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By Craig Edwards
A couple of weeks ago, Queen Elizabeth celebrated her 81st birthday for a second time. British tradition dictates that the monarch's birthday be celebrated in June (to use the nice weather), despite Elizabeth's actual birthday being in April. What does that have to do with sports? Not much. But it's in that spirit that I want to wish baseball's Interleague Play a happy 10th birthday here in 2007, though I'm a couple of weeks late.
Yes, it was on June 12, 1997 that Major league teams started playing games that counted against counterparts from the other league. For you history buffs out there, the SF Giants beat the Texas Rangers 4-3 in the first interleague game (the Mariners also beat Colorado 12-11 that night). The motivation for breaking with decades of tradition was simple; revive interest in a sport still suffering from the strike that canceled the 1994 World series. Commissioner Bud Selig and company wanted to boost attendance and TV ratings by playing on geographical and historical rivalries between teams that had never met outside of exhibition play or the World Series. There's no question it succeeded. But after 10 years, the idea is beginning to get old, and pretty quickly.
Continue reading "A Decade of Interleague-ing" »
Paris Hilton is stealing OSU's thunder....at least here in Omaha! Enough already!!!
We are at the airport a tad early...and it's on every stinking TV here. What a side show....but here I am talking about it. But just like that...I'm done with it!
We are at the gate right now....and it gives me time to bask a little in OSU's magical run to their second straight NCAA championship. I'll be honest, it's a bigger story this year.....because of the makeup of 'this' team! Saying that, most of us in the media didn't have quite the sensation that we had in 2006. It doesn't diminish the accomplishment.....which was just enormous! Brian and I spent long hours on Sunday after the title trying to edit as much content back to Portland for our airwaves. It was a tight squeeze...but, as always, we were able to do it. You just find a way to get it done...and we did. Following our 'feed' back to Portland at 1:15 a.m. CST....we headed over to the Beavers team hotel. I'd guess about 50 people were in the lobby, including Eddie Kunz, Jorge Reyes, Scott Santschi and Chris Hopkins. They were with family, friends, and "groupies". But we had to be around to help soak in the atmosphere. From there, we went up to a conference room with OSU sports video guru, Jeff Taylor. That man works his tail off....and is appreciated by everyone. Taylor helps provide the OSU coaching staff with DVD's of each game at the CWS & Super Regionals. You can't overlook his importance to the team. We shared stories over a few adult beverages, then proceeded to take off around 3 a.m. As we walked back to our hotel (3 blocks away)...we passed by Darwin Barney who was just rolling back in. Anyways, we are just about ready to take off....so I'll wrap it up here.
Back at PDX around 4....we doubt we'll have a group waiting for us at the airport :)
So, sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. Brian Warner and I were in Famous Dave's BBQ today grabbing a bite to eat between shoots....when low and behold, Jorge Reyes--the Beavs winning pitcher last night--arrived with his entire family for lunch. Surely, I couldn't let an opportunity to "advance" a story get away....but I didn't want to interfere with their family time. I walked up to them after they ordered....and asked if we could put them all on camera. Their response....a collective "heck yeah".
They were a complete joy. Put Jorge on camera...asking him about his families journey to get here. If you hadn't heard, his grandparents drove some 1200 miles from Monterey, Mexico to come watch their grandson pitch. And he's getting rockstar status wherever he goes today. Reyes told me he's getting a lot of "Hip Hip Jorges'" today...with people coming up and asking for his autograph. Sometimes these things just fall in your lap....and we're glad they do :)
More later.....game time at 4:10 PST.
GO BEAVS!!
Alright, I guess this is happening once again! The Beaver baseballers are playing like a well-oiled machine in Omaha! I'm in as much amazement as the rest of you! As I said after the Super Regionals....it's probably time to start thinking about lobbying Pat Casey for Governor of Oregon. He'd win in a landslide....that's my thought. This guy is truly special. Yes, it's the players that swing the bats, round the bases, throw the pitches....I get that! But they all follow Casey's lead....and it's a beautiful, successful formula.
