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Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Sayson: Fan’s Finals
By Homer Sayson
Secondovertime
CHICAGO – Last year’s championship series between the Spurs and Pistons was one of the best in the league’s history, a classic that stretched for seven games.
Unfortunately, it also produced the worst TV ratings in NBA Finals history.
Obviously, many fans were turned off watching a title duel where Detroit just averaged 86.7 points a game, while San Antonio labored to get 84.9 per. As the Spurs and Pistons battled defensively, slowing games into a screeching halt, fans fell asleep.
And let’s face it, the 2005 NBA Finals was starving for marketable characters. Being in the Finals, you’d think Ben Wallace was happy. Not quite. Though he did average 10.3 rebounds and three blocks per in those seven games, Big Ben carried the angry look of a guy whose credit card had just been stolen.
The 7-foot Tim Duncan looked every inch like a two-time MVP, but he was dreadful to watch, just oh-so boringly effective. Easy two points every low-post move, no thrills, no frills. Can you spell y-a-w-n?
But this year’s NBA Finals between Miami and Dallas figures to be a TV ratings killer. Pretty much like, ahem, my NBA segment that now airs from Monday through Friday mornings (8:30 to 9) on dyAB’s Arangkada with talk show king Leo Lastimosa.
Shaq and Dwayne Wade bring new meaning to the word Heat – sex appeal.
In Shaq, the hoops universe gets to see a lovable and likeable 7-foot giant. In Wade, a part-time model with striking good looks, we see the evolution of greatness. Averaging 26.2 points and shooting 50.9 percent from the field in these playoffs, Wade tickles our imagination with his acrobatic tendencies and penchant for making difficult shots.
The Mavs are just as easy on the eyes. They run and gun like their pants are on fire, averaging 102.5 points on their journey to the NBA Finals. And Dirk Nowitzki is slowly beginning to look like the eighth wonder of the world.
Dirk is a joy to watch, a pure shooter who makes the nets dance with effortless grace. In 17 playoffs game thus far, Dirk has made 17 of 43 3-point shots and 156 of 174 free throws. If you can name another 7-footer who shoots this good, let me know. Dinner is on me.
Besides his dreaded shooting rifle, Dirk is also armed with a newfound vigor to attack the hoop. And he is playing aggressive defense, grabbing rebounds with demonic zeal. I’m not particularly good at spelling, but I’m sure this is how you spell Nowitzki in German: V-e-r-s-a-t-i-l-e.
Last year, the NBA Finals had two really good coaches. But sadly, both Gregg Poppovich and Larry Brown were unable to raise the needle in the excitement meter. This year, the sidelines will have more glitter and pizzaz.
Pat Riley has four rings and has taken three different teams to the NBA Finals.
If those credentials don’t impress you, his sense of style probably will. Partial toward Armani suits, silk ties and hand-crafted Italian leather shoes, Riley brings glamour to his profession. To Riley, the NBA sidelines is the equivalent of a Paris runway for models.
Avery Johnson isn’t Hall-of-Fame material by any stretch of the imagination. But he is a darn good strategist, this year’s deserving NBA Coach of the Year award. Avery isn’t garbed in Armani, but his play-calling is as seamless as any designer’s.
And so we come to the part where I get paid for: Choosing the NBA Finals winner.
Well, Miami looks good. It’s an older team compared to Dallas, but Shaq is a cheat. He has unfairly turned back time, averaging 21.7 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks when the Heat dethroned Detroit in the East Finals.
They say he’s old, but Shaq’s only 34. Hey, I’m 37, and some days, especially when the wife is not nagging, I feel like 24. Levity aside, Shaq isn’t showing 13 years of wear and tear. He is much wiser in dealing double teams now, he still has the pull of an eight-cylinder SUV, and by golly, he makes 65.5 percent of his field goals.
Dallas looks good, too. That kid Josh Howard is more flexible than a gymnast. Whether he plays two-guard, small or power forward, the productivity is the same – 17.4 points and 7.2 rebounds in the playoffs.
Size versus speed. Shaq’s power versus Dirk’s touch. Dwayne Wade’s singular brilliance versus the collective wealth of Dallas’ several guards. Pat Riley’s genius versus Avery Johnson’s moxie.
Heat versus Mavericks. Many say this will go seven games. But I think six is enough, and when the smoke clears, my pick is....
Find out, tomorrow.
(homsay@hotmail.com)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (June 7, 2006 issue)
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