The NBA, National Basketball Association, has begun their marathon play-offs to determine this years champion. I say marathon not so much due to the number of games it takes to determine the winner but how long it takes. Pretty soon we will be watching a final game at our Fourth of July BBQ.

This lengthy journey is, of course, dictated by the TV networks who want as many live events as they can possibly find to spread over this time of re-runs on the major networks.

The caliber of play so far in the early rounds by the œbetter teams does not represent the talent level well at all. The plays looks like people who know they are beginning a marathon or, more accurately, have been on an 800 mile run and just discovered they have 200 more miles to go.

My question is this, at what point does the œmore is better view of TV and the leaders of the NBA damage a product so much that everyone loses as a result? Players do not play poorly because they dont care. They play poorly because œthe lights are on, the dogs are barking and nobody is home.

Full engagement is anything requires that the performers have access to maximum energy. If you are out, you are out. Marathons leave little opportunity for recharging. They wear the participants down. It then must become survival. You will rarely see outstanding performance when survival takes over.

Look, I know you have to play the season and that everyone looks forward to the playoffs. Me, too. I am just saying it does not take the amount of days used to play the number of games required to crown the champion.

The game is basketball. Lets sprint to the championship. The important factors are action, engagement and being able to see the finish line.

Speaking of championships, colleges have them occurring during this time frame, too. In May and June, we have mens and womens golf, baseball, softball, track and field, lacrosse, swimming and I am sure I have left a sport out. For that I apologize.

There will be many inspiring performances. There will be un-sung heroes and teams winning that the œexperts said, œno way. There will be disappointment and heartbreak.

Shouldnt we give our professionals, the best actors on their stage, the opportunity to perform at their best? Play the games closer together, it creates momentum. They do it all year long anyway.

The University of Connecticut won five games in a row to win the Big East Tournament and used the momentum to carry them to an NCAA Championship. A couple of days after, they probably crashed and burned.

At the end of a long race, being able to see the finish line may be more energizing than anything. Its supposed to be difficult. Just dont make it ordinary.

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