http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005 by the authors Thu, 3 Jul 2003 09:54:25 EDT http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/07/02/211649.php#comment-12338 I didn't mention, Will, I think you are right on about hip-hop (not sure if that's the right noun, but close enough) culture being the issue rather than race - the NBA is less black now than it was in the '80s when it was hugely popular, but there were hugely popular stars who "played the game the right way" and the '90s superstar MJ certainly didn't buy in to hip-hop culture. It is perceived as immature, selfish, thuggish and ghetto - not sure what to do about it, not sure who will conform to whom. 12338@blogcritics.org Thu, 3 Jul 2003 09:54:25 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/07/02/211649.php#comment-12335 I think less people are watching cuz the games have become BORING. I mean, a 7-game series is lame. Look at the NFL playoffs, or even the NCAA tourney. THere's heart and passion in those games because its not just about "winning games 1 and 3" or something, its about winning so you don't go home. I know the NBA would NEVER cut back on their Best-of-7 format (heck, the 1st round this year was best of 7) but c'mon... people brag that they were at the SUPER BOWL... an EVENT - not game 3 of some eastren confrence semi-final... hehe 12335@blogcritics.org Thu, 3 Jul 2003 09:40:43 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/07/02/211649.php#comment-12326 Well Yao Ming made the NBA popular for hordes of Chinese people, evidenced by the large number of Asians in attendence at Houston home games. Maybe the influx of foreigners will bring more foreign Americans to games. Oh and I believe people stopped watching the NBA Finals because, frankly, everyone knows the outcome, the West team will win. 12326@blogcritics.org Thu, 3 Jul 2003 01:49:05 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/07/02/211649.php#comment-12318 Nice job Will, glad to see you see you back in the swim, or something. 12318@blogcritics.org Wed, 2 Jul 2003 22:35:39 EDT