From an NBA Fan: Two Reasons the World Cup is Better than the NBA Finals

I think your points are well taken. I totally agree with you about the clock-- how satisfying to watch a full game in 2 hours AND have no commercials. I will say, however, that I like the ambiguity of "stoppage time" from an aesthetic standpoint. Although it seems unscientific, the ref is keeping the clock. This keeps the game fast moving and builds the intensity towards the finish.

It's good to see a convert of sorts!

The stoppage time is not known to the commentators because it goes by the referee's time, which can't be checked on by the commentators. The use of stoppage time is also important because it means unlike a throw-in which is part of the game, injuries and what not detract from the full 90 minutes of playing time.

I don't know if I agree with you on your points. The difference in these games is what makes them each their own unique game. I don't really understand how you can even try to compare two totally different games? A round 1 game vs. a championship game? You are comparing apples to oranges.

The timeouts/fouls in the NBA is called strategy. The first 3 quarters go smoothly then in the 4th if its a close game you start attacking it at a different angle, there is nothing wrong with this. If you do not want to stay up through it, then watch the highlights the next day.

Do not get me wrong, I love World Cup and watch as many games as I can. I enjoy soccer for its game and basketball for its game. For you to compare the two I don't think has any grounds. Next comparison, Golf vs. X Games!

No timeouts as well. Which means you don't have to go from commercial stop #1, to a "hey, how about that shot from dwayne wade? amazing wasn't it? We'll be back in a minute after these commercials", commercial stop #2, game returns... more putzing around, finally the ball is thrown in... foul, foulshot, run to the other end, shot clock violation, timeout, commercial stop #3

The best part is halftime is like 10-15 minutes. American Football games can be 30-45 minutes long.. ridiculous.

The real reason the world cup is more entertaining than the nba finals? It's Dallas. Dallas. The team that has the least exciting game in the NBA. I'm used to a great defensive team, who has great team play and set plays, the Pistons. Their games are entertaining. Dallas... BORING... I've yet to finish watching a single NBA Finals game. I watch the first quarter and lose interest.

It's refreshing to read your opinion, Loren.
As European import in the US I've always wondered why Americans cope with the endless interruptions in their sports games and why soccer is seen as a lesser sport. It's good to finally read a different perspective, although I must say more and more Americans seem to be warming up to soccer.

If you like the way soccer plays in respect to fouls compared to basketball, you should look at hockey. Hockey has similar, although faster, flow compared to soccer, but players are more physical and expect to be more physical. Stoppage of play due to fouls is less, and there are less times of stoppage (unless the game is televised, then the times during stoppages are extended to allow for commercials). Add to this the new crackdown on hooking and fighting, hockey is alot more available to the average sports fan. Can you imagine the flow and excitement of scores of soccer, the physicality of football, and the intimacy of having just 5 or so players on the field at once like basketball, but all rolled into one. That would be hockey. Just my opinion, but hockey represents some of the best aspects of these three sports put into one sport.

That being said, I agree with all your points. The World Cup is so exciting that I forget about hockey only once every four years....and if you knew me you'd realize that's hard to do! Only the World Cup tournament is there such passion for one's country. The Olympics are a very close second, but I still rate the World Cup above in terms of fanaticism. I love it!

I've been a long time NBA fan but I'm starting to seriously doubt the authenticity of the game. TIVO has kind of killed the NBA for me. I can just go back and look at plays and see a guy take 5 steps or watch the refs shave clock to favor the home team. I feel like I did about 15 years ago when I realized the WWF was fake. It's just not fun to me anymore. I really don't care who wins because ultimately the game isn't in the hands of the players anymore.

Nice post.

Although I have to say that it is almost like comparing apples to oranges. I mean NBA is NBA and Football is well football... I guess this worldcup will give additional exposure to some really good US Football players (who are probably more famous outside the US than within).

Nice piece Loren. I was thinking many of the same things while watching the Stanely Cup finals. While last night's finale was an awesome hockey game (Way to Go Canes!!), but somehow it just seemed less electric than some of the first round soccer games. Maybe it's because I live in a Korean neigborhood and I saw the game in a Korean bar/restaurant but their 1-1 draw against France just more pulse-pounding than game 7 of the Cup.

Good observations. I'm in your boat - I've watched lots of basketball, and very little soccer - but I'm always pleasantly surprised by how compelling the World Cup is. Even watching Sweden and T&T go 0-0 was exciting. And I finally figured out what it is; even though there is little scoring, there's always the potential for a winning goal, from the first minute to the last. So the entire match is exciting. Even the best NBA games don't reach that level of interest until the 4th quarter.

Yeah, I used to hate soccer/football until I started watching a World Cup match with some Norwegian friends. Once I actually watched, and had a team to root for (Norway at the time), I could see the appeal. It's a constant tension-building experience--back and forth--until you get that cathartic release of scoring a goal. No wonder why people go nuts over this stuff!

As Newsvine's resident NBA authority, I feel obliged to defend my sport.

You're first point about time towards the end of the game can be interpreted both ways. Many people, myself included, tend to enjoy those last few minutes of the game in the NBA, particularly in the playoffs, no matter how long they last because of the sense that every decision, including when and where to take those timeouts and fouls, can effect and even decide a game. Take game five's situation, when Josh Howard used the Mavs' final timeout after Dwyane Wade's first free-throw, preventing Dallas from being able to advance the ball to half court after the second foul shot. Whether it's controversial or not, it goes to show how important those time outs and free-throws are to a game. Savor it!

As for the fouls and "flopping", sure, when it becomes outrageous it can be frustrating as a player, coach, or fan. But if officiating is a way to measure a sport, then it's a tie -- they all lose. Besides, a flop isn't as disconcerting to me as seeing a soccer player get carried off the field on a stretcher and return in the second half seemingly unfazed, now that's screwed up.

My real complaint of the Finals is how much complaining is going on. Other than that, the NBA Finals, and the playoffs as a whole, have been the best in years. The World Cup has been great as well, but don't knock one to praise the other.

I really appreciated the comments in this article. Apparently Americans are finally understanding football, through Koreans, Norwegians and so on. I guess every American should spend a World Cup in Europe or in South America (or with Europeans/South Americans) and they would learn to enjoy the game.