NBA Finals roundtable: Media's take on Warriors-Cavaliers matchup
To give readers insight into covering the NBA Finals, which tips off at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, I paneled five respected NBA media voices this week for a roundtable discussion:
The panel:
• Howard Beck, national NBA writer, Bleacher Report, Bleacher Report Radio host.
• Frank Isola, NBA reporter and columnist, New York Daily News, SiriusXM NBA Radio host, Around The Horn panelist.
• Michael Lee, national NBA reporter, Washington Post.
• Brian Mahoney, national NBA writer, Associated Press
• Ramona Shelburne, senior writer, ESPN.com, ESPN LA 710 host.
(Editor's note: The panel was asked to go as long or as short as they wanted with their answers. They were free to skip any questions. Some of the answers have been edited for clarity.)
SI.com: How would you evaluate the media access for reporters at the NBA Finals?
Beck: Let’s just say it’s, well, challenging. The NBA credentials about 2,000 media members, although it sometimes feels like 10,000. But that’s just the nature of the beast. The NBA Finals is a global event. So you go into the Finals accepting that you’re probably not going to get that 15-minute one-on-one with Draymond Green or Tristan Thompson. Even if you have prior relationships with certain players or coaches, you might have a tough time getting them to chat off to the side; they just have too many demands on them, even on practice days. So whatever story you’re working on, you’ll probably have to ask your questions in a group session, either at the main podium (with 500 reporters in the room) or, on off-days, at these on-court stations with 30-50 reporters surrounding each player. It makes it more challenging to develop a good, unique story, but, as the players say, it is what it is. I will say the NBA does an incredible job of keeping these sessions organized and on time, and ensuring that every significant player is available.
Lee: To me, it's pretty excellent on off days. The star players and coaches from both teams are available for 10 minutes apiece and you can grab everyone else for as long as you need on the court. It can be a hassle trying to jump in with a big group of reporters, especially if some people are there to ask silly questions. But overall, I like that you get the people you need, when you need them. Postgame interviews are more difficult because of the late deadlines but I really can't complain about access at all.
• MORE NBA: Playoff coverage | Schedule | Cavs-Warriors dream matchup
Isola: It’s actually quite good on off days because the league is in charge and all the players are available. They’ll bring the top players to the podium and since their interviews are recorded by a court stenographer, you have freedom to work the court. If you’re lucky and your timing is right, you could get someone alone.
[daily_cut.NBA]Mahoney: It's pretty good for a big event. We get at least some time with players and coaches on every day except the ones where teams travel. There's little hope of getting anyone alone to really get the in-depth quotes that are best, but with all the media at something this big, that's understandable.
Shelburne: I think it’s actually pretty good. The NBA is in charge and both teams have to follow all the rules that the league and the Pro Basketball Writers Association have agreed upon. That means things generally run on time, whereas there is wide variation in adherence to the rules amongst individual teams. Now, most of the official access is going to be in group, press conference settings. You really have to work hard to get exclusive stuff. But if you’re a good, well-connected reporter, you can make it work.
SI.com: What is the most interesting storyline heading into this series?
Beck: LeBron, always. I’m not one who subscribes to the notion that everything LeBron does somehow impacts his legacy. I won’t think any less of him as an all-time NBA great if the Cavaliers lose this series and he falls to 2–4 in the Finals. But you know that’s going to be a major storyline, even the storyline, for a great number of fans and commentators. LeBron is held to a ridiculous standard (something I wrote about last fall), and there’s this large contingent of the public that’s just waiting to pounce every time he stumbles, or his team falls short. Honestly, I don’t get it. LeBron James is indisputably one of the greatest players of all time, and within that superstar class, also ranks as one of the greatest teammates of all time. He conducts himself professionally, on and off the court. He’s never been in trouble. I think the public generally viewed his return to Cleveland as a positive thing. And yet he continues to be strangely polarizing. I get the sense that a majority of the country will be rooting against him (or, at least, for the Warriors) in the Finals.
Lee: Easily Stephen Curry vs. LeBron James. It's the classic case of the underdog vs. the heavy favorite but both could assume either role depending on your vantage point. Curry was the overlooked overachiever who became a star when little was expected of him. But he is also a child of privilege, the son of an NBA player who grew up around the game his whole life and had every opportunity to succeed. He also plays for the Warriors, one of the greatest regular season teams in NBA history, a team picked by many to win it all. James is a prodigy chosen to be the next great since he was in high school and has lived up to the hype while winning four MVPs and two championships. But he also had to overcome a hardscrabble upbringing to escape a community from which few are able to make it. While James recently said he's never an underdog, his injury-riddled team would pull a massive upset if it can win this series. It's also the new baby face of the league vs. the long-time familiar face. And both guys were born in Akron. Can't beat that.
