For those in Australia,and in other places around the world.

[Steve04]

Do you actually get to see the NBA Games televised?

[LegoSHAQ]

Yes... on the ESPN Channel.. which is available with Foxtel or Optus Cable TV...

[Andrew]

No, but Clinton has Austar and I had a lot of blank tapes, so I'll get to see them eventually.

[paul_pierce_the_truth]

Is the NBA Finals broadcasted to you Andrew?

No offense, but your opinion can be suspect when you do not see it happen each and every game.

I know that may sound a bit abrasive, but it's question to hear how Stephon Jackson couldn't guard Kobe, then you find out it was Bowen.

No offense mate, but what can you say to this?

I just nailed some guy for saying Milicic would go ahead of LeBron James, and I admit I have never seen Milicic play. I admit I could be wrong about Milicic, but "the hype" of the US media has James at the top, so I guess that influences one's opinion, but on the other hand I have seen several games of James' on TV and I can see with my own eyes he's very advanced for being 18. I have also seen around 10 games played by Carmelo Anthony and he looked very NBA to me.

Pau Gasol blindsided me though, I hadn't even heard of him and he went #3 in the draft. So the US media can hurt and help, but there is no doubt that seeing every game live on TV of each series would help your knowledge of the league, wouldn't it? (if you know what is going on)

[Rens]

"Oh no I can't watch every game on TV now I don't have any good sources to form an opinion on anything..."

There's a much more extensive medium out there to give you all the info you need on anything you want and more, buddy, and you're using it right now.

[Boyk]

yes, i have foxtel and watch the games on espn.

lakers and spurs tommorrow

[Andrew]

Is the NBA Finals broadcasted to you Andrew?

No, it isn't. Any playoff games I see will be after the event, and in the event that Clinton has an opportunity to record them.

No offense, but your opinion can be suspect when you do not see it happen each and every game.

With all due respect, that is one of the most stupid things I've ever heard. My opinion is my own personal feelings on the matter, and can be formulated through recaps, articles, brief highlights shown on Sports Tonight, and accounts as told by fellow basketball fans who saw the game. If I tried to pass my opinions off as fact, then yes, I probably couldn't be as confident in my case. But I'm stating my opinion based on what I've read (it's not like I just look at boxscores ) - are you saying it means nothing because I didn't watch the game?

I know that may sound a bit abrasive, but it's question to hear how Stephon Jackson couldn't guard Kobe, then you find out it was Bowen.

Perhaps if you read more carefully, and didn't try to insult other people's opinions, you would have realised I was just making a joke about how the Spurs "held" Kobe to 37 points. Since Jackson was the starting shooting guard, I assumed he was guarding him, so I mentioned him in a comment that wasn't a serious analysis of the game. I was wrong, so the joke didn't come off as I hoped. A joke.

No offense mate, but what can you say to this?

What I've already said. And why should I have to defend my point of view against such an ignorant claim that since I don't see the games, my knowledge of basketball is faulty, my opinions inaccurate, and that I am "unqualified" to discuss the games?

You could watch every game of the season, and still have a faulty opinion of the game, based on your personal bias.

As Dan pointed out, there's another form of media that is a pretty good source of information, the Internet. I may not have seen the games live, so I cannot comment on the action itself. I may be able to discuss the game a little better if there's a detailed recap and I've spoken to people who have watched the game, but even if I haven't seen the game, I don't see how that makes my opinion invalid, and my assessment completely wrong?

I'm sorry, but that's the height of ignorance. And that's what I can say to that.

[Andrew]

I apologise if I sound a little aggressive, but it's difficult not to take offense when it's suggested your opinion means nothing as you do not get to watch a lot of games a year, and to be honest, your remarks were pretty condescending.

[paul_pierce_the_truth]

Your honor for my next witness I would like to call a guy you read about the murder on the internet, saw highlights of it on the evening news....

I am not trying to be a jerk, I am just saying something that is valid, no your opinion is respectfully yours. I am not insulting anyone, calling anyone's statements wrong nor am I calling any of them stupid, like you have done to mine.

I am saying that there are 48 minutes in a game and to see them all as they unfold is an actual eye witness to the knowledge, not needing anyone else's relayed translation or transcript of what they think they saw.

If you truly believe that if one person watches the entire game and one person watches highlights or reads the newspaper or internet recaps, that the ladder doesn't have an advantage? (both persons understand basketball the same)

I am not insulting anyone here, I am saying the next best thing to actually sitting courtside is seeing it on television and everything after that is hearsay.

