THE FIX IS IN AS LAKERS MAKE FINALS AGAIN

CONSPIRACY: The NBA makes sure that the Los Angeles Lakers make the finals when their TV ratings decline.

DESCRIPTION: Every year the TV ratings for the NBA finals begin to descend somehow the NBA makes sure the Los Angeles Lakers make the finals. It has happened in 1981, 1990, 1999, 2003 and now in 2007.

MOTIVE: Money

FACTS:

• 1981 Boston vs. Houston 6.7 rating (lowest since 1976) -----> 1982 LA vs Phila. 13.0


• 1990 Detroit vs. Portland 12.3 (lowest since 1984) -----> 1991 LA vs Chicago 15.8


• 1999 San Antonio vs NY 11.3 (lowest since 1981) -----> 2000 LA vs Indiana 11.6
  
• 2003 San Antonio vs NJ 6.5 (lower than ever before) -----> 2004 LA vs Detroit 11.5


• 2007 San Antonio vs Cleveland 6.2 (lowest ever) -----> 2008 LA vs Boston ?
  

ANALYSIS: Los Angeles has been in the finals every year after a major decline in TV ratings. This year is a perfect example of the NBA pulling some strings to get the Lakers into the finals. Last year's final was suppose to be a ratings boost as the best team of the decade and the best player of the decade collided. It didn't work out the way they wanted as ratings tumbled to an all time low of 6.2. So what does the NBA do? They allow a trade to be pushed through that made no sense. Pao Gasol was dealt for a bunch of no names, a never was and some picks. "A donation" according to Kobe Bryant. It doesn't hurt that the Memphis Grizzlies were on the other side of the trade since they are the smallest market in the NBA. http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view/2008_06_05_Gasol_deal_an_absolute_steal/srvc=sports&position=also

We will see if the ratings for the finals actually improve but I am sure it cant get much worse than 2007.

Hmm...Lakers in the finals after an alltime low TV rating...not a shocker to Coach Controvery.