Press release from NBA headquarters. For immediate distribution.
NBA Commissioner David Stern today issued a guarantee to all media partners of the league that the Los Angeles Lakers, the remaining big market team in the NBA playoffs, would definitely be in a seven game Finals. "The NBA Finals are too important to the media partners to allow two small market teams to contest our showcase event", Stern said. " Accordingly, I issued instructions to the officiating office to ensure that the Lakers prevailed against the Timberwolves, hopefully in no more than six games. I think the officiating in last night's game showed that my instructions are being followed."
NBA Commissioner David Stern today issued a guarantee to all media partners of the league that the Los Angeles Lakers, the remaining big market team in the NBA playoffs, would definitely be in a seven game Finals. "The NBA Finals are too important to the media partners to allow two small market teams to contest our showcase event", Stern said. " Accordingly, I issued instructions to the officiating office to ensure that the Lakers prevailed against the Timberwolves, hopefully in no more than six games. I think the officiating in last night's game showed that my instructions are being followed."
