Look. When I negotiated that contract w/ NBC to televise the games, we got lucky and Jordan was in his prime. The ratings started sagging when he was in his decline and if it wasn't for the Lakers/Sacramento rivalry, NBC would have lost revenue on the game.
There's a reason that since the Sperms have been winning a few les, the league is no longer on Network television as they used to. Outside of San Antonio, no one really cares if the Sperms win or lose. I had to enter into contracts w/ TNT and ESPN in order to get the games nationally televised. I want the league back on national broadcast TV. They used to be on in primetime.
On the other hand, people care about the Lakers. Half of the country cares that they win, and the other half would want nothing more than for them to lose. So people watch.
I understand that the Lakers are a popular team and it's just for the good of the league for the Lakers to keep advancing. I hope you understand.