Yesterday's 11-4 throttling of UNC...brings OSU one win away from their second straight national championship.
My impressions from the press box on Saturday (because the NCAA prohibits "blogging" during live games). By the way, that's a bunch of horse puckey! I was able to do it during the Ducks tourney run last March. My guess is it's an ESPN thing.
Anyways, I'll control the things I can control.
**Foul ball frenzy:
When a foul goes back against the screen...it's absolute comedy. The ball girl needs to run out and catch it before it hits the ground, otherwise the entire Rosenblatt crowd will boo her! Tough crowd indeed. Everybody (about 150 media members) in the press box broke into laughter each time. Classic!
**Freshmen phenoms:
It can't be easy running out in front of 30K fans....and a few million others on TV. Jorge Reyes and Joey Wong have just taken it all in stride. They are playing like seasoned veterans here....and it's one of the highlights of this fabulous run!
**Fox talk:
UNC Head Coach Mike Fox got a little chippy in the postgame presser last night.
A reporter said to Fox, "It looks like your team came out a little tight, did you have that same impression?" Fox got defensive. I don't have exact transcript, but he said his team belongs here, they'll rebound, and if they were tight they don't deserve to be here. He added that he'd rather have his team in this position than anyone elses. Really coach? How 'bout being in OSU's position....winners of 10 straight and not trailing a single time in their last 61 innings? I'll take the Beavs.
We are heading downtown to mingle with OSU fans. We'll turn something on that for our 5 pm newscast tonight. Yes, you'll be watching the OSU game, but peel yourself away for me! It'll be in near the top of the show :)
I'll chime in later!
By Joe Becker
The Beavers are one win away! They pounded North Carolina 11-4 and are just 9 innings of winning baseball from thier second straight National Title.
It is simply amazing what the Beavers are doing. They have won 9 straight and are 10-1 in post season play. Their only loss was to Virginia at Virginia in the first round...and they lost in 13 innings.
OSU went 2 and 5 in thier last 7 games during the regular season. They were swept at home by Arizona State...and yet now they are one win away from a repeat.
The Beavers are fun to watch...not just because they're winning, but it's how they're winning. Great pitching, timely hitting and defense that is pretty much second to none.
They have outscored the opposition 49-23 in the post-season. They had one hit against Michigan and won. In that game...second baseman Joey Wong saved a run with a great play backing up first base. How about the double-play in Omaha turned in by Shortstop Darwin Barney and Wong. It was a big league play. You can't say enough about freshman pitcher Jorge Reyes, who now has three post season victories.
One thing to remember though. A year ago, North Carolina beat the Beavers in game one...and OSU rallied to win the final two.
Playoff baseball is the best....enjoy it while it lasts.
No, I didn't just realize it here in Omaha. It's really the reason I wanted to get into sports. A free ticket to ANY sporting event. And I'll be honest, there may not be a more exciting one than the College World Series. Currently, I'm in the Hall of Fame room at Rosenblatt Stadium. Brian is editing our story for the 5 o'clock news....and off to my right is a window with hundreds of OSU & UNC fans walking by. About every 5th person has their hand up looking for any number of tickets. Tonight could be largest crowd in CWS history. The Beaver Nation is well-represented here. Much more than last year, in fact. I'd guess to say that for every 10 fans....9 of 'em are donning Orange & Black. It's gonna be a blast. Also, weather reports yesterday said temps in the low 90's....it's more like 70 and cloudy right now--which is a true blessing. We are off to feed back our story. I'll catch you tonight after the game with my thoughts. I've said it before...and I'll say it again....GO BEAVS!!
I've been constantly singing the praises of Beavs head coach Pat Casey this entire postseason. Yesterday we learned that OSU was indeed the final team chosen for the postseason field. Absolutely amazing....because here they are with a 50/50 shot at defending their title.
