I love that someone created this chat line. For years I have felt this way, and for years I thought maybe the only one other person than myself who saw it was my wife. I’m relieved to see I’m not alone. Thank you for all who posted in support of the Celtics, and against the biased sports populace and media in Massachusetts and New England.
I really started to notice after the 2008 title season just how bad the media coverage of this new title team was. Despite being the best team in town we were, are, and always will be second to the Red Sox. Whether they win a title, (two years ago), or finish in last place, (last year), it doesn’t matter, you put on a sports station and 7 to 8 times out of 10, middle aged and old white men are talking about the Red Sox. Hot stoves, rumors, signings, musings, it doesn’t matter. The Celtics from 2009-2012, they were all good teams, strong teams, hell, they even made the Finals in 2010 and were six points shy, and some bad officiating away from another title. But what did we hear? Red Sox, Red Sox, Red Sox, then Patriots, and then maybe some Celtics and Bruins.
It brings me to a question I have long wrestled with. Are the media racially biased? I think some certainly are. Are some in the media ignorant of basketball – definitely. Do some in the media wish basketball was something they never had to cover? Hell yes, some of them don’t bother to cover it now.
But I ultimately think the media has the opinion that we, the listening audience want to hear about the Red Sox, the Patriots, the Bruins and then the Celtics. Why? Partly because retired old white men have little to do and have the time to call in and they want to talk baseball and football. But partly because the Celtics are a black team that isn’t marketable. Do you disagree? If so, I only have to point out you to the 1980’s Celtics led by lily white Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Danny Ainge, Bill Walton, Jerry Sichting and a host of other white players. The media coverage, even in the declining years was certainly far, far superior to that of any Celtic title contending team from 2008 through 2012. I lived through both eras, and was there for it all. I’m also white, but would have to be blind not to see the racism that exists.
And while I’m venting, I’d like to take the opportunity to state that Michael Felger is one of the most pompous, overrated talk show divas I have ever had the misfortune to listen to, and I again thank the poster who wrote similar statements. Although all can agree Felger dislikes basketball, the blowhard is a frustrated Milwaukee Bucks “fan” from the 1980’s, and hated it when the Celtics prevented the Bucks from moving on to the Eastern Conference finals in 1987. I’m sure what little enjoyment he got from watching basketball left when Larry Bird bounced the ball through Jack Sikma’s legs for a Robert Parish dunk.
What annoys me about the guy, is that knowing next to nothing about the NBA, he has felt free to comment on other commentators in the past, particularly Tommy Heinsohn. I particularly remember Felger ripping Heinsohn to shreds on the radio when Heinsohn compared Kelly Olynyk to a young Dirk Nowitzki. Take that comment as you will, but I will state this – Heinsohn loves basketball, has been around it for [dang] near 80 years, is a TWO TIME HALL OF FAMER, (player and coach – congrats, Tommy), while Felger’s NBA knowledge can fit on the head of a pin with room left to spare.
After the unfair and cruel jabs at Heinsohn I’ve made it a point never to listen to that jackass again.
Again, my thanks to all who created and added to this thread. LET’S GO C’S! LET’S GO NBA!