'Desperate' David Stern + ABC don't shoot for prime time Sunday night

[TMC]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/ba...rime_time.html



David Stern's television world has always been interesting. And sometimes his television world is crazy. Sunday, the NBA commish has the good fortune of presenting two Game No. 7s.

At least, on this occasion, Stern did not follow the lead of his pal, Gary Bettman, and schedule these crucial contests at the same time.

Finding out what outlet is televising an NBA playoff game is as hard as finding a fanny to fill one of those Legend Suite seats at the new Yankee Stadium. This is a byproduct of one of those interesting (that's being kind) Stern moves.

That's when King David found out he could jack up NBA rights fees for ESPN and TNT to the point where it became financially prudent to bolt NBC and all that network exposure and promotion.

This is an old tale. It's also a legitimate point. One, to Stern's chagrin, that's discussed often - especially during the playoffs. One fact has not changed, no matter how much Stern protests. It's simply this: Playoff games and times are hard to find. Okay?

So, in case you get a pain in the neck tilting your head to the heavens to see where a game falls, or are one of the many who have totally ignored the NBA playoffs, here's Sunday's deal: The Rockets play the Lakers (ABC, 3:30 p.m.) and the Magic takes on the Celtics (TNT, 8 p.m.).

This sked is right out of Stern's Crazy World. Not only are two Game 7s being played the same day (one should have gone off last night) but the West Coast game is being contested in the afternoon and the Eastern affair at night.

If you were considering the fan base on both coasts, the games should be flipped. The way it is now, Celtics and Magic loyalists have to wait all day today for a game that - if you're lucky - may tip at 8:10 p.m. but probably later. In L.A., the fans get a lunchtime start. (Are the players gaga over this early hoops call?)

The game times are scheduled this way because ABC wants the ratings magnet - the Lakers and Kobe Bryant - for its network telecast. Fine. But if ABC, or the suits at ESPN running it, and Stern had true faith in the NBA product, Rockets-Lakers would air Sunday night on ABC in prime time when maximum eyeballs are available.

If that were the case, it's a lock the game would do a bigger rating than it will as an afternoon affair. ABC suits likely decided airing the season finale of "Desperate Housewives" is far more important - and ratings-proof - then televising a desperation Game 7 featuring a big market team and the iconic Bryant.

This, in itself, tells all you must know about the status, and stature, of the NBA product and Stern's TV universe.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/ba...xzz0FnrXwKVp&B

[Pavan]

This article makes no sense. Playoff games hard to find? Last I checked NBA playoffs are doing big this year and dominating every night in cable doing 4-7 million. So doesn't seem to me they are "hard to find." Why on earth would they put game 7 of a semifinals in primetime on ABC? Game 7 was not a guarantee and primetime entertainment programming, especially during the TV season, is more of a priority. They would preempt 15+ million of a scheduled Desperate Housewives two-hour season finale for a game that would do no where near that? This isn't a conference final or NBA final. Game 7 of the West Finals if needed, would be on in primetime ABC, since that is not "during" the TV season. This is nothing new...NBC had game 7's of semifinals in the afternoons as well when they had the NBA.