My Town, My Team: Warriors' return to the NBA Finals too sweet not to savor
Isola: Besides J.R. Smith potentially leading Cleveland to winning the NBA Finals? It has to be Stephen Curry vs. LeBron James. The MVP vs. the so-called best player on the planet. I think they are the two toughest players to defend for very different reasons. If the Cavs win and LeBron continues to play at this ridiculously high level, he will have completed one of the greatest runs in playoff history. Sadly, if he loses you’ll hear people say, “He’s 2–4 in the Finals.” Yes, he is. But think about the two Cavs teams he’s led to the Finals. It shouldn’t be held against him that he’s made it this far.
Mahoney: For most people, it's Stephen Curry and LeBron James, who were THE guys in the NBA this season, trying to win for fanbases that have waited a long time. In LeBron's case, a lot of people would like to see him get one back home for the Cavaliers. For me, I'd say watching how David Blatt deals with all of this. He's been under scrutiny all season, to the point he would win a championship and I'm not sure anyone would be certain he'd be back in Cleveland next year.
Shelburne: There are a ton of interesting narratives in these Finals, but this is LeBron James’s league right now so I think every story begins and ends with him. This is what he came back to Cleveland to do. Can he finally deliver a title to his hometown? He’s had that pressure on him since he was 15 years old. Then he spurned Cleveland and its fans in 2010 and won his rings in Miami. Now he’s returned. Now that he’s won titles, only another ring will be considered a success.
SI.com: Who do you consider the most influential NBA media member and why?
Beck: I’m not sure how to define influential because there are so many different types of reporters and writers covering the league these days: traditional beat writers, columnists, essayists, analytics guys, news-breaking specialists, salary-cap experts, hot-take artists, X-and-O analysts. This is my 18th season covering the league, and I can honestly say that the breadth and quality of coverage has never been better. Whatever interests you about the league, it’s being covered, and well.
Isola: Since we’re not allowed to vote for ourselves, I would put Bill Simmons, Jeff Van Gundy, the 1,000 men and women of ESPN, Bleacher Report’s small army, Ken Berger (CBS Sports), Chris Mannix (SI), Sam Amick (USA Today) and a few others. But the reigning champ is Adrian Wojnarowski (Yahoo!). I once asked an agent, who I know pretty well, to confirm something. He then asked me “before you write it, can I just tell Woj?” I think I tweeted it five seconds before Woj did. Very proud moment for me. Adrian is as connected as anyone in the business and he's a tireless worker. Last July, during the height of free agency, we went out to dinner at 9 p.m. in Los Angeles. He was on his phone the entire time. Worst company ever. Never again.
Lee: It's got to be Charles Barkley, right? His entertaining opinions inspire the most reactions and he's not afraid to offend people.
Mahoney: Charles Barkley is probably the guy who can say whatever he wants about anyone or anything in the league, and people also care about his opinions on real-world topics beyond basketball.
• MORE NBA: How TNT got Barkley to re-sign | Simmons's next move
Shelburne: So many ways you could go with this answer. In some ways the newsbreakers—Marc Stein, Sam Amick, Adrian Wojnarowski, Marc Spears (Yahoo!), David Aldridge (Turner), Ken Berger, Frank Isola, Brian Windhorst (ESPN), etc.—are the most influential in that news is what moves the needle in today’s NBA. Forgive me for being cryptic with this statement, but news is what they say it is. Then there are the analytical guys, and for my money, Zach Lowe (Grantland) is the best in the business. The guy thinks and writes like a general manager. I feel like his articles are secret briefings. Bill Simmons has the audience, writing talent and insider knowledge to really change opinions of things. Michael Wilbon (ESPN) and Stephen A. Smith (ESPN) have the respect of all the players and the institutional knowledge from decades of covering the league. Whenever I want to know what’s really up with a situation, I call one of them first to get their take. But I think I have to go with Sir Charles. In terms of influence, day in and day out, nobody shapes the NBA narrative like Barkley. I feel like I have to stay up late and watch the entire postgame show after TNT games just to hear what he said because I know people will be talking about it in the morning.
SI.com: What is the most difficult part of covering the Finals?
Beck: As I mentioned above, the access and the overabundance of media makes covering the Finals much more challenging. It’s not a complaint, just a reality.
