After lackluster ratings over the past few seasons, the NBA is experiencing an amazing resurgence in playoff Nielsen ratings. To what do Sports Rag readers owe this viewer increase?

"I’m just watching to see if Shaq and Kobe finally cast aside that macho facade, give into their forbidden urges, and French kiss each other." -- Mitch Z., Kansas City

"Because David Stern isn’t in cahoots with the referees and NBC to drag the playoffs out as long as humanly possible. Repeat, not in any cahoots whatsoever." -- Ariel T., Portsmouth, NH

"Ever since they cancelled ‘Becker’ there isn’t much else on. What? ‘Becker’ is still on? You’ve GOT to be fucking kidding me!" -- Louis J., San Pedro, CA

"You want to talk Nielsen ratings? How ‘bout that Brigitte Nielsen. Was she hot as that Russian broad in Rocky IV or what?" -- Danny P., Skokie, IL

"Being a cartoonishly ugly, liver-spotted man myself, I find it inspirational that Dick Stockton has found gainful employment as a television announcer." -- H. Pearson, Boston, MA

"The only television I watch is in desolate highway motel rooms after performing human sacrifices on missing runaways to satisfy the bloodlust of my dark, whorry Beastlord. And even then it’s usually just ‘Trading Spaces.'" -- Larry, Austin, TX