NBA playoff games "appear to be catching on" with NBC's
viewers, despite lower ratings from last year, according to
USA TODAY's Rudy Martzke. While NBC's five weekend playoff
games averaged a 6.8 overnight Nielsen rating, down 12% from
last year's 7.7 for four game, it is less than the 21% drop
that NBC had experienced for its playoff coverage the week
before. NBC Sports/VP Information Ed Markey: "This is a
good sign. It seems the fans are starting to discover the
new teams in the playoffs" (USA TODAY, 5/18).
MEDIA REAX: In N.Y., Harvey Araton: "Remember all the
talk of how the N.B.A. would curl up in the fetal position
and cry itself to sleep after [Michael] Jordan retired?
That speculation seems to have been counterfeit." Araton
writes that "an entertaining batch of playoff teams have
stepped up" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/18). In DC, Tony Kornheiser:
"Okay, maybe I was wrong. Maybe the NBA playoffs aren't so
bad. I'll admit the games are watchable. Certainly the
ends of the games are watchable. ... What happened in the
first round was that the NBA turned ever so slightly to face
its new generation" (WASHINGTON POST, 5/18). In Chicago,
Jay Mariotti wrote the playoffs have "been much more fun
than anyone imagined. An abysmal regular season aside, I
still like this game" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 5/17). In San
Jose, Bud Geracie wrote the playoffs are showing "how
entertaining the league is despite the absence of Michael
Jordan. ... There really is a fleet of exciting new stars,
and there certainly are more teams contending for the
championship. ... The weekend could not have gone any better
for the NBA" (MERCURY NEWS, 5/17). In Chicago, Lacy Banks
writes under the header, "Fresh Faces Bring Excitement To
NBA Playoffs" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 5/18). In Atlanta, Steve
Hummer: "It's just as wild and wide open as they promised.
I can't seem to turn away" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 5/16).
...In K.C., Jason Whitlock calls it the "best NBA playoffs
ever. ... And to think a few months ago there were all these
concerns about the NBA -- life after the lockout, life
without Michael Jordan, there's not enough scoring. The
complaints are ridiculous" (K.C. STAR, 5/17). In Ft. Worth,
Richie Whitt: "Given the dramatic, wacky first round of the
NBA playoffs, perhaps the league should change its slogan to
I Love This Parity!" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 5/17).
