Is it too much to ask that the NBA announcers don't OPENLY root for Cleveland?

[LisaM]

I know the Pistons are probably toast this year, and I know that the league and the officials are committed to having LeBron in the finals, but can't the announcers, at least, try to show a modicum of neutrality?

The NBA couldn't sustain itself with a handful of superstars and four big market teams; they need the rest of the teams and their fans if they want to have a league. It's time for the announcers and everyone else to straighten up and act like professionals!

I even heard a broadcaster during the women's Final Four admit that the announcers root for bad calls. They didn't call a fifth foul on some star, and she said, ON-AIR, that it was a good no-call because people want to see the stars on the floor! Is she from Planet Cheating, from the Galaxy Unsportsmanlike?

This is why basketball will always be the suckiest pro sport.

[madinmaryland]

1. After 30 years of listening NBA announcers, they are most tilted to the LAKERS.

It's really shameful, the obeisance they pay to Fakers.

[LisaM]

2. I think that over a 30-year period, you are correct.

In the past few years, though, it's all been LeBron. They even defend a possible rule change for him - so that he can travel!!!!

It would kill them if the finals were Cleveland-LA. OF COURSE, they'd somehow want LA because they don't like cities like Cleveland, not glamourous enough for them. But they want LeBron. So if that's the final matchup, look for them to spend hours talking about where LeBron might go (that they would like better) after this year. Hell, they're already doing it. One of the most likeable things about LeBron is that he is playing in his home state, in a working-class city, and that's probably what the announcers dislike the most.

[madinmaryland]

3. It would be a Jack Nicholson tribute show. Yeah, he'll be with the Fakers

in a year or two. The Skankees of the NBA.

[Captain Hilts]

12. I think that's very true. LA is in LA, had Magic and Kareem, and the criminal. Hollywood Stars,etc

The announcers love that scene.

[MrPerson]

4. At least the refs aren't openly rooting for Cleveland.

[LisaM]

5. Yeah right

:rofl:

[Auggie]

6. Just hyping up the ratings

[joeybee12]

7. Naw, it's in their contracts...if LeBron wins it all, they all get bonuses!

What player said the NBA has just gotten like the WWF in that it's all fixed? After that joke of Kobe and Shaq sharing the MVP at the All-Star game, I don't believe any of it.

[LisaM]

8. It was probably 'Sheed and they probably gave him a technical

Even if he went into his own house, turned off all the lights, and WHISPERED it!

[joeybee12]

9. Could be!

Wish I could recall who it was. I mean, come on, all the sports news before the All-Star game was about how Kobe and Shaq really do like each other and so on, and then...surprise, surprise...they share the MVP honors.

[ellacott]

10. They aren't giving the Pistons a chance because they don't look like the old Pistons

When the Cavs beat the Pistons they didn't give the Cavs a chance either. According to many announcers it only luck that we made it into the Finals.

ESPN is definately not in Lebron's pocket. Steven A Smith seems convinced that Lebron is coming to N.Y. Jon Barry can't say anything good about Lebron. He feels Wade should be MVP and there is no way we could beat L.A. Skip Bayless nitpicks everything about Lebron. The announcers even call Lebron the N.Y. knicks forward, LeBron James.

[HughBeaumont]

13. Yeah, LeBron is going to ditch a team with the NBA's best record . . .

a team, a coach, a GM and a city that truly bends over backward to make him feel wanted. . . to start all over with the second worst team in the EC, loaded with an overrated coach, underachieving players, locker room cancers and hypothetical chemistry. Yeah. That'd be a smart move on his part. :eyes: :eyes:

LeBron would be an icon no matter WHERE he is. Moving to NY isn't going to make his star shine any brighter, much as these hypemasters at ESPN want it to be so. Big market teams aren't entitled to the best players just because they're big. They must have been pissed off during the San Antonio years. "WAAAAAAAHH!!! This is so BORING!!!! I want my big market coastal cities to win all the time! That's the way it SHOULD be . . . BIG market and the rest of the league our farm clubs!! Just like in baseball."

[ellacott]

14. I agree

He will be an icon. Location doesn't matter. This team has such great chemistry. The only way I could see him leaving is if the team falls apart during this playoff run. I don't see that happening.

[Captain Hilts]

11. They've always shamelessly rooted for LA, Boston, and now, Cleveland. nt

[Auggie]

15. It's okay with me. The city of Cleveland needs love.

[jakefrep]

17. +1

There are worse teams they could be "openly rooting for".

[Iggo]

16. Go Lakers!

B-)