NBA Playoffs Vs. Stanley Cup Finals: Who Will Win the Battle for Viewers?

In case you haven't noticed it's playoff time for both the NBA and the NHL. While both have some interesting first round match-ups, I have decided to do a comparison to give you the chance to decide which league offers more excitement during the playoffs.

So lets fire up the clichés, 'We don't care who we play', 'We're just happy to be in the playoffs", and whatever lame catchphrase the 12th man scrub on some basketball team dreams up in the hopes of banking some extra pennies should the team catch fire, and some city marketing campaign decides to buy it.

Lets start the debate with tradition. The NHL has its playoff beards, no one is allowed to touch the conference championship trophy, and baiting the other team to get in a fight for a precious power play. The NBA has Tracy McGrady losing in the first round, the NBA burying at least one entire series on the NBA network, and TNT's 30 games in 30 nights tired out promotion. The winner here is clearly the NHL.

Next we look at television coverage. The NHL has some network in the called Versus, with programming timed in-between high-def bull riding, and rock-climbing. The NBA is can be easily viewed on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, TNT, just to name a few. I'm afraid that NBA wins this category hands down. This is like a bunch of pro ballers playing the dorks from gym class, including the guy who plays in jeans. While 80 percent of America doesn't even know hockey's season has started, the NBA had a TV show to announce its TV schedule.

What would a professional league be without its stars? Sure the NHL has Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, and that's apparently it according to the commissioner's office. You're right Gary von Gary. Boston has no stars -- except maybe the Norris winner. Syd the kid doesn't play with anyone decent -- except an MVP candidate, and Detroit's all-star roster has been a fluke except for winning multiple cups and awards. The NBA on the other hand has Kobe, Bron-Bron, and D-Wade amongst the other billion. Clearly the NBA is the winner here. During an NHL broadcast you might come across one of these during a commercial break --an NBA player.

Some people might say that both the NHL and NBA playoffs are like a season of its own. This year the NHL will give us eight great match-ups and teams that are better, but it's not uncommon for a team to catch lightning and maybe a hot goalie and make a run for the cup. The NBA? Hmm, will Boston, Cleveland, or Orlando play the Lakers? Four out of 16 teams? Why even bother? Yawn. This one goes to the NHL, with the best top to bottom playoff of any sport. And it doesn't have to be your team to warrant a good game.

Finally the NHL has the best trophy ever while the NBA has a golden ball on the edge of a rim. The next time an athlete tells a story about christening his baby in the NBA trophy, then feeding his dog out of it, then taking it to a stripper, and then boozing whiskey out of it all in the same night, I might listen. Lord Stanley rules. Winner, the NHL.

The overall winner in comparison is the NHL, but since no one knows if they're even on TV, I guess the NBA will take the title. Unsatisfying? So is the BCS, deal with it.