golfrewind.com

Did the Heat vs Lakers game live up to your expectations?

What expectations? It was a meaningless game in December between two selfish players that I couldn't care less about. The NBA is a shadow of it's former self and anyone who took the 3 hours to watch the game on Christmas day wasted valuable family time. JMO

Ditto!

We had the Heat vs. Lakers game in our house. Going into the game, I thought it might be overhyped. The game ended up exceeding my expectations. I haven't liked Shaq since he entered the NBA and played for the Magic. Then he moved to the Lakers and I liked him even less if that was even possible. Now, I oddly find myself cheering for him and the Heat.

I catch myself agreeing with league a lot lately. Time to get a checkup

millions of people around the country and all of the espn staff would beg to differ. sure it's only a game in december, but there's a reason why ABC chose this game as the kickoff to this years NBA on ABC campaign. The curiosity factor alone was probably worth a million viewers..

Whatever it is that you think you need a check-up for......I sure would like to see my wife catch it!

If you just HAD to watch NBA basketball on Christmas day, this game was the only logical choice for ABC. The ESPN staff gets paid to sound excited about a meaningless game, so I wouldn't count on them to (and I quote the best ABC announcer of all time, Howard Cosell)...... "tell it like it is!"

Admit it, this game wasn't about the Miami Heat vs the Los Angeles Lakers. It was all about Shaq vs Kobe. Sorry, but I've been hearing that garbage for years. When I watch basketball I want to see basketball "teams" play. Not a couple of selfish whiners who don't know the first thing about "team" play.

You're right about ABC probably getting a few million viewers......but what other sporting event was televised on Christmas Day?

Well, the Detoit-Indiana was on Christmas day, as we're some football games. BUt this was predicted to be the single most watched basketball game in history (I dont know the numbers on if it actually was). Granted, you didnt have to watch basketball on Christmas, but there's a reason why the NBA schedulers chose the Heat-Lakers on Christmas day (the Lakers, btw, always play a heated rivarly game on Christmas..ie Portland, Kings, etc, which is always the start of NBA on ABC or NBA on NBC). They showed this game because it's the premiere matchup in the NBA (not basketball wise, but hatred wise). Sure ESPN staff get paid to sound excited about this game, but a lot more people were excited than just them (and they dont get paid)

Yes, this game was about Shaq vs. Kobe, not the heat vs. lakers. but I dont think anyone tried to hide that fact. It was promoted and billed as such. when there's a nasty breakup between two premiere players in which one drove away the other, people tend to want to see them face off; see if one outdoes the other. see if Kobe can dunk on Shaq or if Shaq will bodyslam Kobe.

I respect your opinion that watching this game was a waste of time for yourself, but a lot of people tuned in for a reason. They might have come away disappointed or not, but it was a must see in many households.