LETTERS
Race, uneven officiating affect NBA ratings on TV
To the sports editor:
In reference to TV-radio sports columnist's Bill Taaffe's recent writings in the Review-Journal ("Television viewers tune out NBA's sour notes," April 24): In his final paragraph he states "It isn't about race in the NBA any more than it is in the NFL."
"Race" has a severe impact on NBA TV ratings. Not being sure on the percentage of Caucasians starting in the NBA, I would estimate it to be less than 20 percent. With the economic backgrounds of Caucasians and African-Americans unequal across our country, Caucasians are finding other interests to devote their TV-viewing time to: Golf, NASCAR, etc., are a few that come to mind.
Terry Leong
HENDERSON
To the sports editor:
Interesting column by Bill Taaffe on Tuesday, but it did not include any reasons why I do not watch the NBA.
No. 1: Pushing, shoving and tripping, under the basket -- no foul called. Next trip up the floor, same scenario, but -- "Tweet!" -- a foul is called.
No. 2: Superstars allowed to do what they want. Michael Jordan, for instance, dribbled up the floor and at midcourt tucked the ball under his arm, took three, four or even five giant steps and dunked. Traveling? Nah.
No. 3: The league's excessive physicality has made games resemble NFL games.
Whatever. I quit watching years ago.
Walter L. Money
To the sports editor:
Pretty good column, as usual, by Bill Taaffe, but I was astounded he didn't use the shocking local ratings comparison of last Sunday's Suns-Lakers playoff game (2.8) to the previous Sunday's Vegas Grand Prix (7.7).
The ratings differential of Suns-meet-Kobe vs. a nondescript race without a stock car nor a recognizable name in sight? I know they didn't go heads up in viewing, but why not to mention the disparity in ratings numbers?
William Burrus
What you talkin' 'bout? Noah open to ridicule
To the sports editor:
Forget recent letters here about the "rehearsed hug" Florida basketball star Joakim Noah gave his mother in the stands -- and how he might have shunned fans in the process of getting to her -- following the Gators' second straight NCAA basketball championship April 2. Was I the only one watching the postgame interview and Noah's "ghetto-fied" response?
He acted and spoke classlessly to CBS's Jim Nantz and a national TV audience when he announced "We gonna do it big, all day, all night -- do it huge! You guys got no idea what I'm talkin' 'bout when I'm saying dat, but, but ... but my boys know what I'm talkin' 'bout; Gainesville knows what I'm talkin' 'bout."
Though it could have meant harmless fun, it opened the door for ridicule, not to mention any glory-seekers looking to stake claim to wrongdoing. In an age when college athletes are accused of rape and professional athletes are under more scrutiny than ever, Noah's innuendo was not needed.
By telling us we have no idea of their style of celebrating leaves the question as to what took place in Gainesville. And for any alcohol and chemically induced females looking to latch themselves onto future NBAers, Noah set the trap himself by opening his trap to a nationwide TV audience.
W.G. Ramirez
The Review-Journal welcomes letters from its readers. Letters should be 150 words or less and must include the author's name and phone number. Send letters to: Letters to the Sports Editor, Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125-0070. Letters also can be e-mailed to: jhawk@reviewjournal.com.
