That might have been the dumbest comment Ordine's ever written. NO vs Utah has the greatest point guard matchup in the NBA with Paul vs Williams, two true superstarts. An ailing Kobe vs the over-the-hill boring Spurs is not what I'd call exciting.
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Ryan,
I don't believe you represent the majority of casual fans. Those are good teams with decent players but do you think that other than hardcore NBA fans know anything about Deron Williams. Maybe in another year or two but he's still too new for most fans to have a sense of his game. For a fan like yourself, Jazz-Hornets might have great appeal but for most people, no way. Attention for the NBA lives and dies on its star power.
-- Bill O.

I disagree. New Orleans and Utah would be a good money maker. These two teams are the future of the NBA. Who would want to see another San Antonio vs. L.A. matchup AGIAN. Boozer, and Chandler are two names I can think of when picking one player on each team.
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Jared,
Thanks for writing. Another reader said he thought it would be an exciting match-up and he mentioned PGs Chris Paul-Deron Williams. With all due respect, I just think that casual fans are locked into the NBA's star power. You might be able to sell a conference finals with one of those two teams in there because then you would have new blood versus an established team ... even though the Lakers are on the rebound themselves ... but two teams with little identity, I just don't see it.
-- Bill O.

I think you're wrong. Some of us are sick to death of the Spurs and the Lakers, and contrary to what you're suggesting, not everyone cares that they have more celebrity fans/spouses than other teams. The Jazz and the Hornets have made this an exciting playoff experience, and I think that's good for the game. Go Hornets!
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Kim,
Thanks for writing. You have a few folks who agree with you. If it happens, we'll see. My own feeling is that casual fans are locked into the NBA's star power ... and by that, I do mean the players rather than the celebrities in the stands. I'm always glad to see something happen that helps New Orleans.
-- Bill O.

Bill O,

I agree with you! Like what Kim said "Some of us are sick to death of the Spurs and the Lakers" take note some of them see... not even all of them.

With all due respect, Hornets and Jazz are pretty good teams, young with lots of energy but once Spurs and Lakers shut them up I'm sure these die hard fans of Hornets and Jazz will shut up too... smile :)

Go San Antonio!!!

Bill. How about this angle from a casual fan. My response, who cares? Is the season over yet? It really doesnt matter who gets into the playoffs, I too many other more important things in life to follow. NBA has lost many a fan base over the direction they are going. I am just one of many. Too much hype, smoke machines, loud music, pants pull down to their knees, thugs and gangster hoods. When it comes to the actual games, the refs dont call the right fouls or even understand the rules. Give me a good NCAA game any day.

As an average sports fan (I dabble in a little bit of everything from basketball to golf), the only events I get overjoyed about are tennis events and Steelers' and Pens' games (I'm a pittsburgh girl, what can I say?!) so when two teams like the Utah Jazz and NO Hornets play, I'm all-in-all uninterested because I simply don't know who anyone is. It's no fun to watch professional players who you couldn't pick out of a crowd of 100 average 7-foot men. If I wanted to enjoy raw talent, I'd watch college basketball. But let's face it, the appeal of the NBA for many people, and women especially (remember, we do represent 51% of the population) is the glitz and glamor that come with it.
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Lauren,
It's always easy to thank someone when they agree with you ... but, Thank You. You make my point. You represent the average fan who makes up the vast majority of the people who pay the freight for athletes, owners and the media. You're going to be interested if there's some sizzle.
-- Bill O.

Normally I love reading this section because I feel like there are great arguments made. However this is probably one of the worst articles I have ever read. To base the NBA finals off of whether a team is popular or not is ridiculous! This is basketball and this is the playoffs! What relevance does a teams name have to do with anything? That was a bogus comment. People get married and divorced and don’t change their names why is a team any different? Its not lack of creativity! Again this is the playoffs! Anything can happen and that’s what makes it so intense. Deron Williams may not be the best known as of this year but what better way is there to prove who you are and what you've got than taking your game to the highest level! Deron Williams is one of the best players in the league, and he'll soon prove that. Watching D-Will and Chris Paul against each other is basketball at its best! That is an awesome match up!
I'm sick of hearing Kobe is playing with a bad back he isn't fooling anyone. He is a great player however I feel no sympathy for him. He isn't the only one who has played hurt or sick for that matter.. Jordan played one of the best games of his life when he was sicker than a dog! Man up Kobe! It’s called good physical defense and if you can’t handle it then why are you playing and even more why are you allowing us to call you the MVP? I hope we see the Jazz in the finals. They are a young team who have worked hard and are giving the Lakers a great challenge this series!