29-29

With my wife and son under the weather the TV viewing was all mine last night.  After reading and hearing the talk this week about the NBA ratings being up and with the Sixers sitting at 28-29 and a very good chance to pull to .500 for the first time since late 2009, it was a no brainer on what to watch.

The Pistons made it relatively easy, and the Sixers made it look even easier.  Seven players refused to attend the Pistons Friday practice as a protest to their head coach, John Kuester.  In response, the Pistons only suited up and played with six.  The Sixers could have played down to their competition but instead, the very well coached Doug Collins team smelled weakness and pounced on it.   The Sixers led by 7 after one and by 10 at the half.  Their lead was built to 11 after three and finally after four quarters the Sixers came away with a sixteen point 110-94 victory.  

The Sixers win last night and better play this season has contributed to the higher TV viewership of the NBA overall.  The NBA's ratings are up due to one reason, the return of the east coast to prominence.   If the playoffs began today here are the teams who would be in for the Eastern Conference:

1. Miami
2. Boston
3. Chicago
4. Orlando
5. Atlanta
6. New York
7. Philadelphia
8. Indiana

Six of the eight teams are east coast franchises.  This has to have a direct correlation to the up tic in ratings.  According to TV By The Numbers via Sports Media Watch and CBS Facts & Rumors: "Through 32 games, the NBA on TNT is averaging a 1.5 U.S. household rating (+25% vs. 1.2 for last year's corresponding coverage); 2,325,000 total viewers (+31% vs. 1,774,000); and 1,730,000 households (+28% vs 1,348,000)" {Found on Probasketballtalk.com, You're watching: NBA television ratings continue to rise by Kurt Helin}.

The ratings should only increase after one of the busiest and most exciting trade deadlines in recent memory.  Leading the story lines was the Knick's trade for Carmelo Anthony and Chauncy Billupsto team up with Amare Stoudemire, making New York and instant contender.  Although some may question Boston's trade deadline moves, they are still going to be in the mix. 

Being a fan of the Sixers I am very excited about a good young team playing some really good basketball.  I am also finding myself being more interested in this season of the NBA then I have been since the Michael Jordan era.  Good young talent and teams like Philadelphia and New York back in the mix has to be stirring up interest nation wide.  With the NFL season over and the MLB season not set to start for another month, the NBA has taken center stage and has not disappointed.