[diamond6]

The maistream sports media is barely reporting this. The Lakers have always been the NBA's darlings. They were in the 80's and they are in the 2000's. It's called TV Revenue.

The mainstream media is not reporting what? Some so called conspiracy theory? Don't you think if there were any substance to what you were saying the liberal bastards who run the media would gladly report a story of sensationalism? Oh, I guess David Stern must have used millions of dollars to shut up the media. Okay, that makes perfect sense. (sarcasm)

[The South Texan]

Not denying the talent in the 80's . The Celtics got by with just as much stuff in the 80's also. However, if ayou heard anything about games six you would have to agree that the Lakers got ALOT of help. Shaq and Kobe do things like pushing players with their forearms that other players don't get by with. Kobe is an awesome player, no doubt.
Back in 1999 when my Spurs made it to the big show I recall grumblings in the media because they feared a San Antonio vs. Indiana match-up. That would have left out the largest TV markets in New York and L.A. Well the Knicks got in which got the New York market, but as I recall the ratings where still bad.