NBA Finals: By the numbers
The 2010 NBA Finals is an exciting and frustrating time for fans, players and owners. Some fans will be happy their team made it to the Finals. Others will be wondering what their team can do to improve next year. For the owners and players it is an exciting time as well. After all, this is a professional sport and a lot of money is at stake for owners, players and anyone else with a financial interest in the game.
A look at the numbers will provide some insight on the game and what it means to interested parties.
By the numbers
•$607 million: The value Forbes magazine set for the Los Angeles Lakers after winning the NBA championship in 2009. The New York Knicks came in second ($586 million), followed by the Chicago Bulls ($511 million), the Detroit Pistons ($479 million) and the Cleveland Cavaliers ($476 million).
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•$91,377,313: The payroll for the Lakers for the 2009-2010 season. The Dallas Mavericks come in second at $86.9 million followed by the Boston Celtics ($86.5 million), the New York Knicks ($85.1 million) and then the Cleveland Cavaliers ($84.5 million). The Mavericks, Knicks and Cavaliers all failed to make it to the conference finals in 2010.
Does a high payroll create more value for the owner? This table compares team payrolls and the top 10 and bottom 10 teams by value as determined by Forbes. Eyeballing the list, there is a correlation that the higher your payroll the better valuation you receive. It's unclear if the Clippers raised their payroll to the Lakers level they would see their valuation rise. Winning would go a long way to making a difference.
•$23,239,561: Tracy McGrady's(notes) New York Knicks salary for the 2009-2010 season, making him the league's highest-paid player. Kobe Bryant(notes) of the L.A. Lakers came in second at $23.0 million.
•$51.1 million: The most operating income for an NBA franchise, by, you guessed it, the Lakers. The Chicago Bulls produced $51.0 million followed by the Detroit Pistons with $46.9 million.
•17: Most championships by an NBA team. The Boston Celtics have won 17 championships, followed closely by the Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers, who have won 15 NBA championships. The Celtics and the Lakers are facing off in the 2010 NBA Finals.
•2 of 3: Two of the top three teams in total payrolls have won the most championships, indicating that high salaries do contribute to on-the-court success.
