It’s the best time of the year for NHL and NBA fans with the playoffs in full swing. Which league offers more?
There is a belief that the Stanley Cup is the toughest trophy to win, however, that could be considered a myth created by hockey executives. Here’s a closer look:
Both leagues qualify 16 teams from two Conferences in the post-season. All series are a best of 7 which means the champion must win 16 games in a bracket format. I’m not sure winning 16 playoff games in one 30 team league is more difficult than another.
The NHL has the nod in the area of competitiveness especially in the first round. NHL Western Conference heavyweights like Chicago, L.A. and Anaheim made a quick exit while the NBA Western Conference big three of Golden State, San Antonio and Oklahoma City had a relatively easy time of advancing to the round two.
The upper hand goes to the NBA in terms of star power. The NHL can promote Ovechkin, Crosby and Kane but that pales in comparison to Curry, James and Durant in the NBA.
The NHL brings in the casual fan with hockey pools. The NBA does not have an equivalent although the NCAA men’s basketball tournament is highly successfully, however, that pool is based on team results rather than individual players.
Tradition favors the NHL as the Stanley Cup roots reach back to 1893 while the NBA champions have only received the Larry O’Brien Trophy (new name of the Walter A. Brown trophy) since 1984.
Like any good debate, there is a bone of contention for both sides. NBA games take less time to play but NHL games do not get watered down with constant fouling and timeouts at the end.
If one had to choose to watch either the 7th game of the NBA Finals or the 7th game of the Stanley Cup Finals, I believe hockey offers more action packed drama and intangibles from the start of a game to finish. However, with beauty in the eye of the beholder, on a global basis, it will always be a one sided argument that the NBA has a far greater appeal.
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Entering a Hall of Fame is a huge honor.
Four P.G. residents will officially be inducted into the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame Saturday night during a banquet at the Hart Community Centre.
Here’s a brief look at the inductees for the years 2014-2015.
Charlie Ghostkeeper (Coach/Builder Baseball)
A role model, organizer and gentleman, the late Charlie Ghostkeeper was well respected throughout the sporting community.
Charlie’s dedication and commitment towards the advancement of Aboriginal sports was outstanding.
In the 1960’s, Charlie was the founder of the P.G. July Native Fastball Tournament.
This was just the start of the impact he made on the community.
Charlie was the Founder of the Hart Baseball League, Founder of the United Native Nations Aboriginal Youth Hockey Tournament, Manager/Founder of the Multi-Cultural recreation society, and a builder of the Spruce City Men’s fastball League.
Charlie was recognized with a recreation award of merit in 1986 from the City of Prince George.
Nino Fabbro (Coach/Builder Baseball)
A short tenacious Italian was a giant on the Prince George diamonds.
Nino Fabbro was a player, coach, executive and builder that put his heart and soul into the growth of P.G. fastball.
Nino was the first president of the Spruce City Men’s Fastball Association.
One of his initial accomplishments was spearheading an upgrade to the Spruce City Stadium.
In 1988, Nino received the Government of Canada Certificate of Merit for Contribution to the Community.
In 1989, he was given the “Senior Service Award” for his dedication to fastball in B.C.
In 1990, Nino received the “City of Prince George, Award of Merit in Recreation”.
Audrey Foster (Builder/Administrator Baseball)
Audrey Foster contributed greatly to the Prince George baseball scene as a promoter, organizer, director, and super volunteer.
Audrey, the Administrator and builder of Nechako Little league started as a team Mom and a concession worker in the late 1970’s.
From there, she became part of the executive in many different capacities before taking over as President of Nechako Little League in 1987.
Audrey spearheaded the successful Prince George bid to land the 1996 Canadian Little League Championship.
A builder of Volunteer Park and a recipient of a BC Little League Honor Roll, Audrey was presented in 2012 with a recreational and cultural award from the City of Prince George.
Orv Claffey (Pioneer Athlete Hockey)
He was a hockey player for a whopping 68 years and today Orv Claffey continues to be consumed with the game.
Orv first laced up the skates in 1940 and he continued to play until 2008.
He remains a fixture at the local rinks.
Orv is a Volunteer Minor Official in the Visitors Penalty Box for both the Prince George Spruce Kings (35 years) and the P.G. Cougars (21 years).
As a player, coach, official and administrator, Orv has contributed nearly all of his life to promoting hockey.
In the year 2000, Orv was inducted into the Canadian Adult Recreational Hockey Association Hall of Fame.
From the Quote Rack:
This just in….. With the 32nd pick, The New England Patriots select: from The San Francisco Giants —- their ball boy!
Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver http://alwaysfunny.com/
Nike has ended its contract with Johnny Manziel. Alas, the QB couldn’t seem to figure out the slogan wasn’t “Just OverDo It.”
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
Jonathan Nicola, a 6-foot-9 dominant HS center in Ontario, has been found out to be 30 years old. So I guess the only thing left for him is to join Little League.
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
And in case you missed it:
Texas police said whoever was on a funeral home video stealing items off the fingers of the dead must be desperate for rings. They’re questioning the Houston Texans.
Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for 94.3 the Goat. He also is the 94.3
radio color commentator for P.G. Cougars home games. His column appears Fridays on
myprincegeorgenow.com. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]
Follow him on twitter: @Hartley_Miller