Isola: I wish the postgame interviews could be handled a little better. Get the key players out on the podium quicker. Waiting for them to shower and dress is a deadline killer ... for those of us in the newspaper business who still have deadlines. I get it; the players use the postgame press conference as their red carpet moment. They like to make fashion statements. But I think a better visual is the players in their uniform talking. I blame Michael Jordan. He started it. And Carmelo Anthony is the league leader in taking an eternity to shower, get dressed, put on his fedora, and speak with reporters.
Lee: The late starts make it really tough for newspaper deadline purposes. The games usually end around midnight, leaving little time to process what happened and properly explain it to the masses. I always marvel at Internet writers pulling all-nighters when I'm walking out feeling like I just tried to microwave a turkey.
Mahoney: This year, probably figuring out what to pack for a couple of weeks in cities where the weather isn't exactly consistent. With Miami and San Antonio, we knew what we were getting. But in every NBA Finals, it's trying to keep up with everything else happening around the NBA that doesn't involve these two teams. The Knicks and Nets, who I focus on locally, both hired coaches during the Finals the last two years. If the series goes seven games, the NBA draft is less than a week after it ends, so you're trying to keep tabs with that process so you're not jumping in completely cold.
• MORE NBA: Latest draft rumors, buzz | Mock draft 2.0 | Draft deep dive
Shelburne: Everyone comes out for the Finals and I’m not sure all of them are working. It’s become an event to see and be seen at. Not as bad as All-Star weekend, but the sheer number of people who seem to just be there to hear themselves ask questions at a press conference has gotten a bit out of hand in recent years. A lot of the people who parachute in for the Finals are covering the teams for the first time this year, which creates a lot of rehashing. But again, if you know your way around the league, this shouldn’t be a problem.
SI.com: What is your favorite part of covering the Finals?
Beck: It’s just an incredibly intense environment. You feel every play, every dunk, every three-pointer, every misfire, every turnover. The fans are amped up beyond belief. I have no emotional investment in any of these games or any of these teams, but I can feel my heart rate increase just in response to the atmosphere. You might feel that intensity during a particularly great playoff series, maybe a handful of times in the regular season, but the Finals are definitely different.
Isola: The media hospitality room is pretty good. Free food, drink, gossip and lots of bitter reporters. It is nice to catch up with folks you haven’t seen in a while and actually have the chance to unpack since most NBA trips are in and out. And we’re lucky enough to witness history every year. I still remember Michael Jordan pushing off on Bryon Russell like it was yesterday. Ray Allen’s shot still gives me chills. It’s nice when you see the joy on the faces of class guys like David Robinson and Dirk Nowitzki when they win.
John W. McDonough for Sports Illustrated
Lee:
Mahoney: Those final few minutes leading into the start of Game 1. The anthem, the introductions, lights flashing, all of it that means you're about to be front and center for the best basketball in the world. The basketball in New York was so bad this season that even Phil Jackson said he was aware we were bored, so that makes it that much easier to be excited about being in Oracle Arena on Thursday night, which will be electric.
Shelburne: There is nothing better than covering games that really matter. It’s a long NBA season. The regular season is a slog. This is when everything is magnified. Every game, every play, every moment is interesting. The pace of internet coverage has really diminished the traditional game story. We don’t even really run game stories anymore. Just wire stories and a blog or column that’s more analysis. NBA coverage has become a lot more focused on transactions: trade rumors, hirings and firings, etc. It’s what seems to move the needle online. But when you get to the Finals, it’s just about basketball again.
[pagebreak]
SI.com: Which player/s are the most media-friendly for this series and why?
Beck: Stephen Curry is just an incredibly gracious and grounded individual, and has been since he entered the league. Always patient with the media, and he truly aims to give a thoughtful answer to every question. (Which isn’t always easy, of course; we ask some pretty stupid questions at times.) Really, the Warriors might be one of the most media-friendly teams in the league. Andrew Bogut is a great, candid and often entertaining interview. Shaun Livingston, Andre Iguodala and David Lee are all smart veterans who are generous with their time and thoughts. It helps that the Warriors also have one of the best p.r. staffs in the league, headed by Raymond Ridder. On the Cleveland side, I’ve always enjoyed talking to Shawn Marion, Kendrick Perkins, Mike Miller and James Jones, longtime vets who understand the media’s role and are always willing to give a little insight. J.R. Smith is incredibly entertaining. I think LeBron James has come a long way in his career, especially these last few years. I used to find him very calculating and aloof with the media. The Miami experience changed him. He’s much more reflective, more forthright with his thoughts and emotions, now than he was during his first stint in Cleveland.