I'll be honest, even if the Beavers lose to UNC (which I don't see happening), the success Casey has endured this year won't be diminished one bit.
Yesterday during OSU's final practice of the year, Casey got into the cage and took some hacks. His players dared him to do it, and he obliged. Then, with a stellar swing, Casey went yard!! And it wasn't even in question. It landed 7 rows deep into the left field seats. I was in awe....and our "Ace", Brian Warner captured it all on tape.
Classic moment!! Said Casey, "Aluminum bats and hard baseballs...they work here. I wanted to prove that anybody can one out here."
I went out to peruse the Old Market area this morning. Omaha is holding their Summer Arts Festival. Throngs of OSU fans were mulling about. Talked with a few of 'em who were in high spirits....deservedly so.
I'm gonna hit the shower...and head out to Rosenblatt now. The only way to take in the atmosphere is to be there for the duration. We'll turn a story on OSU fans for the 5 & 6:30 pm newscast tonight (yes, it'll be during the game). Plus, we'll have a couple of reports later tonight at 10 & 11. Be sure to tune in.
I'll post another entry prior to the game.....GO BEAVS!!!
Well, just where do we begin? How 'bout the arrival? We are staying at a historic hotel in the Old Market district of Omaha....not as posh as the price they charge. Upon entering my room....I went to close the drapes, and a moth the size of a small sausage patty flew out. That wasn't pleasant. They grow their bugs HUGE out here.
Anyways, I had to wet a hand towel...and throw a Roger Clemens-esque strike to kill it against the wall. So, that's how that went.
But, I digress. Let's talk baseball.
And you thought the feeling was magical back in the NW? It's magnified tenfold here.
If I'm wrong, I don't want to be right.....but everybody I've come across in the past 24 hours believes the Beavers are as impressive a "team" as any they've seen. The players are as lively and calm as ever. But, there was a minor concern. Darwin Barney missed the first hour of practice Friday. Pat Casey told me he had a throat ailment that needed treatment. Not sure what "bug" he caught....but he arrived in energetic form before the team took infield. Barney and Canham stir the Beavers drink. Without either of them...this would appear to be a mislead group. That's how big leadership is. It's nearly 2 a.m. CST.....so I'll wrap it up now.
Had a great dinner with the Oregonian's trio of reporters & columnists (Canzano, Bachman & Maves, Jr.). What a great night it was.....and yes, we hit up a local steakhouse that claimed to have the "best steaks in the world". I will say this....if there is a place better than Gorat's in Omaha, I'd like to know about it. Absolutely amazing!! Oh, and who knew that they serve spaghetti as a side dish with steak? The sheltered life I live! More later today (Saturday)....game time vs. UNC at 4:10 PST. GO BEAVS!!
We have arrived in Omaha....and boy is it hot here!! Just walking out the airport doors was enough to make you want to take a shower. We just finished up writing and editing 3 stories...and have to run (actually drive) over to the NBC affiliate here to "feed" them back to Portland. Just saw on the 5 o'clock news here that 2 tornados have touched down about 80 miles away....YIKES!! That's the midwest for you.
We off to feed....so tune in at 5, 6, 6:30 and 10 & 11. I'll be posting later about the Beavs final practice and my impressions. I will tell you....this OSU team is as ready as ever to repeat!
Check you soon!
Adam
By Joe Becker
The Blazers ran Ohio St. center Greg Oden through phsyicals...and they have no worries about his health. I just talked to Blazers G.M. Kevin Pritchard on the phone and he told me they were quote "Comfortable with all our findings" concerning the 7 foot center.
There have been reports that Oden may have issues with his wrist and back...but Oden said yesterday he is healthy...and after the physicals, the Blazers have no worries about that. "No, we're in good shape" said Pritchard.
