Media Bias

by Chalkwhite on Apr 26, 2007 10:25 PM CDT

I know that, as Bulls fans, we love to bitch (legitimately) that no one gives us any love. That's true: every single article is about how the Heat are reeling, as if they're doing it to themselves, but are confident. Thorpe even said "Now win one on the road" (no link). But... we haven't PLAYED one on there road yet.

Anyways, we do have a beef, but it is NOTHING compared to poor Toronto. After the first game, where the Nets won, roughly 90% of the media handed the series to New Jersey, even though they poo-pooed Denver and Golden State winning. As much as I think that conspiracy "East Coast Bias" is silly, there is DEFINITELY a more complicated bias going on here. A combination of a Bigger Market/Bigger Star bias and a dislike (or, maybe, distrust) of up-and-coming teams.
Chicago has no stars and have rather paltry playoff history, but Toronto has it worse, in a small (Canadian) market, with no playoff experience and a second-tier star. And they're going up against a big market, star-laden, experienced team in the Nets.

So in solidarity with our Canadian brothers-in-arms, Go Raptors.

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a mi me gusta este articulo

by milesgmsu on Apr 26, 2007 10:29 PM CDT reply actions

Puedes hablar castellano?

Por que no me habias dicho?!?!

PLAYOFF TIME. LETS GO CHICAGO!

by NittanyBull on Apr 26, 2007 10:56 PM CDT up reply actions

I

root for the raptors too but I imagine by second tier star you meant in terms of marketing cause Bosh is in many peoples top five. In fact, I wouldnt be surprised if he gets one third place vote for MVP. After all, Duhon did get one for 6th man of the year .

by Sambossanova on Apr 26, 2007 10:53 PM CDT reply actions

Yes,

I meant in terms of marketability/exposure. Bosh is probably the best PF in the East.

by Chalkwhite on Apr 26, 2007 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions

The reason I

like the Raptors unless they play the Bulls is because of Chris Bosh (who looks like a Raptor) and T.J. Ford.

by SRQman on Apr 26, 2007 10:59 PM CDT up reply actions

what?

This is dumb.

by joejoeEnglish94bulls4ever on Apr 27, 2007 12:27 AM CDT reply actions

With the exception of L.A.

there isn't a "bigger market" than Chicago in the NBA playoffs. I guess you could say the Nets have fans in NYC, but Chicago isn't small by any standard. I don't think Toronto really qualifies either. The only media bias is a bias toward lazy NBA analysis; Wade and Shaq are names most of these people know.

Denver and Golden State weren't getting picked because they're playing Dallas and San Antonio fer cryin' out loud!

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Apr 27, 2007 8:12 AM CDT reply actions

I'm pretty sure

The Knickerbockers of New York are the biggest market in the NBA.

The Bulls are 4th, behind them, L.A. Lakers, and Dallas.

PLAYOFF TIME. LETS GO CHICAGO!

by NittanyBull on Apr 27, 2007 8:19 AM CDT up reply actions

Newsflash!

New York isn't in the playoffs, and "market" is essentially how many people are around to buy a product.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Apr 27, 2007 8:42 AM CDT up reply actions

It's way too early

to explain everything that is wrong with that statement
(sigh)

PLAYOFF TIME. LETS GO CHICAGO!

by NittanyBull on Apr 27, 2007 8:56 AM CDT up reply actions

Please explain to the class

your secret definition of market. I'm curious who the Knicks are playing right now too.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Apr 27, 2007 9:15 AM CDT up reply actions

And I expect your sidekick

to come to your rescue in about 2.1 seconds.

PLAYOFF TIME. LETS GO CHICAGO!

by NittanyBull on Apr 27, 2007 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions

you'd be cooler

you would be cooler
if your posts were all haiku,
kid from Planet Dork.

by bullshooter on Apr 27, 2007 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions

LOL!

Oh, I was just joking about you being Robin. But I guess you really DO heed to his calling, boy of tight, green shorts.

Say not bullshooter,
I exclaimed Paxman's sidekick.
Bullshooter arrives

PLAYOFF TIME. LETS GO CHICAGO!

by NittanyBull on Apr 27, 2007 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions

Please

can we have a day where the debate on this board does not get personal? I'm sure I'll regret even asking.

by GWKD on Apr 27, 2007 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions

This isn't personal, is it?

Just some light-hearted banter between basketball fans.

If it annoys you, or anyone else for that matter, I'll stop.