Reviewing LeBron James's five-year dominance of the Eastern Conference
Lee: LeBron James is great because almost everything he says carries weight and he usually takes time to give honest, reflective answers. Steph Curry is also good because he truly processes the questions and gives earnest answers as well. Draymond Green is a gem because he avoids cliches and provides colorful commentary. I still remember his description of Klay Thompson's 37-point quarter this season, when Green said, “You don't get that hot in 2K. Them video games real now. That wasn't real.” Or when he called Doc Rivers, “Glenn.” Or when he responded to Dwight Howard calling himself a champion by saying, “Cool. That's the spirit.” Andrew Bogut is also a pretty straight shooter.
• MORE NBA: Smith takes podium selfie | Riley takes over press conference
Mahoney: We're lucky in this series in that the two biggest stars are excellent with the media. LeBron and Curry were both finalists for our Professional Basketball Writers Association's Magic Johnson Award (won by Pau Gasol) that goes to a player who best combines his excellence on the court with cooperation with the media. I've enjoyed spending multiple summers around both covering USA Basketball, and the way Stephen handled his explosion in popularity this season was really impressive. On a smaller scale, David Lee, Shaun Livingston and Andrew Bogut on Golden State and Mike Miller on Cleveland are great. And J.R. Smith will surely entertain us.
Shelburne: I don’t think I’m going out on a limb at all to say the Warriors are the most media-friendly team in the league. It starts with their p.r. staff, which just flat-out gets it. But I think a lot of it comes from Steve Kerr, who has been on our side of the aisle and understands why we’re asking certain questions, how to explain technical things to the media and why it’s important to do so. Mostly though, I think they don’t see the media as adversaries that players and coaches needed to be protected from like a lot of organizations do now. They just let their guys handle their own business and trust that they’re mature and savvy enough to do so.
• MORE NBA: SI's 10 best Curry stories | Lee Jenkins on Curry | Give & Go
SI.com: How do you feel about players bringing their children to postgame press conferences?
Beck: It really doesn’t bother me. If anything, it lightens the atmosphere and provides a little color for my story. These players are people, with personal lives and families and (in Steph Curry’s case) ridiculously adorable children. It’s good to see the human side sometimes, to remind everyone of that, especially in today’s sports culture, where players are often viewed as cartoon characters and punching bags. Now, is it possible that having a kid on the podium will disrupt the press conference or stifle the discussion? Maybe. If a guy just got hit with a flagrant foul, or if a scuffle broke out, or the player just blew the game-winning shot, it might be awkward to ask Daddy why he’s such a screw-up with Junior sitting on his lap. I understand the concern of some of my fellow scribes. I wouldn’t want to see kids at every postgame session. But in general, I don’t see a problem with it.
Isola: It doesn’t bother me one bit. The idea that you can’t ask a tough question with a kid sitting there is laughable. Riley Curry is a star while LeBron’s son, Bryce Maximus, has his work cut out for him.
Charles Barkley: I prefer Steph Curry's daughter not be at press conferences
Lee: I'd be lying if I said I love it as a working journalist. I'd prefer to not have the distraction when I'm trying to ask questions or listen to answers for follow up questions. But I thoroughly enjoy watching it as a fan. Riley Curry has been my favorite part of this postseason. I can't remember what many players have said after games but I can't forget seeing her telling the MVP, “Be quiet.” I also can't get that song “Blessings” out of my head: “Waay up, I feel blessed.” I think it helps when it's a player people like and the kid's cute. But it'll be interesting to see what happens when a guy brings his puppy or a basket of kittens up there to throw off reporters.
Mahoney: Fine with it. I've got two little girls myself, and watching Stephen Curry completely unable to control Riley is probably the only time I can say for sure I've walked in the NBA MVP's shoes. Sure, it can slow down the work a bit, but so can plenty of other things that aren't nearly as cute, so I've got no problem with it.
Shelburne: I love seeing players and their children together. It shows a different side of them we don’t often see. And frankly, I think it’s great for the league to promote fatherhood as much as it can. That said, there are plenty of other ways to do that than at press conferences. I thought the shots of Steph Curry and his daughter on the court after they closed out Houston in Game 5 were priceless. I’m fine with players occasionally bringing a child into a press conference. Most of the stuff that’s gathered there is just for sound bites and quote sheets. The best material is always going to come from the locker room or in hallways. But there are issues that I worry about.
My philosophy is pretty simple: I want to treat the players, coaches and executives that I cover as I would want to be treated. In other words, if someone was writing a story about me, I’d want them to ask me about things and not just write whatever they see from the outside. Even if it’s a story I don’t like, I’d always rather have the chance to explain myself than have people guess at why I did what I did or said what I said. So apply that now to a press conference setting. There’s a critical play in the game that needs explaining. Our job is to ask the coach or player about it. Even if they are the goat, if it was me, I’d rather someone ask me about it than just pile on without knowing what was in my head. If their child is there, are you really in the best situation to ask that tough question? I don’t think so. Worse, what if you do ask the question, it is uncomfortable and the kid starts crying? All that said, the Riley Curry phenomenon was not the right time for us to have this discussion. She’s adorable and I think she’s been one of the more entertaining parts of these playoffs. As long as it’s an occasional cameo, I’m fine with it.