That is good news. Oden is a special player and a terrific 19 year old kid. The NBA Draft is one week from today. Our own Joe Donlon will be at the Draft in New York next week to cover it with live reports.
By the way, Kevin Durant is arriving any minute at Portland International Airport. Durant is College Basketball's player of the year and will work out for the Blazers Tomorrow. We will have his arrival on our news tonight at 6pm.
See you then.
That is how the TV business works sometimes. One minute you have weekend plans, the next minute....your getting shipped out to go cover one of the best events on the face of the planet. In this case, it's the College World Series. KGW had the pleasure of being the only Portland station in Omaha last year when the Beavs were the CWS darlings. Yes, we love it when an exclusive grand plan like that comes together! Now, OSU must be considered the CWS giants!
Brian Warner (we call him "The Ace" for his incredible camera work) and I are heading to the heartland to go see if the Beavs can do it again. If they just stay the course, anything is possible. In a way, I fear UNC and Rice. They are two sleeping baseball giants right now. But the last thing I would do if I'm in Vegas--or anywhere betting is taking place--is bet against OSU. I've said on this blog before....but Pat Casey is truly a genius!! If he brings home a second straight National Championship.....Bob DeCarolis should pony up a brand new contract for him!!!
NCAA rules prohibit us from "blogging" during the game....but I'll try my best to sneak a few in here and there. Even you Duck fans gotta enjoy this a little, don't ya? It's awesome exposure for our state!!
GO BEAVS!!
By Joe Becker
After spending the past two days covering Greg Oden's arrival and workout for the Blazers...I think it's going to be hard for the Blazers not to pick him. Kevin Durant will have to be mind boggling on Friday to push Greg out of the top spot.
Oden is an amazing talent, who just happens to be an all around great guy. How often does a player with his kind of skill level show up and then acts like the guy next door.
Well, actually that describes Brandon Roy. Greg's not cocky or arrogant...in fact, Blazers G.M. Kevin Pritchard and Blazers Coach
Nate Mcmillan kept talking about how humble Oden is. The other thing is that he has charisma. During the News Conference at the Blazers practice facility Greg entertained the media with his sense of humor.
I met his mother Zoe Oden and she was very nice as well. They both talked about how much they like Portland and Oregon.
I'm sure Durant will be impressive on Friday....but big men like Oden don't come along often. Then you throw in the fact that he is humble, nice and a team player, who cares more about winning than stats.
It's been an amazing turn of events in the past 12 months and if it keeps going...Blazermania could be around the corner in a few years.
Yes, it's G.O. Time!
Greg Oden already has it. What a breath of fresh air this kid is going to be.
The demand on him will be great....but he's as calm, cool and collected as I've ever seen. He arrived in Portland early Tuesday afternoon....with throngs of media and fans waiting to greet him. Also, a pair of rookies joined in (Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge). No better way to roll out the red carpet. I heard from a very reliable source that Oden and his mom were going "to look for houses" later Tuesday afternoon. Hmmm...makes you wonder, doesn't it?
I'm certain that what the Blazers will see during his workout Wednesday will solidify his standing as the #1 pick in next Thursday's NBA Draft. I think Kevin Durant has a very good future, but for Portland.....the choice is obvious---GO WITH THE ROCKSTAR, GREG ODEN!!!
Alright, just witnessed another marathon game at the CWS.
But while watching this one, I still can't believe what I'm witnessing.
The OSU Beavers are defying the long odds bestowed upon them....and rolling through Omaha with relative ease.
OSU just trounced Pac-10 power Arizona State, 12 to 6....ripping 18 hits off ASU pitchers.
Now, the Beavs find themselves in a glorious position....only needing one more win to reach the best-of-3 championship series.
Just how difficult is it to defend a national championship? Try this. There are 293 Division I baseball teams that vy for the postseason at the onset of every season. To make this far, is as close to amazing as I've seen from a school in the NW.
It's the "feel good" story that just keeps getting better.
