Money is the driving force behind the NBA secretly rooting for the guys in green, especially this season. To those who really understand what drives sports in this country, you will hear a collective "duh" at the end of that sentence.
The most popular NBA jersey sold this season was that of Kevin Garnett, whose sales tripled since last season. The most popular team merchandise, even in sales at the NBA's New York City store, were those of the Boston Celtics. Again, an increase in triple digits since last season.
Winning certainly breeds contempt from those franchises who wish they could cash in like this. It breeds giggles and grins of glee from the league.
There is no revenue-generating sport in America that doesn't realize you have to be big in New York to be successful. Where do you think all the major advertising agencies are house?
Boston, thanks to the Red Sox, Patriots, resurgence of the Bruins, two sold-out NASCAR dates in nearby New Hampshire, and the Celtics' rise again to playoff status has become almost and perhaps just as important to every major sport in America as well.
So the Lakers and Kobe Bryant may be the favorites to win the series, but I wouldn't be one bit shocked to see a four-leaf clover fall out of David Stern's pocket in the next couple of weeks.
Veteran network sports commentator Ed Berliner can be read here at "The Bleacher Report" and TBR readers can listen to comments from a wide variety of national and regional sports commentators on the NBA and other sports at www.speedingbulletnetwork.com.
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