GALLERY: Riley Curry and other podium kids
Riley Curry and Other Podium Kids
Riley and Stephen Curry
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
Riley and Stephen Curry
Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images
P.J. and Derrick Rose
Sydney, Draven and Tim Duncan
Tony Gutierrez/AP
Brady and Ryan Fitzpatrick
Hudson and Jon Lester
David Banks/Getty Images
Wyatt, Judson and Jake Peavy
Kyodo/AP
Alan, Aiden and Shin-Soo Choo
Rick Yeatts/Getty Images
Stella and Josh Hamilton
Victor Decolongon/Getty Images
Chris II and Chris Paul
Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images
Jadyn and Prince Fielder
Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images
Albert Jr. and Albert Pujols
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
Daylen and LaDainian Tomlinson
Denis Poroy/AP
Bryson and Michael Bourn
Paul Sancya/AP
Natalia, Gianna and Kobe Bryant
John W. McDonough/SI
Ray Jr. and Sugar Ray Leonard
Neil Leifer for SI
Queen, Mary and Manny Pacquiao
Ted Aljibe/AFP/Getty Images
Carlos Jr. and Carlos Delgado
AP
Charity and Donald Driver
Mike Roemer/AP
Miguel and Mike Tyson
Tom Casino/Getty Images
Leilani and Eric Reid
Greg Payan/AP
Christian and Zach Thomas
J Pat Carter/AP
Ty and Wayne Gretzky
Charles Rex Arbogast/AP
Paulina and Wayne Gretzky
AP
Amirah and Shaquille O'Neal
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
Aisha and Barry Bonds
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
Trey and Jason Kidd
D. Clarke Evans/NBAE via Getty Images
Tanner and Randy Johnson
AP
Iyanna and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Yao Qinlei and Yao Ming
Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images
Genevieve and Jimmie Johnson
John Raoux/AP
Jadena and Hines Ward
AP
Kenyon Jr. and Kenyon Martin
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
Rashaya and Rasheed Wallace
Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images
Paulina, Jorge Jr. and Jorge Posada
Mike Stobe/Getty Images
Cruz and Steve Cunningham
Seth Wenig/AP
Deion Jr. and Deion Sanders
AFP/Getty Images
Ivanna, Amanda and Ivan Rodriguez
LMO Otero/AP
Brady and Adam Dunn
AP
Lauren and Lisa Leslie
Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images
Kade and Kurt Warner
Tom Gannam/AP
Kody and Roger Clemens
Brett Coomer/Getty Images
Zaire and Dwyane Wade
Victor Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images
Ashley, Frank III and Frank Thomas
Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune/MCT via Getty Images
Jordan and Eddie Murray
Eric Miller/AP
Patrick and Padraig Harrington
Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
Dave Jr. and Dave Winfield
Tim Clary/AFP/Getty Images
Doug Jr. and Doug Flutie
AP
Darius and Andre Dawson
Jeffrey Boan/AP
Shola, Addy and James Franklin
Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times/MCT/via Getty Images
Garrison and Dennis Allen
Paul Sakuma/AP
[pagebreak]
SI.com: What has been your favorite previous Finals to cover and why?
Beck: I’ll go with the 2000 Finals, between the Lakers and Pacers, the first year of the Shaq-Kobe-Phil championship run, and the first Finals of my reporting career. There’s a difference between covering the Finals as a national writer (as I have for the last several years) and covering the Finals as a beat writer who follows one team all season. I started covering the Lakers for the L.A. Daily News in 1997-98, Year 2 of the Shaq-Kobe era, so I’d watched their relationship and their games evolve over time. I had a good rapport with all of the core guys: Robert Horry, Rick Fox, Derek Fisher, Brian Shaw, Ron Harper, as well as coaches and team officials. That’s the benefit of being around the same team every day. You get a sense of who these guys are as individuals. You know the struggles they’ve been through. You’ve seen them at their best and their worst (and their crankiest). So when they win the championship, you have a much better sense of what it means to them. As a writer, that makes for richer storytelling.
