The 9:00pm start (merged)

[lcrimaldi]

Do you have young kids that are excited about the Celtics/Lakers series, but can't stay up past the 9 p.m. start time? Are you an early riser chagrined about the 9 p.m. for the entire Finals series? If so, I'd love to talk to you for a story in tomorrow's Boston Herald. You can call me at 617-619-6666 or e-mail at lcrimaldi@bostonherald.com. Thank you. Laura Crimaldi

[LarBrd33]

It makes me glad I live in Seattle.  Especially with the length of commercials games have been going 3+ hours.  If that thing goes into OT it'll be well past midnight. 

[NicaraguanFan]

I don't have that problem... But if someday you want to write about following the Celtics overseas, you can drop me a line

[wdleehi]

The start is to late for the East coast.  Forget young kids watching the game.  Forget building the next generation of fans. 




I am going to need a nap myself before the games. 

[kriegpat2]

The start is to late for the East coast.  Forget young kids watching the game.  Forget building the next generation of fans. 




I am going to need a nap myself before the games. 

I'm with you.  As someone with a job and young children, I'm getting 4-5 hours sleep max each game night.

Why can't there be a Sunday afternoon game?  The superbowl is at 6:30PM every year.  You can't tell me an early start time hurts NFL viewing numbers.  Stern, you need to put a couple games on Sat/Sun afternoon. 

[Redz]

I know we scoff at the scheduling of the Finals but the long break has actually done wonders for my sleep pattern!  Every other night for 6 weeks was rough.  I really wanted to watch some of the Western Conference games on the off nights but found myself pecking corn instead.

[rondohondo]

Games should be over around 11:30- 12. I don't think it's that bad, they have to take west coast into consideration when they start these games to get the best ratings they can. .

[cooleststan]

yes, you need to think about people on the west coast, for them the games will be starting at 6, some people dont even get back from work by then

[TAllen]

Games should be over around 11:30- 12. I don't think it's that bad, they have to take west coast into consideration when they start these games to get the best ratings they can. .

How about for the people like me who have to get up at 5:30 in the morning.  I'll be exhausted for the entire series.

[jhog3411]

http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view.bg?articleid=1098487

I agree that the games are on too late but there's nothing we can do about it.  They were even later for Red Sox games considering how late those go.  The thing that irks me is the Sunday games, which should be on much earlier.  The article points out that in 1987 the Finals games all started at 9 during the week, but the Sunday games were 1 and 330.

[Roy Hobbs]

http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view.bg?articleid=1098487

I agree that the games are on too late but there's nothing we can do about it.  They were even later for Red Sox games considering how late those go.  The thing that irks me is the Sunday games, which should be on much earlier.  The article points out that in 1987 the Finals games all started at 9 during the week, but the Sunday games were 1 and 330.

I agree.  I think for weeknight games, 9:00pm is the earliest you can go.  People on the West Coast who get out of work at 5:00 can't be expected to miss the beginning of the game.

However, for Sunday games, what's wrong with a 6:00pm start, or even a 4:00pm start?  The NBA shows regular season games in the afternoon all the time.  What it comes down to, though, is advertising dollars, which is why this will never change.

[GroverTheClover]

I don't mind the late start since I don't get out of my Tuesday and Thursday class until 8:30. Besides, it's at the most, 7 games. But then again, I don't have kids.

[Edgar]

I don't have that problem... But if someday you want to write about following the Celtics overseas, you can drop me a line

or me... I am his neighbor...

[PistolPete]

9:00  is much better than the tape delay games of the 80's that used to come on in my area at 11:30pm.

[Badfish35]

9:00  is much better than the tape delay games of the 80's that used to come on in my area at 11:30pm.

yea there are a lot of things that are better today than the 80's, however it is 2008 and we live in a different world - it ticks me off that the NBA has a finals span over 2 weeks without ONE weekend game (a game that doesn't require people getting up to work the following day) and even the Sunday game is going to end around/ after midnight!!  Even in the 80s we had Sunday games in the afternoon....

Stern needs to focus on growing his business........ if he can't throw a bone to young fans ONE game over the span on a seven game series he is just showing he will cowar to the network's demands.  He is a weenie and a wimp.