(Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
The NBA is a global league now, and as such, sometimes the schedule and start times don’t favor the local fan base.
The networks are pretty much in control of start times, and they don’t want playoff games to overlap with one another, especially at this point in the season.
That’s why, more often than not, we see late starts, especially in the Western Conference.
That makes it a bit of a nightmare for East Coast fans, who can rarely enjoy the Western Conference playoffs without staying up late.
With that in mind, Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo had one of his signature rants.
He took to ESPN’s First Take to call out the NBA for this, stating that there was no way that one of the biggest games in Minnesota Timberwolves history had to start at 9:45 pm on a weeknight (Via Awful Announcing).
Last night’s Nuggets vs. Timberwolves game tipped off at 10:42 ET.
Like many of you, Mad Dog wasn’t a fan and for once, his First Take counterparts were in strong agreement including Kendrick Perkins who said he missed Get Up! because the game was so late. pic.twitter.com/Ubre3J4PbX
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 15, 2024
He claimed that the New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers’ game could’ve easily started at 6:30 pm, and that would’ve allowed the Denver Nuggets vs. Timberwolves matchup to start almost an hour earlier.
He’s got a valid point, but that’s just the way it is.
Diehard fans will continue to tune in, even if they get a couple of hours less sleep.
The league cannot accommodate the needs of every fan, and with the networks throwing huge bags of cash their way, things aren’t going to change any time soon.
The post Chris Russo Sounds Off On NBA Playoff Games Starting Late appeared first on The Cold Wire.