People forget now, but that first Lakers championship wasn’t expected. They’d been swept in the second round by the Spurs in 1999. San Antonio was widely favored to repeat. The Blazers had a deeper team. And it was supposed to take at least a year for the Lakers to acclimate to Phil Jackson’s triangle offense. No one foresaw a 67-win season. Then they flirted with disaster throughout the playoffs, going a fifth game (in a best-of-five series) against the Kings in the first round and a seventh game against the Blazers in the conference finals. So that entire run was mesmerizing, and memorable. When Kobe leaped into Shaq’s arms after they clinched the title, I knew what that moment meant.
Isola: Every Michael Jordan game was special and seeing the Knicks reach the Finals in 1999 was a unique experience since they may never get back there again. But last season sticks out because the Spurs, after their heartbreaking loss to Miami in 2013, made it back and lifted the trophy one more time. Seeing Tim Duncan enjoy that moment with his kids was very touching. They are old enough to understand what their dad had accomplished. I’m fairly certain that is the reason why Duncan began to cry. Anyone with children can appreciate that moment. That was Tim Duncan like we’ve never seen him before.
• MORE NBA: SI's 100 best Finals photos | Greatness of Duncan, Spurs
Lee: I really enjoyed covering the 2005 NBA Finals, when San Antonio beat Detroit. Nothing beats a seven-game series and that was the first one that I got to witness. The first four games were pretty ugly but the last three were incredible, beginning with Robert Horry's shot in Game 5. I swear, I've never seen a shot cause seasoned and objective reporters to lose their minds like that one—until Ray Allen in 2013. I would put that seven-game Heat-Spurs series at the top if it weren't so painful for the Spurs. That's the only time I ever remember feeling really awful for a group of guys.
Mahoney: From a pure basketball standpoint, hard to beat the last two games between the Heat and Spurs in 2013. For the NBA Finals as an event, probably the Celtics-Lakers in 2008. Being in Boston and hearing that first “Beat L.A.! Beat L.A!” chant in Game 1 and thinking about watching Bird and Magic as a kid caused some chills.
Shelburne: Lakers-Celtics in 2008. I was assigned by the Los Angeles Daily News to cover the Celtics and I still can’t believe how many awesome characters there were in that Celtics locker room. Between Sam Cassell, Kevin Garnett, Doc Rivers, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins and Paul Pierce, you literally could just publish the transcription of all your tapes and it would make a great story. It was also great to cover the resurrection of this classic NBA rivalry. I grew up in Los Angeles in the 1980s, so many of my formative childhood sports memories were of watching the Showtime Lakers against Larry Bird’s Celtics. I never would’ve thought then that I’d get to cover a Lakers-Celtics series one day. Total peak life experience to be a part of that one.
SI.com: If you could change one thing about the NBA Finals, what you change and why?
Beck: None of this is realistic, but since you asked: fewer (and shorter) TV timeouts, a shorter halftime and all games played on an every-other-day basis. There’s nothing worse than the three-day break between games (usually, Thursday to Sunday), especially if the series is 3–0 or 3–1. Even in a competitive Finals, those long breaks just suck the momentum out of the series.
Isola: The two off days should fall between Games 2 and 3 so you have the built in travel day for everyone. Although getting a weekend in San Francisco, I mean Oakland, will be nice.
LeBron James comes home, brings Cavaliers closer to first NBA title
Lee: I'd change two things. I've already expressed my frustration with the late starts for deadline purposes. But I would really love to have the Sunday games televised in the afternoon so that they could be promoted and packaged Super Bowl style—or even like Christmas Day games—and kids could actually be awake for the conclusion. Also, I would go back to the 2-3-2 format. To me, that was one of those, “It's-not-broken-but-I'll-fix-it-anyway” situations in which change was made for change's sake. The best team usually wins in a best-of-seven series, no matter how the games are parsed out. But the lower seed never had any kind of unfair advantage, since the 2004 Detroit Pistons, 2006 Miami Heat and 2012 Heat were the only home teams over 29 years to actually sweep all three middle games. And those teams were clearly better. The travel logistics under the 2-2-1-1-1 format are not ideal when you have to cross two time zones both ways, especially in situations where the games are separated by one day. The NBA tried to accommodate reporters last year by offering a plane but the best way to make it easy for everyone is chill out on the cross-country back-and-forth.
Mahoney: The start times. NBA folks always say that ratings are highest about 11:30 p.m. ET, so I get why 9 p.m. starts are better than 8 p.m. for them. But I don't think they are better for most of the fans or media.
SI.com: What is the biggest misconception fans have about the Finals?
