One of my most salient memories from my childhood is staying up late to watch the NBA Finals with my Dad. The games were not played live. Games were tape delayed so we would watch a game whose outcome had already been determined earlier that day.

To this day two thoughts come to mind. 1.How much money was made by con artists wagering vs. the unknowing sucker? 2. This could never happen today in this hyper media age of crawls, talking heads and loudmouth radio spilling the beans ad nauseam.

The fact that these games were viewed in no-def does not detract from my memory of that experience. My memories of those Knick and Laker uniforms were vivid, from the names on the back (Reed, Frazier, Bradley, Chamberlain, West and Goodrich)of the jersey to the high tube socks and suede Pro-Keds. My minds eye and ear can still replicate the action on the court enhanced by the rhythmic squeak of the pivoting, professional feet.

Much has changed since those days. Every aspect of my beloved NBA has morphed in some way. The technology has enhanced the viewing experience. The marketing of players and coaches has deepened story lines. The presence of Charles Barkley as an analyst has reduced the number of trips to the kitchen, or increased them depending on your perspective. I think Sir Charles would have fared well in the 70's game but I am not sure if CBS suits would have let him near a microphone.

On a personal level the changes have been more profound and this surely colors my view of how the boob tube has impacted the game. I am the father now. I pay for the T.V. (and will soon buy a new tube to become technologically compliant in 09), the cable and I can even pick,chose, save, delete and replay the game to enjoy later that evening, as if it were 1973 again.

But I have to stay true to my purist roots and posit that television has profoundly changed the business, marketing, access and spectacle of basketball, yet has not improved it for me. I long for the days of the straight man gentleman announcer with the staccato delivery relaying every development.

Today is the hyper information age that litters the telecast with sponsored jump balls to sideline reporters updating us on a case of jock itch as if it had global implications. I believe if David Stern had his way it would.

This analysis would be remiss to preclude Commissioner Stern for in fact, it is he that has changed the NBA through healthy utilization of television contracts and revenue. Under his stewardship the game has been brought to many in myriad ways. The way the games is shown has blown up over the years and it is apropos that an outfit with the moniker T.N.T. has been a catalyst as well.

Yes, this is not my father's NBA telecast. I am charged with the responsibility of passing on the family tradition of enjoying hoops to my son and daughter (my sisters slept through the finals, it was the 70's). When we do this from our living room the game will have to contend for our attention with dancing girls, crawling trivia and sideline shtick. I hope that my kids end up getting the NBA, not ADD.

Learn more about this author, J.E. Klein.
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