It isn't exactly hard to annoy ESPN's Tony Kornheiser these days, but he did have an interesting complaint about the state of the NBA playoffs this year.
On Monday's edition of Pardon the Interruption, Kornheiser spoke about the 125-94 Cavaliers blowout over the Pistons that sent Cleveland to the Eastern Conference Finals. He complained that there have been far too many routs this postseason and feels that there haven't been enough consecutive games where games are close enough to bring any real drama.
“I am very disappointed in the playoffs; it’s like 75% of the games are routs,” Konrheiser said. “Cleveland was up by 26 points going into the fourth quarter… I’m struggling to remember two games in a row that were close, that had drama.”
Kornheiser went on to blame the three-point shot and believes it gives the team that's slightly more accurate too much of a scoring edge early on to make games exciting by the fourth quarter.
A Point?
Kornheiser's co-host Michael Wilbon wasn't as convinced that the blowouts are the problem that he thinks it is and believes that it's "an interesting study" even if it's not "dramatic."
“It’s fascinating even if it’s not dramatic,” Wilbon said. “It’s an interesting study.”
But Kornheiser pushed back, pointing out that the blowouts make it so fans will just change the channel in the fourth quarter, which is the last thing the NBA wants.
“You want drama in the playoffs, so it’s not working for me,” Kornheiser said. “Am I awed sometimes by the runs they go on? But when you get to the fourth quarter, and you can switch to another sport, that’s not the way it’s supposed to happen.”
Chicago Tribune/Getty Images
NBA fans had a wide range of opinions over Kornheiser's statement, but there's really no consensus over what the true problem is. Some agree that the three-point shooting and free throws are an issue, others blame injuries to the biggest stars, and still others believe that big comebacks are more probably than ever now.
Do you think the blowouts are an issue? If so, what's the solution?