Beck: They probably don’t have a sense of just how chaotic the environment can be, or how long the hours are for a reporter. That’s not a complaint, just a fact. Games often finish after midnight ET, so it’s a mad scramble for the newspaper guys (of which I was one for 16 seasons), and then you spend a lot of time waiting for the stars to get to the podium. (One of the great mysteries of the NBA is that it takes much longer for superstars to put their pants on than it does for role players. I hope someday to discover the answer to this puzzle. Is it nature, or nurture?) It’s not uncommon for writers to leave the arena at 2 or 3 a.m. Then we’re right back there for practice the next day, or hopping an early flight to the next city. Covering the NBA is a great job, but it’s a really great feeling walking out of the arena after filing your last game story of the season, knowing you get to return to your family, and a semi-normal schedule, for the next few months.
Isola: That the league only wants big market teams in the Finals. Try telling that to a Knicks fan.
Lee: I don't know of any misconceptions, honestly. Fans might think we get great seats for these games but they probably have a much better view on their couch in HD. NBA arenas are tight, so we really are waaay up. But I feel blessed. (See what you've done, Riley?)
• MORE NBA: How to guard LeBron | Chris Ballard on Warriors' season
Mahoney: Outside of Mom saying “that must've been a fun game to cover” the day after the Heat's epic comeback in Game 6 in 2013, I don't think there really are any anymore. Everything is on TV or the Internet, and the NBA's social media community is, I think, far and away the best in sports, so the fans are very educated and engaged about everything that goes on.
Shelburne: I don’t think fans realize how beat up many of the players are by the time they get to the Finals. Last year’s Heat team just completely wilted. Physically and mentally, they were cooked after four straight trips to the Finals. It’s an extra two months of basketball, and if it takes a while to get through your series, many teams are totally banged up and dragging by the end of the series. That’s not an excuse. Once you get there, you have to suck it up. But I’ve seen it affect teams that could’ve won a title if not for fatigue or a key injury. I’m really glad to have this long break in between the conference finals and Finals so that both these teams will be relatively healthy.
SI.com: Who wins?
Beck: Warriors in six.
Isola: Cavs in six.
Lee: I've got Warriors in seven. Under the old 2-3-2 setup, I would've gone Warriors in six. But it's really difficult for me to see the Cavaliers getting closed out at home. Plus, it's hard betting against LeBron in the first place.
Mahoney: The Warriors have had one of those special seasons. I think they'll cap it off with the title.
Shelburne: I’m picking the Warriors in seven because they’ve been doing it all year long. They know who they are, how they win and why they win, and they are just so versatile, which I think bodes well for a long series. The Cavaliers aren’t really a system team. In a lot of ways, they’re winning on talent and guts. Maybe that’s enough when you have LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, but I’ll roll with the better “team” for now.
THE NOISE REPORT
SI.com examines some of the week's most notable sports media stories
1. Last year’s Belmont Stakes on NBC, featuring California Chrome’s Triple Crown attempt, averaged 20.5 million viewers, the second-highest Belmont Stakes viewership on record. Whether this year’s race can match that viewership will likely depend on the advanced publicity the race gets this week and the weather around the country on Saturday. Race coverage begins on NBC at 4:30 p.m. ET and will include a look at American Pharoah’s road to the Triple Crown, and for the first time at the Belmont Stakes, a 4K super-slow-motion, reverse finish-line camera. The intro to the show will have sound from Secretariat owner Penny Chenery, Seattle Slew trainer Billy Turner and Affirmed jockey Steve Cauthen. Sports Business Daily media reporter John Ourand reported that NBC will Periscope the draw for the Belmont Stakes post positions on June 3.
2. The fourth episode of the SI Media Podcast features ESPN commentator Scott Van Pelt and The New York Times European sports correspondent Sam Borden. You can listen on Soundcloud here and via iTunes here.
A popular on-air personality for both ESPN and ESPN Radio, Van Pelt will solo host a midnight version of SportsCenter this fall. On the podcast, he discusses how a SportsCenter anchor prepares for a broadcast, how ESPN Radio management could have better supported the radio show he co-hosted with Ryen Russillo, where Bill Simmons might land next, the University of Maryland's greatest athlete, what consequences come from tweeting about fellow colleagues and more. One excerpt:
On the SVP and Russillo radio show, which will end with Van Pelt moving to the midnight edition of SportsCenter:
“It will always bug me the way it went. It will always bug me. I don’t have a massive ego. I don’t walk around here beating my chest about who I am. But you can’t act like you are not aware that you have a decent standing here. I get to do some good stuff. I’m in the spot where Dan Patrick was—a SportsCenter anchor who is in a radio spot in the afternoon—and you think, whatever this means, if I’m one of the main guys at this place and apparently they think enough of me to give me this opportunity on television, I won’t ever understand how it is that our radio show wasn’t treated better. And let me clear: We were not treated like stepchildren or third world nation status but we were never quite as important.”