OSU now waits until Wednesday at 4 pm PST to play their next game.
Could be a rematch with ASU....or a date with UC-Irvine.
They haven't played the Anteaters since 1972....and the Beavs lost that game.
Anything is possible.....when you are a member of the OSU baseball team.
We wish them continued success...and hope they keep giving us that warm & fuzzy feeling.
By Joe Becker
What a weekend in sports. I'm really looking forward to the Final Round of the U.S. Open. Tiger Woods is only two shots behind the leader Aaron Baddeley.
If Tiger wins...it will give him 13 Majors as a Pro...and five behind Jack Nicklaus.
It would seem only fitting that Woods should win at Oakmont. The list of Champions at Oakmont is amazing. Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus are included.
Continue reading "WHAT A WEEKEND?" »
By Craig Edwards
Don't believe everything you read and hear. Despite reports to the contrary, Vince McMahon, the chairman of World Wrestling Entertainment, is not really dead. In the real world, he's alive and kicking. Though on TV, it is a different matter.
For those who don't follow the world of pro wrestling, Vinnie Mac got blown up at the end of "Monday Night Raw" this week. He walked out of the Wachovia Arena in Wilkes-Barre, PA and hopped in his limo, which immediately exploded to end a heavily hyped three hour interpromotional show that featured wrestlers from all three WWE brands (Raw, Smackdown, & ECW).
For most wrestling fans, the stunt was a cool moment, killing off the evil TV character that was one of the main catalysts for wrestling's popularity boom in the late 90's. It also had many asking "what are they going to do with this?"
Small problem though; several news agencies reported it like he had REALLY died, leaving many people confused. A couple even called our newsroom today, asking why we weren't reporting the news.
I want to clear this up for you, once and for all. VINCE McMAHON IS ALIVE. The whole thing was a stunt, taped the night before the show. Here's a statement from the Wilkes-Barre Police Department to prove it:
Continue reading "The Death of Vince McMahon?" »
by Evan Chevrier
I know, I know, most of you can't stand the thought of the San Antonio Spurs winning yet another NBA title. The flopping, the whining, the boring, fundamental style of play, most of us can barely stomach it.
But now that the Spurs are up three games to none, let's end it already.
What is the point on having the Cavs win game four, or even five, just to get our hopes up, then break our hearts.
Its time to end it already, put us out of our misery.
Let the off-season begin! The pre-draft workouts, the draft itself, free agent signings, trades. All that stuff, much more interesting that the NBA Finals.
Hand it to Lebron, he got his team farther than you could have ever expected. Now its time for the Cavs to give him some help.
And its time to give NBA fans a break.
It's hard enough to win a National Championship....but even more difficult to repeat.
Guess what? Oregon State gets that chance. But just having a chance isn't enough. I've been around this program enough over the course of the past 3 seasons (all trips to Omaha mind you) to know the mental makeup of this team is off the charts.
They are never out of any game....that's their approach--at least when it matters most. The Beavers are a different animal in the postseason....owning a sparkling 12-1 home record the past 3 seasons.
The opportunity is before them....and from my own experience in Omaha last year, there is no greater venue to hold this than Rosenblatt Stadium. There is a certain aura about it right when you enter. It is all about chasing down dreams....and OSU is right on the cusp of having their last dream reappear.
Bring on the CSF Titans....GO BEAVS!
By Joe Becker
This week is perhaps my favorite week of the golf season. It's U.S. Open week and this year the Open is being played at one of my favorite spots...Oakmont just outside Pittsburgh. Oakmont is one of the historic courses in America and is hosting the U.S. Open for the 8th time. The course is more than 100 years old and has hosted more major championships than any course in America.
Johnny Miller set a record with an 8 under par 63 in the final round to win the Open in 1973. Jack Nicklaus won there in 1962. Ben Hogan won there in 1953. I went to Oakmont for the U.S. Open in 1983. Larry Nelson won that year beating the great Tom Watson. I saw the first two rounds. Oakmont is beautiful...plus it has the famous church pew bunkers that come into play on the third and fourth holes.
