NBC's coverage of Game Four of the NBA Finals last
night earned a 12.5/21 overnight Nielsen rating, down 38%
from last year's 20.2/33 overnight rating (THE DAILY).
HOOPS LOOP: In N.Y., Adam Buckman writes NBC announcer
Bob Costas "sure isn't making any friends among NBC
affiliates during the NBA Finals," as Costas "actually told
viewers" on Monday during Game Three "they can skip their
local news following the game to catch NBC Sports' post-game
coverage on CNBC" (N.Y. POST, 6/24)....In San Antonio,
Jeanne Jakle questions if there is "an NBA/NBC conspiracy
favoring" the Knicks over the Spurs, as player features on
"NBA Showtime" have been 3-1 in "favor of the Knicks." But
Jakle adds that last night's broadcast was more even-handed,
as "there seemed to be no favoritism" (EXPRESS-NEWS,
6/24)....NBC President Bob Wright, on the ratings decline
for the NBA Finals: "You are seeing sort of a changing of
the guard in a lot of teams, and that is probably a good
thing. You can't really compare the numbers without taking
into consideration the Jordan factor." Wright added he is
"very optimistic" about the future of the NBA on NBC
(CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 6/24)....On CNBC's post-game show after
last night's Game Four, Bill Walton commented on Knicks F
Larry Johnson's eight-point performance: "Larry Johnson, who
spent the last 48 hours railing against the world. What a
pathetic performance by this sad human being" (CNBC, 6/23).
STATE OF THE GAME: On CNN's "Moneyline," Peter Viles
examined the state of the NBA and said, "TV ratings for the
NBA Finals have been dismal. ... The big problem -- Michael
Jordan left the game. The other problem is what he left
behind." But Pilson Communications President Neal Pilson
said, "I don't think the NBA is broken. I don't think it
has significant problems. ... I don't think they're in any
difficulty at all" ("Moneyline," CNN, 6/23)....In N.Y.,
William Rhoden writes that NBA play is "moving closer to
professional wrestling," and adds, "The more I watch the
N.B.A., the better I like track and field" (N.Y. TIMES,
6/24)....A USA TODAY editorial notes the NBA's new rules
committee and states, "Why is the NBA reminding people of
its flaws in the middle of its championship? Maybe because
the game is so obviously ailing" (USA TODAY, 6/24).
