It has always been this way with the media.
I started becoming a fan of basketball and the NBA way back in 1981 as the Hick from French Lick started to become a star, and Larry vs Magic was born.
Even back then, it was "Showtime Lakers" vs "The Ugliest team in Basketball (BOS)"....you had "smiling Magic", with his appeal, talent and that run-and-gun mess called Showtime Lakers vs the supposedly slow, grind it out, tough, gritty AND talented Boston Celtics teams.
Even the COACHES had a certain flair with them...I remember Coach Riley with that Greasy hair style and those slick LA suits and then you had KC Jones with his laid back (but talented and intelligent) demeanor.
Was nothing flashy about KC, but man got us 3 banners in the 80s and would've gotten more if not for Bias.......
Indeed - the media has ALWAYS loved the Lakers and NY - and for good reason. Those two are storied franchises. But the Media will ALWAYS give them the benefit of the doubt when it comes to presentation and that's how it's always been to my memory.
Lakers miss the playoffs AGAIN? At least for next 2-3 seasons? Not a problem....the media will ALWAYS find a silver lining with them.
LA is HOLLYWOOD and don't you forget it lol

NY implodes - even with the infusion of talent there now? Not a problem....Spike Lee will make it better LOL.
DAL? You'd think that Mark Cuban himself suits up next to Dirk on the court...you oftentimes hear more about HIM than you do Dirk, but AGAIN he's a flashy owner. There was even talk about him running for VICE PRESIDENT for crying out loud. But AGAIN - even with DAL this kind of attention will ALWAYS get you Media Love.
HOU? I call them "Mini Lakers" because of their pseudo ShowTime run and gun style with James Harden and NOW featuring Mike Dantoni. I am certain that HOU will score 110 points per game now under Mike and James (and the MEDIA) will LOVE him, but they will struggle to make the playoffs and won't be able to defend anyone.
But remember - Offense sells tickets. The "Bearded One" will be even happier now.
For BOS? Now that we have TWO legitimate anchors in IT and Big Al? We'll see. We'll see an uptick in media coverage......we MAY even sniff a CHRISTMAS NBA game now - especially if we get Durant?
But don't worry now matter HOW good BOS gets the media will ALWAYS gravitate back to the usual suspects no matter how bad they are.....and I like it like that. It's too funny, honestly. But I understand it.