What The NBA Is Telling America (Based On The Schedule)

With the release of the full schedule Tuesday, all 30 teams now know what games they will have in front of a national audience. I decided to rank the 30 teams based on the number of national televised games (3 points for ABC, 2 for ESPN/TNT, 1 for NBA TV), leaving some eye-opening results.

1. Boston Celtics (6 ABC Games, 19 ESPN/TNT, 7 NBA TV)

The return of KG and a team that has won more games the last two years than any other tops the list. The 25 games on basic cable ties for the most, but the 7 additional NBA TV games puts them over the top. Marquee franchise with marquee exposure.

2. Orlando Magic (5 ABC, 19 ESPN/TNT, 8 NBA TV)

One of the (minor) surprises on the list is the ESPN fully backing the Eastern Conference champions, and the addition of Vince Carter might have bumped them just above the MVP and the champ in the schedule. Finals ratings (8.4, 9.4 in gm 4 before dropoff) also could have inspired the NBA to back the Magic has a power in the NBA. The Eastern Conference race seems to be the NBA's main anticipated draw this season.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers (5 ABC, 20 ESPN/TNT, 4 NBA TV)

The best regular season team in the NBA with the NBA MVP is somewhat surprisingly only 3rd, though the top 4 are essentially even. Yes, the top 3 teams in national TV is in the East. All above the NBA Champions. Also surprising is that the Cavs only have 5 ABC games, though they do have the Christmas day game with the following team...

4. Los Angeles Lakers (6 ABC, 19 ESPN/TNT)

The main reason the defending champs are 4th in these rankings is the lack of an NBA TV broadcast, which is surprising, but possibly mandatory. As mentioned earlier, it's pretty much the East trio and the Lakers in its own group of prominence, then the rest of the NBA. Self explanatory.

5. Denver Nuggets (3 ABC, 19 ESPN/TNT, 7 NBA TV)

The next tier starts with the Western Conference Finalists led by a top 10 player in popularity in Carmelo and a pretty entertaining and animated group of players. Stern doesn't shy away from the probable NBA leaders in tattoos, but still have great talent and a solid, if occasionally combustible, product.

6. San Antonio Spurs (3 ABC, 17 ESPN/TNT, 8 NBA TV)

Spurs continue to waddle in the second tier of a consistent NBA team led by arguably the best power forward ever but because they wear black and don't have any players with great marketing skills (unless you enjoyed Tony Parker's rap album or the fact the most marketable asset is Parker's wife, Eva) so they are around but not completely sold. Richard Jefferson's appearance helps keep them this high.

7. Phoenix Suns (1 ABC, 17 ESPN/TNT, 7 NBA TV)

They traded away their third leading scorer, they have a star with an eye problem and another in his mid-30s, and they didn't make the playoffs last season, but they still run the most entertaining offense in basketball. Apparently, that's enough. The Suns might not make the playoffs again, but at least you can see them often. Shockingly, none of their matchups against Golden State are nationally televised. Who doesn't want to see another 154-130 game this year.

8. Portland Trailblazers (1 ABC, 16 ESPN/TNT, 7 NBA TV)

The Blazers continue to move up the totem pole into the main attraction group, being the last of the eight NBA teams to make an appearance on ABC (yes, if you don't own basic cable, you only will see eight NBA teams this regular season). Could be moving up the list with the often praised young nucleus. Could be Brandon Roy's coming out party into superstardom this year. If he's not there already.

9. Miami Heat (15 ESPN/TNT, 8 NBA TV)

Any Dwyane Wade-led team for the next five years will have at least 15 games on TV.  If he leaves next year, Miami will drop into the 20s. Only Lebron, Kobe, and Wade have this much pull in terms of national TV. Miami-Cleveland is on the National schedule three times this year, and is probably the best duel matchup on an individual level in the league (Kobe-LeBron happens twice, and no matchup has featured a great performance by either).

10. Utah Jazz (13 ESPN/TNT, 8 NBA TV)

Still a solid group despite struggling to make the playoffs last year but are in flux with the uncertain future of Carlos Boozer. Nevertheless, the Jazz are still a good draw and some heated matchups with LA and New Orleans are often entertaining.

11. Dallas Mavericks (13 ESPN/TNT, 7 NBA TV)

Adding Shawn Marion at least keeps the Mavericks interesting even after making the second round last year and winning 50 games, and are still a decent draw, though not as often as in the past three years. Dallas-San Antonio, one of the better rivalries this decade, only has one national TV game.

12. Chicago Bulls (13 ESPN/TNT, 5 NBA TV)

The NBA is not quite ready to jump on the Bulls bandwagon after being burned two years ago from a potential title contender. However, Boston-Chicago should always be on national TV, and all four matchups are on this year. Thank goodness.

13. New Orleans Hornets (9 ESPN/TNT, 7 NBA TV)

Chris Paul felt a sharp increase in exposure last year after his under-the-radar MVP caliber run two years ago, but now with the Hornets struggles last year, they are moved back to the solid but unspectacular coverage group.

