choice of Pau Gasol as the Western Conference's Player of the Month for February was a bit curious, given Gasol was the second-best player on his team during the Lakers' 11-2 run in February.
The Jazz's Deron Williams deserved the award more than Gasol, given their equal stats, the Jazz's better record in February and Utah's head-to-win over the Lakers.
I do understand the decision, however.
Kia sponsors the award, and I'm guessing those folks have figured out there are more car buyers in Spain and Los Angeles than there are in Utah.
By the way, I should mention that I'm happy for Gasol's success this season. He is one of the NBA's most helpful players -- always willing to aid a reporter with lucid, insightful answers to questions and always willing to take plenty of time to do so.
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No. 2: Ross reports that for the 11th time since Jan. 11, the Jazz will face an opponent tonight (Houston) that is playing on the second night of a back-to-back.
But things are going to quickly turn around.
The Jazz play seven of their final 18 games on the second night of a back-to-back, starting next week at Atlanta. Among the back-to-backers are crucial road games at Phoenix (March 25) and Portland (March 31).
Personally, I think the back-to-back games have become a huge competitive issue in the NBA. It escalated when the NBA agreed to schedule only two or three games on Thursday nights, in order to give television partner TNT a one-night monopoly on the product and -- theoretically -- improve ratings.
This marketing strategy does not impact a team like the Lakers who, because of Kobe Bryant and their broad appeal, play nine times on Thursday night this season.
Teams with less appeal to TNT, however, have their 82-game schedules compressed into six-day weeks. This results in more back-to-back games for the non-glamour teams, which is a huge disadvantage during six-month regular season.
Clearly, TNT and the league help the quality, star-driven teams from major markets tremendously because of their scheduling ideas.
And the rich get richer.
-- Steve Luhm
No. 1: I though the NBA's choice of Pau Gasol as the Western Conference's Player of the Month for February was a bit curious, given Gasol was the second-best player on his team during the Lakers' 11-2 run in February.
The Jazz's Deron Williams deserved the award more than Gasol, given their equal stats, the Jazz's better record in February and Utah's head-to-win over the Lakers.
I do understand the decision, however.
Kia sponsors the award, and I'm guessing those folks have figured out there are more car buyers in Spain and Los Angeles than there are in Utah.
By the way, I should mention that I'm happy for Gasol's success this season. He is one of the NBA's most helpful players -- always willing to aid a reporter with lucid, insightful answers to questions and always willing to take plenty of time to do so.
---
No. 2: Ross reports that for the 11th time since Jan. 11, the Jazz will face an opponent tonight (Houston) that is playing on the second night of a back-to-back.
But things are going to quickly turn around.
The Jazz play seven of their final 18 games on the second night of a back-to-back, starting next week at Atlanta. Among the back-to-backers are crucial road games at Phoenix (March 25) and Portland (March 31).
Personally, I think the back-to-back games have become a huge competitive issue in the NBA. It escalated when the NBA agreed to schedule only two or three games on Thursday nights, in order to give television partner TNT a one-night monopoly on the product and -- theoretically -- improve ratings.
This marketing strategy does not impact a team like the Lakers who, because of Kobe Bryant and their broad appeal, play nine times on Thursday night this season.
Teams with less appeal to TNT, however, have their 82-game schedules compressed into six-day weeks. This results in more back-to-back games for the non-glamour teams, which is a huge disadvantage during six-month regular season.
Clearly, TNT and the league help the quality, star-driven teams from major markets tremendously because of their scheduling ideas.
And the rich get richer.
-- Steve Luhm
10:28 AM
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5 Comments:
In regard to your second point, I have thought the same thing on numerous occasions. Not to mention the Jazz don't play any home games on Sunday, which works against them even more so than any other team in the NBA.
I remember reading something Ross Siler wrote a while back about the NBA teams with the most back-to-back games this season (or maybe it was last season) and the Jazz were at the top with around 19, but they weren't the team with the most interestingly enough. I would venture a guess that the Jazz tend to be in the top 5 in that category every year given the market size and curb appeal.
Another thing I find interesting is that the national broadcasts for the Jazz, in a good year, seem to start picking up after the all-star break. The Jazz have six games on ESPN/TNT in their last 22 games of the season.
Luhm comes off cynical sometimes, but I'll take his honesty over Monson's contrarian viewpoint any day. I think after you cover a sport like the NBA for as long as he did, you probably equate it to covering news on AIG or Comcast--just another big company pushing the limits of ethical behavior.
Are you suggesting the NBA can be swayed by money? Preposterous!
Good call, Steve Luhm. I was shocked to read that Pau won the WCPOM. It's a rather meaningless award and winning it isn't all that big a deal, but ostensibly not giving it to Deron after his Feb. is like spitting into his face.
I believe that David Stern will do everything in his power to keep Chris Paul in the spotlight and Deron out of it.
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