[Andrew]

Your honor for my next witness I would like to call a guy you read about the murder on the internet, saw highlights of it on the evening news....

You make a sarcastic response like that, and then claim you're not trying to be a jerk? I suggest you cut out the attitude immediately.

Obviously, there are some points I'm not going to be able to comment on in detail, I already admitted that. But there's a difference between giving a recount of, say, a murder, and commenting on a basketball game. If a team was to win 150-67, and I didn't see the game, does that mean I'm not informed enough to call it a blowout victory?

Again, I suggest you get rid of the attitude. I know exactly what you're saying - if you don't see the game, your opinions are wrong.

your opinion can be suspect when you do not see it happen each and every game.

Try not dismissing people's opinions if they haven't seen a game, and try losing the attitude, if you want to continue posting.

[paul_pierce_the_truth]

This is grounds for dismissing a forum member??

Honestly you have no ground to stand on, I am not doing anything out of line. If you dismiss me, it's because you don't like my position or my opinion. I have not done anything that can be pointed to as nasty or behavior that is without reasoning.

You are telling me what I am saying, which is not fair.

I am not saying an opinion is wrong, I am saying it's hearsay.

That is it.

[Matthew]

Your honor for my next witness I would like to call a guy you read about the murder on the internet, saw highlights of it on the evening news....

Thats such a lame comparison. I have espn, and I don't watch every game but i get highlights on sportscentre, which also shows statistics. Plus reports on the internet can be trusted to a point. Just becuase I don't watch every minute of every game doesn't mean I (or Andrew) cant comment on teams, players, etc. Like Dan (Rens) said, the internet is a good medium and can be a valuable source for information on the NBA.

I am not trying to be a jerk, I am just saying something that is valid, no your opinion is respectfully yours. I am not insulting anyone, calling anyone's statements wrong nor am I calling any of them stupid, like you have done to mine.

But before you said "No offense mate, but what can you say to this? " which imp[lies Andrew has no right to comment about Kobe or the nba considering what you said before it ( I was going to quote the whole of ur 1st post but fuck that). I won't get into you calling him "mate" becuase i don't know if that was you being a smartarse about him being an aussie or not, so i'll leave it.

This is grounds for dismissing a forum member??

Yes, becuase you were acting like a jerk, and virtually saying his opinion is worthless becuase he doesnt watch every fuckin minute of every game.

Honestly you have no ground to stand on, I am not doing anything out of line. If you dismiss me, it's because you don't like my position or my opinion. I have not done anything that can be pointed to as nasty or behavior that is without reasoning.

In your first post you were implying his point of view was worthless, and later on you were being a smartarse with that lame exageration with the court. Besides he gave you a warning, ahem, "get over it"?

You are telling me what I am saying, which is not fair.

Lol! He is telling you what you are saying? What?

[Andrew]

First of all, I'm going to delete your other thread, because:

a) It's off-topic, and does not belong in NBA Talk
b) It's mocking an admin/moderator and/or their warnings
c) You've not understanding the matter

I was going to get into the whole "mate" thing as well, but like Matthew, I'm not sure whether you're using it in a mocking tone or not. Either way, insults based on stereotypes are reflective of a person's character, so I'll ignore it.

Honestly you have no ground to stand on, I am not doing anything out of line. If you dismiss me, it's because you don't like my position or my opinion. I have not done anything that can be pointed to as nasty or behavior that is without reasoning.

Without wanting to sound too arrogant, as administrator of the forum, it's my duty to decide what kind of behaviour is nasty or without reasoning. I'm open to appeals, but when you get caught with your hand in the cookie jar, don't act like a victim.

You seem to think that I'm being vindictive because I disagree with your opinion. Please understand this:

You came into this topic, one that was created in the spirit of asking people in Australia whether they received coverage of the NBA. Your post had nothing to do with the discussion - you made a post that implied my opinions were "suspect" because I did not watch a lot of games.

That opinion is demeaning, basically dismissing my opinions and suggesting that I'm not "qualified" to discuss the NBA, since I don't see the games live. Understand that opinions that are offensive (and certainly off-topic) are not exactly welcomed with open arms. I'm not even going to get into how your other post is frowned upon, laughing in the face of a moderator/admin and acting as if you are being victimised.

I am not saying an opinion is wrong, I am saying it's hearsay.

That is it.

No, you said my opinion was suspect.