I've seen the U.S. Open two other times. 1984 at Winged Foot in New York and 1987 at The Olympic Club in San Francisco.
I've only played golf once this season. I am playing next week...but I'll be watching a lot of golf this week.
Speaking of golf....how about Michelle Wie. She's had a tough stretch of golf. I know she hurt her wrist earlier this year...but if it really hurt that bad...you would think she wouldn't take some more time off to get it right.
Michelle shot 83 and 79 in the final two rounds this weekend and finished dead last in the LPGA Championship. Ouch!
I think Wie is having confidence issues right now, which is too bad. Sometimes it's just hard been a teenager...and then to be a teenager with so much pressure on her shoulders. It will be interesting to see how the next few years unfold for her.
Well...I'm headed home. I have tomorrow off. Hope everyone has a great week and enjoy the U.S. Open!
By Joe Becker
It rained a lot at Goss Stadiium in Corvallis today....and they called Game 1 of the Beavers Super Regional with Michigan. It was still a good day. OSU Head Coach Pat Casey just smiled...and his team took it all in stride. Plus, I had a chance to visit with The Governor Ted Kulongoski and talk baseball.
Let me tell you...The Governor has a passion for the game. The Governor walked into the press room at Goss Stadium and we struck up a conversation about baseball.
As it turns out, Kulongoski and I both grew up in Missouri...and we both went to High School in St. Louis.
The Governor had a St. Louis Cardinals hat on...and he knew Cardinals Baseball. I was very impressed. I asked Governor Kulongoski where his passion for the game came from. He told me he thought it was from growing up in the midwest and Missouri. "There was a time when I was younger that baseball was all about radio." The Governor said.."You actually had to have the imagination to actually love the game...because you were only listening to it on the radio and you knew that you were in that ballpark, wherever it was.
In St. Louis it used to be old Sportsman's Park. It was a great place to see baseball." said the Governor. He is so right. My dad took me to Cardinal games at the old park when I was a kid.
Given the Governor's love of baseball....I asked him if he thought Oregon might get a Big League team some day. he said, "I think we will be...one of these days. I actually am very, very supportive of it. I keep holding onto the appropriation for bonding that we made. We will see what happens. I don't think it's ever been a question of whether Oregon would be able to get a team. I know it's going to come. I think the challenge for us...is once we get one, to be able to hang onto it over a period of time. Remember Seattle, when they had thier first ball club, the Pilots? They couldn't hang onto it and the Mariners were their second attempt at it, but I think there is a great passion for baseball in Oregon and I think we can do it."
And he thinks the Beavers can do it again as well. "There's a piece of this season that I actually like better than last year..." said the Governor..."They won last year, but what happened this season, they stumbled a couple times, but they never quit. Coach Pat Casey has these kids in a state of mind that in fact, they can do this." Kulongoski added..."we win two of these three and we're going to be back in Omaha and anything can happen."
I really enjoyed talking with Kulongoski, who is very nice and has a good sense of humor as well. In fact, he did a little tongue in cheek trash talking. "It must tell you something about these guys from Michigan. Here in Oregon we play in this, but I guess we'll have to wait until tomorrow."
Yes, for a baseball fan like The Governor...how could it be much better. OSU is defending National Champion...and his St. Louis Cardinals are defending World Champions. Something to smile about...for both of us.
I can't help but think the OSU baseball team (mind you, the defending national champs) is headed back to Omaha for the 3rd straight year.
It's in the cards....I feel it.
Other than covering this team for the past 3 seasons, I by no means "have a connection" to the school or the team. I just like to believe that when their backs are against the wall.....this team excels like no other.
Last year, was magical and pure. Of all the events I've covered in my 12 years in broadcasting, the Beavers national championship was the absolute top highlight.
