For the second year in a row, a number 1 seed (San Antonio) will play against a number 2 seed (Miami) in the NBA Finals. In fact, of all the four major sports, this occurs more in the NBA than it does in the other major sports. As a result, what hope does a fan of Golden State, New Jersey, Denver or Toronto really have to win a title? All four of those teams made this year's playoffs so if they have a slim chance, how do you think fans of Philadelphia and Cleveland feel??
What makes March Madness so exciting is the possibility of Cinderella going all the way. In the NHL, the regular season President's trophy winner (team with best record) rarely wins the Stanley Cup let alone make the Finals. In the NFL and MLB we have had wild card teams win it all. In those 3 sports a team that gets hot at the end of the season has a legitimate shot to win it all. This just doesn't happen in the NBA. This in a league with a salary cap that should even things out.
Not sure what the answer is but at some point it would have to have some impact on fan interest. I guess maybe that won't be a problem as there is plenty of emphasis on individuals versus teams. People will come to see Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook and not Oklahoma City. Don't get me wrong stars are important to sell the game but for a fan so is the belief that your team may have a chance to win. Just ask a Cavalier fan.
Tomorrow night, the Miami Heat will be looking for a 3-peat. Even though San Antonio has home court advantage, the Heat are favored by most to win the title. Quite frankly if they do win, its possible they could win another two or three titles unless another threesome can figure out a way to get themselves on the same team like Lebron, D-Wade and Chris Bosh engineered several years ago. That's why the NBA draft is kind of a joke. Doesn't really matter how many number one picks you get on your roster because once they are eligible for free agency they'll be gone to join another superstar in a marquee locale. No other sport like it.
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