Last year, I recall being taken by surprise when I noticed that my television suddenly became capable of showing every single NBA being broadcast on a given night. I wasn’t sure what to make of it, but I wasn’t about to complain. It was like Christmas in November, which, in all honesty, isn’t terribly unlike Christmas in December. There’s just as much holiday cheer and advertising on television, only the the weather is slightly warmer. But to be suddenly capable of watching alien broadcasts such as FSN Saskatchewan or Florida Panhandle Sports Net and their respective basketball affiliates was pleasant surprise. Ten days later, that thrill (and the broadcasts) were gone: swept away by the winds of an expiring NBA League Pass free trial.
This year, though, that free trial is back. For ten days, I am able to watch strange and fascinating teams and their equally strange and fascinating players. I’ve now seen Adam Morrison’s first NBA basket as well as his several subsequent first NBA misses. I’ve seen Richard Jefferson deftly swipe a line from Anchorman and apply it to New Jersey during a pre-game show of gratitude to the fans in attendance–though it’s hard to stay classy when there’s only three of you. I’ve even seen an Atlanta Hawks game! That may not be much of a surprise to you, but I had been under the impression the Hawks had been done away with during the MLB ‘Contraction’ talks of 2002. Who knew?
But last night the only two games being played were nationally televised by TNT, effectively wasting one day of the League Pass free trial. On the one hand, there are precious few days available during this free trial, and I’d prefer to take full advantage of them. On the other hand, the TNT broadcast did offer the Tantalizing Tandem of Craig Sager’s techniclor dreamcoat AND Doug Collins’ dreamy, dreamy goldenrod hair. It’s a tradeoff I will begrudingly accept.
Isn’t that right, Chillin’ Melo?
“Yeah man, TNT’s cool. I’m jus’ chillin’”
