Really? I don't agree. Games 1-4 were blowouts. The only saving grace was Game 5 and the fact that the series went 7 games.

Any of the 80's Lakers or Celtics teams, or 90's Pistons or Bulls would have dismantled either of these teams.

That is the play I'm talking about and that is the replay I saw. But I only saw it once, and I couldn't really tell who else was in the area. I'll take your guys' word for it.

Ok, it was a great mini-series. Best of three. The last three games, I thought, were great to watch. Although I couldn't stay up for the end of them (except game 7).

Possible, but those teams didn't face the same defenses that these teams play. I agree that each of those teams had a player that was better than any player currently on the Spurs or Pistons. (Bird, Magic, Isaiah, Michael.) But the rules and, more importantly, teams' philosophies regarding defense have changed dramatically from those eras (except maybe for Jordan's last run). Just something to consider.

[/b]
The last three games, I thought, were great to watch. Although I couldn't stay up for the end of them (except game 7).

[/B][/QUOTE]That's fairly common in you older people, so I've heard. The NBA really shoulda started the finals at 7:30pm est- specifically for the kids/codgers demographic.

That's fairly common in you older people, so I've heard. The NBA really shoulda started the finals at 7:30pm est- specifically for the kids/codgers demographic. [/B][/QUOTE]

And have the west coast miss the game because everyone is still at work? ;)

Crawford called it off of Wallaces foot from the slot-he was well above the free throw line. Either he was very lucky to get it right or he's simply that good. How about when Ginobli scored the layup with around 25 seconds to go. Hamilton or ether Wallace could have fouled him (not that it would have probably mattered the way he was shooting) but had no sense of urgency. In "the day" Lambier, Rodman etc. would have put Ginobli on his back.

And have the west coast miss the game because everyone is still at work? [/B][/QUOTE]Good point. Then how 'bout an 8:00 or 8:30pm est start? And I mean actually starting at 8:05 or 8:35pm and canning that annoying and meaningless pre-game crap that always seems to delay the listed starting time by 25 minutes or so. That's gotta be better- total population wise- than what they're doing now with the late start. It also lets the older people like Chuck to at at least see some of the game before they nod off nighty-night in their la-z-boys.

Good point. Then how 'bout an 8:00 or 8:30pm est start? And I mean actually starting at 8:05 or 8:35pm and canning that annoying and meaningless pre-game crap that always seems to delay the listed starting time by 25 minutes or so. That's gotta be better- total population wise- than what they're doing now with the late start. It also lets the older people like Chuck to at at least see some of the game before they nod off nighty-night in their la-z-boys. [/B][/QUOTE]

I didn't even go to the Lazy-Boy.
I did see last night's game.
However, I only saw parts of the first half of the others, but none of the second half, except for 5 minutes of Game 5.

I only stay up past 11:30 for Leno.
mick

And have the west coast miss the game because everyone is still at work? ;) [/B][/QUOTE]

The exciting part of the game is at the end, so missing the first qtr is not as big a deal.

I'm pretty sure the NBA/ABC/ESPN have put the game start time where the most people will watch it already.

The exciting part of the game is at the end, so missing the first qtr is not as big a deal. [/B][/QUOTE]

True...but a 4:30 tip-off would be make a lot of people miss the 1st, 2nd, and perhaps part of the 3rd quarter (off work at 5-5:30...walk to the car...traffic...home by 5:45-6:00 or even later for many). No way they'd give up those advertising dollars by scheduling it at a time when fewer people would see the entire thing.

TIVO. Start with the tip at 8:30 which means the pre-game yap stops at 8:25.

I agree. This is what ESPN used to do with their Sunday night NFL coverage. (Kick-off was actually about 8:40.) I'd love to see the NBA adopt this schedule.

It'll also be interesting to see if ESPN continues to use that time slot for Monday Night Football next year ('06).