By Nunnie Robinson, The Westside Gazette Sports Editor
The prevailing narrative surrounding the NBA Finals is that fewer viewers will watch the games because of the small television markets accompanying the two best teams in the league in 2025 – the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. That apparently is the antithesis of what the NBA hierarchy and fans around the country and world prefer, i.e., not worthy if the finalists don’t emanate from large markets such as New York, Los Angeles, Boston or Golden State. I personally beg to differ. The finalists deserve to be in their positions based on performance on the court, specifically Indiana who defeated the East’s number one seeded Cleveland Cavaliers 4-1, then disposed of media darlings New York Knicks, who upset the defending champion Boston Celtics. Conversely, OKC was the consensus western finalist based on superior talent led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. I contend that the ratings will exceed expectations based on two talented championship caliber teams loaded with star power, both desirous of winning their respective cities’ first NBA title.
As expected and anticipated, the Florida Panthers will travel to Edmonton to begin defense of their Stanley Cup championship, certainly a challenge against the favored Conner McDavid led Oilers. The Florida Panthers have an advantage as they return the same top-stars from last year, namely Aleksander Barkov, Sam Reinhart, Bob Bobrovsky and Matthew Tkachuk. Additionally, the mid season trade for Paul Marchand has paid tremendous dividends and the Panthers’ superior depth is a great asset.
No one on tv wants to admit that the NFL owners colluded against Shedeur and Deion Sanders, but I will. Falling to 5th round after being projected as a first rounder was an absolute travesty with myriad justifiable complaints. Then to cruelly and inexplicably blame Shedeur for his fall – weak interview performance, arrogance, negative attitude – is the epitome of hypocrisy. Please cease and desist.
