NBC Sports' NBA playoff coverage is averaging a 4.8/13
Nielsen rating through 22 postseason games, down 17% from
the 5.8/16 average for 18 games aired at the same point a
year ago, according to Michele Greppi of the HOLLYWOOD
REPORTER. An NBC Sports spokesperson said, "A week ago, we
were down 21%. We knew we were going to cut into that. The
numbers are headed in the right direction. If we have good
games, the numbers are going to be fine" (HOLLYWOOD
REPORTER, 5/24)....In Atlanta, Prentis Rogers writes on
Turner Sports' NBA coverage: "John Thompson, Mike Fratello,
Danny Ainge and Charles Barkley were superb additions as
announcers, while the costly but flashy split-level studio
was an improved set design. Host Ernie Johnson and analyst
Kenny Smith turned in first-rate performances in the studio"
(ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 5/24)....In N.Y., Harvey Araton
writes on the Pacers possibly making the NBA Finals: "If you
are David Stern, you like this team and are not worried
about losing the New York market. ... If you are Stern, whom
would you rather market to America next month -- [Larry]
Bird, possibly in Los Angeles against his most celebrated
playing opponent, or Jeff Van Gundy?" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/24).
FRATELLO TRUMPS VECSEY REPORT: TNT's Peter Vecsey
reported last night that TNT's Kenny Smith and Mike Fratello
"would love to be interviewed for the [Pacers head coaching
position] and maybe they will be in the end. ...
[Fratello's] looking at the Clippers, he's talking to Elgin
Baylor about that job." But Fratello replied, "No, that's
not true. The last time you asked me, you said, 'Did you
fly out to meet with the L.A. Clippers,' and I said, 'No, I
did not fly out.' But, a representative of the Clippers did
call on the telephone and we did talk, but I will not be
involved with the Clipper organization right now. There's
no way that's going to work" ("NBA on TNT," TNT, 5/23).
