No more national TV for the Wizards

[mhd]

So, we are officially not on ESPN/TNT this year per the wiretap, but the good old Nets, Knicks, Bulls, (even the freaking Jazz) are still on?

[montestewart]

So, we are officially not on ESPN/TNT this year per the wiretap, but the good old Nets, Knicks, Bulls, (even the freaking Jazz) are still on?

Maybe they can derive some Arenas-style motivation out of toiling away in obscurity. Agency Zero.

[Induveca]

So, we are officially not on ESPN/TNT this year per the wiretap, but the good old Nets, Knicks, Bulls, (even the freaking Jazz) are still on?

Sadly, the Wizards have the third lowest TV ratings in the entire league for their local market. The numbers haven't improved thus far this season. Indiana/Portland's local ratings have shot up....and they've both garnered major national interest (especially Indiana) this season.

Sucks, but a no-brainer for their advertising department.

[nate33]

I agree with Induveca. There's no use complaining.

It'll all change if the Wizards can make the playoffs and be competitive in a series. Nobody watched Golden State until last year's playoff run, and now they're one of the most popular teams on TV.

I suppose this is a big reason behind Ted's push to make the playoffs now. He knows the team can make a ton more money if they can get on the map nationally.

[LyricalRico]

I agree with Indu/nate somewhat, but I would also think that the NBA would try to promote up-and-coming teams. If they don't want to put Orlando or Philly on prime time, fine. But they've got a 4th year former #1 overall pick (Wall) and a 2nd year #3 overall pick (Beal) both playing at or near All-Star level in this year's East. Why completely bury them?

What's most frustrating is that I pretty much don't even check to see who's on ESPN/TNT anymore because it's become so predictable. It's always some combination of the following teams:

Heat
Pacers
Nets
Knicks
Bulls
Clippers
Spurs
Warriors
Thunder
Lakers
Mavs

Other than the occasional Memphis or Denver, that's pretty much it. They just cycle those guys against each other all season on Wed/Thu/Fri nights. I guess they are trying to build storylines for future playoff matchups, but it's getting pretty boring IMO.

[queridiculo]

That's what happens when you're one of the worst franchises in NBA history.

[closg00]

We will be nationally televised for the playoffs

[verbal8]

I agree with Indu/nate somewhat, but I would also think that the NBA would try to promote up-and-coming teams. If they don't want to put Orlando or Philly on prime time, fine. But they've got a 4th year former #1 overall pick (Wall) and a 2nd year #3 overall pick (Beal) both playing at or near All-Star level in this year's East. Why completely bury them?

What's most frustrating is that I pretty much don't even check to see who's on ESPN/TNT anymore because it's become so predictable. It's always some combination of the following teams:

Heat
Pacers
Nets
Knicks
Bulls
Clippers
Spurs
Warriors
Thunder
Lakers
Mavs

Other than the occasional Memphis or Denver, that's pretty much it. They just cycle those guys against each other all season on Wed/Thu/Fri nights. I guess they are trying to build storylines for future playoff matchups, but it's getting pretty boring IMO.

With the exception of the Blazers(who were on last night) and Hawks, that list is pretty much the relevant teams plus a couple big market teams.

[mhd]

Actually, GSW was on national TV quite a bit last year (at least for the late TNT games).

ESPN is still showing Detroit @ Orlando and Utah & Spurs.

Also, there are multiple Heat-Knicks & Heat-Nets games scheduled for some god-awful reason.

Why take away our ONE national TV game and not at least give us a replacement game?

[pancakes3]

We're kind of a boring team. We don't have very good rivals, storylines, personalities, or identity. Couple that with an apathetic fanbase and it makes for a very milquetoast market.

[mhd]

We're kind of a boring team. We don't have very good rivals, storylines, personalities, or identity. Couple that with an apathetic fanbase and it makes for a very milquetoast market.

The Knicks & Nets are GOD-AWFUL, not only in terms of record, but in terms of watchability.

When we play against up-tempo West teams, we are pretty exciting, especially when Wall finds Ariza, Webster, and Beal for 3s. We aren't the Bobcats in terms of excitement.

Again, Utah still has national TV games, but we don't any??

[pancakes3]

Oh, you want to talk about the actual quality of basketball vs what Skip and Stephen A. Smith can spin into 2 hrs worth of donkey brays? Well then sure. We're in the upper half of fun basketball teams for sure.

[LyricalRico]

We don't have very good rivals, storylines, personalities, or identity.

I wonder, though, if that become some type of self-fulfilling prophecy. Maybe if we were on national TV, we'd have the chance to build a rivalry. A couple of close or OT games against the same team on a TNT/ESPN telecast and voila - a rivalry.

The Knicks & Nets are GOD-AWFUL, not only in terms of record, but in terms of watchability.

Yeah, they get blown out a lot even at home. The networks probably scheduled them for these games back when everyone expected Rose to be healthy and Brooklyn to be good, but they should have some type of recourse. Maybe they need some type of "flex" system, where they can put a more interesting game on?

[mhd]

We will be nationally televised for the playoffs

No we wont, they'll stick us on NBA-TV.

[Kanyewest]

Portland vs Indiana is a good game I guess. Cavaliers being 10-18 might also have had impact on the game getting dropped.

[Hypnotizer]

People don't wanna watch Wizards, because they still think we suck. Making playoffs this season should help a lot.

When was the last time we made 2nd round playoffs?

[queridiculo]

People don't wanna watch Wizards, because they still think we suck. Making playoffs this season should help a lot.

When was the last time we made 2nd round playoffs?

It's only been 8 years since our epic battle against the Miami Heat.