The attitude that you showed after your original post is grounds for deletion. You were openly mocking my post. So not only did you suggest that my opinion is "suspect" and that there was no argument against that ("No offense mate, but what can you say to this?"), but you then dismissed my post with a sarcastic and somewhat extreme analogy.

This is a private forum, with established rules and grounds for deletion. I'm not new to this position, I'm familiar with running this website and the forum. A request to curb your attitude and understand that the way in which you presented your point of view was in an aggressive and unwarranted manner is not beyond my duty.

[Nick]

Well, i hope this is all settled.

Anyway, back to the topic.

well, unlike most people here. i don't get to see any NBA games on TV. it's a real bitch. the best coverage i have is the internet and my video game...

Now kneel before me and give my sympathy...

[Big Answer]

In France, we only have few games, about 1 or 2 per week.......
shit !
But none on the french public channel, only on private ones.....
I mean, we have Canal+, I think europeans guys should know it

[Steve04]

Goodness PP, I did not start this topic to demean those from Australia in any way, I was just curious as I don't see how I could stand not being able to watch an NBA game whenever I wanted to.

But I guess this applies to people from all over the world as well, although I would imagine those in southern Canada would see some NBA Games

[Colin]

I would imagine those in southern Canada would see some NBA Games

Yea we get some, but when tbs stopped showing them I lost about 3/4 of them . Now I only get them on sportsnet and tsn, mainly sportsnet, and the score shows playoff games. I might be getting this digital cable where I would get TNT and ESPN though

[Jackal]

Yo, read where i live .....readin all what u guys posted.....i must say im quite lucky...i get to see games on ESPN latin America...on tuesday and friday...regular season and a game in the weekend on ABC...or a doubleheader...but in the playoffs...im gettin to see most of the games on ESPN LA....watchin the Mavs Kings game rite now peace

[Brave Sir Rubin]

get to see games on ESPN latin America...on tuesday and friday...regular season and a game in the weekend on ABC...or a doubleheader...but in the playoffs...im gettin to see most of the games on ESPN LA....watchin the Mavs Kings game rite now peace

exactly the same for me...but i see the sunday doubleheader on a Mexican chanel (TV AZTECA) which they just installed 10 days ago...yay

EPSN LA has great playoff couvrage........plus, they re-installed TBS, which sometimes randomly shows games without worning...but i only got to watch 2 games a week in the regular season...and most were either Lackers/Spurs/Wiz....pretty boring games....

[Colin]

Curacao, eh? Like the liqour?

[Brave Sir Rubin]

no Curacao like the electrical appliances store

[Jackal]

yeps Curacaose Liqour is made rite over here....

no Curacao like the electrical appliances store

LOL....give Colin a break....rub...lotsa ppl dont have a clue where Curacao is yo man....im quite lucky to get to see all those games....on an island...tha's hardly located on the map....and a continent like Australia doesnt show that many games ooh i feel priveliged ....anyways i get TBS here...but i only have seen one Playoff game till now....stupid guys dont even tell u when they will show a game

[Brave Sir Rubin]

ya...that tbs game was wierd...some unscheduled tnt broadcast they had to show or something...

[Gaucho]

I get 2 ESPNs, ESPN+ and another one where NBA is shown , but not sure if I get same games as u guys, i.e. they had 7 of 9 Spurs playoff games so far, and gettin tomorrows -sunday at lakers- game as well (Im in Argentina, I guess its coz manu) And yeah in regular season i get Tue-Fri night, couple doubleaheaders, including one this year where i got my beloved warriors for first time in years Til couple years ago I also had either TNT wed, or a game or two on sundays but no more
If I win the lottery or sumthing gonna buy a damn Antenna and install DirecTV, u can request games on demand...hope theres a 82 game package for my warriors , and if we keep Gilbert I expect some playoff games as well . Last oen I saw was vs Phoenix when Webber was still around bay area

[Andrew]

lotsa ppl dont have a clue where Curacao is

I'm probably way off (as one is when they base world geography on the video game Pirates! Gold), but wasn't Curacao a Dutch settlement, used as their major trading port, settled back in the 1600s, somewhere near Venezula and/or the Gulf of Maracaibo?

a continent like Australia doesnt show that many games

Two words - Rupert Murdoch. The not-so-benevolent majority owner of 20th Century Fox also owns Channel Ten here in Australia (or most if it), the channel that used to broadcast the NBA when it was still on free to air. But that didn't make as much money as putting the games on Foxtel (one of the pay TV providers), also owned by Murdoch (as I'm sure you've already guessed).

Currently, the only basketball shown on free to air is the WNBL.