All that stands in the way of a return trip to Omaha for the Beavs (and KGW) is Michigan. And again, I like OSU's chances. Go Beavs!!
By Joe Becker
You can't doubt the OSU Baseball team. How about that...another post season victory when their backs are against the wall. That makes 9 straight victories over the past two seasons for OSU when it was win or go home. They won six straight last year on thier way to winning the National Championship at the College World Series.
Talk about a team that deals with pressure. OSU struggled at times in the very tough Pac-10....but then beat UCLA two out of three in the final series and made it into the NCAA Tournament.
Tournament time brings out the best in the Beavers...and Head Coach Pat Casey seems to make all the right moves and has a way of keeping the team calm and confident during pressure packed situations.
They host Michigan this weekend in Corvallis. It's the Super Regional...and the Beavers hope their Super Playoff run continues!
What do you think? Can the Beavers win it all again? Post a response and let me know....and enjoy the great baseball!
By Joe Becker
It was another great week of Sports. I have to say the hilite was watching Lebron James score 48 pts on the Pistons last Thursday. He was simply amazing. I was wondering where I would rank that among the NBA performances I've seen on TV.
Actually, I think it was as good as any I've seen. The stakes were high in the Eastern Conference Finals and so much pressure on James. It was stuff that legends are made of.
Then the Cavs finished the job beating the Pistons Saturday night. They played terrific the whole series and I think they have a shot at beating the Spurs. San Antonio is a great team...but Cleveland is better than many people think...especially, the way Lebron is playing.
Yes, the NBA is fantastic....at least some of the time.
By Craig Edwards
Okay, many sports writers back east are up in arms, calling the NBA's 2007 Draft Lottery, with the Blazers and Sonics getting the top two picks, a disaster. Why? They claim having Greg Oden and Kevin Durant playing on the west coast, and in the pacific time zone, is bad for the NBA, because east coast fans won't be able to see them (for the time zone illiterates out there, games that start at 7:00 or 7:30 at night in Portland, start at 10:00 or 10:30 back east). I say that's rubbish. In the era of ESPN, DVR's, and the internet, fans can see any games they want. And the NBA can market anyone if league leaders set their minds to it.
However, one argument does have some merit. Many express a concern over the league's competitive balance. Durant and Oden coming out west makes the Blazers and the Sonics immediate players in the playoff chase. But, it's a case of the rich getting richer, with more good teams in the Western Conference, and the East continuing to suffer (though they keep doing it to themselves. Isiah Thomas and Danny Ainge, I'm looking in your direction!!).
So how do we fix it? How about some more realignment? Rather than east and west conferences, let's try north and south. In 2004, the NBA shifted to 6 divisions of 5 teams each. All it would take is moving a couple of those divisions around.
NBA Northern Conference
Northwest Division
Portland
Seattle
Minnesota
Denver
Utah
Central Division
Chicago
Cleveland
Detroit
Indiana
Milwaukee
Atlantic Division
New York
New Jersey
Toronto
Boston
Philadelphia
NBA Southern Conference
Pacific Division
L.A. Lakers
L.A. Clippers
Phoenix
Sacramento
Golden State
Southwest Division
Memphis
San Antonio
New Orleans
Dallas
Houston
Southeast Division
Atlanta
Charlotte
Miami
Orlando
Washington
Of course, the major drawback to this is the extra travel it would require. Teams would have to make a couple more of trips to the other coast each year. But it would even out the competitive balance, especially with all the young teams in the north getting ready to bust out (Chicago, Cleveland, Portland, Seattle, Toronto). Plus, it would also help solve the other problem. More trips for Durant and Oden to the east coast would keep them in front of the east coast fans. Think of all the new rivalries this would create as well. Minnesota, which is closer to Chicago and Milwaukee then Seattle and Portland, would actually get to play their geographical rivals more than twice.
How does this work for you?
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