Borden discusses how he and fellow Times reporter Michael S. Schmidt reported the arrests of FIFA officials in Switzerland in real time, and how he and Schmidt were able to get access at a hotel crawling with Swiss police in plainclothes.
• MORE COVERAGE: SI's Grant Wahl on what's next in FIFA investigation
Borden, on floating through the halls of a Zurich hotel to report FIFA arrests:
“At one point when I witnessed the entire arrest of the Costa Rican official, they brought the guy to the elevator and I was just sort of hanging out there, kind of watching. At some point one of the policeman was like, “Can I help you?” I said, “I’m just waiting for the elevator.” They said, “Oh, it’s here. You go ahead first.” So I got on the elevator and tried to reach out with my phone to take a picture of the guy standing there with the cops around him. But I timed it just wrong so I have a nice picture of the inside of elevator doors.”
2a. Here’s Borden and Schmidt discussing their terrific reporting of FIFA.
3. If this Megan Rapinoe feature is an indication of what we will see from Fox Sports during the Women’s World Cup regarding player profiles, Fox Sports management has tabbed the right people in production for this part of its Women’s World Cup coverage. The piece was filmed at Rapinoe’s home in the Columbia City neighborhood of Seattle and at Seward Park in the city. It will debut on linear television June 7 at midnight ET on Fox Sports 1’s Women’s World Cup Tonight program and also run in the pregame for the first U.S. game (U.S.-Australia, Fox Sports 1, 7:30 p.m. ET). Props to Mark Ruberg (producer); Jonathan Belinski (director of photography); Wilfredo Garcia (editor); Fulton Dingley (audio mixer); and Women’s World Cup Features Unit head Jennifer Pransky.
Complete look at FOX's Women's World Cup broadcast schedule
“We first met Megan back in September,” said Pransky via email from Vancouver. “Many months later, we were able to lock in a date and I assigned my top producer, Mark Ruberg, to the project. It took about a week from the time it was assigned to complete shooting. We got Megan on the phone for a debrief, and talked about how we wanted to explore her creative side. The more we talked, the more it seemed like the story had a much deeper element. The themes of "Personal Expression" and “Different is Cool” surfaced. We came up with the idea of the splatter paint as a metaphor for that, and to Megan's credit she was up for it. We prepped for a few more days, then flew up the day before to scout locations, and shot the next day. Shooting was actually completed in one day, in about five hours. We definitely had to be on our game and had everything meticulously planned out so that we had enough time for all the different set-ups. Her partner and musician, Sera Cahoone, was a great addition to the b-roll shots, and her music is used in the feature.”
There are more than 60 player features planned for Fox’s WWC coverage, including U.S. players Sydney Leroux, Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan, Christen Press, Christie Rampone (already online), Hope Solo and Abby Wambach.
3a. On Wednesday I’ll have a full preview of Fox’s Women’s World Cup coverage.
4. Sports pieces of note:
• This Steve Prefontaine photo had never been published. Here's how the (Eugene) Register Guard newspaper found it.
• If you've never read: William Nack's 2001 story on Bob Kalsu, one of two NFL casualties from Vietnam, is an amazing piece.
• Mary Pilon, for Grantland, on the death of Steve Prefontaine.
• Via Jere Longman of The New York Times: How the Cayman Islands, a speck in the sea, became a FIFA power.
• An ex-associate of former FIFA official Chuck Blazer details Blazer’s excess.
Non-sports pieces of note:
• Gardiner Harris on the extent of the damage Delhi's air pollution is doing to children.
• Hollywood reporter Nikki Finke turns to fiction.
• The Economistobit on John Nash is terrific.
• Via The New Yorker’s Michael Specter: The severe inequality of the Angolan oil boom.
• The Economist on the American man, in trouble.
• Via Anwen Crawford of The New York Times: The World Needs Female Rock Critics.
• Strangers linked by iconic Desert Storm photo finally meet 24 years later.
5. Curt Schilling has been added to work as a field analyst for ESPN’s coverage of the Women’s College World Series Championship Series, which begins Monday night. The announcers for the series are Beth Mowins, Jessica Mendoza and Michele Smith, with Holly Rowe reporting from the field.
5a. Jerry Dior, who designed the MLB logo, passed away at 82.
5b. Ron Bergman, the Oakland Tribune and San Jose Mercury News sports writer who notably covered the dynastic Oakland A’s teams of the 1970s, died last week at 80. Said SI’s S.L. Price, who knew Bergman: “Great writer, first-class man. RIP.”
