The NBA released their schedule yesterday, along with the TV schedules for TNT, ESPN, ABC, and NBATV. I’ve gone to the trouble of counting up which teams have the most games on national television (and I’m not counting NBATV in that). Here’s the list, in order. The first number is the total number of games that are on ESPN or ABC, and the second number is the number of games on TNT, and the last number is the total.
1. Heat: 15/9, 24
Cavs: 15/9, 24
Suns: 15/9, 24
Lakers: 15/9, 24
5. Mavericks: 14/9, 23
6. Bulls: 12/9, 21
7. Pistons: 14/6, 20
8. Spurs: 12/6, 18
9. Kings: 10/6, 16
10. Nuggets: 10/5, 15
11. Rockets: 10/3, 13
12. Clippers: 7/5, 12
13. Nets: 6/5, 11
14. Wizards: 9/1, 10
15. Pacers: 6/2, 8
76ers: 8/0, 8
16. Hornets: 3/2, 5
17. Warriors: 1/2, 3
Magic: 1/2, 3
19. Grizzlies: 1/1, 2
Jazz: 1/1, 2
Sonics: 4/2, 2
Celtics: 2/0, 2
Timberwolves: 2/0, 2
24. Bobcats: 0/1, 1
Bucks: 1/0, 1
26. Toronto: 0/0, 0
Hawks: 0/0, 0
Knicks: 0/0, 0
Blazers: 0/0, 0
It’s a little too early to be making predictions about the NBA season, but I’ll give you two teams that the TV people will wish they had on more, and two teams they’ll wish they could erase from their schedule after the All-Star break.
On too damn much: Bulls. There’s only six games with more than 20 games on national television, and the Bulls are one of them. I think the Bulls are going to be good, and I personally like their style of play… but I’m not penciling them into the league’s Top 6 teams yet, either. They’re also going to average about 85 points a game.
On too damn much: Kings. I think we’re getting a little bit carried away with how well they played in the playoffs against the Spurs. It was nice and all, but for them to be on more than the Clippers? For shame.
Should be on more: Toronto. Not only are they going to contend for a playoff spot, but they’re going to be an entertaining team. They will run, they will shoot, they will score. Of course, being in Canada and having a roster full of names that Bill Walton can’t pronounce isn’t exactly a recipe for TV ratings, either.
Should be on more: The Clippers. I believe they’re going to be right at the top of the Eastern Conference. There are at least three teams with more national TV games that the Clippers will beat in the standings.
Should be on more: Sadly, the Knicks. And I lied, I’m giving you three teams that should be on more. They’re going to be better this year, for a couple of reasons. 1) They’ll play with more confidence under a coach who just won’t care a whole lot what they do on the court. And 2) They’ll be better because they won’t be confused by the concept of trying to learn how to play disciplined, responsible, basketball. I’m serious. I don’t know if I’d go so far as to say that they’ll be in the playoff chase, but I don’t think they’ll be laying face down in the cellar, either.
Will Says:
August 2nd, 2006 at 7:46 am
clips are in the west, and they most likely wont be at the top of the conference
WBRS Sports Blog Says:
August 2nd, 2006 at 9:05 am
Knicks with zero? Weird. I thought the majority of people on this earth enjoyed watching train wrecks.
Chris Clarke Says:
August 2nd, 2006 at 9:24 am
Raptors fans in Canada have little to worry about. All but a few games are available in some way, shape, or form on cable here in Canada. As many as 30 games end up on national TV in Canada, and in Ontario, it’s even better, with almost every game on basic cable. With only one team in the entire country, Raptors games mean a lot to people here coast to coast, pretty much like the Blue Jays, only not as mediocre.
rob Says:
August 2nd, 2006 at 9:56 am
I just don’t understand why the Bobcats aren’t playing on BET. It seems they’d have an in there.
BTW - you’re wrong MJD. House is the best show on TV.
Unsilent Majority Says:
August 2nd, 2006 at 10:03 am
fantastic public service. I’ll get the package just to watch Salim.
TJ Says:
August 2nd, 2006 at 10:19 am
I think the Lakers also have a few games on Lifetime, or is it Oxygen?
MasterShake Says:
August 2nd, 2006 at 11:40 am
MJD - Shouldn’t the Sonics be ranked as # 16 with 6 total, you have them with 4 abc/espn and 2 tnt, but only 2 total.
The Big Picture Says:
August 2nd, 2006 at 12:03 pm
only 3 warriors’ games? guess patrick o’bryant won’t get the publicity he deserves to show his true talent. ok, mediocre-to-bad talent.
PTPers Says:
August 2nd, 2006 at 12:32 pm
Don’t underestimate Ron Artest. Tru Warrier on National TV is both a recipe for disaster and Must-See TV.
the mighty mjd Says:
August 2nd, 2006 at 12:36 pm
Yeah, I fucked up the Sonics… and the Clippers. It was late. C’est la vie.
Kaw Says:
August 2nd, 2006 at 1:23 pm
I’ve never understood why they stack the tv schedules the way they do. Who the hell, outside of Detroit, wants to watch the Pistons 20 times this year? They’re on the decline and they’re one injury away from being a middle of the pack. I would so much rather watch 10 Pistons games and then spread the wealth around a little more. Up and coming teams are so much more fun to watch than old, disappointing teams!
Unsilent Majority Says:
August 2nd, 2006 at 1:28 pm
Rob, the only reason Bob Johnson could afford an NBA franchise is because he sold BET to Viacom a few years ago for several hundreds of millions of dollars
Fan's Attic Says:
August 2nd, 2006 at 5:09 pm
it looks like people won’t be able to see the early frontrunners for ROY very often this year just like last year with Chris Paul. Randy Foye gets 2 national tv appearances and Brandon Roy gets zero.
WBRS Sports Blog Says:
August 2nd, 2006 at 6:30 pm
The Mavs should show their games in HD on Cuban’s HDNet.
Suss Says:
August 2nd, 2006 at 7:57 pm
Wait, wait, wait. The NBA has a regular season?
Richie Says:
August 2nd, 2006 at 8:04 pm
Listen, Kaw: The Pistons ARE NOT on the decline, and they earned every bit of National TV time they earned. Yeah, they lost Big Ben to the Chicago Bulls, but they are going to pounce in the playoffs this year.. wait for it.
Mr. Bojangles Says:
August 2nd, 2006 at 9:09 pm
Hey, why does this list refer to every other team by name, but the Raptors by location? This is a fucking conspiracy right here!
Paging Roger Cossack Says:
August 2nd, 2006 at 10:08 pm
Btw, truehoop has a pretty extensive list as well, also listing NBA TV appearances. http://www.truehoop.com/leaguewide-issues-32827-how-much-is-your-team-on-tv.html
Andy Says:
August 3rd, 2006 at 11:38 am
The Pacers will again be a depressing sack of suck that no one will want to watch. 8 games is too many for them.
frisby Says:
August 4th, 2006 at 9:12 am
are u kidding me andy? the pacers will be fun to watch this year. they’re one of the most athletic, running, fast paced driven teams in the league this year. i also agree about detroit getting too many games. take away 8-10 and give them to toronto!! also, just in general, i think EVERY team should get at least ONE national tv appearance….except for the blazers and hawks, no one cares about them, even their own hometowns.
frisby Says:
August 4th, 2006 at 9:13 am
o ya…and wtf? why so many freaking lakers games??? whats so special about the lakers any more?