PLAYOFF TIME. LETS GO CHICAGO!

by NittanyBull on Apr 27, 2007 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions

I don't mean to interject

because I don't know what is actually going on ing the minds of anonymous people everywhere, but, this stuff is generally just "off topic." I appreciate a well placed barb, even if it is directed at me, but considering the ongoing war I have been reading about the 10 minutes of floor time that Nocioni is purportedly stealing from Tyrus, I am probably a little too sensitive.

by GWKD on Apr 27, 2007 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions

apologies for that one

Although I never made it personal, it was too much. I always give 156%, hustle, and grit my way through these comments. I should just stick to improving the thoughts here, and lowering my USG-r.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Apr 27, 2007 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Excellent

now try iambic pentameter.

by bullshooter on Apr 27, 2007 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions

Eh, wasn't thinking about it,

and I liked the one i did. Because it displays the undeniable truth in less than 10 words. =)

How can I honestly hold a grudge against you, when you're bunking with Batman for those early calls? You're awesome Boy Wonder(ZAP!)

PLAYOFF TIME. LETS GO CHICAGO!

by NittanyBull on Apr 27, 2007 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions

wow

you're really into this batman thing. Here's a tip: the ladies like poetry a lot more than comic books.

by bullshooter on Apr 27, 2007 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions

How comfortable IS Batman's bed?

PLAYOFF TIME. LETS GO CHICAGO!

by NittanyBull on Apr 27, 2007 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Just stop

The comment deletion crew shouldn't have to show as often as it has the past few weeks. Your Batman joke is tired.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Apr 27, 2007 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions

Okay, okay, I'll stop.

But if the other guy starts it up again, I see no reason why I can't do the same.

PLAYOFF TIME. LETS GO CHICAGO!

by NittanyBull on Apr 27, 2007 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions

spoiler alert -- that's next series

I opened my mouth,
said I'd post only haiku
this series. Please sweep!

For the remainder of this series, I will post only in haiku. Hibachi!

by preverbal on Apr 27, 2007 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions

My interpretation...

You're probably right in your first explanation of why Wade and Shaq are being "talked about". But you're wrong about your use of a market definition. Or at least your implication of it. We're talking about ESPN and CNNSI.com, whose product is nationwide.

by tyger1147 on Apr 27, 2007 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions

specifically market size

was what I was shooting on. I should have clarified my dispute with the diary.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Apr 27, 2007 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions

I understand

that Chicago is a big city. I didn't include Small Market as a reason that Chicago isn't getting talked about: it's a combination of having no real stars (that anyone besides Bulls fans consider stars) and having an inexperienced Bulls team.
But I do believe that Toronto qualifies, maybe not on size, but one remoteness and lack of American interest.

by Chalkwhite on Apr 27, 2007 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions

G-State and Denver

obviously have tough roads, but they DID steal homecourt advantage. I'm just saying that analysts are quick to write off the Division Champions and very good Toronto team because they lost one game to a deeply flawed New Jersey team.

by Chalkwhite on Apr 27, 2007 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions

Glad you clarified,

but I can't say I'm even following the written word or tv analysis of Nuggets/Spurs, and Mavs/Warriors. I don't think it matters where the Spurs and Mavs are playing a deciding game. Both teams are so much better than Denver and Golden State. An upset in either series would be all-caps shocking.

Toronto is a good team, but I think it's a pretty evenly matched series, and you're using Division Champions like it even means something in the Atlantic. I like Toronto to win it, but all the peripheral media trash is so different for all the series you've mentioned. Is there a link to a New Jersey locked it up article?

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Apr 27, 2007 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions

No link

but during the Cleveland-Wizards game 1, Barkley (we all know he's mentally damaged, but still) said something to the effect of "The Cavs need to be sending a message to New Jersey about how you can't come into Cleveland and walk all over the Cavaliers." He didn't mention the Raptors at all, and Ernie Johnson (who's usually the voice of reason on that show) didn't say "Toronto is still the higher seed in this series..."

I'll see if I can find other examples.

by Chalkwhite on Apr 27, 2007 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions

File under "wasn't aware of this"

Since sportscenter stopped providing actual news somewhere in the late 90s, I don't watch it, but otherwise, two of the leading wet kiss getters of the NBA are Wade and Shaq. Not to mention that Jason Williams, Antoine Walker, Gary Payton, and Alonzo Mourning also used to be A-list material at one point. Besides Ben Wallace, Bulls that have made a national splash as pros are . . . . . crickets . . .

And I've said before, the Raptors are underrated on THIS VERY BOARD on which you post regularly! Anyway, welcome to this very exclusive, and much derided, club.

by GWKD on Apr 27, 2007 9:40 AM CDT reply actions