In our last two title games, (The Super Bowl and the Final Four) we had two of the most exciting plays in recent memory. Just in case you've had your head in the sand here they are:

David Tyree's catch....



And Mario Chalmers nailing the three....




It did get me to thinking that one of the things that made these plays so special was the fact that they both occured during a "sudden death" situation. Had either of these plays happened in the second game of a seven game series, they wouldn't have had the same impact. In both cases, I believe the other team would have won if they faced each other in a series. But since these games were, in effect, a "game 7", the plays took on a much more memorable meeting.

I started thinking about memorable plays in MLB and NBA playoffs. Most of the plays/games I remember occured in the "close out" game, game six or game seven.

For example, what if Bill Buckner's error occured in game 2? It would have been exciting, but everyone wouldn't remember it the same way. Same with the Bartman play, Joe Carter's walk off home run, Michael Jordan's "push-off" against the Jazz and Willis Reed coming on the court in Game seven.

This leads us to the NBA playoffs which start next week. For those of you that bailed on the NBA in the late 90's, it might be time to come back. There are several teams in the West that play great basketball and will be fun to watch. Unfortunately for those of us on the east coast, you'll have to stay up to midnight to see any of those teams play.

Now imagine if the NBA playoffs were similiar to the NCAA tournament, making every game a "Game 7". Even if you think the NBA is no good anymore, would you watch the playoffs then? In fact, most people don't watch college basketball, but suddenly they tune into the tournament. Instead of starting the playoffs in April and ending in June, the playoffs would last about three weeks.

I realize that a series tends to provide us with the better team. If a player has a bad shooting night, he can come back and redeem himself the next night. If the referees are making awful calls, teams can overcome them in a series. And if a team wins on a fluke play, it doesn't decide the entire series.

I also recognize my idea will never happen because a series generates more money. More games means additional ticket sales, tv revenue and concessions. But would revenue decrease that much if you cut the number of games back? General economics tell us that if you reduce the supply, demand will increase. If the Lakers fans now pay $1,000 for courtside tickets, what would they pay for a winner takes all against the Celtics? If we had the NBA Championship game, rather than a series, wouldn't TV viewership increase? I think we all know the answers to those questions.

I'll still be watching the playoffs, but I'll miss some games. I wouldn't if they were all "game 7''s".

Finally, if you don't believe me, check out Rex Champman's shot to send the game into overtime in 1997. Hardcore NBA fans remember this play, but if it would have happened in a decisive "game 7" it would be a household play.