2008 Woodie Awards
A View From the Stands: And then there were playoffs
Maurita Gholston
Issue date: 5/2/08 Section: Sports
There are currently both the National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs going on. While the expected interests of the NBA are going on, there has been an increase in the interest in the NHL playoffs. After so many years of being noticed by the devoted fans, there has been a spark of interest in those who weren't necessarily interested. The question pertaining to the NHL is what has sparked this new-found interest in these new-found fans. The question for the NBA should be, what is going on with these playoff teams?
Over the past couple of years, the world of hockey has had some embarrassing moments and great feats for the sport. The champions have been inconsistent. There has been a different team to emerge as the Stanley Cup champion every year. The champions from last year, the Anaheim Ducks, have already been eliminated from the playoff series. So, without a consistent championship team, where did the people find this new-found interest in the world of hockey?
I think the new-found interest has been sparked by the new, young talent that has renewed and reinvigorated the world of hockey. This past year, I think the new talent that was drafted into the league was able to remind the spectators of what makes this sport so great.
Not saying that those who have been playing these last couple of years weren't doing the same job, but these newer and younger players have been. Sometimes, it just takes that new person to make those around you notice what is in front of their face.
With the NBA, the question is what is going on with these teams? There are three completed series that were virtually no contest. The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Denver Nuggets 4-0, the San Antonio Spurs (the current reigning NBA champions) defeated the Phoenix Suns 4-1 and the New Orleans Hornets defeated the Dallas Mavericks 4-1.
Overall, I am not surprised by the results from the Lakers and the Spurs series, but I am surprised by the fact that Denver got swept, as well as the fact that the Spurs-Sun and Dallas-New Orleans series was only five games.
Granted, you had some fantastic players on the court, but the playoffs are a time of desperation. The slogan for the playoffs is "Win or Go Home." In particular, the Spurs-Suns series was supposed to be one of the most intense series of the finals. But the Spurs (who I predict will win again this year) dominated the series. These teams are not giving the fans the intense playoff games that they deserve.
Are the teams that they are playing just that good, or are these people choking under pressure? In the series between the Jazz and the Rockets, the Jazz had the opportunity to close out the series, but they didn't. Did they choke? The answers are speculated, but I will never really know. I do know this: the playoffs are a whole different venue, and what happens in the regular season no longer matters. The playoffs are a new season in themselves. We must remember that. Period.
Over the past couple of years, the world of hockey has had some embarrassing moments and great feats for the sport. The champions have been inconsistent. There has been a different team to emerge as the Stanley Cup champion every year. The champions from last year, the Anaheim Ducks, have already been eliminated from the playoff series. So, without a consistent championship team, where did the people find this new-found interest in the world of hockey?
I think the new-found interest has been sparked by the new, young talent that has renewed and reinvigorated the world of hockey. This past year, I think the new talent that was drafted into the league was able to remind the spectators of what makes this sport so great.
Not saying that those who have been playing these last couple of years weren't doing the same job, but these newer and younger players have been. Sometimes, it just takes that new person to make those around you notice what is in front of their face.
With the NBA, the question is what is going on with these teams? There are three completed series that were virtually no contest. The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Denver Nuggets 4-0, the San Antonio Spurs (the current reigning NBA champions) defeated the Phoenix Suns 4-1 and the New Orleans Hornets defeated the Dallas Mavericks 4-1.
Overall, I am not surprised by the results from the Lakers and the Spurs series, but I am surprised by the fact that Denver got swept, as well as the fact that the Spurs-Sun and Dallas-New Orleans series was only five games.
Granted, you had some fantastic players on the court, but the playoffs are a time of desperation. The slogan for the playoffs is "Win or Go Home." In particular, the Spurs-Suns series was supposed to be one of the most intense series of the finals. But the Spurs (who I predict will win again this year) dominated the series. These teams are not giving the fans the intense playoff games that they deserve.
Are the teams that they are playing just that good, or are these people choking under pressure? In the series between the Jazz and the Rockets, the Jazz had the opportunity to close out the series, but they didn't. Did they choke? The answers are speculated, but I will never really know. I do know this: the playoffs are a whole different venue, and what happens in the regular season no longer matters. The playoffs are a new season in themselves. We must remember that. Period.
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