14. Washington Wizards (8 ESPN/TNT, 8 NBA TV)

Yes, the Washington Wizards. The winners of all of 19 games last season get a boost by adding two solid NBA players in Randy Foye and Mike Miller and with the expected return of Gilbert Arenas moves them back into the middle of pack in coverage. If they fail again, it might be the last time an Arenas-led team gets favorable coverage opportunities.

15. Los Angeles Clippers (8 ESPN/TNT, 5 NBA TV)

Yes. The Los Angeles Clippers. Last year, only Derrick Rose (with help from being on a recently good team) was able to give an NBA team a coverage boost by his arrival. This year, there are two, but Blake Griffin's getting the Greg Oden push by the NBA in exposure. Hopefully for Blake, he doesn't have his career start the way Oden's did.

16. Atlanta Hawks (7 ESPN/TNT, 6 NBA TV)

One of only two teams to win a playoff round last year but not find itself in the top 10 in coverage, apparently Joe Johnson's scoring skill, Mike Bibby's leadership, or Josh Smith's unique athleticism are enough to provide more exposure.

17. Golden State Warriors (8 ESPN/TNT, 3 NBA TV)

The second team to receive a draftee bump in coverage is built by the introduction of media darling Stephen Curry into a high octane offense. Curry's elite 8 game against Kansas in 2008 was the highest rated non-Final Four game of the season, and his performances at times can be breathtaking. Anthony Randolph's Lamar Odom-like skills mixed with a ridiculous motor and a wide range of in-game emotions.

18. New York Knicks (i.e. Madison Square Garden) (5 ESPN/TNT, 5 NBA TV)

In reality, the Knicks playing anywhere else but the World's Most Famous Arena would provide as many national games as their neighbors on the New Jersey Turnpike. However, LeBron's impending free agency along with his and Kobe's gamesmanship in MSG provide reason for some opportunities for the NBA to showcase, even if the games may not be as competitive. Nine of the Knicks ten national games are in MSG.

19. Detroit Pistons (4 ESPN/TNT, 5 NBA TV)

The signings of Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva apparently did not convince the NBA enough that they would become a superpower, and the Pistons are fading closer to NBA irrelevance for the first time in nearly a decade.

20. Philadelphia 76ers (2 ESPN/TNT, 7 NBA TV)

The loss of Andre Miller and the lack of a truly marketable player (though Elton Brand and Andre Iguodala are not far off) appears to move Philly near the back of the pack amongst 2009 playoff teams. A little surprising for a team with solid veterans and a good group of youngsters (Thad Young, Lou Williams, Marreese Speights, Jrue Holiday).

21. Houston Rockets (7 NBA TV)

To me, the most shocking statement by the NBA. The Rockets are apparently not interesting this year to follow despite providing the biggest challenge to the Lakers last. However, it will be tough for a team devoid of an active player taller than 6-9 or a 15 ppg scorer in a season to make an impact in the race.

T22. Charlotte Bobcats (4 NBA TV)

The Bobcats start the bottom nine, the teams that all have four or less nationally televised games, and none of the group has more than one national game on basic cable. The Bobcats did win 35 games last year and showed the potential of squeaking into the playoffs next year.

T22. Indiana Pacers (1 ESPN, 2 NBA TV)

The Pacers finished 9th in the East and have an excellent scorer in the form of Danny Granger and one of the most publicized rookies in Tyler Hansbrough, though his impact this season is unknown.  The Pacers' lone ESPN game happens to be their final game of the year.

T22. Oklahoma City Thunder (1 ESPN, 2 NBA TV)

For some reason, the concept of a Russell Westbrook/James Harden/Jeff Green trio backing a future Olympian in Kevin Durant does not appear to effect the NBA enough this season to give them more then a sniff of coverage. While they aren't likely to make a playoff push, they may not be far off.

T25. Memphis Grizzlies (1 TNT, 1 NBA TV)

Pretty self-explanatory. Not a good team, though Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo have their moments. Might be stuck in minimal exposure for a while.

T25. Minnesota Timberwolves (1 ESPN, 1 NBA TV)

David Kahn's super-plan doesn't appear to pay any immediate dividends, or at least, the NBA doesn't believe in the Wolves. Still, a core of Al Jefferson/Kevin Love/Johnny Flynn paired with Ricky Rubio's rights could lead to some success down the road.

T25. Toronto Raptors (1 ESPN, 1 NBA TV)

Somewhat surprising to see the Raptors with minimal coverage, despite having an Olympian in Chris Bosh, the big signing of Hedo Turkoglu, and providing the closest to an international team out there. May not win 40 games, but is still interesting.

28. New Jersey Nets (2 NBA TV)

With the trade of Vince Carter, the Nets only have one semi-marquee name on their roster in Devin Harris. While the Nets have pieces in Courtney Lee and Brook Lopez, this season will not likely be much better than last year's 34 win team.

T29. Milwaukee Bucks (1 NBA TV)

Nothing to see here. Except maybe Brandon Jennings.

T29. Sacramento Kings (1 NBA TV)

Nothing to see here. Except maybe Tyreke Evans.

In short, the Eastern Conference matters, the Lakers and NBA TV don't get along, the Suns are bigger than the Rockets, and go ahead and sleep on the Thunder, Raptors, Pacers, and Bobcats.