Yesterday, I have discovered a perfect way to watch live NBA games while in Riga. I mean, not even discovered but really tried it out for the first time. There are Conference Finals underway in the World’s premier basketball league, the Finals are ahead and that means, it’s time to watch some beautiful basketball.

During the regular season and since the Playoffs have started, I got used to checking out games by downloading the torrents. But in that case, the time shift is present and I get to know the result later as the game is being watched the next day (for example, last time it took almost the whole day for the game to download, because it was in HD, 14 Gigs). From time to time I also run up into some spoilers, result updates somewhere on the web, which spoil the whole thing – there’s no sense to root for any team when you know the final score.

That’s why this time I’ve decided to turn to live broadcast and to chant “M-V-P” and “Let’s Go Lakers” together with packed Staples Center and while doing it from my Riga residence though, be present at this historical moment of my main man Kobe battling for the champion’s title.

I don’t give a damn what my neighbors might had been thinking about me at 4 AM then – when the show time tipped off, it seemed like the whole world is watching. The Finals are no doubt a huge event, including in Los Angeles where the 20,000 fans arena featured various mega stars like my favourite actor Denzel Washington, season ticket holder Jack Nicholson, Sylvester Stallone, David Beckham and Victoria, Spider Man, and of course basketball stars, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, and tens more of globally known celebrities.

Ha, I don’t even speak about the ball game itself. Yes – the emotional factor here means a lot more to me. This is real additional value, provided by original commentary, game analysis brought by basketball icons Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, Kenny Smith, Reggie Miller. This is a possibility to feel my presence in there – at once with other fans who are following this grand show. TNT Overtime All Access is even offering to choose one of four online cameras to decide who you wanna follow – either one of the players, or the part of the court or the arena you like.

This TNT feature is pretty cool, and for real, I felt like being present at Staples Center – all sounds are heard and you can switch cams watching the game from different angles. There’s a disadvantage though, the video is playing in the web page built-in flash player thus full screen mode cannot be toggled. Also, there’s no commentary and no live result shown anywhere on the screen, as well as no game/shot clock.

I went to watch the full game with all the commentary and stuff to one of the channels provided by p2p technologies. I found a stream which was broadcasting the same TNT, only the TV version where cameras are chosen by the director or whoever and of course with all the commercials (much more attractive than our Latvian ones here though), but like I said with commentary and easy to read game data, stats and live results displayed.

I had TNT All Access running in other window so I was switching to it occasionally to watch Kob’ exclusively, but during the commercial breaks to watch the bench, arena, and the show at halftime.

Oh yeah, and KB24 was simply incredible. I follow his ways from back in his (and mine) high school days – on and off the court. I’m so happy for him getting an MVP this season, everything is moving towards the ring too.

But regarding the NBA broadcasts and the aura that reigns at the games, here’s a few words I’d like to share – it’s so pity that basketball is not that popular here in Latvia, and our league has such a long way to go to that level. Couple weeks ago I was at LBL Semifinals game in Arena Riga, which was not even half empty, but well – empty. National broadcasts are also not being provided like they supposed to. LTV7 is trying to show something from time to time, including NBA, but that’s actually a rare occasion and of poor quality. This upcoming Monday, May 26, 6:50 AM local they’re gonna air Game 3 of Western Finals though. But ain’t no wish to watch that channel anymore with all its stupid host comments, funny-ass interface/titles and so on – that ish makes me wanna lose my lunch, straight up.

I know that in Latvia it’s possible to tune in to some satellite channels that show NBA. Seems like Garais was telling me about DirecTV? But anyways, I don’t have the plate so I’m stayin’ with torrents and live online broadcasts while enjoying original atmosphere of the basketball motherland. Go Lakes!